End of Trip

So Today brought a close an amazing trip. I have had the opportunity to travel with my Great Grandfather across the USA. Not many 18yr olds can say that. I would do it again in a heartbeat...well give me a week of horseback riding then I can go again.

There were some wrong turns, sometimes bad weather but the good always outweighed the bad. I talked to strangers (they don't bite). The people I met were very nice and I hope we keep in contact. I became a songwriters #1 fan, shook fins with a dolphin, survived the metro, got drenched in Niagara Falls` water, parked within 6ft of a bison, drove over 10,000 miles. All of it was interesting but most of all the experience was PRICELESS.

Thank you to everyone that followed along with Walter and I. This trip wasn`t just Walter and I though it was also being watched over by my Uncle Jack (John Martin). I wish he could have been in the car with us, laughing and stopping at DQ for shakes, standing in the breadline with us. Even though Uncle Jack wasn't there in person I know he was making sure that this trip was a hell of a good time.


TTFTLT (Ta-Ta for The Last Time),
Ashley and Walter

Day Fifty-One: Tonapah, NV & Day Fifty-Two: HOME

Yesterday we did the Extraterrestrial Highway wearing our foil hats. It was a perfect ending to an amazing trip.

Instead of staying the night in Reno, NV then making the short drive home we are just going to drive straight through. Walter and I are excited to be heading home and we are glad our trip was a success.

Here are some Alien Pictures

 

 

 

TTFN,

Ashley

 



Day Forty-Nine and Fifty: Elko,NV and Ely,NV

Yesterday was a long drive and with the hotel we stayed at (Super 8 in Rexburg, ID) neither of us got much sleep. There were college kids running around, little kids up and down the hallway. Do I sound like an aggravated adult yet? We called the front desk and asked if they could call upstairs..it was quiet for about an hour then got loud again. This wasn't at a decent hour either I am talking about 11:30pm, 2am, 5am.  Walter drove the whole way so today I drive all day.

Sorry for my complaining. Went to Wells, NV for lunch and got the car washed by some volleyball girls doing a fundraiser for new nets and uniforms. I think they did a better job then some of the drive thru washes we have been to. Got checked into our hotel then went and bought some items for the remaining few days. Got back to hotel and vegged out in front of YouTube videos and reading.

Today we are headed to Ely, NV which isn't as long a drive as yesterday. Just a driving day then the fun begins on Monday. Why you ask oh because we will be on the extraterrestrial Highway. Aliens beware.. you are in for a scare from the Red Devil and Riders.


TTFN,
Ashley

Day Forty-Five Through Forty-Eight: Hardin, Mt & Livingston, MT & Rexburg,ID

Sorry guys past two days were driving then today we spent 3 hours in Yellowstone.

Driving the past two days were short trips which was nice seeing as we are winding down the days of the trip. Yesterday we drove into Bozeman, MT so Walter could get a hat made. We also went to a hobby shop then the theater to see Despicable Me 2. Which if you haven't seen it yet Go Now. It was adorable.

Now today, what we have been driving to see...Old Faithful. That's right this lady right here in all her watery glory. We showed up 4min before she shot up making it the perfect time to squeeze my little self into the almost front row and take some amazing pictures.

 

 

That is not all we saw in Yellowstone. Less than 10ft from the car we got to see a bison nibbling on a tree. There were some elk just chilling in this grassy area as well.

 

   

 

Tomorrow we leave to go to Elko, NV so it will be a long drive starting at 8am.

 

 

TTFN,

 

Ashley

 



Day Forty-Three/Forty-Four: Spearfish, South Dakota

Yesterday was another driving day to get tithe other side of Nebraska. Today we drive to Spearhead, South Dakota. We get to Mount Rushmore then drive in to get to hotel.

Only 8 days till we got home which is hard to believe. We have seen so much and I am happy that this trip was able to happen. 

Look back this evening to see pictures of Mount Rushmore.

 

TTFN,

Ashley

Day Forty-One and Forty-Two: Grinnell,IA

So I have driven over several state lines this past week. All we have been doing is driving.

We are now only 2 hours ahead of home which is nice.

10 more days till I can sleep in my own bed (hotel beds aren't as comfy)

So here is a mash-up of the states the past 4 days.

Worlds Largest Truck Stop in Iowa

TTFN,

Ashley

Day Thirty-Nine/Forty

I swear Blogger is hating on my posts lately. Yesterday and today are just driving days.

Driving from Lakeland, Ohio to Valparaiso, Indiana

so another long drive.

