1
9523 Kolmar Ave

Hitting the road a little later than anticipated-good thing today is just a “driving” day…

2
Indiana Welcome Sign

Made it to Indiana

3
Burger King

Picking up a quick lunch at the travel plaza

4
Welcome To Ohio Sign

On to Ohio!

5
Skyline Chili

Since we were in Ohio we decided to get some 5 way chili again at Skyline Chili. We went to the closest one that was on the way to our hotel. When we got off the highway Kyle and I were both like “we’ve been here before”. Turns out we ate at this exact Skyline 2 years ago on our way to Washington DC!

6
Skyline Chili

Kyle enjoying his 5-way chili.

Our first dinner on the road

7
Home2 Suites By Hilton Youngstown West - Austintown

First day of our road trip successfully completed!

8
Pennsylvania Welcome Sign

Passing through Pennsylvania

9
Sheetz

Lunch stop at Sheetz

What a deal-2 hot dogs for $1!

10
Christopher Columbus Hwy, Columbia, NJ 07832, USA

Back in Jersey

11
Dos Amigos

For dinner: Steak sandwiches (with onions and fries in the sandwich) from Dos Amigos.

Eating back at the hotel before our Zoom meetings.

12
J. George Fredman Park

View of the Manhattan skyline

13
Welcome to New York Sign

Arriving in NYC via the Lincoln Tunnel

14
Rose Center for Earth and Space

Starting our day at the American Museum of Natural History

Jenna checking out the coat made entirely of dried salmon skin.

A Chinese wedding chair

15
Belvedere Castle

Taking a stroll through Central Park. First stop-Belvedere Castle.

Bow Bridge

Bethesda Plaza

16
745 Plaza (Public Plaza)

Lunch break! We’re all pretty hot and tired from all that walking around…

NY style pizza

17
Times Square

Walking around Times Square

Of course we had to check out M & M World! They had some exclusive flavors of M & M like English Truffle, Cheesecake and Fudge Brownie.

18
Rockefeller Center

Time to go to the Top of the Rock Observatory at the Rockefeller Center

19
MLB Flagship Store

Sights seen near Rockefeller Plaza-a familiar face at the MLB Store…

And Radio City Music Hall

20
Top of The Rock

Spectacular view of NYC!

A view of Central Park from above

Almost done with Day 3 of our road trip

21
Nintendo NY

One more stop for Kyle and Steve before heading out:

22
47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr

Taking the subway back to the car

23
Theodore Roosevelt Statue

Finally back to where we started-the American Museum of Natural History. Was that only this morning?!?

24
Fay Da Bakery

Stopping in Chinatown to pick up some Chinese pastries for breakfast from Fay Da Bakery.

And dinner from Xi’an Famous Foods

25
Hilton Garden Inn NYC Financial Center/Manhattan Downtown

We survived our first day in NYC! We got in well over 10,000 steps…The view of New York Harbor from our hotel in the Financial District.

Hand ripped noodles for dinner

26
Hilton Garden Inn NYC Financial Center/Manhattan Downtown

Starting our day with Chinese pastries

27
Statue City Cruises Battery Park/ Liberty Island

Taking the ferry to the Statue of Liberty

28
Statue of Liberty Museum

Learning about the history of the statue at the Statue of Liberty Museum.

A life size replica of her foot

The original torch

29
Statue of Liberty National Park

Spending Day 4 of our road trip with Lady Liberty

30
Ellis Island Immigrant Building

Exploring Ellis Island and learning more about immigration

“Journeys: The Peopling of America” exhibit in the Baggage Room.

The Registry Room

31
Hilton Garden Inn NYC Financial Center/Manhattan Downtown

Lunch back at the hotel-Pastrami Reuben sandwiches, Wall St. Wrap and a Shell Steak from White Horse Tavern.

32
National Museum of Mathematics

The most anticipated attraction on this road trip-the Math Museum!

