Travel Log: McKean, PA
By the time we pulled into McKean, Pennsylvania, the air smelled like fresh-cut fields, the sun was flexing at full strength, and Ariel had already picked a shady patch of shrubbery to begin her campground surveillance. After the big energy of Medina and Niagara Falls, McKean felt quieter-more hammock, less hustle. We didn’t have a jam-packed itinerary for this leg of the trip, and honestly? That was kind of the point. It gave us room to breathe, reset, and find unexpected joy in things like tuna melts, teen driver milestones, and a speakeasy with a side of street smarts.
Ariel’s take? 10/10 for hot dogs, minus a few points for being left behind. (She made sure we knew.)
Snapshot: McKean, PA
Location: McKean, PA
Duration: 7 days
Miles driven from last stop: 147 miles
Must-See Attraction: Lake Erie views – and the “Back to the ’80s” escape room if you’re puzzle people
Weirdest Thing We Ate: Graffiti-covered picnic tables (okay, not technically eaten, but worth noting)
Ariel’s Rating: 🐾🐾🐾🐾✂️ (4.5 paws – half-point deduction for abandonment trauma and lack of bacon)
Day 1 – Shade, Shrubbery, and the Sacred Dump Vent
We rolled into McKean, Pennsylvania after 147 quiet miles – which, for a travel day, is basically a miracle. No detours. No weather drama. No forgotten essentials (I think). We landed at the Erie KOA, and the best moment of the day – as always – was pulling into our site and parking Journey like a pro.
It was hot. Like sweat-beading-on-your-shins hot. So while we set up, both M and I were dripping and cranky… until we plugged in the RV, flipped on the air, and stood directly under the glorious AC dump vent – full blast, straight down, life-changing. M hooked her phone up to the RV speakers and we had a full dance break under the freezing air like it was a VIP cooling tent at a music festival. If you’ve never danced to Taylor Swift with your teen in 97° heat under a ceiling vent in an RV, I highly recommend it.
Once the camper was ready, I grabbed my book and a chair and parked myself in the shade outside. Ariel joined me, happily supervising from her favorite kind of perch – a half-hidden spot in the shrubbery. That is, until she became convinced the bush was haunted. M swore she saw a bird, I saw nothing. Ariel, however, saw everything. Unfortunately for her, the tie-out line stopped her just short of solving the mystery. Still, she gave it her all. Queen of Surveillance.
Lunch was a simple car picnic – sandwiches in transit – and dinner was M’s classic mac and cheese at the site. It wasn’t a flashy day, but it was a good one. Quiet roads, cool air (eventually), and a shady seat with a book.
Day 2 – Rain, Reading, and the Fine Art of Doing Nothing
We didn’t go anywhere today – and honestly, that was kind of the point. It rained on and off all morning, the kind of soft summer drizzle that makes you grateful you don’t have anywhere to be. I got a little work done first thing, then made a cup of tea and sat outside under the awning with my book while the rain hit the roof.
M spent the day rotating between art projects and laundry – her idea of multitasking – while Ariel held down both the couch and the shady patch outside like it was her royal duty. There’s something so grounding about campground days like this: no alarms, no packing, no timelines. Just us, the trees, and the occasional chipmunk squabble for entertainment.
I watched Ariel wander the site like she was inspecting a new kingdom. Nose down, tail up, serious expression. She takes her scouting job very seriously, even if she doesn’t always remember where she left her squeaky dinosaur.
Dinner was a little bit of this, a little bit of that – sandwich fixings, hot dogs, maybe a rogue frozen burrito. Nothing fancy, but enough to keep us fed and the dog giving us judgmental glances for not sharing.
Day 3 – Puzzles, Pickups, and Picasso’s Chalk Tables
After a slow, rainy reset yesterday, today was full of movement, mischief, and memory-making. We met up with J – one of M’s favorite road trip friends from past adventures – who joined us for a full day of plans and a sleepover at the camper. (Pro tip: a second teen in an RV automatically doubles both the fun and the volume.)
First, we had to pick up our Amazon packages from a locker location. Apparently, not every KOA lets you send mail (and trust me, I checked), so we rerouted our deliveries like a pair of travel pros. Inside: one roll-up piano (M’s latest experiment), and some long-overdue Student Driver magnets for the car. Yes, plural. I want to make sure no one misses the message.
Lunch was a total hit. We stopped at Picasso’s in Erie, which does wild and wonderful sandwiches – the kind with fancy bread and unexpected toppings that somehow work. But the real charm? You can write on the tables with chalk. M and J left their mark while I focused on my turkey-pesto masterpiece.
