Day 43-47 The Final States

On Saturday, we left Boston and drove through most of New York to get to Nigeria falls. Then we drove another hour to a Walmart for the night. You could still see ice in the river that is the American and Bridal Falls portion of Niagara. Canada is on the left of the picture.

On Sunday, we saw the Nathan Whelam family and had dinner with then in Chippewa, Michigan. We had too much fun with them that we forgot to take photos.

On Monday, we saw the Grotto of the Redemption in Iowa. A grotto is a rock/shells formation. This one tells the story of Jesus, fitting for Easter week!

On Tuesday, we began our drive through South Dakota but our truck broke down and we had to send it the dealership in Sioux Falls. We stayed there for the next three days, waiting for the people to be done with the truck. We stayed in a Yogi bear park. We were so glad that they were there when we needed it. When we stayed there we spent the first day just relaxing and waiting for the call from the dealership. The next day my dad decided to take the moped and go talk to the people face to face. He got a car so we would be able to go around in. That day we saw a movie and got groceries. The next day, they called us and said our truck was done and we were ready to get on the road. Turns out the fuel filter, computer and tie rod where all replaced. We left Yogi around 4. The day after that we saw Mount Rushmore.

After that we drove many hours to get home. On Saturday, we drove through South Dakota, Wyoming, and stopped in Montana. Today, we are driving all way home and spending Easter with the family. We enjoyed the trip but are ready to be home. Happy Easter to you all!

Day 41-44 Massachusetts and Rhode Island

The New England states exude a relaxed rich historical heritage. We started off our tour of this area in Cape Cod. Simple gorgeous weathered shingled cottages Grace the small coastal towns along scenic HWY 6A. We enjoyed lobster rolls and fish and chips, some of the best I’ve eaten. At the completion of our trip I, Amy, will post a food review of our favorites across the states and this stop will definitely be on it! The last pic of cape cod is of one of the cranberry bogs dotted across coastal Massachusetts.

Our next day of touring landed us in Boston. Boston feels like a comfortable sweatshirt. We walked the trail of freedom that showcases several historical sites in the city. Below are pictured a few of our favorites: the USS Constitution, the USS Cassin Young, Bunker Hill, Paul Revere’s North Church and the beautiful cobblestone streets.

We loved having my niece Lucie grace us with her bubbly easy going spirit and were sad to see her go! After dropping her at the airport we stopped in at Boston College to catch up with one of my former CPC students and dear friend’s son who is studying pre med there, Jacob Schley.

Our tour of New England was completed with a morning breakfast run to Rhode Island on our way to Upstate New York. We stumbled upon this sweet bakery located in a functioning dairy farm! Yum!

Day 36-39: New York

On Friday, we dropped Zoe off and picked up Lucie from the airport. The next day we took my long awaited ferry ride visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Personally seeing the Statue of Liberty was my favorite part of the entire road trip.

On Sunday, we went to where the twin towers fell. We also saw St Patrick Cathedral and the trade bull. Then we rode the subway to this little Italy part of the city called Greenwich Village and had the amazing pizza at Bleecker Street Pizza. My dad wanted to see the precinct 6 police station because he watched a show called BlueBloods that was filmed there.

On Monday, we went to Times Square and looked around. Then we went to the grand central station and had lunch. Then we saw the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building. There were some pretty amazing sites to behold in up town New York!

On Tuesday, we drove onto Boston and we enjoyed the fun filled campground amenities. More to come on that in the next post.

Days 33, 34 and 35- Pennsylvania

The last few days brought a big dose of war history with a trip to the battlefield of Gettysburg and Valley Forge. To take in pivotal sights where two American wars were fought brought a new appreciation for our forefathers and their commitment to stand and also die for what they believed in. May we be people today with such honor and conviction.

The church, Washington Memorial Chapel, above was positioned on the Valley Forge grounds by a pastor who wanted to honor George Washington’s Christian heritage. This same man organized his congregation to transform this location into a historical site and they did so in the early 1900’s. This church was breathtaking.

Zoe and Libby enjoyed our next stop in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Here we toured the Hershey factory and even took a shot at creating our own chocolate bars.

We could not bypass the beautiful rolling hills of Lancaster County with it’s covered bridges and pockets of past century’s architecture.

The last two pictures were taken at the old Hopewell furnace that was on site at French Creek State park, where we set up camp this week. The furnace used to produce iron for 112 years from 1771 until 1883. We were surprised at how advanced an operation that this was.

Sadly, we will say goodbye to Zoe tomorrow and send her on her way home but what a lovely time we have had learning together about our nation’s history.

