Memorial Day Parade...

***Miles travelled today: Once again the car stayed in the garage... but we did what seemed like a few miles on foot!!!

***Total Miles:

***States travelled through: Still in Washington DC...

We had already researched where and when the Parade was to be... the joys of wireless and laptops!!! So, after breakfast... I'm sorry to say, we are creatures of habit, we stay in a place for more than a day and we end up going to the same place for breakfast!!! We then got our bus into the centre and walked down to Constitution Avenue... last year there were over 250 000 spectators to the Parade, so at 11h00 we got our little patch on the grass under the shade, together with everyone else who was already gathering... we had decided to find ourselves a spot near the beginning of the Parade and as we were in good time we were able to do that... The parade was due to start at 14h00... and the fact that we had found our spots in good time, didn't seem to affect those who arrived with five minutes to spare and promptly attempted to settle themselves in front of us... a nice word from Jay, sent them packing... Anyway, we had a pretty good spot - and watched the Parade...

They represented the wars that America has been in since 1812... obviously with attention paid to all of the veterans... (although not from way back in 1812...) No seriously, once again, an event that made us stop and think... not just about the military aspect of the Parade, but there were numerous school marching bands and drum majorettes... in talking to the Americans sitting next to us, they were saying that most high schools will have these and that they have inter school competitions, and that it is something that in-stills routine and discipline...

The parade lasted for two hours - even though we had not planned to be here today, we're glad that we stayed...

We had planned to go down to the tidal basin and go on the peddle boats... however as we had not eaten since breakfast, Jay decided that she needed sustenance... and although I wanted to go on the paddle boats, I joked to Jay that if she had no energy, she would not be able to paddle the boat!!! Anyway, we got on the bus, as it was too far to walk... and actually got to go past the paddle boats, and get our first glimpse of the Jefferson Memorial... that's right - we hadn't even seen it yet!!!

We have decided that even though we have done a great deal in Washington, there is still a lot left for us to do - and we cannot do it all!!!

So, after a bite to eat, we caught the bus back to Georgetown... where we are having an early night - as we are on our way again tomorrow!!!

It's already four weeks since we arrived in Boston, we are a third of the way into our trip... we can't quite believe it - but when we stop and look at the pictures and think about all that we have done so far... that too is unbelievable!!!

Poignant Moments...

***Miles travelled today: None in the car, although it feels like many miles were travelled on foot!!!

***Total Miles:

***States travelled through: Still in Washington...

WOW!!! We could not have planned a better weekend to be in Washington DC... and it wasn't even planned... although it probably should have been!!!

Once again we made our way into the Capital, on our hop-on-hop-off bus... as many of the roads were closed for a rally today, we were able to get our ticket extended for a further day tomorrow... so, having walked down from Union Station, back to Capitol Hill, I was able to take the photos of the Capitol building that we were not able to take yesterday... ones with blue sky!!! So have posted another photo... as it looks much better!!! We then walked part way down the mall again, and noticed that we were approaching roads that had been blocked off... and numerous people beginning to gather... well, we gathered with them!!! We were not disappointed... every year for Memorial day, there is a motor cycle rally, called 'Rolling Thunder'... we have added an interesting web site above, just detailing the history of why it started... it was amazing... they have estimated that approximately 400 000 (Yes!!! The number is right!!!) bikers and veterans attended the rally this year... it was absolutely phenomenal to see... (Lins, you would have been in your element... we have posted a pic just for you - wishing you HAPPY BIRTHDAY for tomorrow!!!)

When the event came to an end, we headed off for one of the Smithsonian Museums... there are 19 museums throughout Washington that are all Smithsonian Museums... of all of them the one that we both really wanted to visit was the Museum of Native Americans... this too was very thought provoking... everything about being in Washington has been poignant and meaningful, and really been food for thought - on so many levels...

We needed to go via the White House again, as the photos we took yesterday, were the White House (from the side!!!) How were we supposed to know??? Thankfully we then saw a post card and thought "Our photos don't look like that!!!" Should we blog this we ask... as we think we might get some 'DUH' comments in response... but anyway, we have included what we think is a brilliant photo... of the front of the White House!!!

