October 10, 2007 - Home sweet home

We began the day knowing that we had close to 600 miles to drive. We made a small pitstop in Cleveland. James wanted to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He got lucky because we passed Jacobs Field too.

We didn't show you the Leprachan from yesterday but every city has one.

Next along our journey we went to Pittsburgh. I can't believe I'm from PA and have never been there. I loved how mountainous the city was and 3 bridges running in/out of the city. I wouldn't have picked yellow but no one asked me.

And who knew how beautiful western PA is?? I've lived here my whole life and have never been further than Carlisle, PA. It felt like we could've been back in Wyoming.

Well, we finally made it to Philly at 9:30pm. It puts an end to a 7 day trek across our beautiful country. We will leave you with one last clip of James' arm doing the "arm fish". Thanks for following our journey!!!
The shorts saga is over. They have been washed and dried and are laying low inside a drawer.

October 10 - Good Morning

I thought I'd say a quick good morning today. You don't really think that's the only reason, do you? Guess what is accompanying us on our trip to the Philadelphia Metro area???
THE SHORTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

October 9, 2007 - Back to the world of traffic jams!

Todays lesson is on traffic! Being away from tons of people, big cities, rush hour traffic, detours, business people have made us appreciate the cities west of Madison, WI. We have been spoiled for the past 6 days because the only people we've encountered are retired folks. They're in no rush to get anywhere and give you the right of way...not the finger!

Today began on a short drive to Milwaukee, 23 miles. It took us an hour and a half to get there. Please pardon my lack of enthusiasm......I have a bad attitude due to their detour signs!

We found what we were looking for only after asking a guy that looked like he walked right out of an Irish cartoon book, with the red hair to boot. We sorta think he was drunk too. Laverne, Shirley, Lenny, Squiggy and now.....the Leprechan that will remind us of Milwaukee.

We also happened upon another plant that piqued James' interest.

From there we found our way, (thank heavens for navigation system, a cop and a bag of pretzels) to the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois. James spent 3 months there 13 years ago where he had his first sleep walking experience. Part of me thought he was going to leave me there to knock my attitude in to shape. We met a guy from Philly there, go figure.

On to Cleveland we went, through Chicago. 12:00 noon, we've never sat in so much traffic at that hour. Because of traffic we got some good shots of the city and Miller Park.

The road opened once in Indiana (still with an attitude but I fell asleep). We laughed, drank lotsa coffee, texted and emailed many of you until I was on the phone and I noticed the car exiting the highway. I was distracted and didn't see the signs my pilot saw, "Notre Dame next exit"!!!

James was in high heaven that he was able to see Notre Dame University with his very own eyes. Apparently my tour through Notre Dame wasn't over yet. James had one more stop for us. Do you think it's a coincidence we haven't seen a single mall on this trip??

Our last stop, shy of Cleveland, Ohio was Toledo. Home of Katie Holmes and sold out hotels. But not to worry, I got another sunset shot through the side mirror.

And the answer you're all dying to know, James laid the shorts to rest this morning.
Mom B, I couldn't agree with you more! Those shorts will be back on him moments after being washed.

NEXT AND FINAL STOP, PHILLY!

October 8, 2007 - Sun, warmth & open road!

Friends and family, please don't give up on posting on the blog! We turned off the option that forces you to sign up for gmail and get a password so you should be able to post without signing in. But please sign your name so we know who you are. Also, many of you are having problems posting, so be patient, maybe it's the website. We love reading your replies at the end of our long day and there are only 3 more left (including this one).

Today we were determined to make up some of the time we lost from the terrible weather we encountered. The day began in Mitchell, South Dakota with 50 degrees, some of us sleeping in, and a plan. This plan included no stops for anything but bathroom breaks. Thanks to James' mom stocking the car up with snacks this plan was possible.

The east side of South Dakota, the booming metropolis that it is, provided us with a series of windmills, and a wide open road with no hills or mountains.

***Question of the day*** BETH and MARK - OFF LIMITS TO BOTH OF YOU!

Next we were on to Blue Earth, SD. James had a friend he wanted me to meet. Does he look familiar to anyone?


We pulled into a planned rest stop and James got his finger stuck inside the hole of the lid for the wipes to slip through. You can't tell in the picture but it was pinching his finger so bad his finger had imprints of the opening for hours!!!

Later in the day we crossed the state line into Wisconsin. And let's not forget the sunset.

Tonight we cruised through Madison, which is where we initially planned on stopping for the evening. James was a man on a mission and wanted to continue on. Stopping 25 miles shy of Milwaukee, you can all guess what is first on our stop tomorrow, right?

For those interested, James' shorts continued on the road trip with us. They've proven to be loyal, trustworthy and comfortable. I think yesterdays stain has removed itself.

***Additional question of the day*** Beth & Mark, jump in!

Will the shorts see us through the trip?

CLEVELAND HERE WE COME!

October 7, 2007 - Hey turkey!

After a valiant effort to mussssh on towards Sundance, WY, we fell short

due to near white out conditions in Gillette WY. We woke to 2 inches of snow on the ground, luckily roads where bare and wet due to overnight warmingAfter passing through Sundance, WY (where the Sundance kid was jailed and got his nickname), we came upon Deadwood. Our drive through the gulch was beautiful.......unfortunately the town was a bust. Only turkeys playin' the slots. Deadwood is full of gold mining history and the backdrop to numerous gunfights and other "old western" debauchery.

Why do they call this Deadwood?

Natural entrance into Keystone National Park.

***Question of the day*** - Photo below

This picture was taken of what lovely mountain?

Once we found our way out of the Black Hills, the road opened up to the Great Plains and good weather which made us happy.

James was fighting the elements in hopes of Philadelphia weather the whole trip.

This puts an end to 5 days in the same shorts. No worries, the stain is only from our tea jug.

The beautiful Great Plains, somewhere South Dakota.

Crossing the Missouri River (Missour-"A" as said by mid-westerners) at sunset.
OFF TO MADISON, WISCONSIN...............

Entertainment of the day
We've been in the car so long and so far entertaining ourselves has become a sport. Check out how James has perfected his "arm" worm.

October 6, 2007 - Let it snow!

At our last posting the city of Cody got a lame mention. At the time of the blog, we had no idea how great of a town it really is. The hotel we stayed in which we loved, after a good night of sleep we loved even more!! We got a late start so we could enjoy the beautiful surroundings. On our way out of town, we got to appreciate the town for what it was even though all the rodeos were closed.

I can't remember the last time I saw a Starbucks or a Target. And for the record, if any of you are looking to move to Montana or Wyoming, don't sign up with TMobile. I've barely had cell service in 2 days. I am enjoying my texting with some of you when service comes through so keep in mind my timing may be off.

Along our journey today, we stopped off at Museum of Flight and Aerial Firefighting which I have to share with you. Some of you, especially my Dad will find these pictures interesting. The sign outside their visitors center was foreshadowing for our day.

We drove through Powder River Pass which was beautiful.
Here are a few photos for you to enjoy.

When we encounter fog, it's like nothing we can explain. Here's an idea of how bad it gets.

The day ended earlier than expected due to snowflakes that were the size of fists. We pulled over in Gillette, Wyoming...a very happening place off Route 90. There are 8 2-star hotels, a Taco Time, a Pizza Hut, and these fools are all asking $100 a night. We're sitting in a Hampton Inn. I ask you, who's the fool now?

***Question of the day***
What U.S. President said, the drive between the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park and Cody WY is the most scenic 50 miles in America?