I have now been to all 50 states and I am only 25. I am extremely excited and happy yet it presents a few dilemmas to myself. One of which is that I now have little lust left for United States travel. I imagine that it is a lifelong goal of many people to have visited all 50. Each state you reach is exciting knowing you are nearing 50. Now that I have them all under my belt a little excitement is gone. This also could be due to the fact I just finished a year long road trip and am tired.
Another other dilemma presents itself when speaking to others. Especially when the other person is older. They assume I have not been to a location and proceed to tell me about it. I do not want to be rude or come across as a know it all, so I listen. Then, if I reveal I have been there they seem embarrassed to have just told me about a location I have seen. I’m not yet sure how to handle these situations. With more time I think I can come to terms with this uncomfortable situation, which may just be in my head.
The third dilemma is not so much of a dilemma as it is something that makes me a little sad. I did not do part of the road trip as I had intended and therefore missed out on Southwestern Arizona, Nevada, and the Eastern part of California. The parts I missed I can always go back to in the future, and I have been to Nevada. However, it still feels funny not to have gone to Nevada during the road trip. Oh well. It’s not like I went to Hawaii or Alaska on this road trip either.
Now don’t get me wrong. I am thrilled to have done the road trip and visited all fifty states. There are still many things in the U.S I would like to see and do. It just wasn’t possible to do it all, and some things I did not want to do alone. Along the way I kept a list entitled, Next Time. I look forward to visiting and experiencing the things on that list. For now, I am content on being done with the road trip and look forward to a vacation where I can lie on the beach, read, and make no decisions.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Road Trip Activities, Give or a Take a Few.
In order of visitation. In most cases there is a new line for a new day.
PA
Scranton: Steamtown National Historic Site (trolley museum, down the road is a neat coal mine tour)
Philly: Murder trial in the CJS. Federal Attorneys office with a view of Independence Hall.
Beautiful Kelly Drive. Comcast Building with the coolest public entertainment wall. Reading Terminal, Lorenzo’s lunch, Johns Water Ice, 9th street Italian market, South Street, LOVE park, Ritten House Square, Main Street Manayuak Shabbat dinner, and of course chocolate cake.
Valley Forge, Hopewell Furnace Site, Lancaster, Bird-In-Hand Bakery, Emert’s House, Shady Maple Smorgasbord
Amish House and Farm, Hershey, Gettysburg
Pittsburg, Falling Waters, New Philadelphia show and CS
Ohio
New Philadelphia
Cleveland for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Chillicothe for the Hopewell Mound Site, Sam
Cincinnati: Findlay Market, Union Terminal, University of Cincinnati, International Friendship Park, Graters Ice-Cream, Freedom Center,
Indiana
Indianapolis – NCAA Hall of Champions, Indianapolis Speedway, Indiana National Sand Dune and Shoreline Park. Then to Cassie’s
Illinois
Fox Lake, Famous Freddy’s
Outdoor theater
Galina
Iowa
Dubuque: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. Dyersville: Field of Dreams, Winterset: John Wayne, Bridges of Madison County
Nebraska
Omaha: Old Market
Grand Island: E.L.Ray State Park, Stuhr Museum of the Prairie, Hastings Iowa: Kool Aide. The Great Platte River Road Archway in Kearney over I-80, Pony Express Museum, Carhenge.
Scottsbluff National Monument, Lake Minatare State Recreation Area and Lighthouse
South Dakota
Small waterfall, wild horse park, Hot Springs, Wind Cave National Park, Wind Cave itself.
Route 16/Needles Highway, Mt. Rushmore, Keystone, Black Hills State Park, Deadwood, Route 14a canyon, Spearfish, drive to Devils Tower
Wyoming
Devils Tower, Medicine Circle, Crazy grade road, canyon/ wild horse national park, Cody.
Cody: Buffalo Bill Historical Center, U.S History in miniatures, Old West Town, Buffalo Bill Dam
Yellowstone and Mt. Washburn, Teton
Tetons: Jenny Lake. Jackson Hole, night drive to Blackfoot Idaho
Idaho
Potato Museum, Atomic City, First Atomic Power Plant, random submarine, Craters of the Moon tour, caves, and ranger talk.
Passed a Oregon Trail Museum and Worlds Largest Fossil Bed Site didn’t stop
Wyoming
Kemmerer: First JC Penny
Utah
An Acacia, Capitol Reef National Park
Arches National Park, drive through Moab
Colorado
Random dirt road, Aspen art fair, *Vail farmers market, Englewood
Red Rock State Park and amphitheater, Denver Botanical Gardens, downtown
Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings, The Broadmore Hotel.
Kansas
Geographic Center of the continental U.S, Biggest Ball of Twine, Salt Mine in Hutchinson, skipped Wichita
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City: Cowboy Hall of Fame and Museum, Brownstone area, Banjo Museum, Oklahoma City Memorial, Fort Gibson and Lehman’s
The fort, flee market, cool antique place, Cherokee Nation Museum, drive to Arkansas
Arkansas
Crater of Diamonds State Park, Town of Hot Springs.
Little Rock: High School home of the Nine, Heiffer Project Headquarters, Clinton Library, River Market District, drive to Memphis
Tennessee
Memphis with Coop: Pig on Beale Street, movies, Wal-Mart in the rain.
Dyers Restaurant, Graceland, Peabody Hotel, bars
First 3-D movie, Peabody dinner
Trolley Ride, Loraine Hotel (where MLK got shot), Beale St.
Missouri
St. Louis: Emily and family, Tower Grove Farmers Market, Gin Tony on The Hill, Girls, KB breakfast, downtown St. Charles and brewery, Fulton and people, Cardinals Game.
