Welcome to On the Road with Susan
Hi, I’m Susan—and I’m always chasing the next adventure.
This site is all about getting out on the road and discovering the places that make travel so memorable. From scenic back roads and hidden waterfalls to charming small towns, historic hotels, roadside attractions, and local festivals, I share the places that make each journey special.
While Pennsylvania will always feel like home, my travels go beyond the Keystone State as I explore nearby destinations and road trip adventures across the country. Along the way, I’m always looking for those hidden gems—the places you don’t always find in a guidebook but end up being your favorite stops.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a day trip, or a full road trip adventure, I hope my stories, photos, and travel tips inspire you to get out there and explore.
So grab your keys… and let’s hit the road.
— Susan
On the Road with Susan
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USA Travel Guides
Your roadmap to exploring the country—one mile, one memory, and one hidden gem at a time. From scenic road trips and national parks to quirky roadside attractions and small-town charm, these guides will help you plan unforgettable adventures across the USA.
Pennsylvania
From cascading waterfalls and scenic state parks to historic towns and covered bridges, Pennsylvania is full of stories waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re exploring back roads or visiting iconic landmarks, there’s always something new to uncover in the Keystone State.
West Virginia
Wild, wonderful, and full of adventure—West Virginia is where breathtaking mountain views meet peaceful small towns. From hiking trails and scenic overlooks to the famous Almost Heaven swings, every turn offers a moment worth slowing down for.
Ohio
Ohio is full of unexpected treasures just waiting to be explored. Discover charming small towns, beautiful parks, unique roadside attractions, and hidden spots that make every road trip through the Buckeye State a memorable one.
New York
Beyond the bright lights of the city, New York offers stunning waterfalls, scenic lakes, charming villages, and peaceful countryside escapes. Whether you’re chasing fall colors or exploring along the water, there’s so much more to see across the Empire State.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Explore by Experience~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let the photos guide you—click on any one to explore.
Waterfalls
There’s something magical about chasing waterfalls—the sound, the scenery, and the journey to find them. From hidden forest falls to breathtaking multi-tiered cascades, discover some of the most beautiful and peaceful spots nature has to offer.
Lighthouses
Standing tall against the elements, lighthouses are both beautiful and historic. Explore coastal views, Great Lakes shores, and the stories behind these guiding lights that have helped sailors find their way for generations.
Covered Bridges
Step back in time and explore the charm of historic covered bridges. Scattered across scenic back roads and quiet countryside, these timeless structures tell stories of craftsmanship, community, and a slower way of life.
State Parks
From scenic overlooks and hiking trails to peaceful lakes and hidden natural wonders, state parks are where adventure meets tranquility. Whether you’re exploring for a day or staying longer, these parks offer something for every kind of traveler.
Historic Stays
Spend the night where history lives. From grand historic hotels to charming inns and unique overnight experiences, these stays offer more than just a place to sleep—they’re destinations filled with character, stories, and unforgettable charm.
Women in History
Discover the inspiring stories of women who helped shape our towns, states, and nation. From trailblazers and pioneers to local legends, these stories bring history to life in a meaningful and powerful way.
Roadside Attractions
The best road trips aren’t just about the destination—they’re about the stops along the way. Discover quirky, fun, and sometimes downright unusual roadside attractions that turn an ordinary drive into an unforgettable adventure.
Small Towns in America
Sometimes the best destinations are the ones you’ve never heard of. Explore charming small towns filled with local shops, friendly faces, rich history, and hidden gems that make you want to slow down and stay awhile.
Route 66 Adventures
Experience the nostalgia and adventure of America’s most iconic highway. From classic diners and vintage motels to offbeat attractions and historic landmarks, Route 66 is a journey through time you’ll never forget.
Road Trippin Across the USA
There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road and seeing where it takes you. From scenic highways and cross-country routes to hidden gems and unforgettable roadside stops, road tripping across the USA is all about the journey, the freedom, and the stories you collect along the way.
Camping & Outdoors
Camping
There’s something truly special about slowing down, setting up camp, and waking up surrounded by nature—and that’s exactly what this camping section is all about. Whether you’re pitching a tent in a quiet state park, parking your RV along a scenic river, or discovering hidden free campsites off the beaten path
Camp Cooking
Camp cooking is one of the most rewarding parts of any outdoor adventure—there’s just something about food that tastes better around a campfire. In this section, I’ll share simple, delicious recipes that are perfect for the campsite, along with tips to make cooking outdoors easy and enjoyable.
Camping Gear
Having the right camping gear can make all the difference between a stressful trip and a truly enjoyable adventure. In this section, I’ll share the essentials I rely on, along with honest recommendations for gear that’s practical, durable, and easy to use
Women Camping Groups
Camping doesn’t have to be a solo journey—there’s a whole community of incredible women out there ready to explore, support, and adventure together. In this section, I’ll introduce you to women’s camping groups and communities where you can connect, share experiences, and build confidence in the outdoors.
Latest Adventures & Stores
Every journey tells a story — and here are some of the newest ones! Explore my latest blog posts filled with travel adventures, hidden gems, and a few surprises along the way.
