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North American Road Trip 2019
  • The Walter Family
  • The Walter Family

North American Road Trip 2019

5 weeks traveling to the east coast with the travel trailer in tow...here we go! Read more
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  • The Walter FamilyNorth American Road Trip 2019Traveler
    Falls from observation deckUs at top of Horseshoe Falls from Goat IslandWow!American Falls from the Maid if the MistHorseshoe Falls from Maid of the MistAmerican Fallsfrom Maid of the MistHorseshoe Falls from the Maid of the MistFrom observation deck

    Day 25 - Part 1: Niagara Falls

    August 6, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    After a little zip lining at the campground it was on to the Falls!

    We took the 'Maid of the Mist' boat ride to view the falls from below. At the Horseshoe Falls, the captain worked hard to hold the boat steady against the current and the wind created by the falls...we felt like Giilligan and Skipper on the SS Minnow!Read more

  • The Walter FamilyNorth American Road Trip 2019Traveler
    Us at top of Horseshoe Falls
    Horseshoe Falls from Goat IslandTop of Horseshoe Falls from Goat IslandBottom of American Falls on Cave of the Winds tourPanorama of American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls (at right) on Cave of Winds tourBottom of American Falls'Hurricane Deck' on Cave of the Winds tourHorseshoe FallsAmerican Falls

    Day 25 - Part 2: Niagara Falls

    August 6, 2019 in Canada ⋅ 🌧 72 °F

    Great afternoon visiting the falls...and we were very thankful for the ponchos you get on the 'Maid of the Mist' as the rain moved in for a good part of the afternoon. After going to the 'Cave of the Winds' (the walkway to the base of the American Falls), we went 'home' to get a change of clothes before venturing over to Canada for dinner and to catch the fireworks over the falls.Read more

  • The Walter FamilyNorth American Road Trip 2019Traveler
    Photo taken after the 'near miss kiss' with the concrete pole at the non-gas station/DQ.

    Day 26: Driving day...thru Ontario to MI

    August 7, 2019 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F

    Today was 400 mi into and out of Ontario Canada and through eastern and central Michigan. It was really cool that the highway along Lake Ontario that we drove today is named 'Queen Elizabeth Way'!

    We had an eventful start to the day. After breakfast, we stopped for gas in St. Catherine, Ontario at Esso. I pulled in and had a feeling it was going to be tight getting out. I went to pump gas and there was no power to any of the four pumps. Then I realized that the pumps were in the parking lot of a Dairy Queen. The only thing I know is that I got no gas and got myself in a jam.

    For the first time this whole trip, I asked Evelyn to get out and spot the driver's side of the trailer to be sure I didn't hit anything as I swung around. Good thing I did...with about a foot of trailer to go to clear the concrete pole at the end of the pumps, I had to turn to miss the curb in front of the truck and the rear end of the trailer swung out. When Evelyn yelled stop (and I stopped), the trailer was kissing the concrete pole.

    After some effort got out with no damage to the trailer.

    We arrived at the Derrer's at about 7:20 and had a fun evening poolside with them and Meg's parents.

    No real pics from today but I'll see if we can't find something to post.    Read more

  • The Walter FamilyNorth American Road Trip 2019Traveler
    Derrer and Walter Families
    The original, July 2010Update - August 2019.The Dells!

    Day 29: MI was fun but have to move on!

    August 10, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F

    Last night we did lock in our site in MN for Monday and Tuesday but were still undecided as to our destination for today. So over a casual breakfast with the Derrer's we settled on Wisconsin Dells, "The Water Park Capital of the World."

    That said, Sunday will be water park(s) and exploring the Dells before heading to MN on Monday.    Read more

  • The Walter FamilyNorth American Road Trip 2019Traveler
    Mall of America!
    Blues CluesJust swinging over the mallBubble Guppies Gondola...spins like teacupsChase (& Elizabeth) are on the case!Drivers start your engines!Before the smashup begins...Momma got in on the actionTwo very different reactions at the airportAnna getting a bird's eye view of the mall

    Day 32: Mall of America...then down to 2

    August 13, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 70 °F

    Another leisurely morning before a visit to Mall of America.

    Then it was on to the airport to send Elizabeth and Evelyn off on a flight to CO for the first day of the 6th grade on Wednesday! New school, new routine, old friends and no 7th or 8th graders made it a good choice for them to get back home to participate.Read more

  • The Walter FamilyNorth American Road Trip 2019Traveler
    Anna's first visit to Iowa
    Bumper DamageBluegill...first cast!"Fish Stick"#floppyjawsAnother 'fish stick'#floppyjawsThis bullfrog would chase the hook & worm inLodge at Eugene T Mahoney State Park1st day of 6th Grade!

    Day 33: 1st of final 3 days...on to IA

    August 14, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Anna and I set out thinking we were going to stay the night in Iowa but we got much farther than we thought even with some heavy winds moving us around. The large number of wind turbines (in operation, under construction, and in transit on tractor trailers) between Cedar Rapids and Council Bluffs confirmed why we were getting blown around all day.

    We pulled into Eugene T Mahoney State Park at about 4:45. After the first official collision of the trip (bumper meet trailer receiver, trailer receiver meet bumper) we had time to get the poles in the water. The "bump" was meathead move while parking truck off the campground road; in my defense, I was distracted while letting Anna stand on the running board while I backed up. (Wait, did I just incriminate myself in my defense?)

    The fish were biting so it was a fun end to a successul day of travel.

    In news from the home front...Elizabeth had a GREAT first day of the 6th grade! She also got picked to go on stage and lead the 6th grade assembly in a song...when new to the pool make a big splash!    Read more

  • The Walter FamilyNorth American Road Trip 2019Traveler
    The front edge of the storm near Lincoln.
    Lobby of Minden Opera HouseHand painted mural on fabric on ceiling of Minden Opera HouseOrigami artFuture Mowers of AmericaWith the Phillips in Minden town squareArchway Monument in Kearney, NE. Exhibit spans I-80Sunset on the cloudsFull moon over Lake Macishing in Lake Mac...got skunked on all but the scenery.

    Day 34: Lunch in Minden then Lake Mac

    August 15, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    The extra miles we put in yesterday set up a lunch stop in Minden, NE with Dick and Sally Phillips of Be The Gift. We picked up an hour as we headed west to Lake McConaughy. Today's 330 or so miles set up a final day of approximately 230.

    A big Nebraska storm prompted a rest area stop to ride it out. The wind was moving us all over and torrential rain made visibility poor. No need to take unnecessary chances this close to home!    Read more

  • The Walter FamilyNorth American Road Trip 2019Traveler
    We all would give this great adventure two thumbs up!
    Made it!2In hindsight, it was much easier to pack for a 5 week trip than it was to unpack after the trip!

    Day 35: The Journey Home

    August 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    After 35 days, 21 states, 2 countries, and 1 Canadian Province, we begin our final 230 miles home.

    Little Thunder Bay (our campground) was engulfed in big thunder, lightning, wind and hail beginning from about 3:45 am to 4:30 am. It was pretty tenuous at times...we felt pretty vulnerable. Almost as quick as the storm came in, it left. Before the rain had fully stopped, there were clear skies above with the full moon on display.Read more

    Trip end
    August 16, 2019
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