Day one was a driving day. Our only object was to get past New York so we weren't stuck trying to get past it on Monday morning. To this end we got up and on the road early. We jumped on the freeways and headed down towards Hartford Connecticut. We got as far as Norwalk before the kids started getting a bit crabby so we stopped for lunch at a nearby Friendly's then headed out again. We had no problems getting past New York thankfully then headed down through New Jersey and Delaware and into Philadelphia for the night. 6 states in one day - a pretty good effort. We found a hotel with a pool so that the kids could get out after all day in the car and have some fun then headed out to for the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner.
Day 2 started with a walk around Philadelphia. We walked down past china town into the historic distric to check out Elfreth Alley - supposably the oldest residential street in the country. It was very cute tucked away just beside the freeway.
We then headed back past Betty Ross's house - she supposably made the first US flag.
We then walked up to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.
We then got on the road and headed down to Baltimore. We drove through town and up to Federal hill for a great view over the city.
There was a little playground up there so the kids could have a run around.
We then headed down to Annapolis Maryland. This turned out to be a very cute little town so we decided to stay the night so we could explore it the next morning.
We tried to get a hotel with a pool again but it turned out the pool was closed for the season - bummer. For dinner we found a mexican/spanish restaurant and had tapas - really good!
Day three started with a walk around Annapolis.
We then headed towards Washington but decided that since we had a free afternoon we may as well check out the Air and Space Musem out at Dulles airport which we had heard was really good.
Spent a good couple of hours checking out all the planes.
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| Enola Gay - dropped the bomb |
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| The Concord |
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| The Space Shuttle |
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| Blackbird |
The next morning we were up and at the Australian consulate at quater to 9. We were allowed in early and had no problems and were out of there by 10 past nine. One passport application done - should have the passport in 2 weeks.
As we had organised a late check out, that gave us all morning to explore Washington. We walked down to the White House which was just a couple of blocks from the hotel.
Then walked down to the world war II memorial, past the washingto monument.
We walked along the reflecting pool to the Lincoln Memorial
Then walked back up the washington mall to the capitol
Headed back to the hotel via Fudruckers for lunch then got on the road and headed out through Georgetown which was beautiful. Although I thought this servo was a bit much!
Ended up at Frederick for the night - found a great hotel which not only had a pool but an indoor minature golf course too so the kids had a blast.
The next morning (thanksgiving day) we headed up to Gettysburg. The town itself was beautiful - especially with all the holiday decorations.
The fields all around the town have been filled with memorials - I think the number was over 1500 - it was pretty impressive.
We climbed one of the observation towers and the kids had a blast running around.
We left Gettysburg at about 11am and at about 11:30 passed a Mcdonalds that was open (nothing else was) so we stopped in - luckily as it was closing at midday. Unfortunaly they were only serving breakfast though so we got a second breakfast for the day.
We then headed up to the area around Lancaster which is the Pensylvania Dutch country. I was a bit dissapointed with this region - I'm not sure what I expected but it was no different from anywhere else we had seen on the trip with the exception of a few horse and buggies running along the road.
We ended up for the day in Hershey - home to the Hershey Chocolate factory. We headed out to Hershey chocolate world where they had a fantastic ride set up describing the chocolate making process including a number of singing cows. Lexie had a blast - so much so that we had to go back and ride it a second time- although her enthusiam may have had something to do with the free samples that they handed out at the end.
Thanksgiving dinner was at the local diner - the only place we could find that was open on Thanksgiving night.
The next morning we headed out to Hershey Park the amusement park next door. Unfortunaly we had misread the brochure and were there 3 hours early so to fill in some time Lexie and Daddy went back to Hershey chocolate world to ride the chocolate ride again.
One we finally got into the park Lexie had a great time. Most of the rides that were open were aimed at her age group so it worked well. Unfortunately all the coaster were closed though so not so much fun for mum and dad. It seems like we have an adrenaline jumkie on our hands though. lexies favourite rides with the biggest ones that she was only just allowed on with one of us. The tilt a whirl and the flying rockets.
We spent at least 3.5 hours riding all the rides then called it quits as both kids were getting fractious by this time and everyone was cold so we headed back to pizza in the hotel room.
We drove out to Harrisburg the next morning to check out anoher state house
Then headed up state to the Pocono's region. We found a great little winery on the way and bought another case on wine. Over night at Mt Pocono. Dinner was at a Hibaci where the kids had a great time watching the chef cook out dinner in front of us.
Day 8 we started by driving to "The Niagara Falls of Pensylvania" I don't know that I'd go that far - but they were pretty falls. And Lexie did a fantastic job walking the 45 minute path around the region.
We jumped on the 84 and headed towards home. Got as far as Southington just south of Hartford then headed hom Monday morning.
2 comments:
Is the Air and Space Museum not the best museum ever!
Wow, there were a whole lot less people at the White House than when we were there. OK, now seen the piccies of Lincoln Memorial etc too - where are all the people?
You had a big walking day, bet Lexie slept well after that.
Love the servo in Georgetown.
Woohoo on the indoor golf course at the motel- sounds like a blast.
Love all the memorials in Gettysburg.
Lexie's so little on the Frog hopper compared to the other kids. Adrenaline Junkie no doubt.
Definitely the best museum ever! Thats the best thing about travelling over winter - the lack of crowds - we also were at the white house before 9:30 in the morning and Americans don't seem to do anything before 10am so that explains the lack of crowds there - it did get busier as the day went on.
As for wearing Lexie out she didn't even make it till we got back in the car - she crashed in the stroller and slept right through lunch in the most crowded restaurant ever.
And yep - a definite adrenaline junkie - The attendant tried to measure her on the way into the ride but she just barged past and jumped straight on - luckily she had the tag to show she really was big enough! but yeah she just looked sooooooo tiny.
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