Then came the highlight: 5 Wits live-action adventures. We had originally planned to do an escape room – we did one with J and her sister last year and had a blast – but this time I stumbled on 5 Wits and figured we’d try something new. And wow, it was a win. Think: immersive storytelling, puzzles, interactive tech, but with less pressure than traditional escape rooms. Instead of needing to solve everything to move forward, the rooms move you along after a set time, letting you try again if you want later. The girls were in their element – laughing, solving, scrambling, working together in that chaotic harmony only teens can manage. I just loved watching them in their groove.
We grabbed groceries on the way home and spent the evening around the fire. Burgers, hot dogs, s’mores, the works. The girls played card games inside while Ariel flopped dramatically across the camper rug like she’d solved the adventures herself. Solid day. Would do again.
Day 4 – Pancakes, Parking Practice, and a Firelit Farewell
Today started with a rite of passage: J, M’s friend and sleepover guest, confessed she’d never been to IHOP. Obviously, we had to fix that. So off we went for a proper breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and all the syrup options. M, of course, was ready to guide her through the menu like a seasoned diner connoisseur.
After breakfast, we headed back to the campground for a low-key afternoon. The girls hit the pool for a bit, then retreated to the camper for games and snacks. It’s always such a joy to watch these teen friendships unfold-half giggles, half philosophical debates, and occasionally a full-blown interpretive dance with Ariel as their very confused audience.
J’s parents came to pick her up in the afternoon, and once we regrouped, M and I did a little more driving practice. Today’s challenge? Parking at Walmart. And I’ve got to say-she nailed it. Every trip around the lot, every careful turn, every perfectly lined-up spot feels like its own little triumph. I’m just so proud of how far she’s come already.
We wrapped up the evening with a campfire-hot dogs roasted over open flame, and a fresh round of s’mores. Nothing fancy, just the kind of simple summer magic that makes a campground feel like home.
Day 5 – Facials, Fixes, and a Five-Star Fire Snack
Today was one of those beautiful blends of pampering and practicality. M and I started the day with facials-because nothing says “RV road trip” like treating yourself to a little skincare in the middle of Pennsylvania. It was peaceful, refreshing, and left both of us glowing. Literally.
Afterward, we swung by Butch’s Place for lunch, which ended up being a total win for me. I had quite possibly the best tuna melt of my life. M’s BLT didn’t exactly blow her away, but she was too relaxed post-facial to protest much.
Then came the real adventure – M took the wheel and drove a full 40 minutes to a leather repair shop. Her new purse had suffered a tragic strap malfunction (less than a week old, of course), and she was determined to get it fixed. After dropping it off, we stopped at The Sweet Anchor in Cambridge Springs for ice cream. Because if you’re going to handle adult errands, you deserve sprinkles afterward.
M drove us another half-hour back to the campground, calm and confident behind the wheel. Watching her settle into driving like this is one of the most unexpectedly emotional parts of the trip. These aren’t just errands-they’re milestones.
Back at the site, we ended the night the way we do best: campfire, hot dogs, and s’mores. Ariel had an especially good evening. More on that from Her Majesty below.
Ariel’s Paw-spective
Let’s talk about what really mattered today: hot dogs.
When the fire started crackling, I knew it was game time – this was it, the day I FINALLY get all the delicious people food I deserve. I trotted over, ears up, tail high, full performance mode activated. Sissy made me my very own hot dog – yes, really – and I worked for it like a true professional. Sit? Easy. Down? Obviously. High five? Nailed it.
Not only did I earn the entire hot dog in expertly rationed pieces, but I also scored graham crackers from the s’mores stash. Do I love marshmallows? Sure. But the crackers? Crunchy, cozy, and just my style.
So yes, they went for facials. But I went for flavor. Who really won the day?
Answer: Me. Always.
Day 6 – Lake Views, Lockups, and a Speakeasy Scare
We started the day on a productive note, finally wrapping up M’s application for her cyber-school arts and performance classes. After that win, we grabbed sandwiches for a car picnic and hit the road.
M drove us back out to pick up her newly repaired purse, then we made our way to the shores of Lake Erie. It’s always wild to stand on U.S. soil and see Canada right across the water. That view never gets old. Sadly, the lake itself was a little less picturesque today-there were a few dead fish floating near the shoreline. Nature’s not always camera-ready, I guess.
Looking for something a bit more upbeat, we decided to try an escape room-just the two of us. We found Covert Escape Games in downtown Erie and chose the “Back to the ’80s” room. M loved the retro theme, and we crushed it-escaped in just 37 minutes! We made a good team. Turns out problem-solving under time pressure is one of our shared strengths.
