OUR GREAT ADVENTURE Maine July

OUR GREAT ADVENTURE Maine July23, 2004--August 5, 2004

OUR GREAT ADVENTURE

Fourteen days of Adventure with our Family from July 23, 2004 through August 5th, 2004.

Each day we wrote about the previous days activities!

Day 1 July 23, 2004

Summary: We left around 5PM and drove very late into O'Fallon, Illinois where we spent the night with Tim's mother

5:46 PM July 23 : I expect everyone to try hard to have a good trip. I hope we avoid fighting. I expect this to be a great trip. Grandpa

I expect to have a fun time on the trip. I hope we all have a fun at Negara Falls (Niagara Falls) and rafting. I hope that there will be seals on the beach in Maine. Portia

I hope to have a fun time playing cards with everyone. I hope to have very little or no fighting on this trip and most of all I hope Grandpa's gas doesn't kill all of us on the trip!!! Zach

I don't like the seating arrangements. BLAH. I hope we have a fun time playing cards and not fighting. I hope Portia and Grandpa doesn't eat too much lacksatives so the won't fart and blow us all away. Mercedes

I hope to get to drive in the bug. I expect to beat Grandpa in card games. I would like to surprise Mom with how well I drive in the bug. Grant

I hope for lots of laughter. I expect to beat people at cards. I would like to have fun. Grandma

I hope everyone has a great time. I expect everyone to behave themselves. I would like to spend more time alone with Gig. Tim

Grant taking up backseat leaving Grandpa NO where to sit!

Yesterday was long and interesting. We got to Annabel's very late. I let Grant and Zach get a early lead on me in cards. Tim and Linda do not play password well. Grandpa

Yesterday was pain because we didn't do anything expect sleep, drive and play 1 half of O Hell. and I was kind of excited because there were baby deers but I didn't get to see them because I wasn't fast enough! WaWaWa. Mercedes

I saw the first wild animals on the trip...3 deer...also we saw some really nice corvettes. Tim

I hope to see the animals first today. I expect to make fun of Grandpa and get away with it. I would like to play more password. Grant

We played O Hell. Even though we got half way done, it was still pretty fun. Dad saw 3 deer on the side of the road. We were driven mad because of someone's farts. Zach

I didn't get to do anything yesterday except sit in my seat. Portia

It was a long day because we didn't get to Annabel's until 2AM. Had fun playing password. Had some strange clues from John and Grant. Linda

DAY 2 - July24, 2004

Summary: We left around 8:30 AM from Annabel's. We drove to Fort Wayne where we stopped for about two hours and visited Phil Pocock, a baseball friend of Grandpa's. We arrived in Utica, Michigan around 10PM.

Grandpa stunk up the van and sent people flying fro the back to the front! Portia

We went to Grandpa's friend's house and played in the back yard. Grandpa never won a single game of password. When we went to Aunt Nikki's, Andrew showed me a lot of his figurines. Zach

Yesterday Grandpa was so ackting like a dummy because of password I chose bobble as the word because he got a bobble-head. Mercedes

Grandpa's baseball friend Phil , and Ichiro!

Telepathy should be outlawed in password. Dad and Grandma cheated so badly. How do you get smog from dirty? Grant

Visiting Phil was a great treat! I was accused of oderous smells. Linda and Tim were allowed to win at password. My partners gave bad clues! John

Tim and I tromped everybody in password. John smelled up the van. Saw Nikki's family. Nice to see how Andrew is growing up. Grandma

At Nikki's

We saw a lot of cool cars on the road today. Gave John athlete's foot on the head. we tromped him so bad at password. Tim

DAY 3 - July 25,2004

Summary: We left Nikki's and drove to Niagara Falls, Ontario. We spent the afternoon and evening there. We rode the Maid of the Mist and had a good meal.

Wow seeing Nikki was great! Everyone ganged up on me at passsword. I really liked the Maid of the Mist boat ride. A lot of laughing which was great. Linda walked really well. John

I really enjoyed seeing Nikki and their dog. He is so cute and I loved seeing Negara Falls and riding on the Maid of the Mist. I also enjoyed watching the fireworks and Negara lit up with all the different colors. It was so pretty it reminded me of July the 4th. Mercedes

Grandpa hurt me because he did bad in password. I enjoyed being at Nickys. I can't wait to be with mom and get home to paintball and Snickers. Grant

Negara Fallls was really cool and Grandpa kept saying he was going to throw someone over. Grandpa was mad at Grant for losing password. -Zach

It was nice seeing Niki's family again. Linda and I stomped John and everyone he teamed up with in password. Niagara Falls was amazing especially at night. It's hard to imagine that much water going over the Falls that fast. Tim