Illinois
Red Bud! The Coopers, Chester IL for Popeye tour, Metropolis for Superman
Indiana
Stay in Jasper
Boyhood Home of Lincoln, Santa Claus museum and shops, Candy Castle, Marengo Caves, Corydon (the state’s first capital), Overlook Restaurant, drive to Molly
Kentucky
La Grange, Beef O’Badys, Molly’s Farm, Smith-Berry Winery, Cedar Lakes home opening ceremony, drive to Micki’s on Old Frankfurt Pike.
Versailles, Lexington: Horse parade, Woodford Reserve Bourbon Distillery, Meteor shower
Wallace Station, The Glitz, Midway, Ashland Park and the Henry Clay Estates
My Old Kentucky Home, Bourbon Trail (Haven Hill, Makers Mark, Four Roses, Wild Turkey), lunch at Heavens to Betsy in Lawrenceburg.
Jim Beam, Louisville, Natalie, Bardstown Dr, Cefiore.
Bowling Green: Corvette Museum and Assembly Line
Tennessee
Nashville with Tes and Jill, Café Coco for dinner
Vanderbilt University, Country Music Hall of Fame, First Center for the Visual Arts (Chihuly’s glass pieces, Tokihiro Sato’s unique light ball photos, and Couture through the ages), Mamcita, 3rd and Lindsley.
Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Smoky Mountains.
North Carolina
Ashville: The Biltmore.
Blue Ridge Parkway.
Virginia
Cave Mountain Lake in the Jefferson National Forest, Natural Bridge, Wax Museum, Lexington: waffle house, Stonewall Jacksons House, Virginia Military Academy, Washington and Lee, Victorian Homes, Antebellum Homes, Richmond.
Shirley Plantation on Route 5, Norfolk, Newport News, Johns.
Norfolk airport, botanical garden, Chesapeake Bridge Tunnel, Assateague Island National Seashore, night drive to MD.
Maryland
Town of St. Michaels, Easton for the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Annapolis, Baltimore, Emily Ham
New Jersey
Atlantic City and Air Show, Historic Towne of Smithville, Historic Whitesbog Village, Northlandz, home.
Rhode Island
Newport, P’s Polo Game, restaurants
CT
Woodstock, Roseland Cottage, Harriet Beacher Stowe… Trash Musuem, another house, Mortons
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Maritime Academy, cape Cod Potato Chip Company, Woods Hole, NOAA aquarium, Nobska Lighthouse, Buzzards Bay.
Martha’s Vineyard
West Virginia
White Sulphur Springs for Greenbrier Resort, Beckley for the Coal Mine Exhibition, Riverman Class IV Campus.
Upper and Middle Gauley
New Hampshire
Hampton Beach State Park, 1A to Portsmouth, Lee, Lisa, Portsmouth: shops and Ri Ra.
Maine
Kittery: Fort McClary State Park, South Berwick: The Hamilton House, Old Orchard Beach, Portland.
Portland: Old Port, Falmouth, DeLorme Globe and maps, Freeport, Americas Quaintest town: Wiscassett: Castle Tucker, Nickwells-Sortwell, Augusta.
Monhegan Island, Boothbay Harbor, Pemaquad Point Lighthouse, Damriscotta, Rockland.
MT. Batte in Camden Hills State Park, Acadia, Bar Harbour.
Bar Harbor Lighthouse, Seal Cove.
New Hampshire
State Park waterfall, cave, drive to Balsams Resort, drive to Mount Washington.
Mount Washington Auto Road, White Mountain Forest, Glen Boulder Hike, Glen Falls, APT Center in Pinkham Notch, Small town of Lincoln.
Vermont
Shelburne Farms and Vanderbilt/Webb Estate, Shelburne Museum, Magic Hat Brewery, Burlington drive through.
Crowne Point Ferry
New York
Town of Jay, Cristina and Erik
White Face Mountain for snow, Lake Placid, Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks in Tupper Lake.
Route 9 to Albany.
Thacher State Park, Cooperstown: Baseball Hall of Fame, Mt. Tremper in the Catskills for the World’s Largest Kaleidoscope, New Paltz: Huguenot Street Stone Houses.
Hyde Park: Vanderbilt House and CIA, Rhinebeck
The Plaza, Rockettes, Bryant Park
Massachusetts
Waltham, Boston.
Illinois
Chicago
Kentucky
Mammoth Cave Wild Tour, Lexington, Old Frankfort Parkway, Frankfurt Historical District and Diary of Anne Frank Play, Dollar Movies, and Airport Luck.
Florida
Coral Castle, BBQ place, Key West, Hemmingway House.
U.S Southern Tip, Coral Gables: Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Houston’s, Ocean Drive and South Beach.
JR’s Deli, A1A to Ft. Lauderdale, Morikami, Plantation.
Beach, Downtown Delray, The Breakers, City Place, Margi’s.
NY
Chanukah Party
MD
Baltimore
DC
Alicia, Outdoor Market, International Spy Museum, U.S Postal Museum, China Town, Hillary, National Christmas Tree, Silver Spring for 127 Hours.
