Off we go again…

April 20, 2013October 23, 2018 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

On Thursday 2 May we are heading off on another adventure. The purpose of this trip is to take Ian’s three grandsons to DisneyWorld in Florida. Kayden is 13, Blake 11 and Jai is 7 perfect ages for such an adventure. During the two 18 day trip we will visit the big apple, NYC and Las Vegas.

Trip Info so far:
18 days travel
Flying United Airlines all legs of trips (Avg ticket $1500) Booked through expedia.com.au
Staying LaQuinta Inn Florida ($60 per night) and New York ($130) Booked directly on LQ site

Niagara Falls and beyond

August 28, 2012October 23, 2018 Ange Bowman2 Comments

Niagara Falls

On Saturday 18th August we set off to collect our second car from W34 St(near Penn Station) and drive to Buffalo NY. Apart from needing to take a larger car (Kia Sorrento) due to no smaller cars being available getting out of Manhattan was relatively easy.

Within an hour the madness of NYC was well behind us and we were headed upstate New York. Sarah and Dan were spending their last few hours in NYC visiting ground zero before flying home. Charlie and Megs also left today for San Francisco before heading down to LA for their last week.

The day driving was pleasant it was nice to be out on the road again, we found a hotel in Rochester which would allow us to visit Niagara for the day and head towards Vermont. Hotels in the Niagara/Buffalo area are very expensive in the summer so we headed to Watertown for our next night.

Maple at Sugar Bush Farm

Niagara was just as beautiful and amazing as the last time I visited. Mum really enjoyed our day there with the Maid on the Mist ride under the falls being a highlight. After walking around the parklands and viewing both the American and the Horseshoe Falls we hit the road again. The weather was perfect for the visit not too hot and walking around the parks was pleasant.

Ben and Jerry’s Ice-cream

After Watertown we headed further north to Plattsburgh NY were we overnighted before taking the ferry across to Burlington Vermont (VT) unfortunately we were too early for the fall colour but it was still very pretty and one can only imagine what the fall season would be like. After wandering around Burlington for a few hours we headed to Watertown to take the Ben and Jerry’s (Ice-cream Factory) tour which was okay and a good story. After the tour we checked in to our White River Junction hotel which near Sugar Bush Maple and Cheese Farm, we tried many cheeses and made purchases to bring home.

It was a very pretty area and the farm was very authentic, and did not have the usual touristy shine to it. The drive is was worth the time in itself. One could imagine this place in winter with snow everywhere and the horses pulling the slay from tree to tree to collect the maple syrup.

After our tour we were Maine bound to experience all it had to offer. We drove up to Berlin Maine (ME) which is about 2 hours above Portland ME. After checking in we drove around to Penobscot Bay and took in the sights, dinner was at the best lobster place ever.

$17 for a great lobster dinner

We both had a whole lobster which set us back a whopping $17 each. Although probably not as good as our lobsters they were pretty close and the price is definitely right. After a restful night in our hotel overlooking the harbour we set off for Portland via the prettiest place in Maine, Camden. We booked a harbour tour of the Porland light Houses and a trolly tour of the district which included a visit to one the oldest still functioning light house. After yet another full lobster for dinner ($14 each this time) at XXXX we then set of in the evening for our hotel near the Kittery Outlet Mall where we planned to do our final shopping.

Camden Maine

Foggy Camden Maine

Our shopping done we headed to Boston where we planned to spend two days seeing the sights. We checked into the Bulfinch Hotel near TD Gardens in Boston. This was a great hotel and well within walking distance of everything that we needed including stop 4 of the ‘Old Town Trolley’ the hop on hop off tour which included a cruise around the Harbour.

We enjoyed both tours and got off at Stop 7 (near the Cheers Bar) and walked the freedom trail back to Quincy markets. Along the way we saw Mrs Mallard and her ducklings (the bronzes not the real ones), the swan boats and the frog pond (no frogs I am pleased to report).

The Floating Restaurent that saved
Portland Docks

The Boston common is a great place to spend time and there were many people spending time in the gardens playing sports, walking dogs and chasing children. All walked out we boarded our boat for a cruise around the harbour, this was made interesting by great guide who added good humour to his narration.

