Life is a Highway

We got back home yesterday about 4:00 pm. We spent a couple of days at Patrick and Courtney’s. It was good to spend time with them and the kids after being on the road for 7 weeks. Gave us an opportunity to catch up. Even though it is really not much difference from one time to another that we see them, it felt much longer.

Now comes the part where we just need to soak all of this in and reflect on the journey. I will say, it was an epic trip. We continually were in awe of all there was to see and experience. We’ve been asked what was our favorite part and I’m not sure we can really answer that. Each part had it’s own beauty, uniqueness and something to experience. One thing for me is I had no idea how large and expansive this country is. Coming from the northeast we have so much forest and hills and communities we just don’t see the expanse of it all. In the mid-west and west, there is such wide open spaces it is hard to wrap your head around it.

It has been easier to think about what we liked the least rather than what we liked the most. Kansas and Nebraska are 2 states we don’t need to visit again. Although, as I relook at some of the Kansas pictures, I have to say the sky there was pretty awesome. (Although we were thankful we missed the tornadoes). Missouri and Iowa were the states that surprised us the most. I had thought they would be flat and barren – more like Kansas and Nebraska but that was not the case at all. Rolling hills, farmland, some trees. It was just very pretty.

Overall, we were gone 51 days, traveled 10,865 miles, were in 26 states, visited 11 National Parks, stayed in 38 different hotels, motels, Airbnb, or Bed and Breakfast – including Patrick and Courtney’s, and had 1 turkey accident. It was good to sleep in our own bed last night.

There is a summary of pictures at the end. If you want to see all the pictures we have posted, and a few more, click on this link. https://hitchcockroadtrip2024.com/all-the-pictures/

Thanks for following along. It’s been fun to chronical this. Let me know through the comments or email if you have any questions. [email protected]

Well, I had said in the last post we had one more museum but in the end, it turned out to be 2. Stayed in Geneva, OH Sunday night. Traveled through Wine Country along Lake Erie then ended up in Coring, NY Monday night. Lo and behold, they have a glass museum in Corning. I love glass art so off we went to that museum on Tuesday morning. Amazing works of art.

On to Cooperstown, NY last night and to the Baseball Hall of Fame this morning. Once again, a lot of history and interesting points about the sport and the players.

We are now on our way to Bristol, CT to spend the night there and visit with my cousin. Then tomorrow on to Patrick and Courtney’s to spend a few days with them. Keith is more than ready to see his grandfather!

We plan to get home on Sunday. Look for my last post on Monday, June 10th.

We didn’t have any specific plans after we left Mackinaw City but we have been very busy since then. We left Mackinaw City on Friday morning and were headed to Bay City, MI. On the way discovered the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Museum which chronicled the shipwrecks in Thunder Bay. It was interesting to learn about how important shipping was in the Great Lakes and the dangers it entailed. There are over 200 shipwrecks in Thunder Bay alone.

Yesterday, we went to The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. This was a fascinating museum that wasn’t only about automobiles but highlighted the many inventions that have revolutionized America. Further, their focus wasn’t only on inventions but on innovative social changes as well, such as emancipation, suffrage, and civil rights. Could have easily spend another day here.

Then today on our way across Ohio we realized we were going through Cleveland where the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is. There is also a Polka Hall of Fame in Ohio but we opted for the R and R. (I’m not making that up). So, we spend several hours there and it really is quite the place. It was a lot of fun but a bit overwhelming!

You know, Randy and I really aren’t museum people but we have visited all kinds of museums – large and small – on this trip. I have found a T-shirt that said Museum Nerd and I was tempted to buy a couple for us. We have one more on our list – the Baseball Hall of Fame and then we are done.

Are in Geneva, OH tonight and will get to the state of NY sometime tomorrow. Slowly making our way home.