Three Weeks - 6,956 miles of fun

September 8, 2015   Tuesday

Glendale to  Santa Rosa NM

Stopped on our way out for  gas and Starbucks coffee and pastry. 

Missed the exit for Winslow  Hope to stop on our way back.

While getting gas in Gallup Ed asked I cancel the reservation for Santa Rosa as we could drive farther!   Reservation canceled.

We stopped west of Albuquerque at the Sky Casino and had a good cheap buffet.  Traffic through Albuquerque not bad.  Some Construction not too slow.

Reached Santa Rosa area - soon to be turn off.  Question from husband:

“ It is already after 5:30 pm (lost an hour with time change in NM) do you want to stop or keep going?”  I say “what?  Well Ed it is your call.  Man I had a good rate”    Ed - “Let’s see what Comfort Inn can give us now.”

Stopped got a great clean room and good rate still at the Comfort Inn.   One day down.

September 9, 2015   Wednesday  Santa Rosa - Catoosa OK

Left Santa Rosa at 7 am -  had low fog and clouds all the way to Tucumcari - no rain.  Quick trip across Texas panhandle and into Oklahoma.

Stopped at the OK Travel/Visitor Center.  The ladies at the help desk were phenomenal…. I told them we were on our way to Catoosa ( just outside Tulsa) and I was concerned about route there and the Toll Road.  With a terrific Southern accent one lady pulled out the state map and marked the best road for less traffic and marked the exact point we would encounter Toll booths.  The first two were unmanned and needed exact change of $1.15 each time.  the next two manned and $4 each.   As soon as we got back in the car I counted out the exact amount for each stop…. such a relief.  Since we do not have such things here in Arizona.

When was the last time you saw one of these?

Stopped in Elk City for a Subway Sandwich - then took the Old RT 66 from Chandler Ok to Stroud OK then back on Hwy 44.  

Beautiful scenery on the drive today.  Lots of Cattle in Texas and Huge Wind Turbines

Average temp on our drive today was 79 degrees except for OK City at 91 degrees and LOTS of humidity.  Dinner Panda Express.

PS no change in Hotel reservations today - think we have this down now.

Great room at the Hampton Inn in Catoosa OK

 

September 10,  Thursday   Catoosa OK to Valley Park MO

Headed out at 7:30 am into a fireball of SUN!  Could not see road signs and missed out staying on correct Hwy.  Wow the road guardian angel came to our rescue a few miles down  divided road had a crossover road.

Headed back and not in sun did NOT miss the correct way this time. Yeah.

Drive in some really dense fog for about 20 miles than cleared. Half way to Valley Park on a winding hilly road, with semi’s all around us and going    70 mph we drive into a cloud burst.  The rain was coming down so hard the wipers could not keep up.  Ed had to drive using the yellow line on the side of the road.  Could only see a Semi truck tire next to us. Could not see ahead or behind.  We were so glad it only lasted about 1-1/2 miles.  Pretty tense.

Had some mild rain off and on into Valley Park (suburb of St Louis)- just as we arrived at the hotel reception drive up a storm came with about 30 mph winds and rain.  We were staying at a Drury Inn and did not know they not only offer Breakfast in the morning but a buffet of goodies for a light dinner and three free drinks!  We were so happy we did not have to go out in the storm to eat!  Very nice room also.

We saw on the news that evening that a tornado had touched down not far away.  We missed seeing the Elk Preserve and the Bird sanctuary due to the storms.

September 11,  Friday  Valley Park MO to Dublin OH

On to Dublin OH (suburb of Columbus).  rain off and on all day.  Lots of traffic and Semi’s from Indianapolis to Dublin.  On our way we went from Missouri, to Illinois, to Indiana, to Ohio.  We made all the correct turns and freeway exchanges in the big cities so well.  Then…. we arrived at the 17A exit for our Hotel in Dublin and the exit was closed for construction. Yikes!

