We had a great time during our road trip. Saw a lot of places and experienced many new things. If we had any surprises during the trip they were only positive surprises. Everything went as planned, or even better.
We could combine every thing we love into this vacation: nature, whales, history, science, sights, shopping...
We came back home really exhausted but satisfied. This was really a vacation worth going to.
I highly recommend.
Yes, the allergies bothered me a bit. With wall-to-wall carpets and air conditioning in the hotelrooms that was a thing to be expected.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
US, road trip, Day # 14 - Boston
The last day. Boston. We just went to hang in Boston and decided to visit the Aquarium so we would not be in the sun the whole day. The Aquarium visit was okay and was much more educational than I had expected. I thought I knew a lot of climate change and stuff related to that, but the information that jellyfish can actually survive well also in warmer water, where fish do not survive. So we end up with having much more jellyfish in the oceans, eating up the fish eggs.
Again we headed to Quincy Market to get something to eat and watched some really great performers near the Quincy Market area.
In the late afternoon it was time to head to the Boston Logan Airport and back home.
Again we headed to Quincy Market to get something to eat and watched some really great performers near the Quincy Market area.
In the late afternoon it was time to head to the Boston Logan Airport and back home.
US, road trip, Day # 13 - Cambridge/ Harvard & Boston
So it was time to head back to Boston area. Before Boston we stopped at Harvard campus. The campus area was very beautiful and perhaps also really educationally inspiring. But the parking fees in the neighbourhood are outrageous..
Then it was time for a Mall visit and some shopping and eating. We also found a grocery store that had some great organic products. In the matter of fact almost every food item in that store was organic food. Cool!
And again we headed to the hotel pool area. Someone had probably upgraded our reservation and we ended up a really cool two bedroom, two bathroom suite in the suite hotel...
Then it was time for a Mall visit and some shopping and eating. We also found a grocery store that had some great organic products. In the matter of fact almost every food item in that store was organic food. Cool!
And again we headed to the hotel pool area. Someone had probably upgraded our reservation and we ended up a really cool two bedroom, two bathroom suite in the suite hotel...
US, road trip, Day # 12 - New York & Hartford
Well, when you are in New York, you have to make some shopping. First we headed to Times Square and then to some other shopping areas. It took an hour to get out from a toy store and we did not even buy anything from there..
New York was a really nice surprise (even though hot and moist, but we knew already before, that summer is not the best time to visit New York). It was less crowded that I had imagined and really clean. Even my son loved the place. In his words: "When we come back here, I want to see the Freedom Tower, when it is finished." And yes he said "when" not "if"..
In the afternoon we headed for Hartford. We thought we could hit the road before the rush hour, but did not. So the 2-hour ride took us 4 hours and we headed to the hotel. We saw only a few of Hartford but it look a lot different than the Hartford in Gilmore Girls (the tv-serie..).
New York was a really nice surprise (even though hot and moist, but we knew already before, that summer is not the best time to visit New York). It was less crowded that I had imagined and really clean. Even my son loved the place. In his words: "When we come back here, I want to see the Freedom Tower, when it is finished." And yes he said "when" not "if"..
In the afternoon we headed for Hartford. We thought we could hit the road before the rush hour, but did not. So the 2-hour ride took us 4 hours and we headed to the hotel. We saw only a few of Hartford but it look a lot different than the Hartford in Gilmore Girls (the tv-serie..).
US, road trip, Day # 11 - New York
It was time for serious sighseeing. We attended a guided tour that had a New Jersey pick-up from our hotel. We had to get up early though.
It was a very pleasant 5 hour ride. We stopped at Central Park, Rockefeller Center, St. Paul´s Cathethral, Greenwich Village and Ground Zero. And saw even more places during the bus drive. Famous buildings, the places where some celebrity live etc. Our tour guide Bill was really great and had some great stories of New York, New Yorkers and history. After the bus drive we got the tickets to the ferry and headed to Liberty Island to visit Lady Liberty herself. We even managed to get tickets into the statue and got to go to see the scenery up from the Statue of Liberty. The top of the statue cannot be visited anymore, but we had a huge luck of getting these tickets, since they are very hard to get.
After a long day in New York and the Liberty Island we stepped into the ferry and headed back to New Jersey. Really exhausted but many experiences richer.
It was a very pleasant 5 hour ride. We stopped at Central Park, Rockefeller Center, St. Paul´s Cathethral, Greenwich Village and Ground Zero. And saw even more places during the bus drive. Famous buildings, the places where some celebrity live etc. Our tour guide Bill was really great and had some great stories of New York, New Yorkers and history. After the bus drive we got the tickets to the ferry and headed to Liberty Island to visit Lady Liberty herself. We even managed to get tickets into the statue and got to go to see the scenery up from the Statue of Liberty. The top of the statue cannot be visited anymore, but we had a huge luck of getting these tickets, since they are very hard to get.
