West Virginia

West Virginia

Entered West Virginia after having KFC in Kentucky.  Passed towns known for the founder of grandparents day and Fayetteville which is the “coolest small town”. 

Just as soon as you think you are in the middle of nowhere there is an Arby’s, Bob Evans and Dairy Queen.  

We went to Beckley Expedition Mine which included a great tour of the mines.   Just enough for two teens attentions spans.  The driver of the train was a retired miner.  He had some great stories and told us about how the miners had to buy their own equipment including fuel for their light.   They actually had a flame on their head.  It was startling when he turned the lights off to show how dark it was.  

They had a nice example of old mining equipment in their museum and samples of housing for the miners.  

Gift shop found another key chain for Patrick, hoodie for Kate and a Christmas ornament for me.  Finally a shop with decent prices. 

On the way out- Hawkeyes (Patrick) spotted a chik fil a and they had a snack.  

We also found building 19s step brother “Ollie’s”.  Good things cheap and so many similarities for building 19 including the rug department. 

We then took some old country roads home.  We saw how the economy effects the population.  Lots of run down houses and places out of business.  

The trip home also included the New River Gorge Bridge overlook and a detour down a pretty steep road to the bed of the gorge.  Kate was impressed at the suddenness of the rapids starting. The road less taken always gives a surprise.  

We stayed at the adventures on the gorge campground.  It is far more glamping than camping.  A two bedroom cabin with a hot tub on the deck.  Two bathrooms and a memory foam mattress.   Reminded us of home when this morning yielded a trail of ketchup packets from the front of the cabin to the hot tub.  Must have been raccoons.   

Kentucky: horse race, Louisville slugger and Abraham Lincoln

Now only five states left.   Hitting Kentucky felt really good.   While we didn’t quite make it to the first race we did manage to get to Keeneland for four races. Made some good bets.  Lost them all but one but it was fun to see. Weather was warm but super windy so there were lots of scratches. Amazing the winners of each race win 81k

Being at the track, everyone was dressed up.  Some good derby hats.  (Stopping in the shop there were hats priced at 875 dollars.  They were beautiful but a bit extreme. It was great being at the track.  Kate was very sympathetic to the horses being whipped and took the stance that it’s cruel to them.  But she did enjoy betting on them.  

We grabbed dinner at Olive Garden. Kids choice for dinner. Then to bed. I think I fell asleep at 8. 

Up in the morning-we stayed at the Hyatt downtown and the kids were psyched to have Starbucks in the morning.  We then drove to Louisville to the Louisville slugger factory which we learned does not make softball or aluminum bats they only do the wooden bats that the professionals use. We saw the different grades of wood and the other processes involves in making a baseball bat (40% of professional players use bats from this factory and each player uses about 120 bats each year.)

Patrick insisted on a trip over the bridge into Indiana since we were so close.  So we filled up the gas tank in Indy and headed south to Abraham Lincolns birthplace and childhood home.   The lands were beautiful and we saw the brook that honest Abe played in as a child. Kate was chased by a wasp (there were many) and we were alll careful due to signs that copperhead snakes were all over in addition to the terror of wasps and ticks.  

We arrived at the birthplace at 430-they close at five.  The park ranger instructs us to go straight to the house.   Which is inside a big monument.   The information inside showed that the house was circa 1840 and was not actually the childhood home of Lincoln but it resembled it.  It was so small and the ranger said up to 13 people could be found living in one.  This is nearly impossible to imagine.

Ended the day with a bbq place Patrick found. J arenders.   Good choices.
Kate and I had friend chicken. Yes in Kentucky.  Good meal. Good service and live music.  Four guys jamming Kentucky style.

New York/ Niagra

Niagara Falls. Slowly it turns

We drove from Boston to Niagara in about 8 hours including one filled tank of gas and a stop at ChiK fil A.  

John was staying at the Hampton Inn a fifteen min walk from the falls.   We hit dinner at Rainforest Cafe and the meal wasn’t bad actually.  Then take a walk to the falls.  It was a beautiful night.   50 and clear.  You could hear the falls from a mile away.  What a beautiful view. our passports did not arrive on time to get us to the Canadian side but we were able to get a nice view of the American falls and the bridal veil.  In the morning we would drive to Goat Island to see the horseshoe falls.  Patrick did his research to find that the falls have been steel reinforced to protect them from eroding.  