Now what.  Immediately we were surrounded with rush hour traffic - four lanes worth and rain and skies getting dark.  We did not know for sure what exit was next or if we should get off etc.  Two hours later - after going about 5 miles (inch at a time) we made it to our hotel.  They had had a microburst hit just before we missed our exit and had lost power for sometime.  Glad it had just come back on as we arrived - also so the street lights could be working.  Our hotel was the Sonesta Suites - Terrific Place!  Almost 700 sq ft.  Backed up to nice trees no freeway noise.  Staying here two nights.

When we arrived at the front desk we were so stressed from our drive there.  One of the staff asked if we would like wine or something - Well of course I said I did!  The gal went behind her area to a cooler and brought out a cardboard type container of wine.  Wow service.

 

September 12, Saturday    To Columbus Zoo

Skies finally clearing. We were staying right by the Red Rooster Quilt Shop - imagine that.  I visited there first thing with a very nice owner.  We then went to the Columbus Zoo.  Did not see Jack Hanna but saw the hut he films from.  Fabulous Zoo. Loved the Bald Eagles, two pair and they were eating and had interaction with each other. They have many Silver Back Gorillas and babies.  Even saw Grizzly Bears.  Spent over 5 hours at the zoo.  On the way back to the Suite stopped at the second quilt store Quilt Beginnings. Ate at Max and Erma’s.  Did Laundry and packed up.

 September 13,  Sunday

Left Dublin for my Bee Friend’s home in New London Ohio. (Farm Country)

One and a half hours later I hugged Valerie, my friend of 16 years that I had never met in person.  It was as if we had been together many timeS before.  She and her husband Wayne were such gracious hosts to Ed and I, so comfortable being at their farm.  Got a little dog fix also with their Tennessee Walker Hound and Tanner a medium size fur ball.  They liked the items I had made for them.  We also gave them an Arizona Highways calendar and they were amazed we had such places in Arizona.

They have quite the set up for the extraction of the honey and all the processes to make all her honey related goodies.  We came home with tons of great honey products.

Valerie and Lynn

 

September 14,  Monday

Left Valerie’s around 7 am - drove through the farm country over to Berlin and Walnut Creek OH - Amish Country.  We saw and passed eight different types of buggies.  Could not believe the little spindly legs on the horses pulling these carriages.  Also, saw several sets of plow horses being used in the fields. and pulling work carts.  Visited the Helping Hands Quilt Store in Berlin.  Lovely ladies there.  Ate breakfast in Walnut Creek at the Der Dutchman.  Lots of rolling hills and farms here.

View from Restaurant in Amish Country
 

 

Left Berlin and headed North to Canton OH

Visited the National Football League Hall of Fame.  Loved it!!!

Left Canton and drove as far as Mifflinville PA.

 

   Spent the night in a Comfort Inn. Had dinner in the Olive Garden Restaurant.

 

September 15,  Tuesday

Headed for our friend’s home in Simsbury CT

Woke to fog but drove out of it easily.  Drive had quite a bit of construction,   but all in all a pretty drive.

Ed and Stan

Arrived at our friend Stan’s apartment in mid-afternoon.  Stan drove us around the area of Granby, Riverton etc for a few hours.  Everything there is trees, trees, trees, and tons of creeks, rivers and reservoirs. Very pretty.  Ate dinner at a small Italian place and then back to his apartment to plan our trip up to Bar Harbor.

September 16  Wednesday

On our way to Acadia National Park.  Stan joined us on this portion of the trip. 

 

Entering Maine

  He grew up on the East Coast and has been to Maine and the park hundreds of times.  We had our own private tour guide for 4 days.  What a joy to have him with us.  We headed up on the main Freeways 95,295 until around Portland Maine.  Then we went on Hwy 1 along the coast.  You do not ride an exact edge like on the West Coast but you see it now and then. It is so in interesting in that you really are always in town of some kind as there is little town and little town on the road.  We stopped in Wiscasset Maine.  Stan knew of a place for Lobster Rolls - “Red’s Eats”  We had never had a Lobster Roll - Huge full Lobster piece of meat on a hot dog bun. It is a small building on a business corner in town - You stand in line order and then eat outside at picnic tables. 

