53 day road trip...by numbers

On the 30th of June, 7 of us left Millis at 8:45 a.m. to embark on a
53 day road trip which would include 26 stops, taking us through 23 states and 2 countries. We visited 19 National Parks, and a total of 26 cities/towns including 2 state capitals. To do this we traveled some 9,543 miles all tucked neatly in to 1 packed out Chevrolet Suburban. During the course of the entire trip, we averaged 16.9 miles per gallon (not bad –eh?), and spent some $1550 on gasoline. We packed 3 tents, and had to replace 2 of them due to the wind and rain damage they suffered in Galveston to give us shelter for the 27 total nights we spent camping. On 24 nights we were treated to a solid roof over our heads, 10 of those with friends and family, and 14 of them in hotels, many of which were not much better than sleeping in the tents! On 2 occasions, we broke our promise to only ‘eat local’ by having breakfast at McDonald's 1 morning and having desserts and delicious cocktails at the Rainforest Café in Galveston during our stay there. We did not break our ‘eat local’ pledge in Niagara Falls however, thanks to the $30 price tag for the fajitas for which we would normally pay $13. We made 1 visit to hospital for Ben’s mystery blister and one visit to the Ranger Station at the State Park in Galveston for the 3 kids stung by jellyfish in the Gulf. Even though the summer news stories were overflowing with accounts of bison charging, grizzlies attacking, floodwaters raging and murderers fleeing, the only trouble we managed to find ourselves in was 1 minor fender-bender in Texas and get this, we received 0 speeding tickets! Incredible. We arrived back in Millis at exactly 8:00 p.m. on the 20th of August (Papa’s 64th birthday) with 9 days of summer vacation left before we needed to get back to work and school on the 30th of August. Anyone ready for another road trip? I’m thinking we take the tour to Europe in the summer of 2014. How many countries can we hit in 6 weeks? Come on! Who's coming?

August 18 - Niagara Falls

On the 18th of August at about 7:30 p.m. we arrived at our final stop, Niagara Falls, Canada. After we unloaded I made a run to the supermarket to grab some food and wine for the evening’s meal. Later that night, as Emmett, Abby and I looked out over the falls, the lights of the casinos and streets glaring up at us as we sat some 20 stories above them, I asked them which they thought they liked better: the bright lights and flashing neon signs of a busy tourist city like Niagara or the bright glow of the stars in the dark sky of a quiet western town. Both agreed they’d take the black and starry sky over the glitzy city scene. Still, we all enjoyed the view of Niagara, which including a moving light display at the American Indian Casino across the border, and later, the lights of a few sparkling fireworks. My father-in-law treated us to a luxurious stay at the Marriot Fallsview Hotel and after we were all tucked up in bed, listening to the roar of the falls outside our window, we began to think about exploring the falls tomorrow. We enjoyed a leisurely lie in the next day. James was good enough to grab some coffee from the lobby and we sat, sipping our coffee and thinking about our day. Abby and Emmett wanted a swim in the pool – fine. Then we’d take in a little breakfast while I sat and worked on the blog, taking in the views. Then perhaps a little potter around the beautiful green park beside the falls. A little ride on the Maid of the Mist to cap it all off – perfect. But then the phone rang. James’ father (who had never been to Niagara before) had his sights set on taking a massive tour that would bring us up the Skylon Tower, to the Butterfly Garden just north of Niagara, and on journeys behind the falls as well as right up close to the falls on the Maid of the Mist (also included was the IMAX which we wouldn’t have time for, as well as a trip to Whirlpool State Park which we would do the next day). There was a quick debate over who wanted to do what (the older boys were all geared up for the tour as was their gram but the younger two were already in fits as their trip to the pool was being delayed by this discussion…). In the end, all 8 of us set out on the tour. It was a bit of a hectic tour and our guide was just so funny. Clearly he didn't feel the need to 'waste' money on the parking passes which were required for certain sites. Too simple, too boring, I don't know. It was much more fun for him to go screeching up to curb, sound the alarm for the passengers to disembark as quickly as possible while he jumped out and donned his traffic guard vest to usher us safely across the busy roads. All the while he squawked to us about the pick up plan - where to find him, how to get there safely. "Stay together!" yelled out the papa guide as we dodged the cars to get across to the falls. We stopped at the ridiculously overpriced 'Souvenir City' for lunch and a poke around the shops. Back on the bus, fudge tucked safely away in my bag (my saving grace), our guide continued on with the commentary (some times the facts, and some times his opinion) as we were shuttled from one sight to the next on our big adventure. In the end, it gave the one-day visitor a broad overview of the many attractions as well as the history of the area (did you know that the falls have receded 7 miles from their original position to where they are today?), but if you're ever in Niagara and you find yourself in line for this tour, be sure you have your sneakers on. A bright orange vest wouldn't hurt either....