Columbia Heights, Sculptures, David Marshmallow, Smithsonian Natural History and American history Musuems, Peace Corps dinner
NY
Visit Tes, Christmas Lights of Dyker Heights, Jenny
South Carolina
Myrtle Beach
Delaware
New Castle drive through
DC
Bottom Line Bar with Alicia
North Carolina
Cary and Jarmons
Georgia
Babyland Cabbage Patch Hospital in Cleveland, Helen
Drive through Gainesville, walk around Athens, Kayla in Georgia
MLK Freedom Center, MLK NP Visitor Center, MLK birthplace and home, Piedmont Park, Little Five points, Lake Clear, Virginia Highlands, Atkins Park
World of Coke, Underground, Varsity’s, Variety Theater
DeKalb Framers Market
Gallo Pinto
Alabama
Drive past Little Canyon National Preserve and Alabama fan club, Lost Luggage, and Ivy Green
Birmingham, Talladega, Katrina’s, Girls Night out
MOOSeum, Confederates First White House, Civil Rights Memorial and Center, Meat and Three at Martins, Rosa Parks Museum, Hank Williams, Alabama Capital, yummy food.
Tuskegee University, Carver Museum, Tuskegee Airmen, Auburn, than drive to FL
Florida
Panama City, Gulf Coast
Gulf Coast National Seashore, Fort Pickens, Pensacola, Pensacola Beach
Louisiana
New Orleans for six days. La Madeleine French Bakery and Café, St. Charles Ave Street car, Daiquiris, Muses, Rock and Bowl, Oak on Oak, Pascal Manneli’s, Cooter Browns, Philips on Maple Street, French Quarter, Café du Monde, Bourbon Street, Cat’s Meow, Maison’s, Mezzanine Street, Proteus, Orpheus, Frenchman Street, Zulu, Rex, Camellia Grill, movies.
Schriever for swamp tour
Laura Plantation, Baton Rouge, Eunice, Cajun Music Hall of Fame
Eunice, Savoy Music Hall, Fred’s Lounge, Emily’s farm house in Ville Platt
Ville Platt, Natchitoches
Texas
Dallas, Sixth Floor Museum, Waco
Waco, Planned Parent Hood, Texas Ranger Museum, Library
Austin for South by Southwest for a week
Fredericksburg, Bandera, San Antonio
Alamo, closed Fort Davis, Marfa
Marfa work
Prada in Texas, Guadalupe National Park, drive into NM
New Mexico
Carlsbad Caverns, Cloudcroft, Alamogordo, White Sands National Monument
Billy the Kid Visitor Center, Roswell for UFO Museum, Lincoln, to Anna’s in Albuquerque
Albuquerque, Farm, Frontier to eat, campus
Santa Fe, High road to Taos, Taos
Taos Pueblo, Earthships, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Chaco Canyon
Chaco Canyon, unpaved road to AZ
Arizona
Window Rock
Navajo(Dine)Museum, Hubbell Trading Post, Canyon de Chelly, drive through Hopi Reservation, drive through Flagstaff, drive up to Jerome.
Jerome, Prescott, cow truck accident, drive to Nana and Pops
California
Palm Desert
LA: Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, The Parlor on Melrose, Joey’s Café, Office Party, Hollywood Farmers Market, Saddle Ranch drive to Redondo. Bette’s, Brentwood, Beverly Hills
Redondo Beach
Huntington Beach
Orange, Anaheim Hills
LA
Santa Maria
PCH, San Simeon for Hearst Castle, Monterey, Pacifica, Sonoma
Sonoma
San Francisco
Drive to James’s
Mckinleyville / Arcata
Oregon
Coast, Oregon Dunes National Area, Cape Blanco, Sea Lion Caves in Florence/Heceta Lighthouse, Leif’s
Portland, Bridge of Gods, Multnomah Falls, Hood River, Cristina’s, Portland
Portland, Powell’s Books, Voodoo Donuts, Cannon Beach, Lewis and Clark Fort Clatsop, Astoria
Washington
Long Beach Peninsula, Mount Saint Helens, Seattle
Seattle, EMP / Sci-Fi, Olympic Sculpture Park, Market, Library, Pioneer Square, Underground tour, Freemont for Cuban sandwich
Seattle for Passport, Edmonds for Ferry, Olympic National Park, Sol Duc falls, Sol Duc hot springs
Victoria for the day, Port Townsend, Whidbey Island, Deception Pass, Bellingham
Bellingham, Cascade National Park, Winthrop, drive into Idaho still on 20
Idaho
Sandpoint
Montana
Route 2, Glacier National Park, Trading Post, Missoula
Drive to Butte, stop at Grant Kohrs National Ranch, Montana Prison, Butte, World of Mining Museum, Berkeley Pit, Nevada City, Virginia City, Bozeman, Starky’s, Pete’s Hill, Billings
Crow Agency, Battle of Little Bighorn,
Wyoming
South Dakota
Wall Drug and Wall
Badlands, Minuteman Missile, Wounded Knee, Grasslands, Sturgis, Belle Fourche, Center of U.S, drive to North Dakota
North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota Badlands), drive across state to Fargo
Minnesota
Mall of America in Bloomington, drive to Duluth
Duluth, drive back to mall to meet Liz, Minneapolis, Walker Art Center, Northfield
Northfield,
Wisconsin
Madison, Great Dane, Ice Cream, Circus World in Baraboo, Blain’s Farm and Fleet, The Dells, Cheese Curds, Top Secret
Steph’s house, airport diner, Circus World, Coffee Shop, The Capitol, Ian’s, Union, Ice-Cream
Drive to Milwaukee, Harley Davidson Museum, Pabst Mansion, Miller, drive to Cassie
Illinois
The Hills
Michigan
Stop at Welcome center, stop in Holland, Grand Rapids, Gerald Ford Museum, Soldiers in U.S wars, drive to Detroit
Ford in Dearborn. Museum and Village, Motown Museum, stadium area, drive to Buffalo through Canada
New York
Buffalo wings, Anna tour, million dollar mansions, Custard Lite, Orchard Park
Orchard Park, Original Pancake House, Le Roy, Jell-O Museum and
HOME!