Afterward, we wandered into Room 33 Speakeasy, a hidden little bar tucked behind a fake bookcase (M was thrilled with the secret entrance). I wasn’t sure if we’d stay, so I only dropped a single quarter in the parking meter. When we decided to stick around for a quick drink, I asked M to feed the meter again with another quarter-just a simple task, right?
Except the meter wasn’t like ours back home. And while M was fumbling with the slot, a guy approached her. Shady vibes, full volume. He helped her with the meter, then casually offered her drugs. M came back inside shaking like a leaf – laughing but clearly rattled. I got her some water, a plate of fries, and she texted her friends to settle her nerves.
She handed over the keys and I drove us back to the campground… where we were promptly greeted by our new RV neighbor letting me know Ariel had been barking for two hours. Apparently, she was so concerned she sent her husband to the front office so they could call me-except they didn’t. Ariel, of course, was fine. The AC was on. She just wanted attention, justice, and probably her own escape room.
I walked Ariel to soothe both of us, while M went to let the office know our poor pup wasn’t being neglected. It was a day.
We closed things out with comfort food-good ol’ mac & cheese-and lots of deep breaths.
Ariel’s Paw-spective
Let the record show: I barked for two hours and no one brought me a lawyer.
So apparently Mommy thinks she can go gallivanting around downtown Erie with Sissy, dodging shady humans and escaping fake rooms, while I stay behind and defend the camper. Alone. With ducks I couldn’t chase and squirrels I couldn’t yell at.
Did I bark? Absolutely. Loudly and with purpose. And you know what? I got Mommy in trouble with the neighbors and the campground office. I am not sorry.
Sissy’s off the hook – she’s innocent, pure, and gave me hot dog pieces the other day. But Mommy? She now knows I have power. Use it wisely, hooman.
Also, no bacon. Again. Just saying.
Foodie Finds
We’re only highlighting the best restaurants when we hit them, and frankly, I didn’t think I’d have a spiritual experience over a tuna melt in a roadside diner… and yet, here we are. Butch’s Place served up what might have been the best tuna melt of my entire life – perfectly toasted bread, melty cheese, just the right amount of crunch, and not a soggy bite in sight. It was humble, unassuming, and absolutely glorious. M’s BLT was reportedly “meh,” but I was too busy falling in love with my sandwich to offer sympathy.
If you’re passing through McKean and craving comfort food done right, don’t miss this little gem. It’s the kind of meal that makes you believe in second chances, roadside surprises, and extra napkins.
Ariel’s (Official) Paw-spective
Yes, I get three chances to share my side of the story. I’ve decided everyone really wants to hear from me, deep down, and I’m making Mommy give me more story-time. I’m gonna be a star!
I said what I said. I barked. I tattled. I earned my hotdog and I defended the rig. But let’s not forget: I also thrived this week.
Between supervising shrubbery, starring in firelight trick routines, and catching Mommy in multiple human errors (really, everyone talks about training the dog, but where can I find a trainer for the humans?), I think it’s safe to say I carried this campground. My performances? Flawless. My instincts? Razor sharp. My snacks? …better, but there is still LOTS of room for improvement.
This campground had ducks I couldn’t chase, squirrels I couldn’t interrogate, and neighbors I mildly alarmed. But I also had naps, sun patches, and one very satisfying marshmallow cracker. So I’m calling it: McKean, you pass. 4.5 out of 5 paws – minus half a paw because the bacon-to-bark ratio is still unacceptable.
Learning from the Road
Sometimes the best days aren’t the loudest ones. McKean didn’t give us wild hikes or dramatic views-but it gave us room. Room to breathe, to reset, to remember that the little things matter.
Watching M confidently park the car or roast marshmallows like a pro, seeing Ariel happily flop in the shade, even just standing under the dump vent laughing in the heat-those are the moments that stay with you. They’re not flashy. But they stitch the trip together.
And sometimes? A quiet campground is exactly what your soul needs.
Road Trip Rhythm
“Good Old Days” – Macklemore feat. Kesha
A little nostalgic, a little dreamy, and the perfect soundtrack for lazy afternoons, student driver milestones, and quiet gratitude. Because one day we’ll look back and say, these were the good old days-and we’ll remember smores, shady shrubs, and a camper full of laughter.
Favorite Snapshot
McKean didn’t need to be bold to be beautiful. It gave us space to slow down, laugh harder, eat better, and reset our pace. From speakeasy scares to the best tuna melt of my life, it was weird and wonderful in equal measure.
Next stop? A little louder, maybe. But for now, we’re leaving Pennsylvania with full hearts, a tired dog, and one hot glue-gunned sandal on its second…or forty-second life.