Arrived in Bar Harbor mid-afternoon.  Found a very affordable clean room at the Edgebrook Inn  motel near town.  Checked in and freshened up and headed to the Harbor.  So nice.  While the guys were out and about taking photos (both avid photographers) I walked around the grounds of the town park at the harbor.  I saw a gentleman on one of the small grass knolls with a very large dog.  I asked him if I could meet his dog and asked if it was a Bouvier?   He said in fact he was -his name was George. He was big and fun.  I had only seen the breed on TV dog shows.  Loved meeting him.  The owner was very outgoing and visited with me for a few minutes.

We had dinner  at a fun diner in town that was filled to the brim with antique everything you could imagine.

Dilly's Diner In Bar harbor

 September 17, Thursday

Stan and Ed left at 4:30 am for Cadillac Mountain in the Park to get shots of the Sunrise.  When they returned we went to town and ate breakfast at Jordan’s restaurant.  They are known for their Maine Blueberry Pancakes and Blueberry Syrup that also is filled with berries.

Took the Loop Road through Acadia Park today  Stopped at Sandy Beach and a pond that had three Beaver Huts on it.  When we arrived at the beaver huts a park worker was nearby and said we just missed several of the beavers out and about.

Looking down from Cadillac Mountain

We had lunch Jordan Pond - in the center of the park - They have about 80 tables with umbrellas out on the lawn with the huge Pond (lake) for the view. The restaurant is known for their Popovers.  Oh my they were huge and sooooooo good.  enjoyed more Lobster Rolls and Lobster stew.

Vie of Jordan's Pond while we ate

While walking around the Pond after lunch we came across George- the Bouvier and his owners again. 

George

 

Drove then to the South and East harbors and all of Mt Desert area of Acadia.

Returned to the room freshened up and back downtown - dinner at Testas. We had their crab cakes that had no bread or fillers and each one was the size of a medium pancake.  Yummy.  Lovin this seafood.

September 18, Friday

Had Breakfast at Jennie’s Great Maine Breakfast, Drove to Cadillac Mountain in the Park and walked around from way up there you could see a 360 view of the harbors and towns.  Then drove to Schoodic Point - very nice drive and part of the Park that is not as full of visitors. 

 

 

 On our way back to the Motel we stopped for lunch at the “Chart House” not the chain. We were able to sit outside on the bay.  Just as we were seated we looked to our left and on the deck lying next to our table - who else but George the Bouvier and his owners.  We all had a good laugh that we had run into each other a third time.  The man said that if we showed up at their dinner place he would know we were stalking them.  Hee hee.

Back at motel rested and freshened up.  We headed down to the harbor the evening pictures.  I sat at the harbor and read while they did their thing.  There were two big Love Boat kind of cruise ships in the outer harbor - just leaving for another destination. 

 

In Bar harbor
 

We ate on the Lawn patio at the Bar harbor Inn there on the Bay for dinner.  Wonderful Lobster stew.  Walked some of downtown and then on to bed.

 

September 19, Saturday

Started back for Connecticut with several stops at light houses along the way. 

At Port Clyde a Bald Eagle flew over us and stopped just a few minutes on a pole and then flew off.  I was able to get my I pad up quick enough to get a pic.

Eagle on the pole in center of pic
 

We stopped at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse and Marshall Point Lighthouse. At each just as we arrived the fog rolled in… The photographers loved it. 

Marshall Point Lighthouse
 

Pemaquid Lighthouse

Pemaquid Lighthouse
 

 Christmas Cove was a neat little island next to a small harbor and pier walkway.

York Maine Lighthouse
 

Arrived at Stan’s late in the day.