Oldest still operating Light House
Portland Maine

After the cruise it was time to head home neither of use were hungry so we picked up some bagels and coffee from Dunkin Donuts for a light dinner before turning exhausted from all the walking.

Bulfinch Hotel – Flatiron building
Our Hotel Boston

With only two nights before flying home and given that it was going to be a long flight(s) (including getting from NY to LA) then straight on (after 4 hour layover LA) to our long haul home we decided to spend the last two nights near JFK.

This gave me time to return the rental car and for us to reorganise all the bags to ensure they come in under the 23kg limit. This really turned out to be our only real rest day in the last month so it was certainly good to spend the day resting.

As I write this is our last night all the bags are packed and we are watch the hurricane (Isaac) in the Gulf on the weather channel. We will be in the clear by the time it sends heavy rain up the coast.

Tomorrow we wing our way home after a great trip that couldn’t have gone more smoothly for everyone. All other travellers are home and back at work and we look forward to joining them at home and catch our breath. This will be probably our last trip the USA for a while there is so much of the world left to see.

Mrs Mallard and her ducklings

Facts:
Car One Kia Forte 1280 Miles
Car Two Kia Sorrento 1800 miles
Fuel- Between 3.33g(South) to 4.09g(North)
Stayed in many hotels including La Quinta, Best Western, Comfort Inn and Holiday Inn Express – all less $100 per night booked on hotwire.com (most time great breakfast included)
No one in the United States drives at the speed limit

The are only 10 states left in the USA that I have not visited, they may have to wait awhile but I am determined to visit them in next few years.

Frog Pond Boston Common

Thanks for following our journey and all the positive feedback you have sent me.

Only frogs at the frog pond

Apologies for any grammatical and spelling errors. No time on the road to proof posts, I may go back one day and correct any errors.

A little further north and the Big Apple

August 21, 2012July 1, 2017 Ange Bowman1 Comment

Sarah and my favourite
Cracker Barrel breakfast

After the disney experience it was time for a whole new experience …driving. Obviously the 1000s of miles I have navigated while Ian has driven over here paid off. Driving on right felt as natural as driving at home it is funny how easily one can adapt when immersed in experiences. We set off from the Avis rental agency at the Hilton Hotel at downtown disney, all very smooth and within minutes we were on the interstate (I90) and headed north to Charleston South Carolina. We had a break at first Cracker Barrel we came across and my eggs in a basket were sensational and really hit the spot.

One of many stately homes Charelston

The drive was uneventful apart from driving through some of the heaviest rain I have ever seen when we were about 80 miles from Charleston, of course it was on the section of road that was two way traffic (used to that as that all we have at home) fortunately I was able stick to the tailgate of a semi ahead, if he made a mistake I was going to be making the same one as he was all I could see. Eventually the rain cleared and we found ourselves in Charleston at about 6pm just time to find a hotel and get some rest.

The following morning we headed into downtown to the Charleston City Markets to take a carriage ride around Charleston with Old South Carriage Tours. This was the best 90 minutes of the day we were able to hear about the history, the homes and Charleston in general. Charleston is a place certainly worthy of more time to explore, such a rich history but also a pretty place to visit.

After our tour and with more storms threatening we headed for our next over night stop at Dunn North Carolina, this was just a stopover so we didn’t explore further than to have dinner at the Brass Lantern Steak house this was good but as usual the serves are way too big, could have fed a family off my plate.

The next planned tour was the plantation of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello Plantation near Charlotte North Carolina. This was an outstanding tour made even more special by our guide that took us through the house and provided us with so much information about this amazing man. This man was so forward thinking, an early adopter and in his words ‘a farmer’. He may have been;

Representative to House of Burgesses from Albemarle County – 1769-1776
Delegate to Continental Congress – 1775-1776 and 1783-1784
Appointed Minister to negotiate treaties with Barbary States and various European nations – 1784
Member of Virginia House of Delegates – 1776-1779
Governor of Virginia – 1779-1781
Minister Plenipotentiary to France – 1785-1789
US Secretary of State – September 26, 1789 – December 31, 1793
Vice President of the United States – March 4, 1797 – March 4, 1801
President of the United States – March 4, 1801 – March 4, 1809

Not to mention writing Declaration of Independence but whenever asked for his occupation he always listed farmer.

