Michigan

WE Made it!   

Having been really missing Michigan we found a way to sneak it in. 

Found a place to rent a pontoon boat with the fishlins.  Picked up some rods a net and some minnows.   

275 for the day and we got to swim in Lake Erie.  

Thanks to the Fishlins for the motivation and going along for the ride! 

While setting the kids up to fish John dropped the brand new rod in the water. Now down to one rod and six kids.  Until Kate casts and catches the rod!  Might be the best catch of the day but the kids did find the minnows fun.   

Ohio

Hi 2100 miles. And our final destination.   Dropped Declan at the airport and thought we would get to the pool finally (Kate's daily request unmet so far).  Then Nora realized Wednesday is the only day the Rock and Roll hall of fame is open til 9. So we made it.    Finished off at the hall of fame. Almost a concession but we made it.  Kate actually was very interested.  Especially in Elvis and Prince and Lady Gagas meat dress (gross) but well preserved real meat.  On the drive to Sandusky passed the Duck tape headquarters.  Had to get off the highway to take a pic of Nora of course.  Patrick had a bad headache.  Need more fluids and downtime today.  

Cedar Point. 

No lines.  Ohio kids are back in school.  Nora went on 31 rides. Longest line was 20 minutes.

  Kate finally got to swim in the pool.  

Stayed at the Breakers on Cedar Point.  Park entrance across the parking lot from our door.   So location was great. Hotel was pricey.  Recently renovated.  Looked amazing but they need lessons in hospitality.  

Indiana

so...  Major Parenting errors today.  Declan  agreed to come with us for half the trip.  So i bought him a new ticket but spirit airline was the cheapest.   Then they charged an extra 40 dollars for a carry on.   Seriously???  

We got up late.  And ran late.  Then luckily had no traffic.   Thought we would be fine but turned out I was not considering the time change in Cleveland.  Declan made it to the airport with 40 min til take off.  Luckily I had checked him in online and they let him through.  He was standing in line for security when they announced last call for boarding...   But he had headphones in. Didn't hear it. Luckily I had to use the bathroom and heard it so he put some spring into his step.  He made it to Boston without incident.  Whew.  And I avoided any of these.  

Speed limit is 70 everywhere this way.  Except construction zones which are plentiful.  Indiana is loaded with tolls.  

John sat in the back working so Patrick got to navigate and loved having coins and dollars to pay the tolls. Think I owe him 20 after that.  

Missed Michigan though.  It was ten min off the highway and we couldn't afford it. So need to find my way back there. 

It's only 90 min from cedar point and the ride looks pleasant.  So maybe tomorrow afternoon. 

Illinois

So despite the embarrassment (John being most vocal) we stepped into the lobby of the Westin with Sinatra playing on my phone.   Had an amazing day in Chicago.  Quick dinner on Michigan Ave watching all the foot traffic. Including a five person band.  Asked by at least ten people for money (pan handling was on every corner and then some) the waitress at the restaurant told the story of how disrespectful some are while others who truly need help do not ask.   One story was about a man she gave five dollars to every day.   He was in a wheelchair.   After months. She saw him on the train. Carrying his wheel chair to his spot where he claimed to be handicapped. On a positive note Millennium park with 8000 people watching Purple Rain was pretty powerful. Then then off to Willis tower. Topped the night off with a two mile bike ride back to the hotel.   Gorgeous night and nice guys.

Wisconsin

Staying the night in La Crosse WI right on the Minnesota/Wisconsin line.   Fair hotel.  Lots of characters on board.  

In the morning will be driving near the dells and maybe a trip to grandads bluff 

Up in the morning just made it to breakfast. After breakfast mom put three dollars in a slot machine came out with fourty four. Made it to Grandad Bluff beautiful view of Wisconsin,Minnesota,and Iowa. 

Kids took some time out for planks. 

1633 miles four tanks of gas and off the Chicago. 

Minnesota

Late drive through.  Noticed far more industrial overall than Ohio.  We did get out to appreciate the moment but too tired to really enjoy it!  

Iowa

"And amber waves of grain". Fields full of corn and wheat. Passed a huge Barilla Pasta factory.   Four hours of a drive then we will stop for dinner.  Ending up the day in Wisconsin after driving through a bit of Michigan another late night but Chicago tomorrow.  And staying well on time. 

Up to 1249 miles so far.  Passed the half way point for both states and miles this trip.   Realized how important this part of the country is to our wheat and corn industry.  

Nebraska

Got here just after midnight.   First night with two rooms.  Patrick and Nora got their own beds because they have slept on the floor and Patrick woke up saying "I slept great"   Stayed at Hilton Garden Inn.  Late check out so john can work and I will take the kids around.  Not sure who will be up early (it's 9 now.  I just got up so its not that early). Hoping to hit some of the old town and a playground.  Patrick and Kate need to swing a little. 

