Ive heard that the journey is more important than the destination. Is that just for life in general, or for trips we take? Maybe both. For my trip, the voyage was much more memorable than the destination. Violence has a way of doing that to you.
And so this entry will be short on touristy stuff, mainly because I didnt really do that much sightseeing at my destination, or even on the way. So lets dispense with that first, since most of my anonymous readers probably only clicked on this entry for my experience in Canton, Ohio.
Ive only been to Canton once before, on a larger road trip a few years back. I did the presidential things: the McKinley tomb and house. I had no idea that the First Ladies National Historic Site was literally less than two miles away. And I dont remember seeing any publicity for it when I visited the McKinley museum. Its odd, since the Saxton House (owned by the family of William McKinleys wife) is part of the First Ladies NHS block. And they have a special room at the First
Theres free parking next to the Saxton House, and a short walk away is the First Ladies NHS, housed on two floors of an old bank building. The interior of the building was pretty cool. I liked the wall decoration and the chandeliers, especially in the main hall when you first walk in. The rest of the NHS felt open—those high ceilings really help. Also lots of glass cases featuring miniature dresses, which are of inaugural gowns of First Ladies past. Seriously, if youre not interested in looking at lots of miniature of inaugural gowns, maybe you should skip this museum.
Thats really my biggest takeaway—and gripe—about this site: it left me with a great idea of each ladys sense of fashion (or lack thereof), but it didnt have much more substance about their lives and contributions otherwise. You get one large room when you enter, with the park ranger inside a glass booth to let you know this building is free to explore, but the Saxton House tour costs money. A few large glass cases line the walls of this
room, stocked with those miniature dresses and a few other inaugural souvenirs, like programs or buttons. I did find some shoes, and of course those of Mamie Eisenhower caught my attention (I do love her shade of pink); but otherwise, I had a difficult time finding much more about the ladies themselves. The McKinley room was the only other room on this main floor, but there were no artifacts, only large cardboard displays printed with photos and narratives about the couple. Downstairs, they had a small exhibit—large glass cases again—detailing the work of the African American woman who designed many of the First Ladies dresses in the century. Then around the corner, they had created a movie theater, but its Go up and hit the play button on the DVD player if it hasnt already started. Its the Smithsonian Channels documentary of the lives of the First Ladies. I watched for about 15 minutes, and it never made it past Jackie Kennedy. I was alone for the first few minutes, but 4 other people came in before I decided to see what I else I could snoop around for.
So I trod back upstairs to look back over the glass cases in the main room, in case I missed anything. I hadnt. So after just under an hour, I headed back to my car and continued along my journey up to Buffalo.
I did manage to sneak in a trip to Dough Co. Doughnuts, a local chain, before I went to the NHS. Such a variety, especially those filled donut sticks. And lots of donuts with peanut butter cream! I only got three in total, since Im still trying to lose weight. But Im on vacation, so I indulged. I dont regret it one bit.
I wont beat around the bush on this one: Im pretty fortunate to be alive, and that my car is still working, and that no one else got hurt when I lost control of my car and spun around a few times on the interstate just north of Charleston, West Virginia.