I thot Niagara Falls was buitifful! It was allmoset the most buitffullest thing I have ever seen in my life, And all the floweres too. Had a fun time....Portia

I enjoyed seeing my daughter and Andy and Andrew who looked really good. Tim and I continue to tromp all over everyone in password. Enjoyed seeing Niagara and boat ride. lots of laughter! Grandma

DAY 4 - July 26, 2004

Summary: We left the Falls and drove to Gigi's in Lewiston, Maine. We stopped for a couple of hours at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York

Cooperstown was incredible. Linda and Tim think they stomped me one day more in password, Grant drove well. Lots of laughter. John

Cooperstown was awesome. The Hall of Fame was really cool. We got to see Reggie Jackson having an interview. Grandpa was the most excited I've seen him in a long time. Zach

I hope that the Wail in the Wail show will splash me. I am so excited. Portia

I did really well when I drove. Mom told me I have poison ivy on my neck and chin. Grandpa still hasn't won even a single game of cards or password. Grant

I almost died by laughter because Grandpa. Two of the funniest was when Grandpa took off his pants and rubbed his but against Grants pillow and when I scratched Grandpa's face. The Baseball Hall of Fame and the cow dressed as a ballplayer and "Babe" Ruth's baseball bat and ball...it was so cool.. Mercedes

Although today was long, it didn't seem all that long. Went to Cooperstown; always nice...Tim and I still dominate. Lots of great laughter, my jaws hurt. Saw Gigi's work place...what a place! Never saw anyone eat so slow as Grant did. Lots more laughter. Good day...Grandma

I hope this trip is interesting and memorable. I expect everyone to be polite, respectful and have fun. I would like to keep fighting to a minimum. Gigi

Still stomping John at password. Very long drive today. Really enjoyed the Baseball Hall of Fame. I was a nice distratiion. Got to see Gigi. Tim

DAY 5 - - July 27, 2004 Whale Watch Day

Summary: We drove to Bar Harbor, took a whale watching cruise, had lobster dinners and then drove to a lodge at The Forks, Maine.

We wrestled in the back where Grandpa tickled Zach and made him kick me. I forgot that two days ago. It took me 30 minutes to eat a single cini-mini from Burger King. We saw Triton who is a humpback whale. Grant

The whales were awesome especially the humpback. The dolphins were really cool. The lobster we had for dinner were awesome. Got to see some really beautiful country on our drive to and from Bar Harbor. Got to spend time with Gigi. Tim

Whale watching was exciting. We got to see close encounters with wild dolphins. Then we ate lobster at the restaurant. Then tragically Grandpa ran over a baby raccoon. How heartless! Zach

It was so cool! I loved the dolphins...were so so cool and pretty. They were jumping up and down out of the water and flipping in the air and they were racing toward the boat. I love um! The whales were really cool too. I like the Triton because of the tale flapping against the water. I have never seen the water spout of an whale and it was like a fountain of water coming out of a a big hole. I have never seen a hole as big as that on a body. I love um too. Mercedes

I like all the dolfins. They where rele cool and the wales and the seels noses that stuk up out of the water and Grandpa ran over a raccoon. Portia

Whales watching was great. Wrestling with Zach and Grant was even better. At least I managed not to lose at password. Ran over a raccoon, felt terrible. Lobster was great also. Zach bit me so hard I am still bleeding. John

All the dolphins running through the waves were great. The whales were large and beautiful. The lobster dinner was so good I couldn't even finish, gave John the rest of mine. Cabin was nice. Lots of fun in the car and Tim drove 95 miles per hour a short time. Grandma

Despite being exhausted from a long night from work, I had a great time seeing my kids being excited watching the whales and dolphins I thought the humpback was incredible! But so was seeing 200 dolphins - what an amazing sight! Wished we had more time in Bar Harbor but I think the kids would have been bored - kind of a tourist trap - more of an adult place at night. The lobster dinner was exactly what I had hoped everyone would experience in Maine - fresh lobster, lobster bibs, lots of laughs. The lodge was nice --pricey but worth it. Gigi

DAY 6 - July 28, 2004 White Water Rafting

We went white watering - 2 "4's". Magic was great! Had a fantastic steak dinner - Tim was allowed to win at 6 handed O Hell. Linda and Sadie did a Tae Kwan Do routine - the video was exceptional...we were all asleep by 9 PM our time - we needed it ( the sleep), Good Day! Fun! John

It was so fun yesterday! We went white water rafting and Mom fell over in the raft. Then we all ate in the local restaurant and Grandpa says it wa some of the best steak he has ever had in a long time. At night we played O Hall and Grandpa still hasn't won a single game of anything this entire vacation. Zachary