The Giants in the Woods
There’s a particular kind of magic in rounding a bend on a wooded trail and suddenly finding yourself eye-to-knee with a forty-foot troll made entirely of old pallets and scrap lumber. That’s the whole idea behind Thomas Dambo’s work — giant, gentle, recycled giants tucked into forests, parks, and greenways on five continents, waiting patiently for someone to stumble across them. Here’s their story, where to find them across the U.S., and what really happens when a troll’s time in the wild finally comes to an end.
Emily Warren Roebling: More Than The Engineer’s Wife
Emily Warren Roebling never received an engineering degree, and she was never officially named chief engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge. Yet when illness confined her husband to his home, Emily became his eyes, ears, voice, and trusted representative. For more than a decade, she mastered complicated engineering principles, dealt with contractors and politicians, defended her husband’s position, and helped guide one of America’s greatest landmarks to completion. Her remarkable life did not stop at the bridge. Emily later studied law, advocated for women’s rights, traveled the world, and proved that a woman did not need an official title to make history.
Ambridge, PA From a Harmonist Village to a Steel Town
I grew up in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, a small Ohio River town with an unusually big story. Long before the steel mills, it was home to the Harmony Society and the remarkable community known as Economy. Then American Bridge arrived, thousands of immigrants followed, and Ambridge became one of the most important steel-fabricating towns in the nation. This is the story of my hometown—its rise, its difficult years after the mills closed and the signs of renewal visible today.
Bedford PA Small Town Charm & Perfect Getaway Weekend
Tucked into the mountains of south-central Pennsylvania, Bedford is the kind of small town that makes me want to slow down and explore. With historic streets, colonial history, covered bridges, unique shops, beautiful mountain scenery, and the legendary Bedford Springs, there is much more here than you might expect. Whether you come for a day or make it a weekend getaway, Bedford is one Pennsylvania town worth putting on your road-trip list.
Latrobe PA, A Small Town with a Very Big Scoop of History
Tucked into the foothills of the Alleghenies, Latrobe looks like any other small Pennsylvania small town — until you learn what actually happened here. In the summer of 1904, a 23-year-old pharmacist’s apprentice named David Strickler sliced a banana lengthwise at a Ligonier Street soda fountain, piled on three scoops of ice cream, and accidentally invented one of America’s most beloved desserts. But it doesn’t stop there.
Driving the Appalachian Trail
From Georgia’s Springer Mountain to the lowest point on the entire trail at Bear Mountain, New York, this series follows the Appalachian Trail by car — where to stop, where to get out and hike a little, and the history hiding in every gap along the way. Five parts in, and we’re just getting to New England.
Covered Bridges Through Ashtabula County, Ohio
Tucked among the scenic backroads of northeast Ohio, Ashtabula County is home to 19 beautiful covered bridges — earning it the title of the “Covered Bridge Capital of Ohio.” From the record-breaking Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge to quiet historic crossings hidden beside rivers and farmland, this road trip adventure is filled with history, photography spots, and small-town charm. Join me as I explore some of the most iconic covered bridges in Ohio and discover why these wooden landmarks continue to capture the hearts of travelers year after year.
Big Boy is Coming To Eastern PA & Beaver County
The world’s largest operating steam locomotive—Union Pacific Big Boy 4014—is coming to Beaver County, PA in July 2026. Here’s when to see it and why I’ll be tracking it down in my own backyard.
It’s Strawberry Season All Across Pennsylvania
Strawberry festival season in Pennsylvania is brief, beautiful, and absolutely not to be missed. I’ve driven the back roads, met the farmers, eaten the pies, and done the 5K — all in the name of finding the very best small-town strawberry celebrations the Keystone State has to offer. This is my complete guide.
The Covered Bridges That Time Left Behind
Lawrence County once had seventeen covered bridges. Today two survivors remain — and both are extraordinary. The McConnell’s Mill Covered Bridge sits deep inside a dramatic state park gorge; the Banks Covered Bridge offers a quieter, more intimate glimpse of western Pennsylvania’s bridge-building heritage.
Where The Stars Come Home; Cherry Springs State Park
There is a mountain in north-central Pennsylvania where the night sky tells the truth. No orange halos from distant cities, no porch lights blurring the horizon — just an unfiltered vault of stars so dense that the Milky Way casts a faint, perceptible shadow on the ground. That mountain is Cherry Springs, and for those who have stood beneath its heavens, the experience is quietly, permanently life-changing.
The Kissing Bridges of Greene County PA
There is a particular kind of quiet that descends the moment you cross the threshold of a covered bridge — the creak of aged timbers, the smell of old wood and creek water. In Greene County, Pennsylvania, that quiet is still very much alive.
Seven historic “kissing bridges” survive here, each still open to traffic, each anchored to stone abutments laid more than a century ago. Follow the self-guided driving tour and discover them all — from the oldest, the 1882 Neddie Woods Bridge, to a wartime curiosity built of wood because World War II had claimed all the steel.
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