We then made our way back for a bite to eat... and an early night... in preparation for the Memorial Day Parade tomorrow...

What to do in Washington???

***Miles travelled today: ...the car stayed in the garage... we went everywhere by bus and foot!!!

***Total Miles:

***States travelled through: Stayed in Washington DC

What a fantastic day we have had today!!! After a fantastic breakfast at a little french cafe just outside the hotel, we made our way to the City Sightseeing stop just on the next block... we opted to do the tour on English Double Decker Red buses... as they offered the best deals... and we have our hop on and hop off tickets for both today and tomorrow!!! When we started our explorations this morning the sky was very grey and muggy... but we made our way to Union Station... which has so many restaurants and shops... not just a railway station... by the time we had finished exploring in there, which also included looking at an art exhibition, of various pieces from school children around the country, which in itself was fascinating... we decided to walk down to Capitol Hill, where we took numerous pictures of the Capitol Buildings and then we walked down the mall, to the Washington Monument, and then down along the reflecting pools, to Lincoln Memorial... It was quite a long walk, but well worth it... with stops for a picnic lunch, stops to ask questions of the locals, to watch locals playing a game of 'ultimate', a cross between American football and frisbee... (Don't ask - that's how it was explained to Jay!!!)... stops to take in the World War II Memorial fountains, which was just unbelievable... I think that due to the fact that it is Memorial Day weekend, there are a lot of troops around, as well as veterans of the various wars... Whatever ones views are on war, it is unbelievable to see the patriotism displayed by very ordinary people...

A few roads were blocked off and there were various places that we couldn't visit as there is a huge concert on the grounds of the Capitol buildings tomorrow and there is a huge parade on Monday...

We got back on the bus, and made our way to the White House - as we had not yet seen it, except for a glimpse earlier in the day...

...so we have a photo or two of that as well... there is a woman on the grounds in front of the White House who has been protesting Against War since 1981... she has been there 30 years, she is now 73... they cannot move her, as although there is now legislation preventing protest in the Gardens around the White House, she was there long before the law was passed!!!

We then made our way back to Union Station, where we had a bite to eat... and write some postcards... (although we still have cards to write from Niagara and Lancaster!!!)... we then made our way back onto the tour bus for a twilight/night time tour... which was really great...

...we are now back at the hotel, thoroughly exhausted, after a brilliant day... we are now trying to decide what museums to visit tomorrow... as we can't do them all!!!

From Gettysburg to Washington DC...

***Miles travelled today: (forgot to write mileage down...)

***Total Miles:

***States travelled through: Pennsylvania into Maryland

So, we had decided to get on our way early this morning, so as to stop in Gettysburg... we made our way to the Gettysburg National Military Park... where we started off on an auto route, following a map, through the whole town that demarcated various sites of the famous battle... I have to say that neither one of us is particularly aware of American history... however, simply to be there, on the battlefield, makes one aware of the lives that were lost - what is also interesting is that it was so busy, although it was a miserable day, and it was raining, many people had made their way to visit and learn...

we also decided to go to the National cemetery... once again, the number of visitors was amazing... it's unbelievable to think of the number of lives that were lost in the battle... there are hundreds of unnamed graves

...having explored a little bit of Gettysburg, we set Tam Tam to Washington DC...

I was not looking forward to the driving... (and I wasn't even the one behind the wheel!!!) We were caught up in the middle of some serious traffic jams on the interstate, 7/8 miles out of the city, when suddenly Tam Tam, decided to take us a different way... and we travelled along Canal road, which was really quiet... not at all what we thought it would be like coming into the city!!!

We are staying at a hotel in Georgetown, a mile or so out of the city centre... having arrived late afternoon, we are just taking it easy tonight... and tomorrow we will be off exploring!!!

Suzi... time for another sticker... look for WASHINGTON DC... we will be staying here a few days...

Buggy rides and relaxing...