The next day we had dinner at the Anchor bar per recommendation of Carol from work.  Definitely a must see for the original buffalo chicken recipe.  John managed to eat twenty wings. Then John and the kids went to the final four game at the KeyBank arena.  While I went to walrmart to stock up on the forgotten items for the rest of the trip.  

While in Walmart I had time to kill and a woman came up to me in a motorized cart and is telling the story of her overweight sister in law and how she missed her birthday and wanted to find her something nice.  I make a suggestion and next thing you know she has me running through the store putting outfits together.  I informed her three times I did not work there but I think she interpreted it as I was shopping not working.  (Off the clock)  she was very sweet and we found some possibilities. Not sure why people always think I am an employee at target and Walmart,,, maybe it’s the full cart?

Ohio and the Tire Saga

OHIO Road conditions 

John was attending the Frozen four with the Buckley’s and the twins and I made a plan to pick him up on our way to Kentucky.   Game ended by 11 Goal was to be in Lexington to have breakfast at the track kitchen at Keeneland Racetrack.  Good goal, seemed reasonable.   John took the first leg and drove until about 130 while I napped. I then took over the wheel.   Driving was fine until outside of Mount Sterling Ohio I hit a rather unpleasant pothole that woke everyone up.  

The light on the car went on and I knew it wasn’t good.   I pulled over to find a rather large tear in the tires of my relatively new Toyota Sienna. 

Remembering how they are run flat tires and it is ok to drive on them, I made it to the next exit to a BP gas station.   We pulled out the manual and activated the road assistance.   While looking for how to access the spare (which the Manual says we had). We found out that because these tires were “run flat” they had a core that protects the rim and allows you to drive up to 50 miles.  

Of course we speak to the person on road side who says because we do not have a spare it will have to be towed to the closest dealership...which doesn’t open until Monday.  

We then discuss options and decide to drive a bit further to a Walmart. We arrive at Walmart after 430 and sleep in the car until 8 when automotive opens. 

Now we think we have got it figured out.   First in line, half hour to fix it then back on the road... sounds easy right? NO.   The tire is a special tire ..of course it is..  can’t even be special ordered.    So we try a few shops In the area... nope no luck on run flat tires. Why would Toyota make it easy? And it’s Sunday. In the Bible Belt...   we did find one dealership that happened to be open on Sunday.  Amazing.  We call.  They can see us eventually so we drive north. (Away from KY) and get to the direct dealership in KY.  Jesse our service rep was so sympathetic and helpful and got us in line.  3 hours, 300 dollars later and a new tire and we are back on the road.  

We missed the breakfast at the track kitchen and the first five races but the kids definitely saw first hand life’s lessons on dealing with complicated situations.  

Arizona- the end

Nora’s video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ocdESx86lkAHJNjE6TMxj0ohCT6cQctC/view?usp=sharing

Everyone slept in until 10 today.  We were supposed to be on the plane at 6 am and home at 3pm.  Everyone is feeling it.  Our vacation is at its end.  

We found Ike’s Love and Sandwiches, recommended by Jennifer Murphy. It was on Nora’s to do list.  A walk through old town will complete my trip. Kids hit up Castles and Coasters. It was a small park near the hotel. Not impressive at all and a bit expensive.  Went on a half dozen rides then voted it out. At least they can say they went on a roller coaster in Arizona.  

1/21/19

Up early. Pack the car and get going back to Boston.  Everyone is ready.  Kate misses the dog. Nora needs to get back to school and I need to get back to work.  Unfortunately our flight was cancelled. This flight does not get in until 1210 am and we had to go through providence.  We will have to rent another car or risk a 200 dollar UBER from Providence home.   But alas. We got an extra day in Phoenix, relaxed a little.  Kids swam and we missed the coldest day of the year in Boston. 

2300 miles. 50+ hours of the car and three states for me and John.  Five states for Nora, Patrick and Kate. 