33
Grand Central Terminal

Making a stop to check out Grand Central Station

34
CAVA

Dinner at CAVA

A build-your-own Mediterranean bowl

Delicious!

35
9/11 Memorial South Pool

Starting our last day in NYC at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

36
9/11 Memorial & Museum

A somber reminder

The “survivors staircase”

37
Oculus Center

Picking up some “grab and go” sushi for lunch from the Oculus Center.

38
New York Stock Exchange

Exploring the Financial District while on the “Wall St. Insider” walking tour. First stop-the New York Stock Exchange.

“Fearless Girl” statue promoting gender diversity and women in leadership.

Federal Hall

Grave of Alexander Hamilton at Trinity Church

“Charging Bull” statue

39
Bowling Green

Finally getting to eat lunch at Bowling Green (New York’s oldest park).

40
Insomnia Cookies

Celebrating National Ice Cream Day with cookie sundaes from Insomnia Cookies.

41
Staten Island Ferry Terminal

On our last night in NYC we decided to hop on the free ferry to Staten Island to get dinner over there.

42
A & S Pizza

We decided to do a taste test and compare Staten Island pizza with the .99 cent pizza we had on Friday.

The

The house special pizza.

43
Staten Island Ferry

Ending Day 5 of our road trip with a ferry ride back to Manhattan.

G

Good night Lady Liberty!

44
Hilton Garden Inn NYC Financial Center/Manhattan Downtown

Getting ready to leave NYC.

Yay, it all still fits in our car…we haven’t seen our car for the past 3 days…

45
Zucker’s Bagels & Smoked Fish

Getting breakfast at Zucker’s before leaving Manhattan.

Bagels and bagel sandwiches

46
Manhattan Bridge

Passing the Manhattan Bridge on the way out.

Driving through the Catskills on the way to Albany.

Yes, you read that right-a “text” stop not a “rest” stop…

47
New York State Capitol

Arriving in Albany.

The impressive New York State Capitol building.

48
Wethersfield Pizza House

Stopping for dinner near Hartford, CT. Wethersfield is the home town of Matt, our church’s youth ministries director.

Matt highly recommended this “famous” chicken cutlet sandwich.

That’s one huge sandwich-stuffed with 4 chicken cutlets!

Jenna enjoying some spaghetti with her cutlets.

49
Connecticut State Capitol

Connecticut’s capitol building is pretty impressive too.

The historic Colt Armory (soon to be a national historic site).

50
Rhode Island State House

Rolling into Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island State House.

We didn’t realize Rhode Island was so hilly.

51
Baba's Original New York System

Getting a staple of Rhode Island cuisine-the New York system weiner.

Ready to eat!

A hot dog “all the way” with meat sauce, mustard, onions and celery salt.

52
100 Highland Ave, Seekonk, MA 02771, USA

On to Massachusetts

Driving out to the Cape

53
Cape Cod National Seashore Salt Pond Visitor Center

A quick stop at the Salt Pond Visitors Center.

It’s already Day 7 of our road trip!

Checking out the exhibits in the museum.

A Cape Cod crab

The lighthouse at Nauset Light Beach.

54
135 Frontage Rd, Boston, MA 02127, USA

Made it to Boston!

55
Pauli's

Eating dinner at Pauli’s in the North End.

There’s a lot of people out and about on a Tuesday evening.

Mmmm-lobster roll, fish and chips and clam chowder.

56
Paul Revere Mall

Strolling through Boston.

Paul Revere Mall

Along the Freedom Trail-the Old North Church.

57
Museum of Science

Exploring the Museum of Science

Hedgehog programming

The “Arctic Adventure”

Solving “Natural Mysteries”

Critters at the museum:

Timeline of mathematical achievement in the “Mathematica” exhibit.

58
Bunker Hill Monument

Along the Freedom Trail-the Bunker Hill Monument.

Learning about the battle in the museum.