Grandpa's losing streak continues - how funny. The white water rafting trip has to be the most exciting thing we have done on the trip. I definitely wanted to go again on something a bit stronger. This was a great first river! The video they shot really captured the moments. Great time! Tim

I got to Kayak with Mom and she kept turning us around. We went through a class 4 rapid called Magic. I had terakey chicken, hot chocolate, fried rice and they were delicious. Grant

Yesterday was so fun. We went white water rafting and we went through a lot of waves, big ones. I got soaked. I was always in the front sitting on the side. We stopped to eat lunch and I had salmon with steak sauce. When CM took off his shirt, mom was like, O La la...lol! There were kayaks that blowed up. They were so cool. I would like to have one myself. I got to ride one myself and with little boy that is going into 3rd grade. I always got caught on the side so I got saved. It was so fun. And yes I did have a good score. Mercedes

I had a fun time raftin. It was so fun. I was in the frunt so I was all whet. I was almost the wettest...Portia

Rafting was a great adventure for all of us. really enjoyed swimming in a class 2 rapids with the boys.. Both boys need to re learn the right/left directions. They can't follow directions for paddling in the kayak very well. Was please that the girls got to enjoy the rapids safely. Had a great dinner at the lodge. Lack of sleep over the past few weeks caught up with me---crashed out at 6Pm -up at 1AM then back to sleep...Gigi

DAY 7 - -July 29, 2004

Summary: We left and drove to Quebec City where we spent the night

I had a fun time in Quebec. i got a very nice necklace and we ate in the oldest restaurant in Quebec City. I got poison ivy. We went out looking for moose but didn't see any. Mercedes

I saw a very nice sword for $45 Canadian in Quebec. I also saw a 55 Catalac with Elvis wheels and playing Elvis music. I also took 2 pictures of the car and some of grandma. Grant

I watched street performers do really hard tricks. We accidentally stumbled upon the oldest restaurant in Quebec. Grandpa also won his first game of password with Mom. Zach

I liked watching street performers. One had a box and he got in a bag and had someone tied it and he got in the box. The she put locks on it and she standed on top of the box and then he came up then...that's all....Portia

The drive to Quebec Was through some beautiful country. Quebec City reminded me of Cassis in the south of France. It was great. We ate at a wonderful restaurant - the oldest one in Quebec. Had great prime rib. Paid $7.10 for a 12 pack of diet pepsi...ouch. John finally won at password. Tim

Enjoyed walking around in Quebec. Bought myself a nice fur hat at the Chateau. Dinner was decent. Trouble finding a nice hotel - fell asleep early... Gigi

John bought me a pair of dream catcher earrings. Quebec was a wonderfully European style city. Had dinner in the oldest restaurant in Quebec. Gigi bought a beautiful hat. Saw lots of street artist and musicians. Took picture of kids with a street statue that was really alive. Finally found a motel...Grandma

Looked for moose...didn't find any! Held up at customs. Quebec City was much nicer than I thought - like I think Europe might be. Lost my temper at dinner...watched John Kerry's acceptance speech... survived the day...John

DAY 8 - July 30, 2004

Summary: We drove from Quebec City to Montreal where we spent the night.

I walked the Grandma and Grandpa in Montreal through a music festival and up to the adult street (Soho). It rained a lot and I saw some cool swords in Chinatown after we walked in the smaller of two indoor malls. There were some good bands in the festival and the last people we saw we really liked and Grandpa took pictures of me in the Adult street that we walked down and in there I saw some awesome bar, a girl threw herself at Grandpa and I saw some people smoking pot...Grant

I got a little mouse that was a ballarrena. It is so cute. We went swimming and we went to some stores. One store had swords and animal fur. Another store had a little bear on a cristle and a little box that had a killer wale on it. And there was a stor that had a $45,000 music box and the stor had things from the old times...Portia

I saw a cool sword in Chinatown. We went swimming in a very nice swimming pool. Portia and Mercedes both got a little mouse figurine. Zach

I got a cute mouse but would like just a couple more that were really cute. We went to Montreal. We stayed at this really nice Hyatt with a big swimming pool which we got to swim in while Grant, Grandma and Grandpa were out in a festival in the rain. Mercedes

We traveled from Quebec to Montreal. I took a sightseeing trip which wasn't planned. Stayed at a very nice hotel and did some walking. John , Grand and I went walking down the street for a festival of bands. Saw some interesting shops in Soho. had some interesting deserts and hot chocolate. Got wet as it rained on us. Ate some pizza and got a very bad stomach ache ..went to sleep late... Grant couldn't fine the ice... was gone for about 20 minutes...got worried about him ...Grandma