***Miles travelled today: 34

***Total Miles: 2160

***States travelled through: Stayed in Pennsylvania

So, today was supposed to be a quiet day, not really doing much but relaxing... well... there was just too much to do, and too many places to explore... we had decided to go down to the Farm style Homestead for breakfast, where we were yesterday, and upon arrival, we were greeted by a different waitress to the one we had yesterday, but she said, "You're the gals doing a three month road trip aren't ya???" Anyway, we had another lovely breakfast... and as Jay had loads of questions that she wanted to ask, we had decided to do another buggy trip... we had stopped on our first day, next to a stand that did buggy trips, with an elderly Amish gentleman... and Jay thought that he sounded like an interesting character, and so we decided to do a trip with him... well, we were not disappointed... today it was Smokey and David... we'll leave it up to you to guess who might have been the horse!!! Well, David definitely was a character, and it was easy to ask him questions, and he was very animated, and seemed to want to provide information to aid in our understanding... he took us past a buggy making business, and had us laughing as he described how young lads, who when they turn 17/18 get their first buggies, and that they want them all 'flashy', to attract the girls, describing how some get velvet inside, and that they have lights and speedometers placed on the dashboard... in listening to him talk, and having read a great deal these past few days, it is interesting that the Amish shun affluence, and material possessions, but they have become some of the richest landowners in Pennsylvania... with farms up to 150 acres and more... that have been in their families for generations... David allowed us to take photos of him, but we won't blog them, as this feels like too much of an intrusion...

We then went off to Strasburg... where we stopped at the Red Caboose Motel for a drink.... thanks for the tip to stop here Pauline... a family arrived just as we did, with four little kids, and the kids were in awe... the parents just looked on and smiled... the Red Caboose, is a motel made up of Railway carriages, which are actually the guest rooms... We stopped and did a bit of exploring and got to go up the inside of a silo, as a look out tower to look at the surrounding country side...

...anyway, we made our way back to the hotel, where we went out to relax at the pool, however it was way too hot for me... but just about right for Jay... so I tried my hand at the laundry... and having taken everything out of the dryer, including small smalls and big smalls, I panicked myself as I needed to walk through the lobby... so I had to keep everything crossed that I wouldn't drop anything...

...Jay is now packing again in preparation for moving on again tomorrow... we are booked into a hotel in Washington for three nights... we have chosen the busiest weekend, as it is Memorial day on Monday... we will leave here really early tomorrow and go via Gettysburg...

...have added another handy road trip website above, giving lots of information about Lancaster and surrounding areas, as well as lots of information about the Amish...

'Doing our own Thing'

***Miles travelled today: 65

***Total Miles: 2126

***States travelled through: Still in Pennsylvania

Gosh, what a day and we didn't even travel far....It all started off with a good- hearty and wholesome Amish breakfast.... I tried 'grits' for the first time but opted to have it with maple syrup instead of cheese sauce-quickly realising that I was probably doing something odd as I got a few curious glances (and not just from the Amish!)....I think the cheese sauce is there for a reason as grits is a bit like salty mealie-pap [for those South Africans/Portuguese following this blog-you'll know what I mean; for those of you in England-I can't tell you what it's like :) ]

Anyway, we then went off on a Buggy-ride with Billy, Butch and Jacob (Jacob had the beard and suspenders) which took us to his farm where he showed us around and explained the daily livings of an Amish family, giving us permission to take photos as we went, however we've chosen not to blog the pics of the youngsters and will hold those for the scrapbook. Following this, we again decided to 'get lost' amongst the myriad of interchanging alleys and lanes and were rewarded with various photo opportunities. Linz did brilliantly with the driving today and found as many 'covered bridges' as possible (did you know that these originated in China and Not Pennsylvania ?).

Back to getting on track (I digress ;) )-we visited the farmers market where Amish women sell their baked goodies and jellies (jams) and Yes, we tried Apple Butter and Apple Cider (yum to both although there's no butter in the apple butter and no alcohol in the apple cider!!). This took us on to a quilt store-hope you like the photo Mrs D/Mom . The quilts looked absolutely phenomenal and the work,delicate;each with their own design. By the way, this was the closest I was getting to Linz being dressed as an Amish - she donned a straw hat !

In our own tour of the area,we also visited the Cloisters at Ephrata and then made our way to the 'all-important Make-Your-Own-Pretzel-Place' at Lititz, before we finally found our way back to the hotel to relax and pass-out.

