Sharon Vermont the birth place of Joseph Smith
Sidney,Austin,Wyatt, Maddie and saying hello to new baby Eddie

Opps I did those twice sorry
Anders, riding the stone Alligator

WE saw fields and fileds of corn from Boston to Wyoming. The ones in vermont you could eat. The others were the hybrid ones used for the new fuel .
I loved the Erie canal. WE followed it all the way to Lake Erie. Amazing work of our early  Fore Fathers
Our first meal on the road and pretty much our last

This is one of he churches we saw some amazing structures. Every Court House would have at least 4 churchs around them with bells ringing this was on sunday

Random pictures of vermont and a little of the trip

This is what Anders and I did every night and morning. Watch You tube videos mostly the wiggles with a little power rangers and star wars clone wars.I now no all the words and the dances. I'm such a hip grandma. but boy can Maddie shake it!!
The car the is taking us to HOME one court house at a time!! Leaving Michelle and family behind. This is a picture of her house.
The last lic of Edmund before we left so cute!!
Maddis being a big girl with the big girls. Lucy Cammock doing her nails. While we were waiting for baby Eddie to come out
This was a statue at the Cleveland courthouse, I just loved the lines and the design
There is Dunkin Donuts everywhere
Anders in the rain before we left

The great Race of Court Houses

I think we are at 60 today. WE race to the next one,,,,and then the next,as many as we can get before the sun goes down!!That is the race! No prizes, just  pictures.

So we really started in Boston when I picked up Rich last tues night. Then 2 nights with Michelle and family. Then off for this great adventure. We are taking mostly all the back roads. One little town after another. They are really proud of there Court houses. They mostly all have a park on the grounds with every court house.A gazebo, fountain,statue,war memorial,Clock tower and sometimes a bell tower on top. Or they are a Court house a whole block and then the town square is all around the court house. Many streets were closed down for market fairs. One town had a big party with families playing games sponsored by a church. A lot of people asking us what we were doing. One guy said you will never make it you are to old to get to all the Court Houses.He doesn't know Rich very well. THat will  fuel the challenge even more. 

Today was long we tried to get to two towns and the bridges where out and had to go around to get to them. Which took us in and out of Iowa and Nebraska. We are now back in Iowa to get the last pic in the morning. 

One funny story. Charolette the GPS gal. Took us on a road that had a detour. So we asked a kidriding his skate board in the middle of a country road what route to take. He said and I quote Oh to get to town you take a right, then a right . Pretty much take all the rights to the cemetary then turn left at the Blacks house. He was so right. We were laughing at him just turn at the black house as if we knew them.  SO we took all the rights and then At the Blacks house which was a big mailbox that said BLACKS we took a left and made it into town. 

These roads are lined with corn everywhere from Vermont to Iowa. So you can't see where you are unless you come to a river and see the water. There is alot of water in this country. Lakes rivers. Then the big Lakes are BIG. WE came up over the mountain and I thought for a minute hey where are we it felt just like coming into Lincoln City and seeing the ocean. HUGE lakes.

WE traveled along with the Erie Canal I remember a song from elementary school of how they built it and it brought back a lot of good memories of being a kid. So I have been thinking about my family growing up a lot. Especially my Dad.

We have passed a few Amish buggies we wave as we speed by. With the top down we hear the clip clop of the hooves. 

Today we came down a hill with cars everywhere. parked in the middle of the road, people running around, Then I saw some horses running up the hill. There friends the 3 other horses where running all over the road. They had escaped the fences and were going for it. This was a 4 lane HWY. I was just laughing at the dad and sons. One in a truck the others on 4 wheelers. Chasing them down. Boy did that bring back memories.

IT RAINED MOST OF THE DAY. PLUS THUNDER AND LIGHTENING. 

BUT THE DAYS BEFORE WE HAD THE TOP DOWN AND GOT SOME SERIOUS SUN.OPPS sorry about the caps.

Went to Nauvoo. Carthage and followed the mormon trail today. Plus some of the lewis and Clark trail. Glad I was in a car. Especially in the rain we had today.

Listened to some funny stories on the radio. Had a few phone calls with the top up I was actually able to hear. There is also alot of cell towers that dot this country. Then what about the Dunkin Donuts every where???Everywhere. In the gas stations, on the corners, in the middle of towns, out in the country. Really do we need that many donuts. Now  we are in Iowa they are Krispy Kremes!!

Ok enough of the babbling I will try and post some pic.If I'm not successful ALICIA i well see you evening wed and you can help me post. Out for now somewhere on the border of IOWA and NEBRESKA.PMV

Palmyra

Ok we made it to a hotel. Super 8. I;m exhausted and the camera battery needs to charge.

Something you all need to know if you drive in the hot sun for 12 hours with the top down your face gets burned! Also yo ears when your hair is short like mine is now. 

WE saw a lot of beautiful country. We took all the back roads we only drove  600 miles but it took 13 hours.WE took all the court house pictures Rich had on his maps. Beautiful buildings lots of history!

WE saw the Erie Canal. Drove by it almost all day. We only got lost once at Hill Cumorah!! So we climbed the hill in the dark on a path then walked down the hill in the dark. It was also peaceful because we were the only ones there!!

Trip home

Wow ! It has been a fun ride being here in Vermont with Michelle,Brig and kids.

The weather has been BEEp BEEp BEep this is the emergency broadcast system. It really works! They announce and people do what they are told. Sudden thunder and lightening storms,etc. 

WE welcomed in Baby Eddie.

WE swam in Grandma and Grandpa's Lyle's pool. Played in the back yard pool went for walks miles and miles of walks.

Played legos until I now know what every part is,  how it works, I can even make up stories about the newly created objects.

Have cooked, cleaned, washed and even put up pickles, and wiped a few cute little fannies.

Watched tears flow from joy and sorrow! Alot of my own

Conflict and resolution was had by all the young ones in the pic above.

The spirit was felt and thanks was given

Letters were written and stories were told.

Phone calls were made and pleas of come home MOM we need you here at home.

So Rich and I are having one more day here in  the great village of Windsor  Vermont. 

Hugging our grandchildren, and there parents until we meet again.

Luckily there is the internet and skype.

WE will be off in that cute little car and take the ride of our lives. Just the two of us and arrive sometime in the next 7 days back in Oregon where we have others to love and care for. Whom I'm missing very much.

Watch for the 130 courthouse's Rich wants to visit and take pictures of. See if we can really do it or bag it all and just get home. Having our own form of the Amazing Race VIAL STYLE.

With a few stops to see relatives and friends and catch up.

WE love this life , our country,  our friends and relatives.

WE are so bless beyond our wildest dreams. 

So as kids are starting school Rich and I are starting out.....Out for now Windsor Vermont our 2nd home