We checked in to our hotel nearby with score of 2 for 2 on great tour to give us a snapshot of life in the south.

Day four of our little road trip found us in the Amish district in Pennsylvania we took a little drive around the district, up and down the lanes and saw many of the Amish people going about their business. This is my third visit here and it gets prettier every time. We stayed in Lancaster and just a few yards down the road we booked for a tour of the farms, an Amish home and a couple of their Amish business run from farms. The tour was very informative and provided a great insight to the lives of the Amish and how they assimilate with ‘the english’ the name Amish give to everyone that is not Amish. We made some purchases at the two businesses and really enjoyed the tour of the farm and the house, although seen one farm see them all.

Now the last two hours of the drive into Newark to return the car, then catch train from Newark airport to Penn Station Manhattan. The train ride was okay and Penn station is as always hot and crowed and confusing but never the less we found our way out grabbed a cab and were checked into the Chelsea Savoy on corner 23rd and 7th Ave by about 6pm. The kids had checked in earlier and had already been to Outback steak house (just up street) for lunch. We decided we too would go there for our dinner which was good. A good night sleep was in order. We made a leisurely start to the day headed to Macy’s just a few blocks away for a browse and then off to to pick up Hop on Hop off bus ticket, we decided to take the downtown loop for the rest of the day. This was okay although it kept raining on us and guide was less than informative.

Day two we had tickets to a Yankees versus Texas Rangers baseball game at Yankee stadium. We were meeting up with others at the game. Before we headed to the game we spent the morning in Macy’s and generally wandering around.

At midday it was time to get the subway system worked out and get to the game. After one false start I now have the subway sort and it is definitely the best way to get around.

We arrived at Yankees Stadium 30 minutes after leaving our hotel. The stadium is unbelievable and we have nothing that compares to how well they handle big crowds. Food and drink and bathroom facilities are plentiful and there is little waiting at anytime.

The game was great and we had the best seats. Yes we had hotdogs, fries covered in cheese and ice-cream out of little baseball caps. The trip home was uneventful after we waited for about 20 minutes for the crowds to clear in the subway station. The subway trains are so clean they leave ours for dead. Our stations are cleaner but their carriages are spotless. There is a subway station on almost every corner block.

Our last day in New York we did the Brooklyn loop on our hop on hop off tour took a walk through central park and visited the underground Apple store. As everyone going separate ways Saturday we had dinner at a great BBQ place near our hotel Hill Country BBQ. Sarah and Dan heading home tomorrow, Charlie and Megan headed to San Francisco and LA before heading home in a few days. We on the other hand are embarking on another road trip to take in one of the main purposes of the trip taking mum to Niagara Falls.

Where the magic happens…. Disney

August 13, 2012July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

Our time in Vegas had come to an end Chris and Sam headed back to Hawaii for a couple of days before heading home. Mum and I left for Orlando at 5pm after one last buffet lunch with Charlie and Megan at the Paris Paris.

Charlie, Megan, Sarah and Dan were due to fly overnight and arrive at 10am. We all met again at the Royal Caribbean Resort and were delight that we had been upgraded to a beach view room complete with hammocks (no time to try them and Charlie couldn’t get in it anyway).

Sarah Dan mum and I headed out to Epcot around 3pm for a look at this park, the Disney World shuttle buses make getting around a breeze. Mum and I walked as long as were could and decided to head home about 6pm before the rains came. Dan and Sare got soaked waiting to get their pictures taken with some character and came home looking like drowned rats. After a short nap (well Charlie and Megs had a long nap) we decided to walk over to the main resort building for late dinner (9.30pm). Everyone pretty tired by this time.

