Meet me in St Louis

Chicago Skyline

So, yesterday was spent in Chicago. In the afternoon we went to the Navy Pier. Basically shops, amusements etc. It worked out ok because the weather wasn’t great, so there wasn’t much to see outside anyway. We saw ‘Eagle Eye’ in an Imax cinema (80 feet tall!) It was a really good film (and Shia LaBeouf is really rather lovely for a wee boy!*)

We ate in TGI Friday’s last night, and then back to the hotel where Jonny watched the Chicago Bears vs Philadelphia Eagles game. (Jonny wanted to go but the cheapest tickets were $130…I was very very sad to miss this!)

So today, we drove to St Louis, Missouri. This took 5 hours, and most of landscape was cornfields as far as you could see. That, and rain!! (Yes, today we saw rain for the first time since getting here!) Also there’s been tornado warnings on the news since we arrived here but unfortunately haven’t seen any yet!!

We’re currently in a Comfort Inn, had a swim there, and getting ready to watch episode 3 of heroes. Just been flicking round the tv stations and found a programme advertising Northern Ireland to American tourists, so lots of fiddle-dee music and patronising cliches!! 

Tomorrow we move on again trying to make a good bit of progress west. We have the biggest drive yet (roughly 7 hours) to Oklahoma City – so we’ll stay there for 2 nights, take a break and see what there is to do there.

Interesting facts for today:

- Green Extra chewing gum is actually green here.

- Some random town names we saw along the road today…Shirley, Glenarm, Lebanon, Pawnee. Yes, we were bored!

- We have always forgotten to mention this…but we’re listening to Radio One in the car! It has a satellite radio and we get it time delayed, so we hear the programme at the ‘right’ time of day!

- I still haven’t even read one book! (Jill) and no, I can’t believe it either! For anyone that is interested (no one, I’m sure!) I’m reading Labyrinth by Kate Mosse.

* The opinion of Jill, not Jonny!

The Windy City

We’re in an internet cafe in Chicago – our otherwise wonderful hotel charges for the internet (its only downfall…it’s amazing!)

Yesterday, we had a 5 hour drive (I drove for one of them!) and we arrived in Chicago mid-afternoon. We drove the rest of the way across Ohio, through Indiana and we’re now in Illinois (bringing our total of states up to 9!) We’re also now on to a new time zone – central time – so we’re now 6 hours behind home!

Jill Blazes a trail across America

 

We had a swim in the pool at our hotel, and used the jacuzzi. We then had a wander around some of the shops, and then went to the rainforest cafe for dinner. (Just like Florida!)

Back to the hotel where we watched Iron Man (Jonny watched, Jill fell asleep – some things never change!)

So far today, we have been wandering round some more shops. We went to the Freedom Museum - all about America, civil liberties, rights etc. It was quite interesting (and free admission!) It’s in a building that has stones from all over the world built into the outside walls. It even has a stone from the walls of Derry!

We’re staying here tonight, and leaving tomorrow morning. Not sure what the plan is yet, or where we’re headed! We’ll keep you updated!

Thrills all round

Today we drove for nearly 5 hours to Sandusky, Ohio. We’re making our way to Chicago. I (Jill) even drove a bit! For a whole half hour! It was a scary experience for both of us!

We arrived mid afternoon and we had decided to go to Cedar Point (amusement park) this evening. Turns out at this time of year, it’s only open at weekends – or ‘halloweekends’ as they are called…yes, it’s Halloween themed.

Which meant lots of scary people wandering about dressed as witches, zombies, freaky clowns etc.

Top Thrill Dragster

We didn’t go on many of the rides, as most of them were closed for the Halloween stuff. We did however get to witness the ‘Top Thrill Dragster’. It’s over 400 feet tall (look it up on wikipedia for more details) and basically up, and down! And very very fast. It goes just fast enough to make it up to the top and over. Apparently, once it got stuck at the top!) Sometimes, it doesn’t make it over, and goes back down again, backwards – which we got to witness tonight!! Check out this youtube link here. And no, we didn’t go on it!!

We went for dinner in the Johnny Rockets diner. It’s a 50’s style diner, with little jukeboxes on the tables etc. The best bit was every so often the staff dance! Tonight, it was to ‘Thriller’ (in keeping with the Halloween theme I guess). It was very funny.

So it’s on to Chicago tomorrow…

Jonny Rocket!