Day 28-32: Washington D.C

While we were in Washington D.C. we picked up Zoe and toured throughout the town. The first night, while we waited for Zoe to arrive, we saw the Marine Corp memorial and my parents felt the importance of it due to my brother Wilson being a Marine. Down below is a picture of the marine memorial, Iwo Jima.

The next day, we started out walking through the 9/11 memorial benches at the Pentagon and learned about why they were placed there. Personally, that was my most impacting part of D.C. After that we went to the Arlington Cemetery and went to the tomb of the unknown soldier. Later on that day we went to eat at old town Alexandrea. Then headed home to our camp site. Down below is a picture of my dad at the grave sites and the cherry blossoms which were amazing while we were there.

On Sunday, we went to the mall, by monorail, and went in the art museum because we were waiting for the other museums to open. Next, we went through the air and space museum, which was filled with people, then we went to the Indian museum, which was nice and peaceful. After that we ended our day at the Bible museum, and saw a play that was formerly on Broadway. The play was called Amazing Grace and it was a musical. Down below is a picture of my dad with his favorite art piece, he says the it remind him of himself. Ha! Then there is a picture of all three of us at the Bible museum.

The next day we cruised around several memorials on scooters. We saw the Vietnam and Korean War memorials, the Lincoln memorial and the Washington monument. We also went through the Holocaust museum and learned more about that. Then we saw the White House.

Day 25, 26 and 27 Virginia

History is rich in the history triangle of Virginia. Yorktown, Williamsburg and Jamestown are all living museums. All of which gives a representation of their intended time period.

Jamestown portrays the settlement of the Virginia Company governed by John Smith in the early 1600’s. Here we were able to wander the settlement replica and talk with actors who were fully versed in this era.

Yorktown portrayed the Revolutionary war battle and did so very well. Wondering the actual battlefield, as well as interact with a mock up of a regiment’s base camp highlighted the revolution war. You can see jared soaking up the battle history as he walked where soldiers fought hundred’s of years ago.

Williamsburg, my favorite of the three, bustled with restaurants, stores and beautifully restored architecture of the colonial period. We enjoyed a meal at a pub that has been operating for almost 300 years!

Day 23 and 24: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Yesterday, my parents started the day out with a walk and I slept. Later on we went to a car museum, which my dad loved. We also spoiled each other with shopping at the outlet mall. We just went there to get shoes for my dad but instead we decided to get him a whole new sporty look. After that we went back to the camper and dropped mom off to take a nap. My dad and I went to go put put golfing and he won. Then the rest of the time in Myrtle we rested.

Today, we are traveling through North Carolina and ending our travels at Williamsburg, Virginia. We woke up early to get out of Myrtle beach and headed on the road.

Day 20, 21 and 22 Savannah, Georgia

Filled with southern charm, natural beauty and rich history, Savannah ranks high on our favorite city list. We stayed two nights at the Fire Creek RV resort, and I will say it did feel like a resort. We enjoyed the pool and hot tub as well as catching the Duke NCF game while using their laundry room.

The town of Savannah is set up with garden squares the size of a small block every few blocks. They each have their own statues and flare. As we wandered through the historic district we would stumble upon a gorgeous green space with people gathered, picnicking or even breaking out in song. These squares are backdrops to historical structures such as St Johns Cathedral, which you will see below with Jared and mansions filled with so much character they almost take on a life of their own.

Savannah is a port city with the Savannah River ushering in massive cargo ships. Two arrived the Sunday morning we were sitting outside our breakfast restaurant on the river walk cobble street. The river is also alive with small people ferry’s and river paddle boats. It is a clean and quit active river walk.

On the outskirts of town is a late 1700’s settlement, The Wormsloe Plantation. The great great grandson of it’s founder planted 400 live oaks along its entrance 100 years later. A breathtaking view to have in minds eye as we depart this southern landmark.

Day 19: Georgia

Yesterday, we drove all the way to Greensboro, Georgia. We met up with Alan Stone, my dads cousin, and had dinner with him at a pub. Later that night we went on a walk and I captured this photo of the sunset on Lake Oconee. Alan taught us that the lake looks dirty, but it is not. The clay bottom just makes it look like brown water.

Today, we are driving to Savanna, Georgia. We are going to stay there for two days.

Day 16,17, and 18: Alabama and Tennessee

In Alabama, we stayed in Noccalula falls, Alabama. We stayed there for two days and went hiking, shopping, and mom and I went to get a pedicure. While my mom and I got our nails done we, my dad went on a long hike with the dogs and captured these photos and video.

Yesterday, we stayed in Harrison Bay state park, Tennessee. While we were there we walked and my parents played some pig this morning, representing March Madness, which dad got to watch a bit of last night. My mom won pig against my dad. Here are some of the views we saw on our stay there. Also my mom winning my dad at b ball.

