The Great American Road Trip... By the Numbers

Today concluded the Barreca Family road trip across the USA. We spent the last morning in the town of Wellsboro and after breakfast, we hit the road toward home in Bensalem. After a few hours on the winding and scenic PA route 6, we were near Wilkes-Barre, PA. By coincidence, Cecilia's friends were playing in a softball championship series in Ashley, PA (just a few miles away). We found the field and watched the last 4 innings of the game. It was a nail-biter but the Valley Blaze pulled out the win! Bensalem in da house!

After the game, we pressed on for the remaining 2 hours of our trip. Words cannot describe the many wonders we've seen. While we didn't go from sea to shining sea, the words of America the Beautiful will take on a much richer meaning now that we've made this journey. Of course, there is much more to see as we've only covered several mostly-northern states. We'll have to start planning the southern route soon.

More pics at
 https://plus.google.com/photos/107911175096996155186/albums/6152490950113993057?authkey=CK-9wbmn6KD9nwE

The final tallies of northern leg of the Great American Road Trip are in:

• 3754.5 miles driven
• 68 hours of drive time
• 9 states in 9 days
• 5 nights of hotel pool swimming and spas
• 1 Grizzly bear
• 1 Meeteetsee, Wyoming Sheriff (1 warning, no ticket)
• Dozens of bison
• Dozens of antelope and deer
• 2 Squirrels (yes only 2!)
• 3 Chipmunks
• Countless cows, goats, sheep, and horses
• Thousands of dead bugs on the windshield

The unpacking is done. Night in Bensalem has arrived. Tonight we sleep in our own beds and say a prayer of thanks for the safe trip and memories to last a life time.

The journey nears its end

The journey through the last few states seems to have gone very quickly. It was only Wednesday afternoon when we arrived in Chicago, Illinois. Thursday's journey through the remainder of Illinois, Indiana, and good portion of Ohio concluded with a visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Today, Friday, we travelled out of Ohio and into Pennsylvania, our final state of the 9 we traversed.

The landscape at the conclusion of our trip is reminiscent of the beginning. Like the state forests we crossed in Oregon on the way to the coast, we passed through the Allegheny Forest on our way to the scenic Route 6 in Pennsylvania. We picked up route 6 in Kane, PA and stopped at the Route 6 Diner in Smethport. The diner was small with a counter and table service. The food was quite good, albeit a bit pricey for a diner. After a satisfying meal, we continued along the winding route 6 passing a few quaint town until our arrival in Wellsboro, PA. The Sherwood Motel is our final night's rest before the remaining journey home on Saturday.

Wellsboro is an entry point to the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, a moniker that doesn't quite live up to its name. The PA Grand Canyon is quite beautiful despite its smaller size. We arrived at the East Rim of the canyon, marking the 3500th mile of the trip. The canyon featured a difficult hiking trail but the Barrecas talked the 1 mile descent to the bottom of the canyon, stopping along the way to photograph some small waterfalls. The mile journey back up the trail was taxing but we persevered, completing the trail in 1 hour and 15 minutes, well below the average 1 hour and 30 minute hike. Kelly impressed us all with her ability to handle the hike just two months after a major surgical procedure.

More pics at https://plus.google.com/photos/107911175096996155186/albums/6152490950113993057?authkey=CK-9wbmn6KD9nwE

The town of Wellsboro offered several dining options and after dinner, we took a stroll along the streets, stopping for ice cream of course. Back at the hotel, Cece went for a swim and then we settled in for the night.

On Saturday, we'll hit the road and travel another portion of the scenic PA Route 6 before turning southeast toward home.

Touchdown in Canton Ohio

Today was a day in many states, three to be exact. We left Illinois early in the morning without any breakfast! (uggh)  Eventually we arrived in Indiana and finally ate breakfast! Then Sal drove some more, Kelly napped some more and Cece sketched. We passed the time by playing many fun travel games. Finally we got to Ohio. We stopped at the Pro Football Hall of Fame (for Sal of course). It was surprising interesting and creepy at the same time. The creepy part was actual hall of fame part where they had models of all the heads. The interesting part was the 180 degrees  rotating theatre. Also seeing the championship rings. Then we checked in at the hotel and then went to a supposedly Italian place called Palumbo's. It was ok (for faux Italian). When we came back to the hotel everyone went swimming in the hotel's indoor pool.  Tomorrow we'll be in Wellsboro Pennsylvania!

2800 miles later... Chicago!

It's hard to believe that we've traveled 2800 miles already and have covered 6 states. Today, we left Ames, Iowa with more appreciation for the middle of America, even if it's full of corn fields and smells a little too much like cows. After a few hours of Iowa countryside, we came upon the mighty Mississippi River and crossed into Illinois. The Illinois countryside looks remarkably like Iowa. But after a couple of hours, the rural landscape quickly transformed into the very urban and industrial looking city of Chicago.