Today I will take pictures out my window when not driving.

TTFN,

Ashley

Day Thirty-Eight: Amherst, NY

Today was supposed to be an oil change/ mall day but instead it was Boulevard Mall/ Monsters U movie day.

No pictures today but still had fun. Walt got another mug to add to his collection and I got a free make over (thank you coupons)

TTFN,

Ashley

Day Thirty-Seven: Niagara Falls, NY

Holy crap today was amazing I got soaked and Walter got a little wet. We went on a 4 hour bus tour that took us to all the attractions around Niagara Falls, NY

Here are some of the photos from the Boat ride, Walk to the Falls, Three Sisters Island, Aquarium. All the amazing sites today

Hurricane level

Day Thirty-Six: Amherst, NY

Made it to Amherst, NY at 230pm. It was just a drive day. Been sick the past two days so not much happening. Tomorrow we go to Niagara Falls. The wether isn't all that good but we are supposed to have a break so we will be doing that first.  

Day Thirty-Five: Binghamton, NY

Left out of Carlisle, PA at 10am and arrived in Binghamton, NY at 2pm.

Its pretty hot here but the humidity is less which is nice.

Just a driving day today tomorrow we drive to Amherst, NY and spend three days there to see Niagara Falls.

Day Thirty-Four: Carlisle/ Gettysburg, PA

Today we drove 35mintues from hotel into Gettysburg to spend the day.

We didn't make to the reenactment portion but we did get to walk around to all the little stores and meet some interesting people.

Found lots of interesting out about the battle. Like there was only one civilian shot. July 3rd, 1863 there was a whole museum dedicated to her and her fiancé (a soldier who died 3 days before her).

There was also this building that was all photos of the soldiers. This was both sad and happy. You could actually purchase pictures that didn't have names or anything they were just old time photographs preserved in a card holder.

 

 

Walt and I walked around on the Battlefield before it got to hot out.

 

 

TTFN,

Ashley

 

Day Thirty-Three: Carlisle, PA

Departed from Arlington, VA at 11am and arrived in Carlisle, PA at 2:46pm. 

Had to drive through Maryland to get here which Walter forgot about. 

Overall besides a little traffic and have to so a different driving route all went well. 

Tomorrow we go to Gettysburg to spend the day. 

                                               TTFN,

                                                 Ashley

Day Thirty-Two: Last day of Washington D.C.

Just got back from the most brilliant display of fireworks. Took metro to Capitol South and walked to the sitting area. I found a semi dry spot in the shade to lay my over-shirt on ( I didn't bring a blanket). From 330-830pm I along with what seemed like thousands of others found spots to sit and wait. 9:15pm the show began right on time. The crowd was a little rowdy with chants of U.S.A and screaming but what a magnificent show.

After the finale the fun really began... getting back to the metro without being trampled. Walt and I were lucky as soon as we got on the platform the metro we needed was there so we and hundreds of others piled into the cars. I had some sliver of hope that maybe people wouldn't try to push and shove, scream and yell but, that hope soon vanished as I was jostled around the car until finally our stop came. Jumped off made it out alive (my last time on the metro) and hailed a taxi to get back to hotel.

D.C. and Arlington have been amazing and although it was great I am glad to be moving on to our next stop. Carlisle/ Gettysburg here we come.


I am going to attempt to post two videos of the fireworks on here. If they do not work please comment telling me so I can fix it.

TTFN,

Ashley

Day Thirty-One: Washington D.C.

So after a misunderstanding we made it on the tour bus. The tour didn't really start till 9:45am because the first bus had no air conditioning.

We drove around to a boat load of monuments. These are the ones we were able to get out and take pictures in front of.


Ashley and Famous People:

Eleanor Roosevelt

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Iwo Jima

People of the Depression

Ashley and Jefferson-Thomas Jefferson that is

President Abraham Lincoln

Vietnam Wall

Walt and Ashley standing in the Breadline

Walt and Famous People:

Jefferson and Walter

Depression people and Walt

FDR and Walt

Iwo Jima and Walt

Lincoln and Walt

Some scenery:

Lincoln Memorial outside

TTFN,

Ashley

 

David Hutchings was my Third Cousin his name is on this wall. It might seem like just a name but to me it shows courage, bravery, a real man. People don`t fight wars to die for nothing they fight to make a difference. All these names on this Wall along with other walls are there as a reminder to my generation and those to come that our rights did not come free, that this world, our futures weren`t always as bright. Thank everyone of you that has served in making our future better.