Next... maybe kentucky/West Virginia in the spring.   John and I have six states left. KY, WV, OK, LA, TX and Alaska.  Twins and Nora have Hawaii too.   

Keep praying for that kidney for my dad so we can get to Alaska together! 

Arizona -Phoenix

1/19/19 -Phoenix 

Turns out there is a big storm in Boston which will prevent us from flying home on Sunday.  We have to arrive Tuesday at 1210 am.  In Providence since Boston was booked solid.  This is not surprising knowing our travel history.   So making lemonade!  Staying next two nights in Phoenix.  Nora and John are going to a music festival put on by Nora’s favorite bands.  She will get to go to some meet and greets Sunday since we are staying.  Kate and Patrick want to shop, hit the zoo and the pool so we will see what the day brings.  It’s a two hour drive from Sedona to Phoenix.   

Phoenix Zoo.  Kids gave it a 6/10 on the zoo scale.  It was about 75 degrees and they were hot.  Overall they do a good job keeping lots of shade around.  Loaded with bees which kate wasn’t thrilled about.   My favorite was the burrowing owls and the prairie dogs.  I could watch them all day.   The two germaphobes wouldn’t feed the giraffes which would have been a highlight.   

They were both hungry and Patrick found an Olive Garden.  We drove through Scottsdale first. I would like to go there tomorrow with everyone. But we will see.  Nora has a meet and greet with her favorite bands and John wants to golf.  So who knows where we will end up.  

Back to the room for me and the twins.  Nice double tree in northern Phoenix.  Of course there is a roller coaster next door.  I imagine the kid will end up on it somehow.  

Have a room with a patio to the pool.  Patrick wants to swim but kate doesn’t. I don’t want to have to. Somehow kids never want to do anything by themselves.   Didn’t I have twins so they would entertain each other?   

Actually, after I wrote that we looked out at the pool and it happened that several teenage baseball teams were here. Boys everywhere.   Kate says “can we go buy a new bathing suit.”  Two hours later they are still in the pool.  

Nora and John has a great time at the concert.   Nora’s Facebook post said: 

“Last night was one of the best nights of my life. All of my favorite bands in one place surrounded by amazing friendly people. My cape is signed by other fans from all around the world and I couldn’t be happier about it! An amazing way to end an awesome trip thanks to my parents ❤️❤️❤️”

Arizona -part 3 Sedona

1/18/2019 -Sedona

Sedona is definitely an amazing place.  Feels so different than the dated parts of Route 66.  Amazing skies and views.  The architecture is beautiful.  Everything seems so clean and new.   There are rules about what colors you can use on your house and you are only allowed one 60 watt bulb on the outside of the house.   This really gives the town a nice feel. There are loads of vortexes here. You can feel the good energy. Definitely feels like a healthy place to be. 

Patrick bought himself a real cowboy hat.  He never spends money but found one that looked and felt great.  So he bit the bullet.  I think it was a good choice.  

Started this morning with a pink jeep tour.  Bonnie our driver took us to diamond gulch.  Beyond off roading we went down cliffs.  It was a dose of home school.  In addition to learning about the geography of the area we also learned about the animal habitats and behaviors of the packrat (they like shiny things) the red tail hawk and how they charm the rattle snake, the tarantula hawk who is actually more of a wasp, and the badger.     Nora said “it was educational but bumpy-like my education”. 

Kate said “it was aggressive”

Patrick described it as “it vibrated the bones and it reignited the outdoors”

John called it thrilling with beautiful views of the red rock.  

Passed a billboard that said 

“Adulting is soup and I am a fork”. This brought some discussion.  Kate and Patrick seem to be stuck on a version of a song that says “he was a moth she was a lamp, can it be any more obvious”

A drive to Jerome, a haunted mining town. Dinner at the asylum was expensive and food was ok but the kids were entertained by the haunted feeling. We colored on. The paper on the table.  There is a book full of stories from guests about their haunted experiences.  We drove up to what seemed like a haunted junkyard.  Full of old trucks and folklore.   Whole town had an eerie feel. Scariest part to me was the dirt roads on the edge of the mountain!