Over the months since my family and I set out to explore The Scenic Route, I’ve used both my full-length feature stories in the pages of Trailer Life and my weekly posts here to encourage and entice you to leave the soulless interstate highways behind and discover the many pleasures that come with traveling the 150 routes that make up the National Scenic Byways program .
In that time, I’ve told you the stories of our experiences traveling both east and west coasts of this great country. Now that winter may finally be loosing its grip on the Midwest, it’s time to point you in the direction of America’s north coast with a trip on the 293-mile Lake Erie Coastal Trail .
Having grown up in Cleveland, I know this area well and can attest to the north coast’s many laid-back charms, from picturesque lighthouses and charming small towns to a World War II submarine and a fort that survived repeated British attacks during the War of 1812. Having just spent the week in the area, however, I want to point you to what I consider to be the absolute highlight of the trip, my two-day visit to Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
The Beatles Bass Drum
Now, before you go thinking this is just another dry, dusty museum, let me tell you that this glass-and-steel pyramid on the shores of Lake Erie is every bit as vibrant and alive as the music it chronicles, thanks to the hours of memorable audio and video content used to tell the story of rock-n-roll. The artifacts displayed in the glass cases only add to the effect as they cause frequent “oh wow!” moments when you find yourself staring at items like the equipment Sun Studio’s founder Sam Phillips used to record a young Elvis Presley or the bright yellow uniform John Lennon wore on the cover of the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band album.
In short, this museum is an absolute must-see for any music-loving baby boomer, because what it really preserves and presents is the soundtrack to our own lives.