Alabama and Tennessee were beautiful.

Day 15 Mississippi

Monday we drove a beautiful 220 through Mississippi to our destination for the night, Okatibbee Lake, MS. What a peaceful stopping point for the night that refreshed our souls.

Day 12,13, and 14 New Orleans

This weekend we stayed in New Orleans, Louisiana. We got here on Saturday and decided to have a relaxing day and stayed with the dogs. Our campsite was right on the huge Pontchartrain Lake and across from us on our inlet was this “New Orleans ” paddle boat.

On Sunday, St Patrick’s Day, we went into town and walked through the markets, rode the trolley to toured the garden district, Amy gave Jared and I an informative tour around the garden district with this walking tour link, https://freetoursbyfoot.com/self-guided-garden-district/.

We ended the day with a Cajun dinner and tried fried alligator for the first time. It tasted like chicken. Today, we are traveling to Jackson, Mississippi.

Day 10 and 11- Texas Gulf Coast

This stop was one of my, Amy’s, favorites. I don’t know if it was because I dearly enjoy the ocean and it’s magnificent beauty, or if camping near the ocean brings back fond childhood memories. I think the dogs echo me in their new found love of the ocean. They reveled in the sense of freedom.

The warm Texas coast invites one to get in sync with The artistic hand of our creator. The spring weather is mild and yet thunders with power without warning. Then softens again with a burst of sun rays.

We are staying in Matagorda Bay Nature preserve with an abundance of birds and other wild life. It not only is visually appealing here, but the sounds awaken the senses.

Day 8 and 9: San Antonio

We decided to stay a couple of days in San Antonio. We pushed two long drive days and decided to relax a day. While we were in San Antonio we saw the Alamo, walked the river walk, and watched a movie. Personally, my favorite part was the river walk and Alamo during the night because they both looked beautiful. Tomorrow we plan on going to the coast. We will stay in Matagorda Bay for three days.

Day 7: AZ, NM, TX

We departed from the Grand Canyon this morning and began our trek driving through New Mexico to our sleeping destination, Lubbock, Texas. We are trying to avoid the storm that is supposed come in our path Tuesday afternoon. The storm is supposed to bring lighting, hail, rain, and maybe a tornado. Our hurried trip across New Mexico didn’t stop us from taking in this beautiful sunset on one of our many gas fill ups.

Day 6 The Grand Canyon

I, Amy, am taking a turn blogging today. Our first Saturday of the trip was spent exploring the scenic Grand Canyon. Wilson and his friend Jae drove up for the day from Phoenix. We hiked the rim and, as you can see, a few ventured off of the beaten pass, much to my chagrin. Enjoy the beautiful views, they pretty much speak for themselves.

Day 5

Today we are freezing our butts off at the Grand Canyon. My mom, dad, and I have been riding our mopeds and going on hikes. We have arrived up here at the Southern rim of the Grand Canyon at 2pm and we left Phoenix at 10am. Down below you will see an elk that was so close to us that we had to take a photo. The herd is just roaming around our campground. Then there is me riding along on the moped. After that, we went on hike to a view point and it was beautiful.

Day 2, 3, and 4

Day 2: We hung out with Kelly Moe, my moms close friend and book keeper for my dad’s garage. She showed us around her beautiful city of Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Day 3: We drove 7 hours to a wonderful Walmart and stayed the night there and decided to get up early the next morning so we can see my brother in Phoenix, Arizona. We had dinner with him and his friends that night. Left to right: Liberty, Max, Jae, Emily, Caleb, and Wilson.

Day 4: Today is a no traveling day for us. Mom and I are just hangin out at Wilson’s apartment and enjoying the sun and doing some laundry while dad and Wilson fix Wilson’s car. We are going to eat dinner with the boys and say goodbye to Max for the last time for 2 months. Then we are headed off in the morning to take in vistas of the Grand Canyon with Wilson and Caleb Symons! Here is one of our views from our morning hike in North Phoenix.

Over the past four days our thermometer has hit -15 driving through Montana, which froze our fifth wheel pipes, thank goodness we were staying with Kelley that night. We’ve driven through pelting rain and 50mph winds which dad cringed at and today we sit at 75 degrees, pipes are thawed btw, and we are soaking up the rays. But I am sure, the Grand Canyon will force our coats back on tomorrow.

Road Trip! Road Trip!

Today, March 4th, 2019 we are headed out on a grand adventure! The Reidt family is taking two months to travel across the United States. Starting off our trip is Jared, Amy, Max, and me, Liberty. Most of the trip will be my Mom and Dad and me. I will be sending out a daily blog post and picture on our progress across the states. Our travel plan today is to go throughMontana and end the day at Idaho Falls, Idaho. We hope to see many new places.