The downtown area along Lake Michigan is a beautiful portion of town with walkable parks on the lake's edge and some museums as well. Our first stop was the Musuem of Contemporary Photography. Although a small exhibit, there were many photos of urban landscapes that captured the gritty side of life. We proceeded outdoors for a sunny and very windy walk in Grant Park and along Lake Michigan. Our walk led us to the Alders Planetarium where we spent some time learning about space, telescopes, light wavelengths, and more. We are very science-chic! Our city tour concluded with a walk to a restaurant that apparently does not exist despite the hotel kiosk describing its cuisine and location. So a slight change of venue for dinner followed by a stroll to the local Starbucks for some coffee, hot chocolate, and sweets.

More pics at https://plus.google.com/photos/107911175096996155186/albums/6152490950113993057?authkey=CK-9wbmn6KD9nwE

Tomorrow's journey leads us out of Illinois, through Indiana, and into Ohio with a planned visit to the Football Hall of Fame where we will pay homage to America's true favorite pasttime.

Some unexpected but appreciated downtime

Today's plan called for leaving South Dakota and getting half-way through Iowa with a stop in Sioux City, IA. As we approached Sioux City, with an expected stop at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, it was painfully obvious that our planned stop was not meant to be. The exit ramp was basically a boat ramp. The Missouri river flooding had affected the Sioux river and the Interpretive Center and other buildings on the riverfront were closed due to flooding. We proceeded to the historic district, had some lunch and proceeded to Ames, IA.

Thus far, Iowa takes the prize for being the most odiferous state. Farms + Cows = Oh my! Iowa scenery is truly corn fields upon corn fields. But we cranked up some tunes provided by our good friend Jen Kline Clark and the next thing you know, we were in Ames.

Having arrived earlier than planned, we had a little downtime in the hotel before venturing out for dinner. Dinner at the Hickory Park Restaurant Company was exceptional. Smoked meats and ice cream sundaes for dessert... hard to beat that. If you're ever passing anywhere near Iowa, take a detour to Ames and go to the Hickory Park Restaurant... it's worth the extra mileage! Following dinner, we had a nice swim in the heated indoor pool and spent some time in the whirlpool spa as well. Given the weather has been rainy since yesterday's visit to Mount Rushmore, the gloomy weather made it the downtime all the more enjoyable. Apart for the rain over the last 24 hours, the weather since day one has been spectacular... sunny and 65-75 on most days!

Tomorrow's destination - Chicago... home of Mike Ditka and Da Bears.

Cecilia's Lazy Day in Iowa

Today was a lazy day in Iowa. We were going to go to the Lewis and Clark interpretive Center but it got flooded by the Missouri River. So we decided to go right to lunch. We ate at the Little Chicago Bar and Grill. It was a cute little place with lots of sandwiches. I got the best Taco Salad ever! Kelly got a delectable BLT and Sal got a healthy Grilled Chicken Salad. Since the interpretive center was closed we went straight to the hotel. It was a 3 hour drive through nothing but corn fields, hills, and the smell of horse manure. When we got to the hotel I went swimming and then everyone ate dinner. Tomorrow, off to Chicago, Illinois.

Cecilia’s Riddle: Send in what you think is the answer. The first person to post the correct answer wins a panorama picture of the Grand Tetons and a high five if you live in the Bensalem-Philly area.

What did the buffalo say to his son when he moved out?!

(Answer will be posted by Cecilia on the 16^th of July.)

A day well spent in South Dakota

Today was a day well spent in South Dakota! While driving to Mt. Rushmore we came across a wildlife loop that just happened to take us there.  The wildlife loop was in Custer State Park. At first we got lost but finally found our way.  We found a scenic overlook at which we stopped and looked around. There was a walking trail that went to a gazebo. Sal took lots and lots of pictures before we hit the road again. We drove along until we came to a dry area. There burros walked right up to the car windows! We got out to pet the burros.

We finally finished the loop and went to Big Time Pizza in Keystone, SD.  After a delicious lunch, my dad and I went on the Alpine Slide. First, we took a tram up the mountain. Then they gave us the carts to go down.  It was so much fun but Sal said I was going way too slow. Kelly does not like trams so she did not go on. After the alpine slide all of us went up to Mt. Rushmore. Unfortunately, it was raining but it was still nice. We went to museum below the monument to see how it was built and why. Finally we headed to Chamberlain, South Dakota.

On the way to Chamberlain, we stopped at Wall Drug - the cheesiest little tourist trap full of small stores and silly characters to take pictures with. The ride from Wall Drug to Chamberlain seemed liked forever. We were very delayed and we lost an hour  because of crossing into the Central Time Zone. We had to stop at a McDonalds at ten o’clock at night because we still hadn’t eaten dinner! We eventually arrived at the hotel at 10:15. The pool was already closed so we didn’t go swimming. We settled down and went to bed. Even though we did get to the hotel very late we still had a great day!