February 15, 2009

“All roads lead home.”

Motorcyclist Quote

Even if you fly into Toledo or Detroit to attend the “40 Something Reunion” eventually you will arrive in Maumeeon two or four wheels. Driving south from Detroit and Michigan you have the choice of I-75 or 475. I-75 will get you into Maumee on the classic Anthony Wayne Trail from Toledo. You will see not much has changed on the Trail except the Toledo Zoo expansion in the last 40 years. The Salisbury Road/Dussel Drive exit off I-474 is the magic mile entrance into Maumee through Arrowhead Park with at least ten motels and twenty restaurants. There is a good chance you may be staying in Arrowhead if you are from out of town. Driving up from the south you may use the Arrowhead exit too, but I would take the State Route 25 exit (Dixie Highway) in Perrysburg to drive into Maumee across the new Maumee Perrysburg Bridge. It was built in 2002 and is an interesting curved or bowed bridge. You will have a great view if you are in an SUV, but if you are in a car the view is not so great. Take heart, the DOT says you are a lot safer on the new bridge. There is also a very wide walkway on the bridge so you can walk out and enjoy the view. On the 4^th of July the bridge is closed and the Maumee/Perrysburg Fireworks are launched from the bridge. It is another reason to visit in the summertime.

Arriving in Maumee from the east or west you will be using the Ohio Turnpike and the Reynolds Road/Connat Streetexit. There are no open fields on Connat Street now. KiddeLand is gone and the Maumee Drive-In is now a huge inside cinema complex. One of the most unique places about where Kidde Land use to be is Dr. Scott’s Pinball owned by Scott Sheridan MHS 69. You can buy the arcade or pinball game of your dreams or just walk the building amazed at the hundreds of machines.

Hot after that long drive? How about some ice cream? Maumee locals love the three neighborhood stands. Toozer’s at the corner of Sackett and Key next to the old “Ned’s Key Center Market” (now Harm’s Carpet). It is known for soft serve sherbet like in the old Push-Ups but now served in cones alone or with soft serve ice cream. On the other end of town in the old Bob’s Marathon at the corner of West Dudley and Allen Street is Jackie’s Depot serving hard and soft ice cream. The local favorite here is the Lemon Shush with a serving of soft serve vanilla floating on top or mixed in.  Total refreshment. The oldest of the three local stands is The Penguin Palace on River Road. A true blast from the past it remains as it was in 1968. I cannot decide on a local favorite at Penquin. Every customer knows their personal weakness, and I have seen folks change their minds several times while waiting to be served. Just go, see and be seen, and enjoy the ice cream.

Welcome home, it will good to be back.
Shug