PA
Scranton: Steamtown National Historic Site (trolley museum, down the road is a neat coal mine tour)
Philly: Murder trial in the CJS. Federal Attorneys office with a view of Independence Hall.
Beautiful Kelly Drive. Comcast Building with the coolest public entertainment wall. Reading Terminal, Lorenzo’s lunch, Johns Water Ice, 9th street Italian market, South Street, LOVE park, Ritten House Square, Main Street Manayuak Shabbat dinner, and of course chocolate cake.
Valley Forge, Hopewell Furnace Site, Lancaster, Bird-In-Hand Bakery, Emert’s House, Shady Maple Smorgasbord
Amish House and Farm, Hershey, Gettysburg
Pittsburg, Falling Waters, New Philadelphia show and CS
Ohio
New Philadelphia
Cleveland for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Chillicothe for the Hopewell Mound Site, Sam
Cincinnati: Findlay Market, Union Terminal, University of Cincinnati, International Friendship Park, Graters Ice-Cream, Freedom Center,
Indiana
Indianapolis – NCAA Hall of Champions, Indianapolis Speedway, Indiana National Sand Dune and Shoreline Park. Then to Cassie’s
Illinois
Fox Lake, Famous Freddy’s
Outdoor theater
Galina
Iowa
Dubuque: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. Dyersville: Field of Dreams, Winterset: John Wayne, Bridges of Madison County
Nebraska
Omaha: Old Market
Grand Island: E.L.Ray State Park, Stuhr Museum of the Prairie, Hastings Iowa: Kool Aide. The Great Platte River Road Archway in Kearney over I-80, Pony Express Museum, Carhenge.
Scottsbluff National Monument, Lake Minatare State Recreation Area and Lighthouse
South Dakota
Small waterfall, wild horse park, Hot Springs, Wind Cave National Park, Wind Cave itself.
Route 16/Needles Highway, Mt. Rushmore, Keystone, Black Hills State Park, Deadwood, Route 14a canyon, Spearfish, drive to Devils Tower
Wyoming
Devils Tower, Medicine Circle, Crazy grade road, canyon/ wild horse national park, Cody.
Cody: Buffalo Bill Historical Center, U.S History in miniatures, Old West Town, Buffalo Bill Dam
Yellowstone and Mt. Washburn, Teton
Tetons: Jenny Lake. Jackson Hole, night drive to Blackfoot Idaho
Idaho
Potato Museum, Atomic City, First Atomic Power Plant, random submarine, Craters of the Moon tour, caves, and ranger talk.
Passed a Oregon Trail Museum and Worlds Largest Fossil Bed Site didn’t stop
Wyoming
Kemmerer: First JC Penny
Utah
An Acacia, Capitol Reef National Park
Arches National Park, drive through Moab
Colorado
Random dirt road, Aspen art fair, *Vail farmers market, Englewood
Red Rock State Park and amphitheater, Denver Botanical Gardens, downtown
Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings, The Broadmore Hotel.
Kansas
Geographic Center of the continental U.S, Biggest Ball of Twine, Salt Mine in Hutchinson, skipped Wichita
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City: Cowboy Hall of Fame and Museum, Brownstone area, Banjo Museum, Oklahoma City Memorial, Fort Gibson and Lehman’s
The fort, flee market, cool antique place, Cherokee Nation Museum, drive to Arkansas
Arkansas
Crater of Diamonds State Park, Town of Hot Springs.
Little Rock: High School home of the Nine, Heiffer Project Headquarters, Clinton Library, River Market District, drive to Memphis
Tennessee
Memphis with Coop: Pig on Beale Street, movies, Wal-Mart in the rain.
Dyers Restaurant, Graceland, Peabody Hotel, bars
First 3-D movie, Peabody dinner
Trolley Ride, Loraine Hotel (where MLK got shot), Beale St.
Missouri
St. Louis: Emily and family, Tower Grove Farmers Market, Gin Tony on The Hill, Girls, KB breakfast, downtown St. Charles and brewery, Fulton and people, Cardinals Game.
Illinois
Red Bud! The Coopers, Chester IL for Popeye tour, Metropolis for Superman
Indiana
Stay in Jasper
Boyhood Home of Lincoln, Santa Claus museum and shops, Candy Castle, Marengo Caves, Corydon (the state’s first capital), Overlook Restaurant, drive to Molly
Kentucky
La Grange, Beef O’Badys, Molly’s Farm, Smith-Berry Winery, Cedar Lakes home opening ceremony, drive to Micki’s on Old Frankfurt Pike.
Versailles, Lexington: Horse parade, Woodford Reserve Bourbon Distillery, Meteor shower
Wallace Station, The Glitz, Midway, Ashland Park and the Henry Clay Estates
My Old Kentucky Home, Bourbon Trail (Haven Hill, Makers Mark, Four Roses, Wild Turkey), lunch at Heavens to Betsy in Lawrenceburg.
Jim Beam, Louisville, Natalie, Bardstown Dr, Cefiore.
Bowling Green: Corvette Museum and Assembly Line
Tennessee
Nashville with Tes and Jill, Café Coco for dinner
Vanderbilt University, Country Music Hall of Fame, First Center for the Visual Arts (Chihuly’s glass pieces, Tokihiro Sato’s unique light ball photos, and Couture through the ages), Mamcita, 3rd and Lindsley.
Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Smoky Mountains.
North Carolina
Ashville: The Biltmore.
Blue Ridge Parkway.
Virginia
Cave Mountain Lake in the Jefferson National Forest, Natural Bridge, Wax Museum, Lexington: waffle house, Stonewall Jacksons House, Virginia Military Academy, Washington and Lee, Victorian Homes, Antebellum Homes, Richmond.