Reading what we have done over the past few days about the Amish really makes us individually question what everything really means for us. We have seen this quote repeatedly and would like to share it. These are the words of an Amishman, taken from the 'Small Farm Journal', in the summer of 1993.

"We realise that not everyone is cut out to be one of the Plain people.Many have not the opportunity but here is the challenge:

If you admire our faith - strengthen your's.

If you admire our sense of commitment - deepen your's.

If you admire our community spirit - build your own.

If you admire the simple life - cut back.

If you admire deep character and endearing values - live them yourself."

Thanks once again to those leaving comments-we have a real giggle reading them and apologies to those who have Only Just got the bloglink !

Tomorrow is going to be an easy day as we are planning to lounge about and possibly (?) do some laundry {it was much easier arriving at Tia Virginia's who took over and just did it....and ironed it too:) }

Buggy alert...

***Miles travelled today: 155

***Total Miles: 2061

***States travelled through: Stayed in Pennsylvania

We were on the road at 09h00 this morning... we decided that we were not going to go on the interstate... although it would have made the trip quicker... we have decided to steer clear of the interstates - as much as we can... as we are then able to see so much more... anyway we followed the Susquehanna River more or less all the way from Lewisburg to Lancaster... arriving at the hotel about lunch time... we have booked in here for three nights... just to take some time out... we are in a lovely place called the Eden Resort...

Jay likes to unpack when we are staying anywhere longer than a day... as it feels more 'like home'!!! Having unpacked, we decided that we need to do some laundry... which can wait for a later date...

we went to the visitor's centre in Lancaster, and then got out the map to look for various Amish villages... we stopped at an Amish style kitchen for lunch... and we then went through Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse!!! Yes - that's the names... we were able to take some photos of the buggies as they travelled down the road, or the road in front of us... those horses must be so used to traffic, it's quite scary watching them just go!!! and we took some photos of Amish farms...

We are planning on doing a circular route around many of the villages tomorrow, and will probably do a trip to one of the farms and take a buggy ride, which are run by Amish families...

... Anyway this evening, we have actually watched TV for the first time since our arrival, as it is the final of 'Strictly come Dancing'...

Gabi... What can we say... we clearly have no idea about what flowers are what - we just knew they looked lovely!!!

Suzi... we put another photo on for you... the donkey!!! You need to put your next sticker on LANCASTER!!!

from Olean to Lewisburg...

***Miles travelled today: 173

***Total Miles: 1906

***States travelled through: New York State and passed into Pennsylvania...

...so today, once again we have just taken it relatively easy... to get to Lancaster today would have meant a day of non-stop driving... without any stops or exploration anywhere... so, as we only left Olean at about 11h00, having popped into the local Wal-Mart for a few bits and pieces... which unfortunately, due to the size of the stores, even though you may only want a few things... takes forever as one needs to look at everything else as you wander aimlessly looking!!!

On passing through into Pennsylvania, we passed by many farms, with silos... hence the photo... and we made our way to the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania... which is in Canton Point State Park... on arriving there there were a number of azaleas in bloom... (we were reminded of our family trip to Exbury Gardens last year... which must have been around this time...)

At this point we stopped for a picnic lunch - and decided that to try and get to Lancaster would be silly, as one of the rules of our road trip is that we are booked into a hotel by 6pm... so we have stopped about three hours North West of Lancaster... in a little town called Lewisburg... which is really lovely... however before we stopped we went to a little ice cream parlour, in the middle of nowhere... I was beginning to think that Jay wasn't going to get her 'conversing with an American' in today... but boy was I wrong!!! - and the ice cream was amazing too!!!

We have been exploring, and found a little bookshop, where we have purchased a book about Amish culture... we passed a number of Amish buggies on the roads today... one that we were behind had two little children in the back, who were obviously as fascinated by us as we were with them... it seems intrusive to take photographs, as they are not a tourist attraction, but simply choosing a different way of life... I'm sure though that we will do some of the 'tourist' things, in order to get a better understanding...

Suzi... you need to find LEWISBURG on your map... also we put a photo of Tia Cinta on especially for you as she was playing 000's and XXX's!!! (on her own!!!)

Rest and Relaxation...