Day 2 we set off to Magic Kingdom Park, mum and I decided to head out later in the day so we could stick it through to the end and the fireworks. We were able to get a really great viewing area for the Disney Character parade, although it was really hot at the time of the parade, thankfully it cooled down a bit later on. The others that had set off early to the park then went home in middle of the the day for sleeps. They all appeared back in time for the parade and the final show of the night. We located an excellent viewing area at about 5.30 pm and set up to wait it out until the fireworks the others joined us later and took advantage of the great spot we had secured.

It was decided (not sure who’s bright idea it was) to go to the Animal Kingdom park at opening at 9am so that we could do the animals safari ride while the animals were still active in the cooler hours. This was as great this time as it was last time. Everyone enjoyed this and we saw loads of animals. Then it was time to do the ‘ It tough to be a bug’ 3D show this too was every good as I remember and the first timers were surprised by the interactive parts of this attraction.

Mum and I then took in the Lion King show before heading home for a well earned rest. The other finished some of the rides and headed home via the water park where they swam for awhile.

Everyone getting pretty tired by this time but we were all keen for a steak dinner so we headed to Downtown Disney to locate a restaurent meal of some description, everyone done with burger, chicken strips and fries. After survy a couple of the information staff Sarah established that Paridso was the place to eat, this we did after a half hour wait for the table. The food was good and everyone enjoyed their meal. The salad dressing was a highlight although if you asked Charlie it would have been his filet mignon.

Day 4 saw Mum and I headed to the Hilton near Downtown Disney to collect our rental car and set to New York (more on that later). The others had their final park to see which was the Universal Studios, this I think may have been their favourite park with Animal Kingdom a close second. All in all everyone enjoyed the Disney World experience but everyone looking forward easier days ahead with little or NO walking.

Dan drove Sarah, Megs and Charlie to Miami where they checked into the Fontainebleau for the next few days of lots of relaxing and swimming planned before they fly to New York.

Flying in and the birthday dinner…

August 5, 2012April 19, 2018 Ange Bowman2 Comments

Flying(Qantas) via Hawaii proved to be a good move, flight was over in no time at all, dinner after boarding then slept until breakfast time just before landing. We had a 3 hours stopover and after clearing customs we collected the bags checking them through for our next flight. Time for a coffee and bit of a walk around before we boarded for the next leg to Los Angeles, another uneventful flight apart for about half an hour of mild turbulence we landed at LAX at 9pm US time. I am starting to understand how LAX works now and we were able to locate the shuttle pickup area pretty quickly. Within an hour of landing we were in our hotel ordering a room service dinner.

Day two found us up early our flight to Las Vegas set to take off at 8.30am we calmly and without hassle made our way through checkin and security. We had breakfast before heading to our gate and boarded shortly after. We were seated next to a very nice Las Vegas preacher he was interesting and interested in Australia’s housing, economy and the cost fuel etc. He owned a modern six bedroom home in North Las Vegas worth half as much as our new unit.

Home for next 4 nights

After landing and a short cab ride we arrived at the Trump International hotel. Room 2623 was to be our home for the next few days and what a home it is!!

View from our room

We headed down to meet others arriving via limo at about 3pm. Sarah had a rough flight due to feeling miserable with a cold (made worse by everyone else sleeping so peacefully) but the others were ok (due to all the sleep, benefits of being shift-workers I guess)

Not an every day breakfast

We skipped dinner and turned in for an early night, decided in buffet breakfast at the Bellagio, I over indulged on the biscuits and gravy and the bacon. I love the bacon here and definitely no lunch needed.

We met Dan and Sarah and headed to the North Premium Outlet mall (suppose to be the best of the two $14 approx. cab ride). We made couple of purchase but Dan did very well after making do with no new clothes for ages so he could buy whole new wardrobe on this trip, he has made a good start on day one.

It reached 105F at 4.30pm with more on the way each day of our stay. Heat not worrying us even with the humidity due to evening thunderstorms threatening.

At 4pm Kim from Cake Designs delivered the cake I ordered before leaving Australia, it was perfect and Charlie was blown away.

The Birthday Dinner

The plan was to meet near Bellagio Buffet at 5pm, lucky for us Charlie had VIP status (This what happens when you book a penthouse apparently) which allowed us to use the express line (good thing as the other line snaked all around the casino) after being seat the eating began, just imagine every thing you like to eat and more, thats the Bellagio Buffet all for $36 per head. One word SENSATIONAL. The staff made a cake out of carrot cake slices and sang happy birthday for Charlie, he was embarrassed but every join in the fun.