Shirley Plantation on Route 5, Norfolk, Newport News, Johns.
Norfolk airport, botanical garden, Chesapeake Bridge Tunnel, Assateague Island National Seashore, night drive to MD.
Maryland
Town of St. Michaels, Easton for the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Annapolis, Baltimore, Emily Ham
New Jersey
Atlantic City and Air Show, Historic Towne of Smithville, Historic Whitesbog Village, Northlandz, home.
Rhode Island
Newport, P’s Polo Game, restaurants
CT
Woodstock, Roseland Cottage, Harriet Beacher Stowe… Trash Musuem, another house, Mortons
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Maritime Academy, cape Cod Potato Chip Company, Woods Hole, NOAA aquarium, Nobska Lighthouse, Buzzards Bay.
Martha’s Vineyard
West Virginia
White Sulphur Springs for Greenbrier Resort, Beckley for the Coal Mine Exhibition, Riverman Class IV Campus.
Upper and Middle Gauley
New Hampshire
Hampton Beach State Park, 1A to Portsmouth, Lee, Lisa, Portsmouth: shops and Ri Ra.
Maine
Kittery: Fort McClary State Park, South Berwick: The Hamilton House, Old Orchard Beach, Portland.
Portland: Old Port, Falmouth, DeLorme Globe and maps, Freeport, Americas Quaintest town: Wiscassett: Castle Tucker, Nickwells-Sortwell, Augusta.
Monhegan Island, Boothbay Harbor, Pemaquad Point Lighthouse, Damriscotta, Rockland.
MT. Batte in Camden Hills State Park, Acadia, Bar Harbour.
Bar Harbor Lighthouse, Seal Cove.
New Hampshire
State Park waterfall, cave, drive to Balsams Resort, drive to Mount Washington.
Mount Washington Auto Road, White Mountain Forest, Glen Boulder Hike, Glen Falls, APT Center in Pinkham Notch, Small town of Lincoln.
Vermont
Shelburne Farms and Vanderbilt/Webb Estate, Shelburne Museum, Magic Hat Brewery, Burlington drive through.
Crowne Point Ferry
New York
Town of Jay, Cristina and Erik
White Face Mountain for snow, Lake Placid, Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks in Tupper Lake.
Route 9 to Albany.
Thacher State Park, Cooperstown: Baseball Hall of Fame, Mt. Tremper in the Catskills for the World’s Largest Kaleidoscope, New Paltz: Huguenot Street Stone Houses.
Hyde Park: Vanderbilt House and CIA, Rhinebeck
The Plaza, Rockettes, Bryant Park
Massachusetts
Waltham, Boston.
Illinois
Chicago
Kentucky
Mammoth Cave Wild Tour, Lexington, Old Frankfort Parkway, Frankfurt Historical District and Diary of Anne Frank Play, Dollar Movies, and Airport Luck.
Florida
Coral Castle, BBQ place, Key West, Hemmingway House.
U.S Southern Tip, Coral Gables: Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Houston’s, Ocean Drive and South Beach.
JR’s Deli, A1A to Ft. Lauderdale, Morikami, Plantation.
Beach, Downtown Delray, The Breakers, City Place, Margi’s.
NY
Chanukah Party
MD
Baltimore
DC
Alicia, Outdoor Market, International Spy Museum, U.S Postal Museum, China Town, Hillary, National Christmas Tree, Silver Spring for 127 Hours.
Columbia Heights, Sculptures, David Marshmallow, Smithsonian Natural History and American history Musuems, Peace Corps dinner
NY
Visit Tes, Christmas Lights of Dyker Heights, Jenny
South Carolina
Myrtle Beach
Delaware
New Castle drive through
DC
Bottom Line Bar with Alicia
North Carolina
Cary and Jarmons
Georgia
Babyland Cabbage Patch Hospital in Cleveland, Helen
Drive through Gainesville, walk around Athens, Kayla in Georgia
MLK Freedom Center, MLK NP Visitor Center, MLK birthplace and home, Piedmont Park, Little Five points, Lake Clear, Virginia Highlands, Atkins Park
World of Coke, Underground, Varsity’s, Variety Theater
DeKalb Framers Market
Gallo Pinto
Alabama
Drive past Little Canyon National Preserve and Alabama fan club, Lost Luggage, and Ivy Green
Birmingham, Talladega, Katrina’s, Girls Night out
MOOSeum, Confederates First White House, Civil Rights Memorial and Center, Meat and Three at Martins, Rosa Parks Museum, Hank Williams, Alabama Capital, yummy food.
Tuskegee University, Carver Museum, Tuskegee Airmen, Auburn, than drive to FL
Florida
Panama City, Gulf Coast
Gulf Coast National Seashore, Fort Pickens, Pensacola, Pensacola Beach
Louisiana
New Orleans for six days. La Madeleine French Bakery and Café, St. Charles Ave Street car, Daiquiris, Muses, Rock and Bowl, Oak on Oak, Pascal Manneli’s, Cooter Browns, Philips on Maple Street, French Quarter, Café du Monde, Bourbon Street, Cat’s Meow, Maison’s, Mezzanine Street, Proteus, Orpheus, Frenchman Street, Zulu, Rex, Camellia Grill, movies.
