Northeast Roadtrip

 We recently took a northeast roadtrip.  Before getting there we went to Florida, Kansas, and Ohio.

The purpose of our trip was to look for where we want to have our forever house.  We still have no idea.  Sigh.  We spent a week and a half cruising towns and neighborhoods.  We found the cutest parks in Kansas City and large lots in North Columbus.  Both had a cozy family feel, but we left unsure where we are to go next.

We had a few fun pools.  The first two weeks of the trip, the kids swam a lot because after roaming neighborhoods and playing outside, they'd swim for two hours.  We got lucky with those pools because after getting to NY, the pools were small.

On the way to Columbus, we stopped at the Ark Encounter.

After Columbus, we went to Pittsburg.  We added this stop in at the last minute and so glad that we did. We were surprised by all the rolling hills and beautiful scenery.  Because of how beautiful it was, Nick wants to add it to our places to consider to move to.

We stayed outside Pittsburg in Cranberry Township.  We went to a movie and loved our reclining seats.

We went to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.  There was so much to see here.  

Here...a bear hugging a bear.

We also went to the Carnegie Science Center.  We didn't get to do everything because we were having so much fun exploring and the museum closed at 5.

After Pittsburg, we headed up to Niagara Falls.  We took the scenic back road, I was hoping to have a nice view of Lake Erie.  There were so many trees that blocked the view.  Oh well.  It was a quiet road and peaceful drive.

Niagara Falls at night was the most amazing thing I've seen.

The next morning we decided to go on the Maid of the Mist.  Um, so awesome!  You must go on the boat if you go.  You will get wet though.  So worth it.

We then went to the Adirondack Mountains.  So pretty.  We were hoping to see fall colors, but we didn't.  It was still too early.  Going out for our hikes, we lost data reception for our phones GPS.  So, good thing I'm good in geography because we were able to make it to our destination and find our way back to the hotel and hour away.

This was the revolution rail co., a fun ride through the mountain side.

After NY, we headed to Vermont.  We stayed in Waterbury, but spent a lot of time in Stowe.  Vermont was so beautiful and the weather was perfect.

The one stop that most of us were excited for disappointed all of us.  Sigh.  We were so excited to go to Maine, but it quickly made us want to leave sooner than we planned (which we did).  Going to Acadia National Park was great.  I loved how it's set up and you can take a bus, or drive, to get to the different parts of the park.

I can't remember this trail we went on but it was a wood plank trail.  Not fun at all.  My only complaint for the park.  Anytime another family would come by, we'd have to step off to the side and wait for them to pass.  

  

After ME, we headed to Boston and stopped in Salem for our first stop.  We spent all day here and had a great time.

We walked part of the Freedom Trail, explored the city, and had a fun full day in Boston.  

We ventured south to Plymouth, took a boat ride, had a yummy lunch and then drove around seeing the country side.

We had a free day where we went needlepin bowling and did some shopping.  I'd never heard of needlepin bowling, but it was so much fun.  You must try it.  We all liked it better than regular bowling.

We left Boston a day early so we wouldn't have to drive in the holiday (Labor Day) traffic.  It was a full day of driving to Gettysburg but we went through the beautiful Pocono Mountains.

We packed in a full day in Gettysburg.  They have a cute little shops downtown after you're done exploring the history side of your visit.  We stopped in several stores and I picked up some polish pottery to add to my collection I bought when I was in Poland.

Nick giving a history lesson.  He's a wealth of knowledge and history is his favorite thing to talk about.

On our way down to Williamsburg, we stopped in D.C. so Sterling could visit Sgt. Stubby.  She loves his story.

After getting to Williamsburg, the next day we went an explored Colonial Williamsburg.

We enjoyed seeing the different trades, going inside the homes, and of course trying to push your sister into the jail cell.

Before we left, we went on a haunted walking tour.

Before we were done with Williamsburg, which we cut short as well, we were ready to go home.  It was a fun roadtrip, but in the end we were ready for space.  Good thing we didn't end up RVing, ha!

Our top 3 favorite places that we'd go back to explore even more...Adirondack Mountains, Vermont, and Boston.  There was so much to do and see.  Hopefully we'll be able to make it back and find new adventures.  I also learned on this trip that I really enjoy being in nature.  It's so relaxing.