Our 2023 Road Trip
This page was last updated on August 17, 2023.
Free and Easy (Down the Road
I Go)
Hopefully
Motel 6 will leave the light on for us!
Linda
& Ron
Our tentative route plan has us crossing into Ontario at Port Huron.
Updated July 14, 2023
August 17, 2023
(Day 40)
Happy Birthday, Ron!
Tasting some wines with Paul and Rolando at Portteus Winery
This area (Yakima Valley) produces 70% of all hops used in the US and over 40% of all hops worldwide. August 16, 2023
Remember this the next time you hoist a "Coldie" with your "Mates."
(Day 39)
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Billings, MT |
August 11, 2023
(Day 34)
on I94 outside of Bismarck, ND, Geese in Flight is visible from I-94, standing 110 feet tall and 150 feet wide. In 2002, it was recognized as the world's largest scrap metal sculpture by the Guinness Book of World Records.
We stopped at the Painted Canyon overlook at Teddy Roosevelt National Park. August 9, 2023
This is part of the North Dakota Badlands.
Linda got this groovy bison shirt!
(Day 32)
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"We got half way across North Dakota today and will spend the next two nights in the capitol, Bismarck. |
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Minnesota and North Dakota are pretty flat, the day was filled with miles and miles of corn and sunflowers punctuated only by grain silos and highway construction barriers. |
August 8, 2023
(Day 31)
We arrived in Minnesota yesterday and are staying in Alexandria Birthplace of America
for 2 days. This will give us a chance to relax and catch up on laundry.
The women are strong, the men are good looking, and the children above average.
(Garrison Keillor.)
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Minnesota is the last state to still have 3-2 beer laws (who remembers those?) |
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"Big Ole" a 28 ft statue in Alexandria celebrates the mistaken belief that Vikings landed in this part of Minnesota in the 12th century. |
August 6, 2023
(Day 29)
(August 4) From New York we crossed into Ohio where we spent the night in Millbury. Today, (August 6) At the 50,000-mile mark on the odometer we crossed from Illinois into Wisconsin. August 3, 2023
On August 5 we traveled through part of Indiana (including South Bend) and spent the night in Napierville, IL.
Here we are with Buckingham Ulysses "Bucky" Badger, mascot of the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
(Day 26)
We leave Lewiston tomorrow (August 4) and start our journey west.
Here is the tentative route for our trip home, it may change as we go.
August 1, 2023
(Day 24)
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Getting ready to leave Pickering. |
After crossing into New York State we made a beeline for Apple Granny in Lewiston and the chicken wings we 've been craving since we were last here in 2006.
They were worth the 3,000 mile drive.
July 31, 2023
(Day 23)
On Saturday (July 29) Steve and Leeanne treated the family to a BBQ. Steve manned the BBQ. Corn, ribs, and chicken joined the salads and desserts inside. Steve and Leeanne working on the salads Monica's "Boys" Sons and Grandson. Chris, Steve, and Steve's perfect children. Chris with is wife, Chrissy.
Marley was infatuated with Ron.
Ron, Monica and Linda enjoyed a BBQ on the roof garden of the condo on Sunday night, July 30.
Ron shows his cooking skills, up on the roof of Monica's condo.
Here are Ron and I up on the roof. Frenchman's Bay (part of Lake Ontario) is in the background.
From up here you can see the Pickering Nuclear Power Plant in the distance.
July 27, 2023
(Day 19)
On Wednesday (July 26) Monica and I went to Bollocks Pub in Oshawa to listen to the band, Two for the Show, while Monica danced. July 25, 2023
Two for the Show played an entertaining mix of Rock and Country Rock.
(Day 17)
After leaving Owen Sound we trevelled to Pickering to spend a few days with Monica at her condo. She has a birds-eye view of one of the busiest highways in Canada, The 401. Monica and I took our morning exercise in the pool in her condo. On Tuesday afternoon (July 25) we visited with my brother and his wife, Mary. July 21, 2023 Here we are with our friends the Mollons in Owen Sound. On Friday afternoon (July 21) we enjoyed a glass of wine and a charcuterie at Coffin Ridge Winery, the first winery on the Niagara Escarpment. July 20, 2023 On Tuesday (July 17) We checked into the Days Inn in Port Huron, MI. This is our last US stop for the next couple of weeks. We crosser the Blue Water Bridge from Michigan into Canada on the 19th. This map shows ther route to Pickering. July 17, 2023 I thought I would pause in the road log and let you know how we are travelling.
Since we sold the motorhome, we are staying in motels along the way. Here is a sample of dinner, orange chicken and fried rice from Walmart. We have had two of these types of meals from there and they were very good and inexpensive. Back to our travel progress: Today (July 17) We left Iowa and crossed Illinois and part of Indiana.
Later on Monday we crossed into Michigan. July 14, 2023 On Thursday (July 13) we crossed into South Dakota early in the morning. On Friday (July 14) we crossed into Iowa (Possibly the flatest place on earth.) July 12, 2023 After spending our first night of travel in Spokene, WA we crossed into Idaho mid morning. The panhandle of Idaho is only about 60 miles across, so we crossed into Montana before lunch.
Shortly after crossing into Montana we crossed the Continental Divide at Homestake Pass.
On Tuesday (July 11) we spent the better part of the day crossing Montana, no wonder it's called "Big Sky Country."
Mary cooked a wonderful dinner and Ken give us a tour of his 3D printer collection.
(Day 13)
(Day 12)
The motel had a lovely patio area where we could relax with a beer and enjoy a quiet dinner.
From Sarnia, Ont we travelled to Owen Sound to stay with friends for a few days.
Updated July 20, 2023
(Day 9)
Usually as reputable as we can find while sticking to a budget. So far, they have all been reasonable with only exception, the Motel 6 in Davenport, IA was disappointing.
Some motels include breakfast, but they usually cost a little more and the breakfasts are not worth the extra money. At one time we would have things like eggs, bacon, pancakes, etc., but now it is just sugary cereal and mini muffins.
We carry milk and whey powder, yogurt, and our own cream since powered creamer is what the hotels usually offer for breakfast when it is not provided by the motel.
We have lunch at highway rest stops, usually a sandwich and fruit.
For dinner we pick up cooked food at supermarkets and heat it in the motel microwave (all rooms have them.)
Eating this way costs about a third of what restaurants would cost.
We are staying in Benton Harbor tonight and head for Port Huron tomorrow.
From Port Huron we cross into Canada at Sarnia and head for Owen Sound.
(Day 6)
My sister, Monica, has complained that there were not enough pictures of us, so we took this instead of the usual highway sign."
A little past this is the geographical center of the US. We are technically in the east, but it still looks pretty western to me.
We'll be spending at least one night in Missouri Valley, IA on the border with Blair, NE.
(Day 4)
We ended the day in Gillette, WY where we rested for 2 days.
Tomorrow, (July 13) we head to Oacoma, South Dakota for a night.