Schriever for swamp tour
Laura Plantation, Baton Rouge, Eunice, Cajun Music Hall of Fame
Eunice, Savoy Music Hall, Fred’s Lounge, Emily’s farm house in Ville Platt
Ville Platt, Natchitoches
Texas
Dallas, Sixth Floor Museum, Waco
Waco, Planned Parent Hood, Texas Ranger Museum, Library
Austin for South by Southwest for a week
Fredericksburg, Bandera, San Antonio
Alamo, closed Fort Davis, Marfa
Marfa work
Prada in Texas, Guadalupe National Park, drive into NM
New Mexico
Carlsbad Caverns, Cloudcroft, Alamogordo, White Sands National Monument
Billy the Kid Visitor Center, Roswell for UFO Museum, Lincoln, to Anna’s in Albuquerque
Albuquerque, Farm, Frontier to eat, campus
Santa Fe, High road to Taos, Taos
Taos Pueblo, Earthships, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Chaco Canyon
Chaco Canyon, unpaved road to AZ
Arizona
Window Rock
Navajo(Dine)Museum, Hubbell Trading Post, Canyon de Chelly, drive through Hopi Reservation, drive through Flagstaff, drive up to Jerome.
Jerome, Prescott, cow truck accident, drive to Nana and Pops
California
Palm Desert
LA: Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, The Parlor on Melrose, Joey’s Café, Office Party, Hollywood Farmers Market, Saddle Ranch drive to Redondo. Bette’s, Brentwood, Beverly Hills
Redondo Beach
Huntington Beach
Orange, Anaheim Hills
LA
Santa Maria
PCH, San Simeon for Hearst Castle, Monterey, Pacifica, Sonoma
Sonoma
San Francisco
Drive to James’s
Mckinleyville / Arcata
Oregon
Coast, Oregon Dunes National Area, Cape Blanco, Sea Lion Caves in Florence/Heceta Lighthouse, Leif’s
Portland, Bridge of Gods, Multnomah Falls, Hood River, Cristina’s, Portland
Portland, Powell’s Books, Voodoo Donuts, Cannon Beach, Lewis and Clark Fort Clatsop, Astoria
Washington
Long Beach Peninsula, Mount Saint Helens, Seattle
Seattle, EMP / Sci-Fi, Olympic Sculpture Park, Market, Library, Pioneer Square, Underground tour, Freemont for Cuban sandwich
Seattle for Passport, Edmonds for Ferry, Olympic National Park, Sol Duc falls, Sol Duc hot springs
Victoria for the day, Port Townsend, Whidbey Island, Deception Pass, Bellingham
Bellingham, Cascade National Park, Winthrop, drive into Idaho still on 20
Idaho
Sandpoint
Montana
Route 2, Glacier National Park, Trading Post, Missoula
Drive to Butte, stop at Grant Kohrs National Ranch, Montana Prison, Butte, World of Mining Museum, Berkeley Pit, Nevada City, Virginia City, Bozeman, Starky’s, Pete’s Hill, Billings
Crow Agency, Battle of Little Bighorn,
Wyoming
South Dakota
Wall Drug and Wall
Badlands, Minuteman Missile, Wounded Knee, Grasslands, Sturgis, Belle Fourche, Center of U.S, drive to North Dakota
North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota Badlands), drive across state to Fargo
Minnesota
Mall of America in Bloomington, drive to Duluth
Duluth, drive back to mall to meet Liz, Minneapolis, Walker Art Center, Northfield
Northfield,
Wisconsin
Madison, Great Dane, Ice Cream, Circus World in Baraboo, Blain’s Farm and Fleet, The Dells, Cheese Curds, Top Secret
Steph’s house, airport diner, Circus World, Coffee Shop, The Capitol, Ian’s, Union, Ice-Cream
Drive to Milwaukee, Harley Davidson Museum, Pabst Mansion, Miller, drive to Cassie
Illinois
The Hills
Michigan
Stop at Welcome center, stop in Holland, Grand Rapids, Gerald Ford Museum, Soldiers in U.S wars, drive to Detroit
Ford in Dearborn. Museum and Village, Motown Museum, stadium area, drive to Buffalo through Canada
New York
Buffalo wings, Anna tour, million dollar mansions, Custard Lite, Orchard Park
Orchard Park, Original Pancake House, Le Roy, Jell-O Museum and
HOME!
Friday, June 10, 2011
June 10th, 2011. My Last Day On the Road.
After a comfy night’s sleep I slowly awoke and got ready. Once up Anna and I headed to The Original Pancake House for a delicious breakfast. I’m glad she ordered the Dutch Baby so I could try it. Who knew lemon is good with sweet stuff?
I was then driven through the town of Orchard Park where Anna lives and we soon departed. I should have gone to the organic dairy farm where Anna works but was felt it was too out of the way. I think I was just excited about getting home.
I made the drive to Le Roy, NY which is the home of Jell-O. This was to be my last stop on the road trip before arriving home. I wanted to drive from Albany to Hartford via Albany Ave but wasn’t sure if it still existed. On the map route 44 does not go into Albany.
The town of Le Roy is rather historic in New York and the Historical Society did a good job with the Jell-O Museum. They also had a transportation exhibit in the basement and another house to represent the town. One of the rooms was an oddity room. It was neat, strange, and sad. The stuffed circus giraffe head was the sad part.
Thoughts from my last day:
Batavia NY seemed like a not too shabby town.
People in New York State refer to New York City as New York. Interesting.
I passed about a dozen travel service centers off of I-90 and none had Dunkin Donuts! They all had stupid Starbucks. I did not stop.
I always look to the right or left when I cross a bridge and when I entered Beckett, MA I saw a moose wading in the water of a river/marsh area surrounded by green. I smiled.
I passed a strange sign that said something like “You are passing the highest point on an interstate besides one of the Dakotas?” I didn’t get to read it well.
Ummmm, what happened to the exit for route 8 off of I-90 in Mass? Maybe the moose distracted me.