59
Boston Smoked Fish Company

Lunch break at Boston Public Market

Smoked salmon burrito

Salmon and rice curry bowl

60
Massachusetts State House

Following the Freedom Trail through Boston Common.

Massachusetts State House

John Hancock’s grave at the Granary Burial Ground.

Samuel Adam’s gravesite

Park Street Church (where the hymn “America” was first sung).

Faneuil Hall

61
Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Time for a snack break at Faneuil Marketplace

Cannoli, Mini Lobster Tail and a Boston Creme

This Boston Creme is really fluffy!

62
Boston Marathon Finish Line

Maybe one day Kyle will run the Boston Marathon and cross this finish line…

63
Tasty Burger

Picking up dinner at a Boston original-Tasty Burger.

Enjoying a chicken sandwich for dinner.

64
90 Decatur St, Boston, MA 02129, USA

Goodbye Boston-

65
New Hampshire Welcome Sign

Hello New Hampshire!

66
New Hampshire State House

Another state capitol building

Hall of Flags-exhibit of flags carried in battle by various NH troops.

The recently reopened State House Cafe.

67
Moe's Italian Sandwiches

Picking up lunch at a NH original-Moe’s Italian Sandwiches.

Eating in the car since this Moe’s was another gas station-restaurant combo.

The “original” Moe’s Italian sandwich.

68
Maine "Welcome Home" Sign

Made it to Maine!

69
Maine State House

Second capitol building of the day-

70
I-95, Plymouth, ME 04969, USA

Driving through moose country

No billboards allowed!

71
Las Palapas Mexican Restaurant

Picking up Mexican food near the hotel from Las Palapas.

Fajitas, “Dinner for Two”…

and a burrito bowl.

72
Hulls Cove Visitor Center

Starting our day at Acadia National Park.

73
Beaver Dam Pond

A beaver dam…

and a beaver lodge.

74
Mount Dessert Bakery

Lunch break in Bar Harbor.

Enjoying some sandwiches from Mount Dessert Bakery.

That’s some sandwich!

75
Blue Hill Overlook

Continuing Day 10 on Cadillac Mountain.

A view of Mt. Desert Narrows.

The “Porcupines” islands.

76
Side Street Cafe

Dinner at Side Street Cafe.

Salads, Clam Chowder and Lobster Mac and Cheese.

Finishing off our meal with a slice of Maine Blueberry Pie.

77
1174 US-1, Harrington, ME 04643, USA

Heading east on the “Bold Coast” scenic byway.

78
Wild Blueberry Land

This is why we love road tripping-discovering quirky roadside attractions like Wild Blueberry Land!

A giant blueberry pie

79
Rivers Edge Drive In

Stopping for lunch in Mathias.

What’s for lunch: lobster roll, shrimp basket, haddock burger and poutine.

80
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Bridge

So close to Canada…

81
WEST QUODDY HEAD LIGHT HOUSE AND VISITOR CENTER

Spending Day 11 at the easternmost point in the continental U.S.

The West Quoddy Lighthouse

Kyle is the easternmost person in the U.S.!

82
State Rte 9, Cherryfield, ME 04622, USA

Time to head back west.

83
The Towne Motel

Dinner from Whit’s End Restaurant

What’s for dinner: stuffed haddock, garlic chicken, burger and salad.

84
401-435 US-2, Gilead, ME 04217, USA

A rainy start to our day

85
Shelburne North Trailhead, Conner Rd, Shelburne, NH 03581, USA

Back in New Hampshire

A covered bridge gift shop

86
Almost There Restaurant

Lunch break near Conway

Jenna eyeing her hamburger

Summer chicken and berry salad

Kyle enjoying his fish burger

87
CL Graham Wangan Overlook

Spending Day 12 driving the scenic Kancamagus Highway.

Haven’t seen a moose yet…

Up in the White Mountains of NH

Continuing on to Franconia

88
Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway

Riding the aerial tram at \240Franconia Notch State Park.