Grant got lost looking for ice .. go figure. I proclaimed to the world that Tim and Linda were the all time greatest password team. Walked with Linda and Grant to the festival and through Soho last night. Linda got a massage and we had a great desert ... nice day. John

Long drive from Quebec to Montreal ... walked in the old port and Chinatown ...the kids went to the swimming pool while Grandpa, Grandma and Grant went walking to the festival in the rain. Enjoyed watching the kids play in the pool - they are fish. late night pizza .. didn't settle well. Gigi

Montreal was a really neat city. Lots of neat little stores and the underground city was unique. John finally fulfilled his promise to proclaim Linda and I the greatest password players in the world. Saw an amazing music box ... couldn't afford the $45,000 to buy it though. Tim

DAY 9 - July 31, 2004

Summary: Drove from Montreal to Killington Peak, Vermont via Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Plant

Drove along Lake Champlain. BIG ...Drove through Montpelier, Vermont. Saw the gold dome on capital. Rained most of the day ...Vermont is a pretty state. Went to Ben and Jerry's ..Vermont's number 1 tourist attraction. Neato ...Tim

I got a dolphin light and some Montreal cards. We stayed at a Comfort Inn but we still haven't seen a moose. Mercedes

We went to Ben and Jerry's ice cream factory. Our hotel had a fire which was a false alarm. Mom almost bought me a hat. Zachary

The ice cream samples at Ben and Jerry's were delicious. We have seen so many neat cars so far. We missed breakfast because of a fire alarm went off and we had to walk down 7 flights of stairs...Grant

I like Ben and Jerry's ice cream factary. It was cool. I liked the chocolat kind of ice cream. It was rely good and before we went into the factory we went to this thing tha had cows and the cows are what they got the milk and cream and there was a ground hog too. Portia

Ben and Jerry's was great. We got free samples. The mud slide was great. We saw ground hogs by some milk cows where the ice cream get the milk. I got cow socks and they are so cute...Mercedes

Today started in an unique way. The fire alarm went off in the hotel and we couldn't take the elevators down. Lots of steps from the 2nd floor which really was the 6th level...glad we weren't on the 8th floor. Drove through some pretty country towns ..went to Ben and Jerry's ice cream factory...fun tour .. stayed in a nice room...got to sleep late. Grandma

In a great hotel, we began with a fire alarm - false - of course, and a pretty drive through the Lake Champlain islands. Ben and Jerry's was fine - still - we were tired getting to our hotel. Grandpa

Slept late...long drive through customs. Then a nice winding drive through the Champlain islands .. quick tour of Burlington and then Ben and Jerry's hit the spot. Wish they had been making ice cream that day but tasting was good enough .. nice drive to Killington but long. Gigi

DAY 10 - August 1, 2004

Summary: We drove from Killington Peak to Old Orchard Beach via Quechee Falls and then on to Lewiston, Maine.

The country up in Vermont and New Hampshire is green and lush this time of year - nice drive from Killington through Quechee (where Grant got lost) to Portsmouth and up coastal Highway1. Kennebuckport and Kittery were busy little communities - kids were bored until we got to Old Orchard Beach. Enjoyed seeing the kids in the ocean and on the boardwalk. An hour later we were in Lewiston -long day. Gigi

We went to Orchard Beach where I had been over 40 years prior. Nice drive.. Tim fed us bad chicken. Still a good day. Dad

Grant got lost again and I had to go looking for him. We had very bad chicken. We went to Old Orchard beach and we went to the ocean. Zachary

I like Old Orcherd beech. it was cool. The water at the beech was ice cold. I also liked the French fries with vinnigger. They wher rely good. We also went on a trale that had waterfall and Grant got lost...Portia

We went to Old Orchard Beach and I got a huge hot dog and I couldn't finish...The waters was freezing and it was hot outside so the water felt good.There was a lot of shirts that I saw and they were funny. Grant

Went to Quechee Gorge. It was neat but Grant decided to go down another path and was lost for 20 minutes. Gigi was beside herself. Old Orchard Beach was neat. The ocean water was freezing cold and I can't believe people were actually swimming in it. Picked up chicken for dinner at Wal-mart....remember always check for the time cooked on the package ...3 hours old is not good ...back to Lewiston ..say goodbye to Mom...Tim

At Old Orchard Beach it was so cool but the water was freezing cold. We had to drop off Mom ..WaWaWA I miss her. Mercedes

