Travel Log: Medina, New York
We rolled into Medina just before sunset—Journey tired, the crew a little rumpled, and Ariel immediately claiming the shadiest patch of grass like she had a reservation. After the full-throttle week we had in Watkins Glen, this quiet Erie Canal town felt like an exhale.
We didn’t launch into big adventures right away. Instead, we unpacked slowly, made sandwiches, and let the stillness settle in. Medina came on soft—like a deep breath after the engine cuts off—and we had a feeling it might be one of those sleeper hits. The kind of place where the moments are small, but they linger.
The Erie Canal runs right through town, and from what I’ve read, there are boats, old-school buildings, and at least one diner that claims to have the best pie in the region. I’m not saying that’s why we came here, but I’m also not not saying that.
Snapshot - Medina, NY
- Location: Medina, NY
- Duration: 5 days
- Miles driven from last stop: 136 miles
- Must-See Attraction: Niagara Falls — Yes, it’s the obvious pick. But standing at the edge of all that mist and thunder? Still breathtaking.
- Weirdest Thing We Ate: Beef on weck — Local specialty, salty kummelweck roll, and a whole lot of au jus. We’re still deciding if we loved it or were just fascinated.
- Ariel’s Rating: 🐾🐾🐾🐾✂️ — Deducted half a paw for the lack of marshmallow sharing, despite clear interest and excellent behavior.
Day 1 – Wind Gusts and Bridge Busts
We left Watkins Glen early, hoping to beat the 40+ mph wind gusts that were forecasted in Medina. The drive was mostly smooth—quiet roads, mild wind, and a car picnic of sandwiches to keep things simple. I was even patting myself on the back a little for how smoothly it was going.
Until we hit Albion.
Now, I’m usually obsessive about mapping our route. I double-check it in Garmin (which knows we’re towing and carrying propane), cross-reference Waze and Google Maps, and handwrite the route on a notecard – it sounds crazy, but once you’ve gotten lost or stuck a few times, massive camper in tow, moody teenager next to you, and an over-excited dog in the backseat, you learn to overprepare. But this time? I skipped a step. And of course, the bridge over the Erie Canal was out.
Garmin didn’t know. Google and Waze did, but we were already committed. So I made a cautious turn into a residential neighborhood with narrow roads and parked cars, trying to regroup. I found another bridge two blocks away—narrow, old, metal-decked, and very much not confidence-inspiring. But I paused, hazard lights blinking, and watched a few cars cross. It looked safe. So we held our breath and crept across, Michaela watching from the passenger seat and noting, with the subtlety of a teenager, that “there were a lot of cars behind us.”
I turned it into a teachable moment: when you’re driving—especially something big and heavy—you have to slow down, ignore the pressure from other drivers, and figure out what’s safe. We crossed, made a few more careful turns, and finally pulled into the campground.
And let me tell you—sitting in a camp chair with the RV parked, Ariel sunning herself in the grass, and the wind howling around us? Absolute bliss.
No major damage, no meltdowns, and only one narrow bridge crossed with sweaty palms. Ariel was thrilled with the breeze and the new smells. Michaela made mac and cheese for dinner. And I made a mental note: don’t skip the notecard next time.
Day 2 – Burgers, Falls, and Unlimited Water
One of the standout days from our Medina stay was our trip to Niagara Falls. We’ve been before, but honestly? That first glimpse never loses its magic. The sound hits before the view — that low, thundering roar — and then there it is: all mist and motion and sheer force. It was much more crowded than it had been on our 2020 visit, back when things were quieter and half the country was still figuring out how to dine outdoors. But even with the crowds, it still felt electric. Big. Beautiful. Worth the trip.
We started with lunch at The Silo, perched right along the river. It’s charming and quirky — very road trip-core. Michaela got a hot dog (classic teen move), and I opted for a caprese sandwich that, unfortunately, had all the flavor of damp cardboard. The view helped.
Later that evening, we circled back to Cask and Cow, a spot that holds a special place in our little MMM food history. It was the first restaurant we braved post-lockdown in 2020 — outdoor seating only, masked servers, burgers that felt borderline divine. This time around, we were curious: were the burgers actually that good, or were we just that starved for the experience?
Turns out: they’re that good. Juicy, rich, ridiculously satisfying.
Cask and Cow, you’ve officially earned your place on the MMM Burger Hall of Fame.
The best part of the day, though? Michaela drove the entire 30 minutes back to the campground. Confident, focused, and grinning the whole way. Watching her grow into this new skill is honestly one of the best parts of the trip so far.
Meanwhile, Ariel had a day of her own. We stopped at the campground’s dog park (and it’s a good one—big, fenced, and shady). But what really stole the show was the refillable electronic water bowl. For reasons known only to her, Ariel found it absolutely thrilling. She kept going back like it was an open bar at a dog wedding. Drink. Wander. Drink again. Ten out of ten. Would lap again.
Everyone went to bed happy. Even the dog. Especially the dog.
