North American Road Trip 2019

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Day 22
Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 6:02 PM
⛅ 81 °F
Altitude: 400 ft
United States Hershey Park 40.28667, -76.6533340°17’12” N 76°39’12” W
Day 22: Hershey...Part 2
August 3, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F
So much to share!
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Day 23
Sunday, August 4, 2019 at 12:03 PM
☀️ 82 °F
Altitude: 558 ft
United States Shearers Creek 40.19305, -76.4364240°11’35” N 76°26’11” W
Day 23: Visiting with Family
August 4, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
Brunch with Aunt Sally followed by a visit with cousin Liz Colonna and her family. It was a bummer to miss Kathy and her family this trip.
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Day 24
Monday, August 5, 2019 at 12:44 PM
☀️ 75 °F
Altitude: 1,562 ft
United States Steam Valley 41.46567, -77.1344541°27’56” N 77°8’4” W
Day 24: Niagara Falls here we come!
August 5, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
After a very fun visit to PA with friends and family, it's on to Niagara Falls!

After the scenic drive from Lebanon, PA to Grand Island, NY, we got set up at Branches of Niagara campground...a stone's throw from Canada!🇨🇦Read more
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Day 25
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at 8:32 AM
☀️ 73 °F
Altitude: 512 ft
United States Little Sixmile Creek 43.02751, -78.992243°1’39” N 78°59’32” W
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
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Day 25
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at 1:15 PM
🌧 72 °F
Altitude: 505 ft
Canada Niagara Falls 43.08667, -79.0683343°5’12” N 79°4’6” W
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
WOW! Now I see why you wanted to stop here. Many sites have gotten cooler since I saw it at age 10 with my Mom and Aunt Sara!
8/7/19Reply
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Day 26
Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at 11:11 AM
☁️ 72 °F
Altitude: 318 ft
Canada St. Catharines 43.17724, -79.2420843°10’38” N 79°14’31” W
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
TravelerCalm under pressure always. Minutes after our closest call near miss...involving the side of our trailer and a pole in Canada. And, growing a beard. Elizabeth calls them his pentacles.
8/8/19Reply
I know how those poles can jump out at a person!
8/8/19Reply
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Day 27
Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 10:37 AM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 715 ft
United States Sand Creek 42.95067, -85.8299542°57’2” N 85°49’48” W
Day 27: Grand Rapids
August 8, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Morning by the pool at 'Camp Derrer' while the dads had a couple beers at Founders Brewery.

Then we did a little relaxin' followed by some shopping.

Closed out the day with a fun taco dinner with the Wheeler's and pool time.Read more
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Day 28
Friday, August 9, 2019 at 11:37 AM
☀️ 72 °F
Altitude: 610 ft
United States Singapore, Michigan Historical Marker 42.65577, -86.2035542°39’21” N 86°12’13” W
Day 28: Day Trip to Saugatuck
August 9, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
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Day 29
Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 7:56 AM
☀️ 57 °F
Altitude: 715 ft
United States Sand Creek 42.9505, -85.8299942°57’2” N 85°49’48” W
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
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Day 30
Sunday, August 11, 2019 at 12:22 PM
☁️ 72 °F
Altitude: 909 ft
United States Mirror Lake 71 43.58833, -89.7916743°35’18” N 89°47’30” W
Day 30: Noah's Ark Waterpark!
August 11, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
Forecast wasn't looking good...80% chance of rain, but hey, we were going to get wet anyway!

First we grabbed a quick breakfast at a great local coffee shop. Then it was a quick hello with the Dixons before Noah's Ark Waterpark!

It's was a fun day for the entire family!Read more
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Day 31
Monday, August 12, 2019 at 2:21 PM
⛅ 75 °F
Altitude: 988 ft
United States Battle Creek Lake 44.94878, -92.960444°56’56” N 92°57’37” W
Day 31: Minnesota here we come!
August 12, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
It was an easy 220 miles today from Wisconsin Dells to Minneapolis. We had a super fun dinner for coworkers and friends hosted by the Patron's...muy bueno y mucho gracias Ricardo y Mariana!
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Day 32
Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 6:26 PM
🌧 70 °F
Altitude: 965 ft
United States Gerhardt Lake 44.77444, -93.1853644°46’28” N 93°11’7” W
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
TravelerSafe travels to Evelyn and Anna! Good luck, Anna on the first day of 6th grade!
8/14/19Reply
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Day 33
Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at 9:21 AM
☁️ 64 °F
Altitude: 955 ft
United States Gerhardt Lake 44.77215, -93.1876544°46’20” N 93°11’16” W
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
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Day 34
Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 8:08 AM
⛅ 63 °F
Altitude: 1,152 ft
United States Philpot Reservoir 41.02124, -96.3092341°1’16” N 96°18’33” W
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
TravelerGood call!!!!
8/15/19Reply
TravelerYou are a smart careful guy. More sense then the old man here. Keep safe now that you are almost there.
8/15/19Reply
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Day 35
Friday, August 16, 2019 at 8:42 AM
☀️ 63 °F
Altitude: 3,281 ft
United States No Name Bay 41.24993, -101.7114841°14’60” N 101°42’41” W
2
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
Traveler And a lot more fun to pack than unpack! 😢
8/16/19Reply
Glad you are safely home after a fun trip! Papa/Bop
8/16/19Reply
TravelerWow! What an adventure you had!
8/18/19Reply
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Trip end
August 16, 2019