Kids biked around the Missouri River and ended up on some great slides at Gene Leahy park.  A stroll around the old market lead us to an old fashioned soda shop and I found Elvis there.  Nora had an amazing Fanta orange ice cream soda.   Declan started biking later but went for over an hour. Said it was a great bike ride.  Ate lunch a DJs Dugout.  Decent sports bar.  

It just happens that Omaha is the nose of the dog on our trip planning map.  

Kansas

Hit the 1000 mile mark.  In 48 hours.   Third night.  We're not in Kansas any more. Even though we were for a few minutes.  

50x50 "the MIddle

Here is the itinerary. 

Concessions so far

Skipped Kentucky. Getting late.  Want to go see a horseace there anyway. 

No boat trip in Memphis.  Got there too late. Found one in St Louis so that was good. 

Missouri

we got into Missouri pretty late.  Stayed at Another Holiday Inn Express.  Twins and Nora love the breakfast.  

Heading now to St Louis.  

Planning on taking the tram to the top of the arch and a steamboat up the Mississippi at Noon.  Then off to Kansas City MO and Kansas City Kansas.  Where we will head north and end in Nebraska 

Parked on the Levy- it was dry

Had a stow away on the boat: firefly

Facts we learned about St Louis and the arch

Bloody Island:  did not belong to Illinois or Missouri so there was no "no duel" law.   So people would go to battle it out

Barges: filled back first.  One boat can push up to 40 barges.  Barges have the right of way. 

steamboat trip was great but wasn't true paddleboat

The arch: 630 feet high.  Largest building in Missouri.   Tram to the top involved small pod for five people takes 4 min to get to the top. 

CRazy street performer wailing songs next to the margarita truck.  

Just drove the length of the state.  Ending in Kansas City - both Missouri and Kansas actually.   

Saw some fountains. The federal reserve and a beautiful World War I memorial monument.    Now.  Off to Omaha for the night.  Almost at the half way point. Estimated miles to go to Cleveland :1300.     Planning on walking around Omaha.  Staying at a Hilton Garden Inn. Two nights.   Oh. And really...   Declan had to relieve himself in the woods.  And needed to document it. He might have even live streamed it.    A story for another day.  

Mississippi

A rainstorm hit just as we got into Mississippi.  

Arkansas

We hit Arkansas after Graceland.  

First time crossing the Mississippi.  Pretty amazing how iconic it is to do that.  Nora is coloring. Kate is sleeping.  Patrick and Declan in the back quiet.  Not much to see because it's dark. 

East Coast 10 states by chance

Florida

Georgia

South Carolina

North Carolina

Virginia

DC

Maryland

Delaware

New Jersey

New York 

Connecticut

Skybus went out of business.  Alas we had to take the rental car home from Florida

This opened the gate to 50 by 50. Quite an adventure.  Best day was the rainy day at Bush Gardens Williamsburg 

Alabama

IDriving the Natchez Parkway from Tennesee through Alabama and Mississippi.  

ran into a nice man at the welcome center in Collinswood.  Suggested stopping off the beaten path at a stone wall.  

The Ultimate KIndness Rocks Project started by a man 35 yrs ago.  All by hand.  Very inspiring.  He had rocks from all 50 states and 120+ countries.  Volcanic rock from mt Vesuvius and another from the sea of Gallilee 

Face rocks to symbolize every tribe in North America. 

Tennessee

Tennesee.  Made it to Nashville.  Arrived pretty late.  Drove through Memphis.   Broadway near the arena was pretty happening. Lots of live music and goings on.  Took Kate by Taylor Swifts penthouse.  She was pretty excited. 

"Lots of corn"

Stayed at Holiday Inn Express in Antioch.  Clean and people were so nice. Great breakfast for all 6 of us.  

Miah screwed up the car reservation but the people were so nice.  Gave it to us for the same price but added airport fees.  Fair enough.  Now heading to Memphis.  

5pm.  Just finished eating at Blues City Cafe.  Recommended by the person at the parking lot.  Walk in. Cool place. Caddy on the wall.  Live blues band playing.  Menu limited but the ribs were amazing.  John got ribs and catfish. Portions huge.  Ribs falling off the bone.  Got beans and slaw and Texas toast.  Waiter was great.  Mellow. Fit in with the atmosphere. 

Then a quick view of Graceland.   Saw the Lisa Marie: Elvis' private Jet.  Huge wall with graffiti. Left a message for My friend Cheryl and her husband to find when they come this fall.  

Florida

our first trip as a family of four to Florida.  (2005) 

Maine

This picture says it all.  Maine with our cousins every year.  This pic is 2008