Day 3 – Smores, Steak, and a Ceremonial Burn
Not every day has to be an epic adventure—some days are made for hammocks, long shadows, and doing absolutely nothing. Today was our first true Campground Day of the trip. We slept in (finally), read books, wandered around the site, and let the hours just drift by.
In the afternoon, Michaela got behind the wheel again and drove 30 minutes each way to Lockport for a Walmart run. She’s really getting the hang of it. These little drives feel like mini milestones—and they make grocery shopping surprisingly exciting.
The best part? We had our first campfire of the trip. We grilled steak for dinner, roasted marshmallows, and made our very first smores of the season. Ariel supervised the entire production with her usual judgment and just a hint of hope that someone might drop a marshmallow.
And then, in a move that felt both dramatic and deeply satisfying, Michaela tossed her old math papers into the fire. End-of-year catharsis, complete with smoke and melted geometry. Honestly? Iconic.
It was slow, quiet, and exactly what we needed.
Day 4 – Client Calls, Small Shops, and Campfire Wins
The day started with a bit of real life—client meetings from the camper (because yes, the Wi-Fi fairies were briefly on our side). Once the work was done, we set off to explore the town of Medina, NY properly.
We had lunch at Ruby’s Diner, a retro-feeling little spot with comfort food and charm. Michaela, in her eternal pursuit of the perfect BLT, ordered another one (this might be her 12th of the year). I tried a beef on weck, which is a local Western New York specialty—basically a roast beef au jus sandwich on a kummelweck roll. Salty, savory, and definitely worth trying if you’re ever in this part of the state.
After lunch, we strolled around downtown Medina, popping into little shops and watching boats glide by on the canal. It’s one of those towns that makes you want to slow your step, grab a second coffee, and maybe buy something handmade you didn’t know you needed.
Back at the campground, we grilled dinner and Michaela built what might have been her best campfire yet—steady flame, no lighter fluid cheating, and excellent marshmallow potential. I’m also proud to report that she did most of the driving today. She’s gaining confidence, and I’m gaining gray hairs, but here we are.
Campfire, cozy clothes, full bellies. That’s a win in our book.
Day 5 – Stillness, Sun Naps, and Silence
We let ourselves sleep in a little this morning—nothing dramatic, just the kind of slow wake-up that feels like a luxury when you’ve been living out of a camper for ten days. Then it was off to St. Mary’s in Medina for Sunday mass, with Michaela proudly taking the wheel for both the drive there and back. It’s a short trip, but every mile adds up—and watching her take the driver’s seat (literally and figuratively) never gets old.
The rest of the day was gloriously uneventful. We napped, we read, we sat in the sun and listened to… nothing. For the first time this entire trip, I realized how quiet this campground really is—no train whistles, no planes, no highway hum, no racetrack in the distance. Just birdsong and the occasional duck argument from the lake. It was disorienting in the best way.
Dinner was a simple campground meal, followed by another perfect campfire and smores session. Honestly? This might have been my favorite day. No plans, no pressure, no forgotten flyswatters. Just stillness, sunshine, and snacks. The real stuff.
🐾 Ariel’s Paw-spective
Ah, Medina. Home of the bottomless magic water bowl and the peaceful nap zone of my dreams. Honestly? Not bad.
The humans did their usual thing—long drives, noisy waterfalls, too many snacks not shared with the dog. I went to the dog park once, and let me tell you: that fancy refillable water bowl? LIFE-CHANGING. Who knew hydration could be this thrilling? I kept going back just to make sure it was still free.
Back at the campsite, things stayed pretty chill. Michaela made a campfire (twice!) and even tossed her math homework into the flames. Bold. Dramatic. Flawless energy. I respected it deeply.
We took naps. We ate grilled steak (okay, they ate grilled steak—I supervised). And for once, I wasn’t serenaded by train whistles or air brakes. Just ducks. Loud, opinionated ducks.
Final verdict? 4.5 paws. One deducted because someone still hasn’t shared a marshmallow. But I remain hopeful.
— Ariel 🐶
Head of Security, Water Bowl Enthusiast, Firelight Philosopher
Road Trip Rhythm
“Take It Easy” – Eagles
Laid-back tempo, classic road trip vibe, and lyrics that fit the slower pace of Medina and the theme of letting go, breathing deep, and soaking up the simple days. It captures the spirit of Michaela driving quiet back roads, Ariel snoozing under the trees, and that first campfire under a starry sky.
Favorite Snapshot
Medina may not have been the flashiest stop on our map, but it surprised us in all the best ways. Quiet mornings, winding canal paths, beef on weck and birdsong—this was a week of soft landings and subtle joys. We got a little work done, a lot of sun naps in, and finally broke in the campfire chairs.
Michaela got more time behind the wheel. Ariel got emotionally attached to a water bowl. And I—well, I got exactly what I didn’t know I needed: space to breathe. To listen to ducks. To sit still and actually hear myself think.
Not every mile on the map has to be a thrill ride. Some are here to slow you down and remind you why you hit the road in the first place.