I made great time home from south of Buffalo!
There is still more I would like to do and see in the U.S, but for a main goal:
Road Trip Complete!
June 9th. What do Ford, Motown, and Canada Have in Common?
Me!
I got up early but because I am a girl had to lay down again. I made my way to Dearborn, MI to The Henry Ford complex and was blown away! I love that you can drive along the actual plant, and buildings. It also surprised me that not all the cars in the employee parking lots were Ford. So I really had no idea what was at Dearborn and was slightly overwhelmed at my options. I went with the Village and Museum. I should have gone with the Village and Factory Tour but you live and learn.
The Village is a collection on actual buildings and replicas on 88acres of land representing certain time periods in U.S history and people. They had demos going on and you could tour the land on a Model T. My favorite parts besides the T’s were the Edison area, Robert Frosts House, and Webster’s retirement home that came from CT. The museum was a representation of U.S history. I thought it was going to be about Ford. It was crazy crowded with school kids and the car part was closed. Oh well.
My next stop was the Motown Museum. I loved this place!!! It was so historical, informative, and my tour guide was great! I could have done a lot more music wise in the U.S but this was the best decision. I think I love Motown Music and I learned a lot! The area didn’t seem like the best but it was worth it.
I than attempted to get dad some presents from his sports teams Pro Shops but no such luck. Thats what happens when you root for Detroit teams. I made my way to Canada but had no such luck finding the bridge. I turned around and made it into Canada. It was my first time driving in Canada and it felt a little strange. I didn’t want to speed but wow was I being passed. I also didn’t want to stop for gas or food because I didn’t want to deal with Canadian money.
I finally got out of traffic and crossed the Peace Bridge into Buffalo. Once I turned around again I met Anna down on Allen street and had Buffalo Wings in Buffalo! They were delicious and it was really nice to hang out with Anna. She gave me a great tour of Buffalo and I learned A LOT. Buffalo is beautiful and the Mansion Mile, or Million Dollar Mile is gorgeous!
Before reaching Anna’s house south of Buffalo we got some yummy custard at Custard Lite. I met her mom and step dad, chatted a bit, laughed, and called it a night.
Thoughts:
The Ford Plant is huge! And the museum is not about FORD.
I forgot the Red Wings play at Joe Lewis Arena and had to ask.
I could have done a lot in Canada. Most of my drive was Canadian farmland but I was then near Toronto, (where the Hockey Hall of Fame is), and Niagara Falls (I want to see Niagara Village).
What is Nexus? It is a lane you can got though at the border?
Of course I picked the lane where the man with a French accent checked the trunks. I was entering the U.S, why did he have a French accent?
I got up early but because I am a girl had to lay down again. I made my way to Dearborn, MI to The Henry Ford complex and was blown away! I love that you can drive along the actual plant, and buildings. It also surprised me that not all the cars in the employee parking lots were Ford. So I really had no idea what was at Dearborn and was slightly overwhelmed at my options. I went with the Village and Museum. I should have gone with the Village and Factory Tour but you live and learn.
The Village is a collection on actual buildings and replicas on 88acres of land representing certain time periods in U.S history and people. They had demos going on and you could tour the land on a Model T. My favorite parts besides the T’s were the Edison area, Robert Frosts House, and Webster’s retirement home that came from CT. The museum was a representation of U.S history. I thought it was going to be about Ford. It was crazy crowded with school kids and the car part was closed. Oh well.
My next stop was the Motown Museum. I loved this place!!! It was so historical, informative, and my tour guide was great! I could have done a lot more music wise in the U.S but this was the best decision. I think I love Motown Music and I learned a lot! The area didn’t seem like the best but it was worth it.
I than attempted to get dad some presents from his sports teams Pro Shops but no such luck. Thats what happens when you root for Detroit teams. I made my way to Canada but had no such luck finding the bridge. I turned around and made it into Canada. It was my first time driving in Canada and it felt a little strange. I didn’t want to speed but wow was I being passed. I also didn’t want to stop for gas or food because I didn’t want to deal with Canadian money.
I finally got out of traffic and crossed the Peace Bridge into Buffalo. Once I turned around again I met Anna down on Allen street and had Buffalo Wings in Buffalo! They were delicious and it was really nice to hang out with Anna. She gave me a great tour of Buffalo and I learned A LOT. Buffalo is beautiful and the Mansion Mile, or Million Dollar Mile is gorgeous!
Before reaching Anna’s house south of Buffalo we got some yummy custard at Custard Lite. I met her mom and step dad, chatted a bit, laughed, and called it a night.
Thoughts:
The Ford Plant is huge! And the museum is not about FORD.
I forgot the Red Wings play at Joe Lewis Arena and had to ask.
I could have done a lot in Canada. Most of my drive was Canadian farmland but I was then near Toronto, (where the Hockey Hall of Fame is), and Niagara Falls (I want to see Niagara Village).
What is Nexus? It is a lane you can got though at the border?
Of course I picked the lane where the man with a French accent checked the trunks. I was entering the U.S, why did he have a French accent?
June 8th, 2011. My 50th!
I woke up early and finished my tuna sandwich from Bernard’s than went back to bed. When I officially got up to take off I noticed some water dripping from my door. I than peeked in front and noticed all the icky bugs were off my car. While I slept Dennis had cleaned my car! I love the Hill’s! I said goodbye to Dubster and Den and made my way to Michigan. I had a jam packed stop at the gas station and as I was leaving I was the only one left. I was than Welcomed to Michigan. I had made it!
I wanted to do much more in Michigan, like the shipwreck museum and UP, but they’ll have to wait. My first stop was Holland, where I was going to see a windmill. However, you had to pay to go see it. I thought it was a public park.
