Of course, we could not just drive non-stop the whole way so I had planned a stop for lunch. Using the Blue Star Museum site (free museums for military during the summer) I found the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore. The website was not very impressive so I figured we would eat lunch, see a train, and be on our way. Boy was I in for a surprise! Firstly, there was a home baseball game - not even on my radar. Secondly, this museum is extensive!
There was an outdoor picnic area (perfect for us) that was adjacent to a large model railway. The kids enjoyed jumping up and pushing the buttons to make the trains go.
There were many train cars that the kiddos could get in a pretend to drive as well as cars with exhibits of small model railways, dining dishes, videos, and more! Also, the windows were great for cute faces :)
Some of the train cars were very old and the boys liked learning about the history of each one.
My little conductors!
Proof the photographer was there - with his assistant!
After pulling ourselves away from the exhibits we finished out trek to Reading. My only regret is not know the Turkey Hill Farm was on our way. Their ice cream is my favorite!
The rest of the day was refreshing and such a blessing. To see our kids play with Tom and Betsy's two sweeties was precious. They are younger so Eli was helping one on the slide while Jonah was leading the other in some game. We also enjoyed the time catching up with friends and sharing delicious food! Bonus: Huck lost his first tooth!
Our time together was too short, but our adventure continued northward! We had another long driving day ahead but not without memorable stops. We made out way to Liberty Park in New Jersey to see the Statue of Liberty. We debated whether to take the kids into NYC, but since I am not familiar with a subway or public transportation, our van doesn't fit in most parking garages, and we might as well have "tourist" stamped on our foreheads we decided to forego that experience and settle for the skyline. Next time, NYC.
It was a lovely day for a picnic. (We had a lot of picnics.) There was a paved trail by the water to stretch our legs for a bit, too!
Upon leaving the park we made our way around NYC. Hello, tolls . . . and traffic and bridges and lots of screeching from the passenger seat!
So . . . every long road trip I try to find stops that are worthwhile. Once in a blue moon I fail miserably. Our next stop was exhibit A. Wadsworth Falls was suppose to be beautiful waterfall with a mile hike. We found the falls - no hike involved. Right beside the falls is a sign that states no swimming or fishing. There is a man fishing at the base of the falls and from behind us gallops a large herd of bathing suit clad folk. The base of the falls was full of trash-filled, brown tinted foam. Needless to say, we didn't stay long and had a good laugh.
The last leg of our trip took us to our home away from home for the the next 4 days - a town home in Salem, Massachusetts. We quickly found out that (other than McDonalds) there was no place to stop and eat along our route. As Juliet said, "Where is the rest-or-not?" I guess we were taking the "or not" option. I kept tossing back snacks until we made it into Salem and found a quaint little pizzeria. Everyone was ecstatic to see hot food and be out of car seats.
After eating we unloaded at the house and discovered that only Southerners love AC (Can you say hot?). Oh, well. We were there, together, and asleep before you could blink.
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