Day 22 - Knoxville,TN to Richmond, VA

We stayed just outside Knoxville, and it was a great spot to get back onto the highway and make tracks. We had a beautiful drive through the highway pass that slices past the Great Smokey Mountain National Park and through the Blue Ridge Mountains. We talked to some wonderful ladies that were holding down the tourist bureau as we entered Virginia... they set up shop at 8:30 no less. We left with maps, instructions on Appomattox.. it was all good.

We pulled off the interstate near Roanoke, VA and made our way across Virginia State to Appomattox Court House National Historic Park. I guess Appomattox in many ways is the site of the climactic end to the American Civil War. The MacLean House in Appomattox is the location that Lee and Grant signed the reasonable terms that halted the conflict. It was set up very nicely with the site and grounds in excellent condition and the guides all working within period costume. Appomattox is like it hasn't changed in 150 years. We caught the Visitor Centre and the exhibits and video there, Monica got another stamp at the bookstore, and we visited several of the buildings on site. It was warm but relaxed with just a few visitors on site. Appomattox has an important status within the realm of American history.

Then it was off to Richmond, VA to settle for the night. We made our way into the city (lots of road in Richmond) and got settled at the hotel. Janie trekked off to forage and I threw the kids in the pool and made some logistical decisions and reservations for the rest of the trip. It was downright "hot" in Richmond... more humid than we'd experienced while we crossed the desert. Anyway... all to bed for a series of visits scheduled for first thing the next morning. Little Olympics... maybe some "Deadliest Catch", then to never-never land!!!

Day 23 - Richmond, VA to Philadelphia, PA

We woke to a very warm State of Virginia. We hit the car by 8:30 and it was already 30 degrees. Our first stop was the Richmond National Battlefield Park and American Civil War Centre, two museums located in the once Tredegar Iron Works buildings on the James River in Richmond.  We were indeed the first ones in and had the space to ourselves. The folks working there greeted us and made sure we were well looked after... Even validated our parking.

These were solid museums... The national site hosts an excellent introductory video and an eclectic collection of civil war stories, maps and artifacts. The Civil War Museum took a different approach, using the history of the entire war to tell the story from Northern, Southern and African American perspectives. We really liked the "kids based focus" set aside in the Civil War Museum... Very hands on and filled with tactile ways to discover statistical information and cultural norms of the era. Well worth the stop.

Although not necessarily a long drive, the route from Richmond through to our destination, Philadelphia, was intense. Richmond (really when we experienced our first traffic issues of the trip) through to DC was quite busy, for a Saturday. I'd hate to see it Monday morning! Whereas Janie excelled at our elevation and mountain driving out west, I took over much of the three, four and six lane stretches we encountered back east. Together, with GPS, state map, atlas and Google maps, we navigated DC (one of our favorite-ever vacations) and Baltimore (via the tunnel) to our destination just west of Philadelphia for the sole purpose of catching a ballgame.

Home of the Philadelphia Phillies... Citizen's Bank Park is located outside the city near the airport (we stayed at an airport Hampton). We snapped up late tickets for the Phillies vs D-backs and quickly dropped our bags in the room. We got to the park early and the kids caught batting practice. Once again Monica (in her new Phillies shirt) ended up with a neat memory, as one of the Grounds Crew guys enlisted her among a couple of young volunteers to help drop the chalk line near the left field foul pole. She has the Midas touch I think.  As Dad says "born with a horseshoe in her arse".

Great game... Awesome night at the ballpark. Too much fun. Home team won 3-0... Doc Halladay on the mound. I think an evening game, with the lights on, in a major league ball park is absolutely beautiful. There is something simply magical about it. Fun too was watching the game highlights at home after the game.  Indeed, this was pretty good fun.

Day 24 - Philadelphia, PA to Fairfield, CT

Early rise in Philly... Then overland to Allentown and northeast through New Jersey to the Tappan Zee bridge. This route to Connecticut by-passes much of the hustle and bustle found every day of the week on the I-95 traveling near NYC and we made great time on the way to Steve and Jen's in Fairfield, CT.  They have been a refuge for us on our excursions and we catch up on all the family news.  It kind of felt like we were arriving at home.