The day of the ponchos

the wet people

So todays big event was seeing the mighty Niagara Falls!

We had a run in with a pushy ticket seller, who tried to convince us that we needed to pay $70 dollars each to see ‘the falls’. Luckily, we had been warned by Nancy and Tom about this and we said no! We managed to do all we wanted for $30 each.

First, we took a trip on the maid of the mist (yes, the one from Bruce Almighty Caroline!) Wearing the stupid blue ponchos, and thinking ‘how wet can we get?’ turns out very! The boat takes you past the American falls and into the centre of the Horseshoe falls – where you basically can’t see anything for all the mist!

Then we did the cave of the winds. This time, a yellow poncho, and….wait for it…plastic sandals. Very fetching! With our jeans rolled up and our yellow ponchos on, we were just lovely! It was a great walk. Down steps, and then up alongside the falls. It was very wet!! At the top of the walk was the ‘hurricane deck’ where if you want, you can get absolutely drenched!!! You’re almost underneath the waterfall. We tried it…but it was a bit scary!

So we dried out a bit, walked about some more and then we went to see an Imax film about Niagara Falls, which was pretty good.

We then headed to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner (twisted mac ‘n’ cheese for anyone that’s interested) and we’re now sitting in the dark, in the car park of the camp site as the internet reception isn’t great in our cabin!

So now we have to figure out where we’re going when we leave here tomorrow morning. The general direction is Chicago! So we’ll let you know when we do!

Another attempt…

Since our last post on Tuesday morning in Albany, we have driven around 400 miles!

On Tuesday, we worked our way down to Hallstead, Pennsylvania, to stay with Nancy, Tom, Daphne and Fred the dog. We had such a nice time with them. It was lovely seeing some of the countryside and hearing about it from people who live there. We took a run up into the hills where we went to an orchard, by some beautiful lakes and heard all about the local area.

We had dinner that night, and ate corn on the cob bought from a local farm that day. It was amazing! It was so nice having a home cooked meal, and sleeping in a house for a change!

Yesterday morning, Tom took us around some more of the local sites, and then we had a lovely time, sitting out in the garden in the sun, watching the leaves fall from the trees.

Hallstead has a crazy fire siren that goes every so often to alert the part time firemen of an accident or fire. It’s like an air raid siren! There is also a freight train running above the road, we sat out on the porch counting carriages (lost count after 50!)

So we headed off again yesterday, and after driving for over 4 hours, we’re now in another campground near Niagara Falls, where we’re heading today. As we type, we’re sitting at a picnic table in the sun. It’s 10am and beautiful. We’re eating muffins and drinking coffee and hot chocolate!

Last night, we managed to get lost in a dodgy looking area of Buffalo – it was a bit scary. Sat nav to the rescue again! (How did people survive before this great invention?!)

Interesting facts:

- We have passed the 1000 mile mark (although to be fair, haven’t made it very far west yet!)

- There are a lot of spiders in this place. This has caused me (Jill) great problems – especially braving the shower this morning – I just prayed and didn’t look round me or above me too much!!

- We have been in 6 states so far: New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont and Pennsylvania.

- My family are notoriously hard to get hold of on the phone! 3rd time lucky yesterday.

Thank you to everyone for all the lovely birthday messages, and poems (although we have a bone to pick with you Mr Philip Houston…or should we say Norman…)

Keep commenting…we love it. Logging on and reading them all is so nice!

So we’re off to see Niagara Falls…more later!

Stupid Internet!!!!

We had a big long post typed and lost our internet connection just as we went to save it! We are now throwing things around our cabin in a blind rage!

We’ll update again, hopefully with a better internet connection.

Feel free to comment anyway…we love love love reading them!

Monday nights live on!

Anyone who knows us knows how we spend every Monday night…there are 6 of us, and a box set of some show. To date, we have covered 4 series of lost, 5 of 24 and 1 Prison Break. We meet in someone’s house, eat, drink tea, watch a few episodes, and talk for hours.

In our absence, Jonny and I have offered series 1 of one of our new favourites – House – to keep them busy.

