Let's See America!

During 2007 business was slowing down so I decided to take some time off. This would give the gang a break from the grind. And a chance for us to pick the rest of those states we had not been, too. In the spring I had purchased a small book at a local thrift store titled, "Eat Your Way Across U.S.A." by Jane and Michael Stern, copyright 1997. This book written way before the books, "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" by Guy Fieri. Those "Diner" books are great, but we didn't have them at the time. We thought we would try a few of the listings in the book, if the were on our route and they were convenient. So in August my wife, Sharon and I loaded the 5TH wheel and hit the road. We started out in Los Angeles travelled north via Hwy 101 to Vancouver, Canada. By way of Sonoma, CA, Portland, OR, Whidbey Island, WA and Anacortes, WA. Yes, eating and visiting friends along the way. Oh, by the way we only ate in moderation! Yea, RIGHT! 


     Willits, Ca.


Then we left Washington State and headed east on Interstate 90 through Spokane, WA, Coeur D'Alene, ID, south on I-15 to Idaho Falls, ID then east to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Visited relatives there and spent several days sightseeing and chasing buffalo. Leaving Jackson Hole we went north through Yellowstone NP back again to I-90.  Heading east to Billings, Mont where we took I-94 east to Fargo, ND, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN.  On to Madison, WI changing back to I-90 to Chicago, IL. Continuing on I-90 we took a short detour on I-69 through Ft. Wayne, IN to Fairmont, IN, hometown of the late actor, James Dean.  Back to I-90 we continued on to Cleveland, OH, home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Sunday, Baseball and Football games downtown at the same time.  Wow, talk about traffic and people. And they label LA. 

On to Buffalo, NY, home of the first Buffalo Wings.  We had to test a few at the Anchor Bar, the site where Buffalo Wings where born in 1964. What a sight to behold Niagara Falls, especially at night from the Canadian side. Moving on ever eastward on the I-90, we made our way to Boston, MA. What an amazing City to be a tourist in.  We followed the Freedom Trail and found many historical sights and events.  Naturally, we had to hit both Cheer's Bars and definitely enjoyed the lobster rolls at the Faneuil Hall Market Place (aka Quincy Market French).  We used Normandy Farms RV Resort Park in Foxboro, MA.  A great place to use as a base for our daily adventures. Such as a day trip north on I-95 to Kennebunkport, Maine for some more lobster at "Mabel's Lobster Claw". Then we continuing north to Portland, Maine and toured for part of the day, gosh! what beautiful country, then we returned to the RV park at Foxboro. Another wonderful day trip was to visit Plymouth Rock then on to Cape Cod for lunch.  We ate scrod (fish of the day) sandwiches at a wonderful little restaurant on the water in Cape Cod, MA.



  Boston, MA

After leaving Boston, MA we turned to the south via I-95 through Providence, RI, New Haven, CT, bypassing NYC and headed SW on I-78 to Philadelphia, PA.  Took in more history with a visit to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.  Then on to a wonderful week at Lake in the Woods Narvon, PA in Amish Country.  We visited Gettysburg Memorial Site, what an experience to stand where Abraham Lincoln actual gave the Gettysburg Address.   As we continuing our search for Johnny Reb and Billy Yank we worked our way further south  to our nation's capitol, Washington, DC. Using the Cherry Hill RV Park, near College Park, MD as our base. 

We spent the next week hitting as many of the Washington highlights we could.  Especially the all the war memorials, Arlington Cemetery, the Capitol, the Jefferson, Washington and Lincoln Memorials, as many Smithsonian Museums as we could and a fun time at the Spy Museum. The On-Off Bus Tours were the greatest for getting in all the sights, no matter where you are. 

When we reluctantly left D.C. we headed south again with, you guessed it another side trip to Mt. Vernon, VA on I-95 towards Richman. This time we made it over along the Potomac River to George Washington's Home spent most of the day just enjoying the history and scenery, then off again and to the Williamsburg-Yorktown area, where we again spent time exploring early America at its finest.





Mt. Vernon




Monticello, Jefferson's Home

Then we again took a side trip to visit Thomas Jefferson's home Monticello, what a beautiful place with books full of history. These side trips are probably making you tired. I guess that's why most people don't care to watch or look at other peoples vacation pictures. However this was a once in a life time search through American History, something most people don't gain by attending class at most universities



.  McLean House

So onward to Appomattox, VA, to view the McLean House, where Generals Grant and Lee signed the accord agreeing to the end of the Civil War, April 9, 1865.


 

The Lady and Son's Restaurant (Paula Deen's Place) in Savannah, GA what a great place to eat, the ole' southern hospitality is still alive here. Next, we headed south thru the Carolinas and on to St. Augustine, Florida. We wanted to visit the oldest city in America! We had been to Florida on numerous occasions, however we had not been to St. Augustine. What a special place thats loaded with Spanish history, the city settlement founded in 1565 is the location of Castillo De San Marcos one of the oldest forts in America. Ponce de Leon came to this area in 1513 looking for the Fountain of Youth. Older folks are still searching! From there we headed west back to California, a three month tour across America. If you ever get the opportunity, garb it, see America First!




 St. Augustine, FL



Who Loves to Travel?

I do! I do! Yes, it seems that there's not many of us who doesn't like to travel when given the opportunity. Well over the last few summers 2009 and 2010, we've had the opportunity to take several cruises to Europe. This is because the economy and the cruise industry has provided us with some fantastic price reductions on fares. These fares include the transportation, food and quarters at prices Motel 6 charges for a single room.

Summer of 2009

Cruise to Medteranian (Story and pictures later)

Summer 2010

Cruise to the Baltic (Story and pictures later)

Summer of 2011

Trip to Alaska (Story and pictures later)