It’s hard really to grasp that yesterday we were frantically, frenetically finishing our packing and today we’re sitting in a motel in Central Michigan. The kids were great today as we put on nearly 400 miles, which should be our second-longest driving day of the whole trip. We didn’t get out of Niagara Falls until about 11am, but booked through southern Ontario without stopping, crossing back into the US at Sarnia. Actually, our only stop between Niagara Falls and Houghton Lake, MI, where we’re holed up for the evening, was for gas. We had planned to walk around Sarnia, checking out the river and lake, but it was 94 and later than we had planned.
In the car, we listened to Roald Dahl read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach. Marina read a key chapter from The Goblet of Fire to us all and Izzy and Marina played an imagination game together. At one point, they took a break from it and Izzy was pleading with Marina to play with her. Point is: spirits are good, still.
We stopped for gas in a town known as Michigan’s Little Bavaria, but didn’t realize it until we were ten miles past and weren’t going to go back. The temperature had risen to 96, but the AC was working, as is our new car fridge.
We had dinner in a fine family restaurant and came back to the hotel to go swimming in the skanky pool. I tried to work out for a little while, but managed only about ten minutes on the treadmill before relenting to Izzy’s demands that I get in the pool to play catch with him. Good thing he got me; I would have collapsed if I went much longer.
Michigan music: Iggy, Gil Scott-Heron, Sufjan Stevens, and course these smoothies.
OK also The Gories covering a great disco (yes, I said that) tune from the artist also known as Kid Creole, who has nothing to do with Michigan. (Here’s the original.)
in the morning we went on the Maid of the Mist and got soaked! then we drove for 6 hours today, we just had dinner and are going for a dip in the pool.
When we crossed the border into this foreign land, the kids asked if there were any songs about Canada. Emily burst into a rousing two lines of O Canada, after which she mumbled a bit and asked if I knew any of the rest. All I could think of was the Bob and Doug
Christmas song, again just the first two lines. Actually, I suggested this but she didn’t think it appropriate.
It’s been a crazy few weeks. We’re all grateful, I think, for the end, if teary. We had lots of goodbyes, even having about ten people over last night. I stayed up until 2, and then Em and I got up this morning and just stepped on the treadmill already in motion. We didn’t stop moving until we got in the car at 5pm and headed west. The kids promptly fell asleep.
After dinner, they perked up. We got to the hotel and walked down to the falls, lit in the evening, throngs crowding against the railing and wandering around the promenade. We were here when the kids were six and three. I talked with Izzy about how it’s an odd place, constructed because of the waterfall, but filled with haunted houses, Ripley’s and Guiness Book of Records shows, Cuban cigars, and chain restaurants. I think he understood.
Em’s crashing and it’s time to finish Chapter Twenty-Seven of The Goblet of Fire. I got through about six pages last night.
1st we ran some errands, said our last goodbyes, and went on our way!
I love the room, its a very pretty night. Next stop, Michigan!!!!!
We just entered Canada, our hotel room is cool, next time I update we’ll be in Michigan .We’re going to take a walk to see the falls.
just said another sad goodbye, less than 3 hours till we leave!
We had about ten people over tonight, surprise. It was great to just chill with some of our friends before leaving. Of course, we could have been packing. Em and the kids are asleep and I’m trying to get some things done, including figuring out how this blog works. It doesn’t have great functionality, I think, but the kids were super-excited to start posting. I have to get a picture of Izzy and Gabriel up before we go.
We have a bunch to do tomorrow, but not that far to drive and I think it will go rather quickly. We’ll see. I’m aiming for noon but not expecting to get out before three.
I’m really sad that I have to leave my friends. Two times in a row.
I’m excited to be on the road. (I know that doesn’t go with the title of my post. I’m just being a weirdo.)
I wish I had friends in California already.it is leaving my friends once and then leaving them again.i will be posting a lot becuse i will miss my friends a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but i will like the car ride.
This is the end of my post.
i just said goodbye to May, 1 of my best friends.
i cried a bit, i can’t believe we’re going in less than
24 hours! CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our friend Madeleine suggested we blog our trip. I’m highly suggestible.
We leave tomorrow, but there’s still lots to do. I’ve already sent out a book proposal this morning, but today will be a lot of errands, running around Utica.
Here’s some stuff that gets me in the mood:
This
Or this
Or this
Or my faves
But this is not bad at all
Tonight we’re finishing packing and receiving visitors, if you want to stop by!