Travel Log: Three Weeks In Ohio
Let’s be honest: this wasn’t the kind of trip that gets turned into a glossy postcard. It was hot. It was sticky. It was slow. And it was deeply, weirdly wonderful in the way that only settling in can be.
We spent almost a full month in Ohio – starting with a prep week in Canton and ending with three straight weeks at Catholic Family Land. Ariel went to puppy camp. M deepened friendships and learned what “Zac Efron noises” are. I made lists and tried not to cry while unhooking the RV on a hill. It wasn’t about seeing things. It was about being here.
Snapshot: Ohio (Canton + Catholic Family Land)
- Location: Canton, OH + Catholic Family Land near Steubenville
- Duration: 26 days
- Miles driven from last stop: 162 miles (from Erie, PA)
- Must-see attraction: Zac Efron noises at Marad’s Inn (kidding… but also, not)
- Weirdest thing we ate: TBD
- Ariel’s rating: 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 (to be confirmed pending treat count)
Week One: Campground Chores & Pancake Driving Lessons
We rolled into Canton on June 23rd after 162 miles in the sun. We’ve stayed at this campground before – it’s not fancy, but it’s ten minutes from town and about 30 from Catholic Family Land. That makes it the perfect spot to stop, reset, and stock up.
The goal? Inventory, chores, and getting M some driving hours before CFL (teens aren’t allowed to drive on-site).
On day one, we had a “car picnic” of cheese and crackers in the Jeep (because air conditioning trumps picnic tables when it’s 93° and climbing). M made tortellini in the camper for dinner. We stayed inside and ran the AC hard in an effort to not melt into goo.
The next morning, we went out for IHOP (lots of annoyed sighing from Ariel as we left, since she’s not allowed there) – and that’s where the real action began.
M drove.
She handled side roads like a pro, but when it came time to turn into the mall parking lot… she discovered the existence of two left-turn lanes the hard way. From the right one, she turned into the left lane. I didn’t scream. I may have huffed – that specific mom exhale that says, “we’re not dead but we could’ve been.” Then I calmly asked M to pull into a parking space.
M parked. I explained. Pancakes were eaten.
She still got to drive home.
Ariel's Take:
This campground smells familiar. It smells… like memories.
I ran all the way to the back of the dog park to poop – and it’s a BIG dog park. Mom had to hike to get it. I got more play/sniffing time. I regret nothing.
The Chore Era (feat. Camper Chaos & Clean Laundry)
With Ariel still with us (and loudly judging our every move), we dove into reorganizing the camper and prepping for three weeks off-grid at CFL. M handled laundry like a champ. The fridge was wiped down. Every bin was emptied, assessed, and repacked with a little more order than before.
Honestly? It felt good.
There’s something satisfying about fixing up your little rolling house before you roll into three weeks of pure social and spiritual chaos. Even Ariel took it easy, sunbathing while we restocked canned goods and debated how many hotdogs was “too many” (answer: there’s no such thing).
Puppy Camp Drop-Off (A.K.A. Ariel’s Betrayal Arc)
On June 27, it was time.
Ariel went to Puppy Camp.
Countryside Kennels is just five miles from CFL, but the gravel roads make it feel like a journey. We packed her food, meds, Kong toys, and a towel M had slept with so she’d have “sissy stink” at night.
She wagged her tail the whole way in. Then she heard the other dogs.
We promised peanut butter and playtime. She gave us one last withering look before accepting her fate with regal dignity.
Catholic Family Land: Faith, Friendship & The Legend of Zac Efron Noises
CFL is hard to explain if you haven’t been there.
It’s like Disneyland for Catholic families – if Disneyland had rosary walks, confession tents, and water balloon volleyball. Each week, 800–1,200 people gather for Mass, programming, crafts, chaos, campfires, and communion (both kinds).
This year, we stayed for three full fests – almost a full month of:
- Morning Mass followed by donuts and parenting talks
- Kids and teens in age-group activities while parents caffeinate
- Afternoons full of sports, crafts, splash pads, face painting, and every type of chaos imaginable
- Evenings with s’mores, game nights, talent shows, and pool parties
- Constant holy chaos and at least four minor injuries per child
- A Snack Shack that should probably be canonized
We cooked in the camper most nights, sometimes for friends. M ran off with a crew of teens and came back dusty and glowing. We made new friends and reconnected with old ones.
One of the sweetest moments? M received six letters during adoration – from friends, counselors, from me, even from some family members overseas.
In the way of teens, we also had a moment of hilarity: At Marad’s Inn (an unofficial hangout spot for the teens), M was playing an intense round of Fish Bowl with her counselor Ariana. One round included only noises – and someone made a “schloop schloop” sound.
Without hesitation, M shouted:
“Zac Efron!”
The room broke.
Ariana nearly fell off her chair. The phrase “Zac Efron noises” became legend – resurfacing throughout the next two fests as shorthand for… basically anything unexplainably chaotic and hilarious.
A Camper Victory
I want to acknowledge an unexpected success.
We’ve had some leveling disasters at CFL before – unhooking only to have Journey drop 5 inches when the camper slipped off its blocks. Not dangerous. Just deeply unsettling when you’re standing in front of it.
This year? We chocked the wheels like seasoned pros. The camper stayed put. No sudden slams. Just quiet competence and maybe a tiny victory dance in the gravel.
What We Ate (and Overate)
- Mac & cheese. So much mac & cheese.
- Hot dogs. Sometimes two nights in a row.
- Rubi’s Pizza in Steubenville – a tradition and a craving
- Japanese takeout before camper setup day
- Lots of camper salads to balance out the chaos
- Snack Shack fries, snow cones, burgers, and ice cream that hit just right
Ariel’s Adventures
I had a lovely air-conditioned room and made many friends. I was told I was a Very Good Girl approximately fourteen times a day, which feels appropriate.
There were playgroups. There were Kongs. There was a staff member named Amanda who gave excellent ear scritches and called me “Queenie,” which I did not correct.
But when Mom came to pick me up… Sissy wasn’t there! I looked. I looked. I sniffed the car. I sniffed the air. I sniffed Mom just in case she was hiding Sissy in a pocket.
She was not.
And then – THEN – we got home, and I barely had time to spin in three victory circles around Sissy before Mom said “quick-quick” and left again.
So I slept for 12 hours in protest.
I am currently accepting bribes in the form of cheese, belly rubs, and a written apology signed in peanut butter.
Road Trip Rhythm
“Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)” – Andy Grammer
Because after long days of driving, laundry, backroads, and Eucharistic adoration, sometimes the only honest reaction is:
“Hallelujah! Let that bass line move ya!”
Camper’s still standing, sissy’s still driving, the dog forgave us (eventually)… and we’re still here. Still moving. Still showing up.
Favorite Snapshot
This wasn’t the flashiest stop on our map. But it was deeply us.
It was early-morning coffee and paintbrushes.
Confessions and Kongs.
Zac Efron jokes and bug bites and sunset Masses with folding chairs and sandals.
It was real.
And we’d do it all again next summer – camper blocks, heat waves, chocolate chip pancakes and all.