I left town and went to Grand Rapids. I toured the Gerald Ford Museum and learned A LOT! Of all the Presidential libraries and Museums I have visited this was my favorite. It was done beautifully and they had a beautiful photography exhibit of soldiers in all U.S wars.
I made the drive to Detroit where I called it a night. I love Subway for their $5 footlongs.
Thoughts:
At the gas station there was an advertisement for lighters and you had to be 19 years old to enter the website. Nineteen?
I saw the worst billboard. The dentist was on the left and a cup of water with dentures on the right. It read, “Don’t die with your teeth in a cup.”
I went over the Kalamazoo River. Hehe, Kalamazoo
I was driving 73 mph and being passed.
Now that I have been to all 50 states I feel weird. I don’t want to be obnoxious.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
The seventh
I said goodbye to my friends in Madison and hit the road. I made my way to Milwaukee and once I figured out what I was doing I loved the city and did a lot.
My first stop was at the Harley Davidson Museum. It was a great museum with a lot to see and do. I wanted to start the actual Harley but didn’t have the right shoes or time. It took me longer to get my bearings in the city, it was also very warm.
My next stop was at the Pabst mansion. Like the original PBR people. This building was huge and beautiful. I hoped on a tour a little late, and it was a little too detailed, but I loved the house. I also learned A LOT about the family.
It was now 2pm and I wanted to be in Chicago around 2:30. For those who don’t know that’s normally a two hour drive. Before I left Wisconsin I needed to go to a brewery. The state is known for their beer, micro breweries, and alcoholism. So, I took a picture of the Miller factory and left. I than turned around and decided a trip to the gift shop was needed even though I could not do the hour long tour. The place was huge and I got to see a lot as I drove to the Visitor Center. They actually say Welcome to the Miller Center where its Miller time all the time.
I than made the drive to Chicago where I got to see the Hills, take a shower and relax with friends. We made our way to Bernards for a yummy sandwich. Kristen met with us and it was great to catch up. Cass, Kristen and I headed over to check on some cats and watch The Voice.
I brought desert back to the house, we enjoyed our yummy coke gummies, and called it a night.
Thoughts:
Wisconsin is lush and green.
Milwaukee has a lot to do but a small hard to find Visitor Center.
SOOOOOO much construction!
What is a Crash Investigation Site?
I wonder if states with tolls are less in debt than other states?
My first stop was at the Harley Davidson Museum. It was a great museum with a lot to see and do. I wanted to start the actual Harley but didn’t have the right shoes or time. It took me longer to get my bearings in the city, it was also very warm.
My next stop was at the Pabst mansion. Like the original PBR people. This building was huge and beautiful. I hoped on a tour a little late, and it was a little too detailed, but I loved the house. I also learned A LOT about the family.
It was now 2pm and I wanted to be in Chicago around 2:30. For those who don’t know that’s normally a two hour drive. Before I left Wisconsin I needed to go to a brewery. The state is known for their beer, micro breweries, and alcoholism. So, I took a picture of the Miller factory and left. I than turned around and decided a trip to the gift shop was needed even though I could not do the hour long tour. The place was huge and I got to see a lot as I drove to the Visitor Center. They actually say Welcome to the Miller Center where its Miller time all the time.
I than made the drive to Chicago where I got to see the Hills, take a shower and relax with friends. We made our way to Bernards for a yummy sandwich. Kristen met with us and it was great to catch up. Cass, Kristen and I headed over to check on some cats and watch The Voice.
I brought desert back to the house, we enjoyed our yummy coke gummies, and called it a night.
Thoughts:
Wisconsin is lush and green.
Milwaukee has a lot to do but a small hard to find Visitor Center.
SOOOOOO much construction!
What is a Crash Investigation Site?
I wonder if states with tolls are less in debt than other states?
June, 6. The Circus!
Wow is it hot in Wisconsin! I woke up, dropped Lynn off at the med school, and went to the park to enjoy a breeze and nice view. Around 9am I made my way to Steph’s new house. It was so good to see her after five and a half years. She recently got engaged, bought a house, and has bull mastiff puppies. After playing with the adorable puppies we made our way to a deli set up like a circus with a carousel outside, but it wasn’t open for breakfast. Instead we ate at the private airports public dinner. It was a great location and great to get caught up. I dropped her off at home, got to meet her fiancé, see her bike, and a strange part of her new house.
I than made the drive back to Baraboo to enjoy Circus World. To celebrate my Nana’s 61st anniversary of her 29th birthday, I went to the circus. This place is WONDERFUL. I spent three hours looking at everything and only seeing one magic/illusion show. The show wasn’t the best but the place really is. Everything was so vibrant, historical, and beautiful. I had a constant smile on my face. I even bought a book about it.
Once back at Lynn’s, I relaxed for a minute, had some lunch, and we then headed to a coffee shop with wine and smoothies. After a few hours it was break time so we headed to State Street. While eating macaroni and cheese pizza from Ian’s Pizza I learned a lot about Wisconsin politics and their awful Republican leader. We than took a walk around state street to find a used book store, and found one. I purchased “Journey to the Center of the Earth” and we headed to the Union area again to meet Steph for ice cream.
The three of us ate some ice-cream and chatted as the sun set on the lake. I dropped Lynn off at home, checked out Lucky’s Bar, which Steph manages, and we all called it a night. After a long hot, muggy day, I was ready for some air conditioning and a shower.
Random:
Wisconsin is 9 months winter and 3months construction.
I actually saw a train stop at a gas station and the conductors went in for snacks. A train! Choo Choo
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