After a long day in New York and the Liberty Island we stepped into the ferry and headed back to New Jersey. Really exhausted but many experiences richer.
US, road trip, Day # 10 - New York
And then it was time for the Big Apple. We stayed in a hotel in New Jersey Waterfront. It was a short drive with the Path train to New York. Since we arrived to New York in the early afternoon, we headed first to Empire State building and decided that the rest of the attractions we would take by a bus tour the next day. We had an hour wait until we headed to the 86th floor of the worlds 4th tallest office building. I am a bit afraid of the heights, but it wasn´t that bad at all. And the scenery was unbelievable. You could really see the Chrysler Building way better from there that you could ever imagine.
Then it was time for some shopping (had to buy a pair of those heelys, shoes with heels, that every kid seem to have for my son) and headed back to the hotel.
Then it was time for some shopping (had to buy a pair of those heelys, shoes with heels, that every kid seem to have for my son) and headed back to the hotel.
US, road trip, Day # 9 - Philadelphia
We left Washington DC in the morning and arrived Philadelhia by noon. We were done with the walking and since it was + 30 degrees Celsius outside and no clouds in the sky we took the tour in the old city in a horse carriage. It was nice and the driver managed to tell us a lot from the history of Philadelhia in 35 minutes. After that we still visited the Liberty Bell and walked to the oldest street of Philly that still exists, Elfreth Alley.
The pool and jacuzzi at the hotel had nice, warm water, so the rest of the evening we spent again in the water.
The pool and jacuzzi at the hotel had nice, warm water, so the rest of the evening we spent again in the water.
US, road trip, Day # 8 - Washington DC
After this particular day I can surely state that I have walked through Washington DC. We took the subway to the city and after that we walked, walked and walked. We managed to see a lot in one day and consumed a lot of water after walking in sunny weather in +28 C. We were well prepared and had four bottles of water with us when we left the hotel.
We managed to ge the tickets to 10.30 am guided tour to the Capitol. Well, you can not take any food or drink to the Capitol building (not even unopened), so we had to put our water bottles into the trash bin, but it was worth it. Then we headed to Supreme Court building and to the Library of Congress. Then it was time for a sightseeing walk and we headed to the National Mall, George Washington Monument (did not get tickets to go up there), Abraham Lincoln Memorial and the White House. We ate at the old Post office building and still had time to go to the Natural history museum to see the dinosaurs. My son loved the dinosaurs soooo much and he could have walked another round just in the museum, but our legs hurt so we headed to the subway and back to hotel. Washington is a nice place, because it is based on FREEdom, most of the attractions and museums are free, you just have to stand in line to get the tickets to some places.
We still went for a car drive and passed the Pentagon building as well as some other sites in Washington DC as well.
We managed to ge the tickets to 10.30 am guided tour to the Capitol. Well, you can not take any food or drink to the Capitol building (not even unopened), so we had to put our water bottles into the trash bin, but it was worth it. Then we headed to Supreme Court building and to the Library of Congress. Then it was time for a sightseeing walk and we headed to the National Mall, George Washington Monument (did not get tickets to go up there), Abraham Lincoln Memorial and the White House. We ate at the old Post office building and still had time to go to the Natural history museum to see the dinosaurs. My son loved the dinosaurs soooo much and he could have walked another round just in the museum, but our legs hurt so we headed to the subway and back to hotel. Washington is a nice place, because it is based on FREEdom, most of the attractions and museums are free, you just have to stand in line to get the tickets to some places.
We still went for a car drive and passed the Pentagon building as well as some other sites in Washington DC as well.
US, road trip, Day # 7 - Washington DC
It was again quite a drive and lot of miles before we ended up in Washington DC.
In the late afternoon we went to the Arlington National Cemetery to visit John F. Kennedy´s grave. There were a lot of other tourists too. After walking to some other memorials we headed back to hotel and the pool.
In the late afternoon we went to the Arlington National Cemetery to visit John F. Kennedy´s grave. There were a lot of other tourists too. After walking to some other memorials we headed back to hotel and the pool.
US, road trip, Day # 6 - Cleveland & Pittsburgh
It was time to move forward. The first stop was - however - in a bookstore in Cleveland. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was already published so I had to get my copy.
Most of the day we spent in the car (me reading the Potter saga) and then arrived to Pittsburgh. We were exhausted so we just went shopping. For some reason we needed to get a new bag for our stuff... We decided to skip the downtown Pittsbugh and just rest at the hotel room.
Most of the day we spent in the car (me reading the Potter saga) and then arrived to Pittsburgh. We were exhausted so we just went shopping. For some reason we needed to get a new bag for our stuff... We decided to skip the downtown Pittsbugh and just rest at the hotel room.
US, road trip, Day # 5 - Cleveland
Second day at the hobby convention.
Hubby also visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum. We were too busy meeting people and seeing interesting things.