Going up…

Walking along the Rim Trail

We’re glad it cleared up so we could get this spectacular view of Lafayette Mountain!

Echo Lake

Going down…

89
99 Restaurants

Dinner in Littleton, NH

A Mediterranean Bowl, a Fajita Bowl…

The “Twin Catch”

Fresh Balsamic Salmon

And a Cookie Skillet to finish off our meal

90
I-93, Littleton, NH 03561, USA

Leaving New Hampshire..,

On to Vermont

91
Vermont State House

Day 13-The last state capitol on this road trip!

92
Stowe Sandwich Company

Lunch at the Stowe Sandwich Co.

These sandwiches are good!

The Vermont Press Sandwich-bacon, Vermont cheddar, ham and apple slices on sourdough bread with maple mustard.

93
6443 VT-108, Jeffersonville, VT 05464, USA

Winding through the green mountains of Vermont.

94
Maple City Candy

Stopping to pick up some maple syrup and other souvenirs.

Maple Creemees are delicious!

95
US-2, Alburg, VT 05440, USA

Oh Canada!

Too bad the border is still closed otherwise we would have come back via Quebec, Montreal and Toronto.

96
Welcome to New York sign

Back in New York

97
1000 Islands Harbor Hotel

View of the St. Lawrence River from our hotel room.

98
1000 Islands Harbor Hotel

A first for us-ordering room service at a hotel. We tried to order take out from three other restaurants but none of them were available for various reasons.

Salad, burger, quesadilla and calamari.

Later that night we experienced another first on a road trip-the fire alarm went off and we had to evacuate the building!

99
Uncle Sam Boat Tours

Getting breakfast in Alexandria Bay.

Ready to board for our “American Narrows” boat tour.

100
Uncle Sam Boat Tours

Day 14 of our road trip!

101
Cherry Island

Some of the houses along “Millionaires’ Row”.

Casa Blanca on Cherry Island.

Twin Pine Tree House

Comfort Island with a 7 foot bear on its weathervane (built by Chicagoan Alson Clark).

102
Thousand Islands Bridge - Alexandria Bay

A view of Thousand Islands Bridge

The “playhouse” on Heart Island.

The Power House of Boldt Castle.

A view of Ontario, Canada.

“Devil’s Oven”, a pirate hideout.

103
The Flying Spatula

Lunch at The Flying Spatula.

It’s breakfast for lunch day!

Omelette, bacon, potatoes and toast

A BLT sandwich

104
Charlie Riedel's Restaurant

Stopping to pick up dinner near Rochester.

Jenna’s dream come true-a huge jar of pickles!

105
Home2 Suites by Hilton Buffalo Airport/Galleria Mall

Eating dinner at the hotel.

The iconic Rochester dish-the Garbage Plate. What’s a garbage plate you ask? A base of macaroni salad and home fries topped with meat and sauces. We tried the 2 Burger Plate, the 2 Hot Dog Plate and the 2 Italian Sausage Plate.

106
Buffalo Museum of Science

Visiting the Buffalo Museum of Science

107
Buffalo Museum of Science

Checking out the “Medieval to Metal: The Art & Evolution of the Guitar” exhibit.