***Miles travelled today: 88

***Total Miles: 1733

***States travelled through: New York State

So... most Sundays back home... when it was still around - we would go down to Borders (bookshop) and spend hours browsing through books and magazines... and enjoying a 'Starbucks' coffee... and then at the end of last year they went into administration!!! Well - this morning we found a 'Borders' - so we just had to go... although neither one have actually finished any of the many books that we brought over with us!!! We just seem to be so busy during the day, that most evenings we are simply relaxing... catching up with our thoughts and ideas about the day... and Jay decided that she would read one local newspaper everyday, and share at least one of the articles... but needless to say, we bought more books... (Ann, I found the one by the Cambodian woman - Somaly Mam... looks like it will be good...) We also found the Road trip USA book by Jamie Jenson... the one I virtually memorised on line before coming over, so we just had to buy that as well!!!

Jay finally got to go to some shops in a mall... whilst I went to one that had loads of scrap booking goodies - just a little bit dangerous!!!

We had also seen, whilst looking at leaflets over breakfast, that there was a Catholic Basilica, one of only a few in the country at a town just south of Buffalo that we were due to travel through so we made our way there - and were really glad that we had done... as it was phenomenal... don't really know much about the history, but have attached the website above, which we will also have a look at...

I am totally converted to Tam Tam... and having the laptop with us is brilliant... as we were just able to look up the places that we went this morning, get the Zip code and enter it into Tam Tam and away we go!!!

We also caught up with Tia Virgina, as she has requested weekly check-ins - to make sure that we are okay... which is just lovely in itself!!!

We then continued to travel south... but as we only really got on the road about 2ish... we just travelled for a few hours and stopped at a little place called Olean... (pronounced Oh Leanne...) where we checked into... yep... a Best Western... and then went out for a bite to eat... at a lovely diner... called 'Appleby's'...

...then we went to a little movie house... We are finding out things about each other that we never knew... like Jay likes super hero movies... like 'Marvel' characters... who would have known??? So we went to see 'Iron Man 2'... I must love her... she has assured me that I can pick the next movie!!!

Anyway... we have quite a day of driving tomorrow... as we hope to get to Lancaster... but if something catches our attention along the way... we may take longer...

A meal with new friends...

***Miles travelled today: 72

***Total Miles: 1645

***States travelled through: Ontario, Canada into New York State...

So, this morning we were going to get up really early and go down to the falls for the sunrise... but thought better of it at 04h30 when the alarm clock went off... but we took a photo out of the window anyway... we just love the sky!!!

When we were at a restaurant yesterday, Jay asked one of the waiters to recommend where the locals may go for breakfast and he recommended somewhere further away from the falls - so after checking out of the hotel we made our way to 'Falls Manor' where we had a lovely breakfast before making our way across Rainbow Bridge and back into the States!!! We took some final photos of the falls - we had two fantastic days at the falls, weather wise... today we woke up and it was misty and rainy... getting back into the States from Canada certainly took longer than getting into Canada last week...

We made our way into Buffalo, where we checked into another Best Western... collecting some nice points along the way... I'm sure we must be heading towards a free night soon!!!

We had arranged to see Ann's family... and so arrived late afternoon... and stayed into the evening... we had a fantastic meal, with John, Lucy and Phoebe... and a brief chat with Matthew before he ventured out for the evening...

Mid way through the meal.. Ann phoned from England... it was really odd talking to Ann back home in England, whilst we sat in Buffalo with her family...

It was a really wonderful evening... we have included some photos just for you Ann... we made sure they signed photo release forms!!!

...and especially the one of us in front of the quilted perpetual calendar made by your Dad in 1976!!! (Before coming over on our road trip Ann had shown us a load of photographs... including some from the 70's... and told us the story of her father making her this calendar... which is now a wall hanging in John and Lucy's home... we just had to take a photo of it for you...)

Thanks to John and Lucy... (who may become avid followers on the blog) for a really special evening... we will need to get the recipe for the seafood salad... and hope to see you in Raquette Lake in the not too distant future with Ann!!!

...so tomorrow we will be venturing further south, although we're not sure where we will end up... mid way between here and Lancaster county...

Suzi... it's time for another sticker... you need to look for BUFFALO!!!