Having a blast!
Hubby also visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum. We were too busy meeting people and seeing interesting things.
Having a blast!
US, road trip, Day # 4 - Cattaraugus County & Cleveland
So far we had driven only highways. We wanted to see some country side too, so we chose to drive through the Cattaraugus County. In Cattaraugus County we went through the Amish land and we stopped in one Amish shop and bought a small amish quilt. It felt just like going back 400 years. Ever since I was a student in university majoring comparative religion I have been fascinated of the religious life of amish and their way of life. I was a bit afraid that we might bothering them when going to their land, but since the shops were listed in the Cattaraugus County Tourism Magazine I thought it was okay for us to go there. And what a friendly people they are. Amish do not want pictures taken from them or their land. It is their way of life and we wanted to respect that, so no photos taken.
And then it was time for Cleveland. We wanted to add this city to our travel list, since there was a big convention for a hobby of ours and we just wanted to see one in our lifetime.
And then it was time for Cleveland. We wanted to add this city to our travel list, since there was a big convention for a hobby of ours and we just wanted to see one in our lifetime.
US, road trip, Day # 3 - Niagara Falls
It was still raining in Albany, so we decided not to go for a walk in downtown Albany. We drove through the city and headed directly to Niagara Falls.
The weather in Niagara Falls was great, sun and just a little bit cloudy, so it was not too hot.
Both the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls were amazing. Millions of liters of water going through the falls in a second. Wow!
Of course we had to go down to the observation place. Even though we had a rain poncho, we got wet, but it was great. We took tons of pictures just to capture everything that was worth remembering.
Now I can also say that I've seen Canada. Or to be exact, I've seen to Canada, because Canada was just in the opposite side of the Falls we were standing. We did not cross the border though. We had not checked, if we could take the rental car to the other side of the border, so we played it safe and stayed on US soil. But hopefully some day I´ll visit Canada too.
The weather in Niagara Falls was great, sun and just a little bit cloudy, so it was not too hot.
Both the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls were amazing. Millions of liters of water going through the falls in a second. Wow!
Of course we had to go down to the observation place. Even though we had a rain poncho, we got wet, but it was great. We took tons of pictures just to capture everything that was worth remembering.
Now I can also say that I've seen Canada. Or to be exact, I've seen to Canada, because Canada was just in the opposite side of the Falls we were standing. We did not cross the border though. We had not checked, if we could take the rental car to the other side of the border, so we played it safe and stayed on US soil. But hopefully some day I´ll visit Canada too.
US, road trip, Day # 2 - Boston, Albany
Oh yes, the day I found out, the whales travel to Boston area during the summer, we reserved tickets to whale watching safari. This was our third time and this time we really really saw some beautiful whales (last two times were more or less dolphin safaris). We did not see whales jumping, but saw one whale clap her (his?) fin into the water multiple times (WOW, what a sound that was). We also saw a family of four whales swimming and diving right beside the boat. And some individuals going further away.
We did stay further away from their route, but I guess they were as curious as we were, because they came really really close to the boat we were in.
Beautiful big humpback whales (and probably one finback whale too). You should see them yourself to describe the experience properly. (And yes, I have checked the WWF´s website. They say that whale watching really IS good for conservation too. And is a way to stop killing whales, too.)
After whale watching tour we were ready to continue our trip. So we headed towards Albany. It was raining, but the hotel had an indoor pool and jacuzzi. So evening well spent in the pool.
We did stay further away from their route, but I guess they were as curious as we were, because they came really really close to the boat we were in.
Beautiful big humpback whales (and probably one finback whale too). You should see them yourself to describe the experience properly. (And yes, I have checked the WWF´s website. They say that whale watching really IS good for conservation too. And is a way to stop killing whales, too.)
After whale watching tour we were ready to continue our trip. So we headed towards Albany. It was raining, but the hotel had an indoor pool and jacuzzi. So evening well spent in the pool.Northeast US, road trip, Day # 1 - Boston
We arrived to Boston late on Sunday evening (very late). On Monday, the first day of our vacation, we were a bit tired but headed to Boston anyway. We took the subway to Boston and walked the Freedom Trail that introduces the old Boston (Colonial and Revolutionary Boston). It was really nice to see the old and new Boston living side by side.
After the walk we stopped at Quincy Market and picked some lunch from the vast selection there is. What a great wine leaf salad I had. Highly recommended.
Suffering from jet lag and walking around for 4 hours in +28 C temperature was enough for us for a day and we headed back to hotel after a quick visit to a store to buy some water bottles.
After the walk we stopped at Quincy Market and picked some lunch from the vast selection there is. What a great wine leaf salad I had. Highly recommended.
Suffering from jet lag and walking around for 4 hours in +28 C temperature was enough for us for a day and we headed back to hotel after a quick visit to a store to buy some water bottles.
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