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Facts and Figures:
Flight 1 – Qantas QF3 good flight great meals 9 hours 45 mins
Flight 2 – American AA2592 food for sale – chicken salad very good $10.00 free drinks. No checked baggage charge
Hotel 1 – Hacienda Hotel and Conference Centre, $80 with $26 for two rib dinners, free shuttle to and from airport – other eating places nearby and suits for stopovers- Suited our needs
Flight 3 – Southwest – only airline not to charge for checked bags
Hotel 2 – Trump International five star booked through hotwire.com average $99.00 per night. Plenty of Pluses and just one Minus they do charge a resort fee of $25 per day which includes wifi, pool and day spa access. (not sure if it is optional)

89 – the number of time Charlie was carded for ID.
45 – the number times the staff member wished him happy birthday and said “aren’t you lucky you came today” as if it wouldn’t be planned

He had a dream…..

August 1, 2012April 6, 2024 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

How is it? Sarah is the only one who
looks the same

A 14-year-old had a dream seven years ago to return to Las Vegas to celebrate his 21st birthday.

They acted the goat
for the whole trip

Who said dreams don’t come true if you keep dreaming. Here we sit waiting for our flight to the so long ago dreamed about celebration.

Charlie is a lot younger and
the parents a lot thinner

Charlie is lucky to have so many of his family and friends making the journey to celebrate his 21st.

To those at home they will not be forgotten with a Skype party to mark the occasion.

Sarah meets Jerry

The planning gets serious now….

July 6, 2012 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

Mum and I are booked to leave Australia on the 1st August. We are flying Qantas via Hawaii (first visit for both of us) although stopover time does not allow for any sight-seeing, it will be fun to fly in and out just the same.

All travellers in our party are arriving in Las Vegas on 2nd August ready to celebrate Charlie’s 21st birthday on the 3rd August.

With only 26 days before we leave I am starting to get bookings sorted at least for the couple main things. Disney World in florida booked and I will book the Vegas section of the trip later this week. We are staying at the Caribbean in DisneyWorld (kids wanted to stay here – we stayed there 7 years ago when we took them).

Planning has begun for 2012 Trip

January 13, 2012 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

Oh what a year, wedding (Sarah and Dan) in May, a new home in Parramatta, and trip to Las Vegas for Charlie’s 21st then to Niagara Falls (promised mum I take her if she had knees done – new knees installed and ready to travel).

The rough plan is;
1st August Fly Los Angeles via Hawaii
2nd August August arrive Las Vegas (for Charlie’s 21st)
6th August Orlando -Walt Disney World
10th August Drive Orlando to Washington
12th Arrive Washington DC
14th August Train to New York
19th August driving through NY State, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine – Includes Niagara Falls
3rd Sept August Return Car JFK
4th Sept Fly Home

Looking for suggested things to see and do in the above mentioned places. Also love to hear any recommendations for the places to see and places to eat.

Our Last Week

September 3, 2011July 1, 2017 Ange BowmanLeave a comment

We have arrived back in Abilene from our wonderful Aspen trip. We are spending this week enjoying the family and getting our gear sorted for the trip home. A few more gifts to secure then its back to Dallas to catch our flight home Saturday.

We feel very fortunate to have had such a wonderful holiday with so many highlights and great experiences.

We are now looking forward to heading home to see family and and catch up with friends. Oh I almost forgot… and get back to work.

House hunting is on the agenda as we have to find a new home in the first few weeks, the owner of our unit wants to move back in at the end of our lease (got this news the day before we left home). We will stay in North Parramatta so unit hunting will begin day one.

Ian is keen to get back to work after his enforced three month layoff. The rest has done him the world of good and he is really motivated about the future and looking forward to getting back in the game.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have read and provided such great feedback on this blog. The main purpose of the blog is to record our holiday notes but it is fun to be able to share this with family, friends and anyone who is interested in my ramblings.