New York Trip Day 5

We began the day by a trip to the store because Jeanette and I were going to make dinner for everyone. But Jeanette has been eyeing the Baskin Robbins’ for a couple of days by now so she had to stop.

Then it was another, and longer, day at the beach. The waves were just a tiny bit larger today, so we spent a heck of a lot of time being knocked over by them. By the time we got home, we found lots of sand and rocks in places that you usually don’t.

Once home and after dinner, we had a short birthday party for the August birthday girls Ada (the 10th) and Sofia (the 15th).

And Ada and Sofia went to bed late this night, too.

We also said a goodbye to Dori and dad who left for New York City that night.

New York Trip Day 4

We got off to a late start because Ada and Sofia stayed up too late the night before watching a movie, but eventually we made it out to Montauk despite the busy road.

There we went up the Montauk Point Lighthouse, except for Jake who was too little to be let up.

This one is atop the lighthouse, but it was so bright in the back that it is difficult to see, although you can tell it was a little breezy. After that it was off to get lunch and then to Hither Hills beach. There was some confusion as to whether the beach was closed once the lifeguards went off duty so we didn’t stay too long.

We spent some time laughing at Jake, who doesn’t like the water too much, but did enjoy chasing the seagulls around.

If that wasn’t enough excitement, Libby and Peter treated the kids to ice cream on the way home.

Just got home from a long day trip

Libby, Pete, and all five kids were in their van which pulled into their driveway just before our car with Jeanette, dad, Dori and I pulled in.

Ada ran out of the van to tell us:

Jake was crying because he was tired and now he’s crying because he is confused.

New York Trip Day 3

Just 20 minutes away from Libby’s house the inside car lights and other electronic doo dads suddenly went out so I knew that my alternator just bit the dust. Unfortunately, it was 2:00 am and we were on the Northern State Parkway at the time.

Almost!

Jeanette and I ended up having to push the car up into a Holiday Inn parking lot while Helena steered the car into a parking space. Luckily she has practiced her driving at Valleyfair this year so she did pretty well.

Anyway, Libby was called and came to get us in her van and we arrived at her place around 3:00 am.

Later that day my father and Dori also came to Libby’s. I have no idea why, but I have no photos of us that day. We ate, played badminton and basketball, got a bit of sleep and played with Sofia and Jake.

New York Trip Day 2

We stayed in London, Ontario, about two hours from the border crossing and two hours from Niagara Falls where we would cross back into the United States.

Another car like ours was parked adjacent to ours and we posed in front of it because it seemed so much nicer.

After only a slight detour because of a missed highway, we arrived at Niagara Falls.

Ada found the tourist pamphlets that she likes so much and loaded up.

Once back in the United States, we made our way to Rochester to see where I went to college and to where I used to work – Salvatore’s Pizza on East Main. It has changed a lot but they have photos up of what it looked like when I was there. We also had ourÂ first half moon cookie there.

From there we went to the Erie Canal in Pittsford.

And whenever I go back to New York, I end up missing the grocery stores there because they are so poor here in Minneapolis.

We left Rochester after 7:30 pm to begin the last leg of the drive to Long Island. It was all going so well until ….

New York Trip Day 1

We left the house at 7:00 am, but an hour later the kids were already sleeping.

We drove to Manitowoc, WI to take the ferry across Lake Michigan. Here we are before the kids knew that we were going to take the ferry. Actually, while waiting in a line of cars to get onto the boat, I was complaining to the kids about the traffic jam.

The SS Badger

While waiting for departure on a nice afternoon, we found the drainage for deck water which we threw apple slices down to see where they would shoot out.

Once the ferry began moving, it was a little rainy and a bit windy so we spent most of the time indoors. Dad “found” two coupons for free sodas (the kids kept going back for illegal refills with no problems) and we had snacks, so we were set for the trip. We even got to see a storm in the distance.

Ada appreciated the outdoors more than the other two.

Arrival inÂ Ludington, Michigan. Warm again.

2014-07-27-19h01m36

From there we drove through Michigan. Right at midnight, we crossed the border at Port Huron into Sarnia, Ontario.

Valleyfair

All three admit that Valleyfair is better at night.

Liam spots a squirrel skeleton and Ada asks,

So if a stick dissolves it turns into a skeleton?

Ada at the Wells Fargo Museum

We’ve gone to this museum from time to time since the kids were little but we’ve never noticed (or it didn’t exist) a machine that takes your photograph and puts it on pretend currency.

We all did it, but Ada’s is our favourite just because she didn’t realise that she wasn’t tall enough to have here photo taken correctly.

And it was such a nice smile!