Hiro from Heroes

Last night, was the series 3 permiere of one of our other favourites here…Heroes!!!!! We checked into our motel (it’s not as scary as I imagined it would be, and we weren’t murdered in our bed…or the shower!), went out to get a Dominos pizza, came back and settled in for the hour long preview and the first 2 episodes. It was great! It felt just like a normal Monday night (with the absence of 4 key people! although they refuse to watch heroes anyway)

In other news, we left Massachusetts yesterday morning, and drove up through Vermont – again, beautiful countryside, lots of trees, but up in the mountains. We stopped in a town called Brattleboro for lunch (yes Richard, more food!) in this mad place called Common Loaf bakery. It was run by these crazy looking wild grey haired people – he made bread in the back and she smiled at everyone in a scary way. Was nice though and made a change from Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds and the usual!

We are currently in Albany – in New York state – we’re working our way over to Pennsylvania where we’re staying with Nancy and Tom tonight, so we leave here this morning to do a bit more driving!

Come in Pig number 25, your time is up…

at the beach

Since we last wrote, we have been at another KOA (campground) – in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. We’re in our cabin at the minute, using the free wireless internet on our laptop.

Weather continues to be beautiful – 26 degrees today, we even had a swim in the outdoor pool this evening!

Yesterday saw us travelling through Rhode Island and stopping in Newport for a wander about. Then we moved on to Plymouth – the town near to where we’re staying – home of the Mayflower and apparently the first place settled by the Pilgrims in 16..whatever!

This entire place is obsessed with Halloween – it’s so strange seeing pumpkins, scarecrows, ghosts everywhere, not to mention a bit spooky!

Last night and tonight, we ate in the T-Bone Steakhouse. Last night after the meal, the waitress came round with a big red bottle full of little plastic pigs. Apparently, they draw a pig from the bottle at each table, and if the pig with your table number is drawn – you don’t have to pay for the meal! Unfortunately, pig number 25 stayed in the bottle! Nice food though!

Crazy Golf

Today, we played crazy golf, and went to the beach (we’re making the most of seeing the sea before moving inland!)

 

Interesting (or not so interesting) facts:

- Roundabouts are called ‘rotaries’ here. (Although the sat nav still calls them roundabouts – in an Irish accent)

- We got petrol (or gas) for around 40p a litre!

- The tea here is rubbish. I knew it would be. I’m moving to coffee! (Jill)

- Gatorade does not taste good. Even as a remedy for low blood sugar. (Jill)

- As of last night, we had taken 139 photos, but can’t upload any yet, due to restricted bandwidth!

Tomorrow we’re heading west! We’re heading towards Pennsylvania to stay with Nancy and Tom on Tuesday night, and then on to Niagra Falls for a couple of days after that.

Jill & Jonny

Ps: Susan…loving all the comments, glad you’re enjoying the blog…hello to Alan and the girls from us!

Mystical…

Mystic KOA

Highlights of the past 24 hours have included:

- we have a convertible! Yes, a convertible! (To be fair, we haven’t tried opening the roof yet) It’s a Chrysler Serbring.

- We stayed in a cabin in the woods last night.

- We are in the very beautiful town of Mystic, Connecticut. Exactly like you imagine New England to look. Spent the evening looking around the town, lovely shops, and a drawbridge.

So today we’re heading on again, travelling around the coast a bit more, not sure exactly where we’re stopping yet. We’re currently sitting in the car park of the campground, using the wireless internet on our laptop!

Yesterday’s excitement was starting off in the car -using the sat nav (couldn’t survive without it mum and dad!) and driving for 45 minutes, before ending up back where we started at the car rental place! Whoops!!

Thank you all for the comments, it’s really nice reading them.

More news soon…

We’re on the road again…

 

The statue of Liberty - from the boat

…or we will be anyway, if we manage to get our car picked up. First, we have to get a taxi – something we haven’t done yet. So I guess we just stand in the street and yell “Cab” ?!?

So that’s what this morning holds for us…getting our car and driving…somewhere. Not sure where yet! Don’t know where we’re staying tonight, which is all a bit scary, but we’ll be fine!

Yesterday was good, we took a boat trip up the Hudson river, and back to see the statue of liberty etc. We also got to see the pier where the titanic would have landed had it made it to New York. Absolutely beautiful weather, sunburn to prove it! (Although we were wearing suncream dad!).

We also managed to get half price tickets to see phantom of the opera last night…loved it! Ate in Planet Hollywood (pasta again…sick of chips…sorry, fries…already!)

So we’ll be back with more when we get to our next stop, wherever that may be!

J&J