Hitting Fairfield at about noon, we stopped at one of the local shopping centers to do a quick look about and pick up some odds and ends.  We all got a little something.  Then we hit Steve's place.  Everyone was on the move there and Janie and Jen quickly assembled the gang and were off to the beach.  Steve and I did some chores, picking up supper vittles and a few cold ones. Then we settled in for the afternoon.

We had a real feast at suppertime... Chicken and ribs, beans and slaw for the whole gang.  It was awesome...  Between board games and storytelling the time slipped by quickly. We had a great evening capped by a pretty spectacular display of thunder and lightning that cracked the temperature.  We crashed in Meghan's comfy bed and slept soundly 'til daybreak. It was great to see everyone again and we slept without a worry.

Day 25 - Fairfield, CT to Boston, MA

We took our time in getting up, dusted off and saying our good-byes in Fairfield. Great to see everyone again... with promises to connect again in September when the gang are heading northeast to Nova Scotia. We've become quite used to this part of the trip... dashing up Rte 15 to Hartford and then tacking across CT to the I-90 and Boston.

On the way we hit a major traffic snag on the I-90... not too far outside of Boston. We looked it up later to see there had been several critical injuries in the accident - we certainly took stock how lucky we were. It was in the south bound lane but affected both directions while emergency vehicles were brought in. Despite the accident, we made Boston by noon and stopped in to just take a reading on our digs for the night. Nicely, the gentleman at the front desk had prepared some information in regards to an online request I made for directions, and getting to and from Fenway. He had it all prepped and we were in business in a flash.

This was all too early for check in though, so in the meantime Janie researched her shopping possibilities through the GPS. Amazing tool really, and we used it throughout our trip not only for punched in directions, but to inquire about possibilities in the area when looking for food, accommodation or attraction. We located a mall just around the corner and purchases were made.

We returned to check in, take a shower, then head out for the commute to the Green Line stop that we'd use to get in and out of Boston and our end destination, Fenway and a ballgame between the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers. The travel instructions we got were excellent, and we connected easily and without stress. Better to park the vehicle and use public transit than to try and find our way back and forth!!!

Fenway is 'ol school in comparison to the previous parks we'd visited, located in the heart of Boston and built around the streets that surrounded it. From the Green Monster to the concessions it felt as though it had been there forever. We found our seats, located dead centre field, and then sourced a couple of treats and beers. By game time the sun had shaken around the huge sign that hovers over left field to leave us in the shade and comfort for the remainder of the evening.

As for the game... after a shaky start the Sox rallied to give Darvish quite a hammering and resulted in our third consecutive home team win on the trip. That's always nice as everyone is jovial in the bleachers as well as pleasant on the way home. The Fenway experience is a classic way to enjoy a ball game and I'm glad we planned for it!!! I'll get back again I'm sure... as this is no doubt the closest Major League park from our location in Nova Scotia.

On the commute back we met many talkative fans heading back for their vehicles. Janie had a fine conversation with an older couple that were interested in our trip across America. Peter also was chatting it up with a fan from CT who had asked him where he was from and was interested in our trip. Folks were great with the kids (as well as us) and made us feel very welcome. Just getting used to the New England twang and we were on our way out. This was to be our last night in US and I'm guessing all hands were ready for Canada, Nova Scotia and home. We snuggled in to a comfortable, air conditioned room and plenty of memories to process.

Day 26 - Boston, MA to Antigonish, NS

We departed at 7:00 am from Natick with the thought of getting ahead of traffic. Worked out well, as we turned North on the I-95 and left the filled lanes heading into the city. The push was on to make the border and get home. We made Houlton by 1:00 pm and after clear sailing through the border and a mug up at the Woodstock Big Stop we drove possessed across New Brunswick and into Nova Scotia. Fair winds saw us in the driveway around 8pm some 26 days after our departure.

We were all glad to drop our bags on the floor, glad to see our beds, but also proud we'd made such an incredible journey together and having the great fortune to have been able to even consider such a Quixotic undertaking. It will take a bit to process this trip... and I'll be so interested to get the kids take on it years from now. Although a huge assault on our norms and day to day living, I'm thinking it'll be something we can carry in the days to come as a triumph as well as a piece of shared experience.