Our tour of the Northeast began with a busted water pipe at home just minutes before we were scheduled to leave and ended with us driving home in the rain for the final four hours of our trip. In between were numerous historic sites, dozens of picturesque views, fun drives, and excursions on foot that created memories to last a lifetime.
Now that we have been home for a few days after traveling 5,682 miles and spending 30 days on the road, it almost seems like a dream. But the journey was fun, educational, entertaining—and the memories are real.
Along the way, we also accomplished one of the main goals of this trip—when we crossed into Vermont, we completed our goal of visiting all 48 contiguous states.
After our trips out West, we were often asked what our favorite part or favorite place was. That was always difficult to answer because there were so many places and scenic sights that were equally memorable.
But if I were asked about my favorite places and sights from our Northeast trip, I can give a few answers. I would break them down into two categories—favorite scenic view and favorite historical place.
My favorite historical place was, without a doubt, Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Why? Because it was amazing to be in the same room where Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, John Adams, George Washington, and other historic figures once gathered and where both the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution were debated and adopted.
I was truly touched by being in that room.
Then there are my favorite scenic views. I couldn’t decide between two places, so I decided to give you both—Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater home in Pennsylvania and Maine’s famous lighthouse-Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth.
Both are beautiful in their own right, and both are iconic American scenes.
I must also include my favorite activities, with one exciting and thrilling experience at the top of the list.
I will never forget walking the deck of the famous USS Constitution, standing at the base of one of America’s most iconic symbols—the Statue of Liberty—ascending the 87 steps to visit President Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial, or touring Arlington National Cemetery.
But the most exciting and thrilling moment I experienced was the ride aboard the Maid of the Mist into the basin of Niagara Falls. For me, it was better than any ride at Disney—because it was real.
There were also two restaurants I particularly enjoyed—Helen’s Restaurant in Ellsworth, Maine, and Pittsburgh BBQ Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
At Helen’s Restaurant, I loved the Parmesan-Crusted Haddock, and we both enjoyed the BBQ chicken from Pittsburgh BBQ Company—some of the best BBQ chicken we have ever had.
Parmesan-Crusted Haddock ⬆️
There are four people I especially want to thank for helping make our Northeast adventure possible and enjoyable.
First, I want to thank Gayle’s two sons, Jeremy and Jason, for taking care of our busted pipe problem and allowing us to get on the road without delay. Thanks, guys. We truly appreciate your help.
Secondly, I want to thank Gayle’s daughter, Kandy, for giving us a place to stay before heading north on our trip and a place to rest when our trip was winding down. Thank you, Kandy, for your hospitality.
Additionally, I want to thank my daughter April for joining us for a few days in West Virginia. Because of her, we stayed in a beautiful log cabin and had fun revisiting and exploring the Beckley area. You helped make our trip even more memorable. Thank you, April.
Finally, I want to thank all thirty of you who allowed me the privilege and pleasure of sharing our adventure with you.
I must admit, it wasn’t always easy sitting down each night and writing an informative—and hopefully entertaining summary of our daily travels. But for me, writing about each day added to the experience of traveling through the Northeast and discovering all it had to offer.
It was fun.
Again, thanks to everyone for traveling with us and to those four who helped make it happen.
Until next time…we’re planning our next adventures for next year.
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