The end is near, but Chicago is first!

Chicago was our last stop and it was a great way to end the trip.  We have all been there before, but it has been a few years since the kids were there and they loved it.  It is great city to explore, so much to do, and everything is pretty close together, so the walking isn't overwhelming for kids.

                     We went to dinner at Rosebud and ate enormous amounts of delicious pasta.

You can't visit Chicago and not make a stop at Garrett's Popcorn for some carmel corn...yum!

We talked with a police officer that let us know there were fireworks at Navy Pier that night, so it was perfect timing because we had missed out on 4th of July Fireworks due to the hurricane in Boston.  We bought tickets for the Ferris wheel and the fireworks went off as soon as we got to the top! 

We had to end the trip with more sugar, so we headed to Eataly for gelato and they just happened to have a Nutella bar, so I had to order a Nutella crepe...delicious!

Ted commandeered the camera that night and the guy seems to have a knack for pictures.  He took quite a few great ones!  See below...

Before we started for home the next day, we stopped at Millenium Park to see "The Bean" and then to the top of the John Hancock Building for the views.

And it so it ends.  3985 miles, six more states off of our list, fun times, lots of laughs and many memories once again.  Thank you to my traveling family for always being willing to take on these adventures even though it can be hard to be so "close" for so many days in a row.  We are stronger for it and it will be something that we will remember for the rest of our lives.  It's amazing to think that we only have two states left, Washington and Utah for summer 2015!  We have already started to talk about what 2016 could bring.  Do we decide to add on Alaska or Hawaii or do we go big and try for Australia?  Pennies will need to be saved either way.  I'm not sure that it will be the same if we are not driving it though.......

Taking on Day 2 of The Big Apple

We are getting the hang of mass transit, hope the LRT really comes to the Twin Cities some day.  This day started with a Port Authority bus ride from New Jersey to Times Square, then it was on to the subway headed toward the ferry port.

 I love this picture!  We were putting the kids through the subway turnstile like cattle and the Metropass ran out of rides, so they were stuck on the other side until we went and put more money on the card. 

 We then took the ferry out to see the Statue of Liberty.  We decided not to do the tour, but it was super cool to see.  Beautiful views of the NY skyline also. 

After lunch we walked to the 9/11 museum.  They had a great 15 minute video that we watched that explained what happened in a clear way that wasn't overly graphic, so the kids could understand.  It is hard to imagine that they really have no idea what happened that tragic day.

                                                       The brand new One World Trade

 A statue that was left outside of one of the fire stations after 9/11 that was gradually covered with flags and patches and thoughts and prayers for the firefighters.

That evening we attempted to go on a night tour on the open topped bus, but it started to rain and was not much fun, so we bailed and headed to Times Square and M&M World instead!!  Much more fun!

The next day ended up as a mad dash from one end of NYC and back again, then to Brooklyn for Grimaldi's Pizza "under the bridge".  By FAR the BEST pizza we have ever had!

                                               Haven't seen pepperoni like since Shakey's!


 Then off to the Bronx to see Yankee Stadium.  We didn't have time to look around much, but Thomas was able to shop for a bit.

As with most of our trips, we have to add in time to visit a reality T.V. locations...no, we didn't go find any of the Real Housewives, (I tried), but to Hoboken, NJ to check out Carlo's Bake Shop from the show Cake Boss.  We bought way too many things(cannoli's, cupcakes, cookies, etc..) and it was ALL great!  The kids were excited to see the bakery, Mark and I were excited to eat the sugar!

  Last but not least it was off to Philadelphia.  It was later than we had hoped to be there, but it was fun to run the "Rocky" stairs, even in the dark.  "Aaadrian"!   It was a whirlwind, but we got it all in!

If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.....

We ended our stay in Bar Harbor with a ranger led program called Sand Beach Under the Stars.  It started at 9:00 p.m. and consisted of laying on the beach in the dark listening to a ranger explain the night time sky to us.  It was awesome!

 

                             Not a great picture, but it was dark and an iphone can only do so much.

 We were sad to leave the peace and tranquility of Maine, but it was time to move to the hustle and bustle of NYC!  Two more states checked off the list.

 We arrived late in the evening to Secaucus, NJ, where our hotel is located, just across the river from Manhattan.  We decided to rest and get up the next morning to head to the Big Apple.

Day one was filled with big eyes, excited faces and tired feet!! 

We started off with the hop on hop off double decker bus tour.  It is a good way to see many sites with not too much walking.

 

My favorite NYC building the "Flatiron"

 

 

 We got off at Central Park and found some Beatles "points of interest"

 

 

                                       Another great way to get around the city...the subway.

 

 

 They tried to make the sad faces...they really were having a good time!  Not so much for the guy next to Thomas!

 

 

 

                                                             He pooped out at the end....

 

 

Ended the day with dinner at a "famous place"!  Rose even attacked the pastrami sandwich!

                                                             One of New York's Finest