M

The License Plate Guitar

The Armadillo Guitar

Kyle making some music

The famous Fender Stratocaster Guitar

Some funky shaped guitars

More music making

Playing a guitar with catgut strings

108
Buffalo Museum of Science

Jenna trying to perform surgery

Some head-to-head sibling competition

Kyle withstanding 72 mph winds

Jenna learning about climate change

Making a snowflake in July

Kyle, the paper rocket scientist..,

A moose in a mask

109
Charlie the Butcher's Kitchen

Picking up lunch at Charlie the Butcher’s Kitchen

110
4510 River Rd, Tonawanda, NY 14150, USA

Crossing the Niagara River

Picnic lunch at Lasalle Waterfront Park

A Buffalo tradition- “Beef on Weck” sandwich

A view of the Grand Island Bridge

111
1825 Buffalo Ave, Niagara Falls, NY 14303, USA

Driving along the Niagara Scenic Parkway

Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls, Canada

112
Terrapin Point Horseshoe Falls

Rainbow International Bridge

Checking out the view from Terrapin Point on Goat Island

Horseshoe Falls, Canada

113
Whirlpool State Park

The Niagara Whirlpool

114
Niagara Power Vista... Niagara Power Project.... New York Power Authority

Visiting the Niagara Power Vista

Learning how to make waterfalls

Steve generating some power

Pedal faster Jenna, we need more power!

View of the power station

Spending Day 15 in and around Niagara Falls

115
Michael's Restaurant

Dinner at Michael’s Restaurant

Handmade ravioli

Kyle digging into his Ziti

116
Prospect Point Observation Point

We tried to go on the Maid of the Mist boat tour, but ironically there was a power outage in the city! It impacted our hotel and Maid of the Mist had to close. So instead we took in the view from nearby Prospect Point.

117
Maid of the Mist Boat Tour

Back at Maid of the Mist (since we didn’t get to do this last night). We’re getting soaked even before we get on the boat!

118
Observation Deck

View of the Falls while waiting in line

119
Maid of the Mist Boat Tour

A soggy Day 16 (but at least we’re finally on the boat)

A close up view of Horseshoe Falls

Are we having fun yet?

120
Tim Hortons

Second breakfast at Tim Horton’s

Trying the TimBits

121
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Visiting the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site in Buffalo.

President McKinley was in Buffalo to see the Pan American Exposition when he was assassinated.

The inauguration ceremony was performed at the Wilcox home (a friend of Roosevelt and where he was staying).

“President Kenmotsu” deciding whether to sign or veto a bill.

A presidential mask

122
Doc Sullivan's

Happy National Chicken Wing Day!

We celebrated by getting some Buffalo wings at Doc Sullivan’s.

123
Pennsylvania Welcome Center

Continuing our trek back west.

124
Home2 Suites by Hilton Perrysburg Levis Commons Toledo

Dinner from Yola Kol

Chicken Shawarma, hummus, fattoush salad, shawarma sandwich and a gyro/chicken salad.

125
Fallen Timbers Monument

Our first historical site of the day-Fallen Timbers Monument.

126
Welcome to Michigan Sign

We made it to Michigan!

127
River Raisin National Battlefield Park Visitor Center

Our second historic site of the day-River Raisin National Battlefield.

Checking out the visitors center.

The ranger interpreting the very detailed diorama to us.

128
Village Rd, Dearborn, MI 48120, USA

Entering The Henry Ford complex

First stop-lunch at Plum Market Kitchen.

Soybean Salad, pork, tacos, chicken salad sandwich…

and a Faygo.

129
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

Our second “Mathematica” exhibit on this road trip (there were 4 off these exhibits created)!

130
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

The “Your Place in Time” exhibit. Apparently this is Generation X’s place.

131
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited.

Some familiar faces

Jenna’s impersonation of Beaker.

132
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

The “Liberty and Justice for All” exhibit

The Rosa Parks bus

Jenna learning about women’s suffrage.

133
Firestone station, W Village Rd, Dearborn, MI 48124, USA

Exploring Greenfield Village

134
Edison's Menlo Park Complex

Inside Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park Laboratory.

A turtle hanging out nearby.

135
Glass Shop

Watching glass blowers at work.

The Davidson-Garson Gallery of Glass

The Liberty Craftworks Historical District

The Pottery Shop

136
4429 Apache Dr, Okemos, MI 48864, USA

Dinner with the Yang’s

Pulled pork sandwich from Saddleback BBQ

137
Yang’s House

Day 17-last day of our road trip!

Saying bye to the Yang’s before heading home.