 

 

September 20, Sunday

Left Stan’s at 7 am - Drove to Canaan CT - Ate breakfast the Blackberry River Bakery  

On our way to Manchester VT.  Nice drive through Bennington VT on the country roads. Checked into our motel in Manchester and headed North to see some covered bridges.  Ate at Panera Bread in Rutland VT   - Went up near Pitsford VT and saw the Hammond, Cooley and Gorham Covered Bridges.  These are all in farm house communities. 

 

 

 

September 21,   Monday

Left at 8 am and drove to Cooperstown NY - neat little town   off the country roads.

Went to the National Baseball Hall of Fame - Terrific - saw Randy Johnson’s newly placed plaque and memory case.

 

Ate at Cooley’s Pub  super food and beer.

Missed going to the Fly Creek Quilt Shop as they are closed on Mondays - Drats!

Drove Country roads most of the day - spent the night in the Comfort Inn, in West Hazelton PA.  Did laundry for an hour and repacked everything.

 September 22, Tuesday

Drove from West Hazelton PA to Winchester KY (10 miles from Lexington)  light rain and fog in the morning.  Beautiful drive almost no cars. Kentucky is so Green.

Ate in Charleston, West Virginia along the way in.

Stayed at the Hampton Inn in Winchester KY -   Beautiful Wood molding etc in our room.  They had a light snack from 5-7pm but no bar.

 September 23,   Wednesday

Left Winchester KY and drove through the country farms out to Loretto KY and the “Makers Mark” Bourbon Distillery.   We took the tour and the tasting - All fantastic.

Boilers    This room was so hot!

Fermenting vats

Printing the Labels

Hand dipping bottles in wax

Going to be boxed

Tasting
 

Some of the grounds
 

Left Loretto and drove up to Paducah.  I went to the National Quilt Museum there. It had some very nice exhibits.  I think my favorite was the ones for the Quilts of Valor.  The museum is in historic (old) Paducah.  We walked around some - it right on the Ohio river. 

 

Stayed in Paducah at the Drury Inn - Great day!

Quilt for Drury in Paducah Hotel made by a local Quilt Guild

 

September 24 Thursday

From Paducah we drove to Hot Springs Arkansas.  Wow back in amongst tons of semi trucks!  Arrived at 2:30 pm  Ate at a local BBQ place called Stubbys - very good food!  Then Drove out to the Hickory Hill Quilt Store   Very nice southern lady.

We tour The Fordyce Bath House in downtown. The park Service runs it.  Quite something to see from so long ago. Great day minus the trucks on the road.

Fordyce Bath House

Steam Cabinets

Beauty Parlos

Where the Hot Springs come up in building

 

 

Stayed at the Comfort Inn and Suites on Central Ave just off I 270 in Hot Springs

September 25, Friday

Left Hot Springs and drove back across Arkansas and Oklahoma to Amarillo Texas. 

In Shawnee OK we had our very first Chick-fil-a.  Enjoyed it very much. Now we know why you like them so much Cindy Dye.

Stayed at the Drury Inn and Suites there.  There were a ton of people with dogs but the best one was a Beautiful Liver and White Springer Spaniel - named Theodora May - Teddy for short.  She really liked us.  We visited with the owners while we had the evening drinks and light fare.

 

September 26, Saturday

From Amarillo we drove to Holbrook AZ -

 

 

Stayed at the Best Western Arizonian. Nice room.

September 27, Sunday

Left At 6am and drove to Winslow AZ   Did not miss the exit this time.  We both had never been there.  Went to La Posada Hotel and had breakfast.  Fabulous Food!

 

Walked down to the Standing on the corner in Winslow AZ area, took some pics.

Drove on home.

 ** Ed drove   ALL 6956 miles,  we saw awesome country, all our nights were spent in good hotels or friend’s homes, and had some terrific food - especially in Bar Harbor.  Never seemed like we were gone three weeks. 

Trip of a lifetime.