July 19--Sweet Home Carolina

Ashlynn loved going through this tunnel coming out of the Scranton area heading toward Philadelphia.











The reason for our trip through Philly was to visit the Mutter Museum. The museum "was founded to educate future doctors about anatomy and human medical anomalies. Today, it serves as a valuable resource for educating and enlightening the public about our medical past and telling important stories about what it means to be human" (http://www.collphyphil.org/mutter_hist.htm). You should check out the website and take the virtual tour. Very interesting. This is Ashlynn holding her new keychain after visiting the museum. It's a nose and when you squeeze it, stuff comes out.








We were supposed to stay in DC with some friends of Angel's, but had to take a raincheck on that because they had to leave town for a funeral. We drove through Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, but didn't stop for pictures at the welcome centers because we were trying to get home before too long. We finally make it to the border of SC ! Home! We stopped at the welcome center to get a picture of the illuminated welcome sign and to use the bathrooms (they're called washrooms in Canada). Guess what we saw on the sidewalk? A palmetto bug (you may call them roaches, but here in the Palmetto State, it's a palmetto bug). How fitting.


We rolled into the drive about 1 am, and just as we did, the light came on to indicate the gas tank was almost empty!

It's been a great trip, but the girls and I are glad to be back home. Thanks to all who have kept up with our blog and especially to all of you who have taken care of us along the way. It's been a terrific and adventurous 37 days.

July 18--Niagara, NY, and PA

On our way back to the States, we figured it would be ridiculous to drive right past Niagara and not stop.











After a trip to Build A Bear Workshop to find an outfit Ashlynn's been searching for (we did find the scuba suit), we spent a little time at the Ripley's Believe It or Not museum.










Then we found the falls. We visited the American side a few years ago when Angel, her parents, and Ashlynn went to Ohio to visit her Aunt Lyn. This is the part of the falls they saw from the American side.









And this is Horseshoe Falls, the best part.













Here are both falls together. Angel tends to agree, however, with Oscar Wilde's thought on the falls:

"The Niagara Falls is simply a vast amount of water going the wrong way over some unnecessary rocks; the sight of that waterfall must be one of the earliest and keenest disappointments in American married life."

And we're on the way home! The officer at the border was a bit taken back by how much stuff was packed into our car, but we did not have to unpack and go though it all. Thank goodness!










This is one sign Angel never thought she'd be so happy to see!












We made it to Pennsylvania for the night.













We were able to enjoy a Fribble from Friendly's we've heard so much about from Candy and Damon. Very tasty and highly recommended.

July 17--Last Day

We saw this sign earlier in the week and thought it would make a great picture.












We had supper with Don at Samura's Japanese Restaurant.












Well, the car's all packed for the trip home. Ashlynn's showing how she's got just enough room to sit for the drive. The car did seem to tilt a little to the right.

July 16--Science Center

This is the Science Center (or should I say, Centre) in Toronto.

















Ashlynn raced against this boy in the wheelchair race and won (with a little help from the other boy, who helped spin the wheels faster for her). There was a large section devoted to Olympic games.









Another large section was a "Journey to Mars" exhibit. Ashlynn found that walking on Mars is not as easy as walking on Earth!
















I think she and I would make a great team driving on Mars.












And aren't we both so handsome in our space suits?

July 15--Children's Museum 2

Here we are at the Children's Museum in Kitchener. Ashlynn had a great time!

July 14--ROM

We made a trip into Toronto to go to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). Ashlynn decided that she loves riding the subway!












Here she is all dressed up like a medieval knight in the children's discovery section of the ROM.

















Hmm... we've seen a lot of monkey skeletons on this trip.











Angel, Ashlynn, and DJ made a trip to the ROM four years ago when they came to Canada. Angel has a picture of Ashlynn standing by this same mummy from that trip.











She's a butterfly!

Things you won't see down South

(Poutine is french fries covered in cheese curds and gravy.)