Jeri and I just returned from a trip with stops at the Toledo Boat Show and a pre-scouting trip down Route 6 in Pennsylvania. Ever since the TCT Caravan down the Historic National Road, Route 40, we have been making an attempt to provide our members with another Caravanning opportunity. We tried the Lincoln Highway Corridor in Pennsylvania. We sent letters to every Chamber of Commerce along the route asking for assistance, but did not get one reply. An earlier attempt to conduct a Caravan across Iowa on the Lincoln Highway met a similar fate.
Things have been different on our quest to get something going down Route 6. Terri Dennison, of the Pennsylvania Route 6 Tourist Association has been extremely helpful. She sent out some info on TCT and asked communities if they would like to host us as we travel the Route.
What follows is some info on our trip:
Our trip began on Saturday August 22nd. We visited with the organizer of the Toledo Ohio Boat Show about TCT’s possible involvement in the 2010 show. The facilities are basically new, but the proposed area for the vintage camper display is under construction. Whether it is open and ready for the August 2010 show isn’t a sure thing. The road along the shore is in, but the development of the park is in the rudimentary stages.
We certainly hope progress is made and we can participate in next years show.
We will notify TCT members after the first of the year if enough progress has been made for us to commit to this event.
Route 6 Conneaut Lake Park
What a pleasant surprise. This park has a Tilt-A-Whirl that dates back to 1949. All the Whirl’s cars are original. The Blue Streak Roller Coaster was built in 1938. The parks first coaster operated from 1909 to 1937. The Blue streak has been closed since the end of the 2006 season. The goal is to have the blue Streak open in June of 2010 to be part of ACE’s Coaster Con XXXIII event. The Carousel building, structure and mechanics are from its 1910 origin. The carousel is the oldest ride in the park. The Beach Club was built in 1935 on the spot of the former Beach House. The Hotel Conneaut was built in 1903. Additions were made in the ’20’s, bringing the room count to 300. The hotel is believed to be haunted and has been featured in an A & E series Paranormal State.
We had a nice walking tour of the facility and see our visit to Conneaut Lake Park as a very important part of the proposed Route 6 Caravan. The renovation of this park compares to many of our trailer of our member’s vintage RV restoration projects.
Brookville Family Campground
This campground is a tentative stop along the route. The facilities are very nice and the proprietor, Robin Chilson, is very interested in hosting the Caravan. If we are able to set up the Caravan our stop would be a weekend feature for camp residents and the citizens of Meadville Pennsylvania.
Allegheny River Campground
Near the town of Roulette, nestled along the Allegheny River is the Allegheny River Campground. The Campground is owned by the Wise family and they have been working hard the last couple of years to turn it into a great facility. They are close to accomplishing their goal.
The facilities are perfect for a Caravan stop or for individual or group camping. It would make a great site for any club’s rally.
Coudersport Pennsylvania is nearby and has everything you might need. Some great restaurants and very interesting downtown area.
Galeton and Mansfield Pennsylvania
My apologies to Terri Dennison and the mayor of Mansfield, Tom Wierbowski. I forgot my camera on the day Jeri and I visited these communities.
Both communities are very enthused about the possibility of being a stop for the TCT Caravan. The facilities in both communities are city parks with excellent facilities.
Jeri and I are attempting to get everything together and if all goes as planned, we will have registration material out later this fall. We have tentatively set early June 2010 for the Caravan. The actual travel distance along the Route will be short and it will give participants a great opportunity see the sites and enjoy the beauty and the people of Route 6 – The Grand Army of the Republic Highway.