Got up, had breakfast at the hotel. Drove to Quechee Gorge took a .3 mile walk ..Grant appeared to be lost because he went ahead and down the other tail.. Gigi gets concerned when someone appears to be lost ...don't blame her ...drove up the coast to Old Orchard Beach with a boardwalk. Had a lobster roll and clam chowder for dinner ..kids played in the ocean for a short while ..tried to sleep early ..Gramdma

DAY 11 - August 2, 2004

Summary: We left extremely early and drove to Big Meadow, Virginia

We camped at the Big Meadows campground. On our way we saw a black bear on the side of the road. Then we went on a "very strenuous" hike where it started to get dark when we had 2 miles to go. We split up into 2 groups. I was with Dad, Sadie and Portia. We went on ahead and we kept on go into the fire road. Grandpa, Grandma and Grant were followed by a bear. We walked all the way to the car in the dark and when we had the car, a ranger came by and "rescued" Grandma, Grandpa and Grant. Then in the morning we woke up to see a fawn and another deer very close to our tents. Zachary

I saw the bear that was full grown and he was on the street and he leaped into the bushes. And I saw the little bitty bear that was a cub bbd he was just walking on the side of the road and I went diarea in my cuprese (capri's) and it was really stency (stinky)!!! Portia

It became really dark really fast on the trail that me Grandma and Grandpa were left behind. Grandma and Grandpa said they heard a bear behind us but I don't remember hearing a twig snap. The park ranger came with his car and he gave us a ride up the fire road which is longer than a mile. Grant

Long drive. We went on the Appalachian Mountain and camped out on them. We saw 2 bears but I only saw one. It was black with a little bit of brown on his back. We walked on a really long trail. Grandma and Grandpa got the exerciser and walked for 5 days. At first the trail was going down with a lot of little rocks, some were medium and most were little. It was really easy the first half but the 2nd half was hard even if anybody says it was easy. I spotted out 5 deer and Zach spotted out 1 deer really close. It was a lot of fun and funny because Grandpa and Portia went diare in their pants and they had to throw undies out in the wilderness. Portia had poop stains on her pants and she had to wipe her butt so Dad told her to put her butt in the water so she put her butt in the water, rubbed her butt on a rock in the water and she fell in. That was so funny. Mercedes:30

Today started out very early - 2:30AM - drove most of the day to get to the Shenandoa's and Big Meadows. We had just entered the park when we saw our first bear. A little further down we saw another bear. Wow! We got to camp and went for a walk on the Rose River Trail ..started at 5:30 ...got very exciting ..got dark and John, Grant and I had to make our way up a very long rocky trail with Portia's little flashlight. We walked forever! until we saw the lights of the Rangers's car only a 100 feet from the fire road. Was so glad to get a ride up that last mile.. this goes down as one of the most scary moments ...got off the trail about 10PM ...lots of funny things did happen also ...John and Portia got the "runs" big time and we threw 2 pair of underwear out along the trail ..was a very interesting day ...Grant was really very strong and kept me from slippng or falling as he held my hand while John forged a light path for us Grandma .

Took a very early start ... drove through NYC very quickly ..boring day ..saw 2 bears and took a walk without bathrooms ..not much else except Linda, Grant and I were rescued by a Ranger after a horrible walking climb that seem to never end. Truly frightening experience not to be repeated ...John

Had to get up early to start. Seeing the 2 black bears on Skyline Drive was really cool. Rose River Falls Loop Trail was very picturesque - very easy walk down --slightly more strenuous on the way up. Would have been more fun if it had not gotten dark before we got to the top. Took Sadie, Portia and Zach up ahead...left Grant with John and Linda. We had a hard time seeing the trail but after a 25 minute hike or so it seemed we finally got to the fire road. Worked our way up the fire road in the dark. Was easier than the trail, could feel the gravel under our feet and know we were on the road still. Had to send Rangers down the trail with a light to rescue the stragglers. Got to bed late ..no shower ...tomorrow will be a hotel. Tim

DAY 12 - August 3,2004

Summary: Drove from big Meadows to Frankfort, Ky.

Saw 2 deer in camp when we got up. Drove much more leisurely down Skyline Drive. Forgot my phone at Waffle House and had to go back to get it. Saw 2 state capitals, W. Virginia and Kentucky. Got to sleep in a real bed and got a warm shower. Tim

Pleasant drive to Kentucky. All pretty tired but good day. Skyline Drive is always pretty. So is Kentucky and the horse farms....John

I like the dear that was by are tents. Ther was a mom and a baby. I also like the capital of West Virginia. It was rely cowl (cool). The capital was rely cowl and the dome was painted gold. Kentucky was rely cowl. We stayed in the capital city. Portia

There was a couple of deer by our tents. There was a mom and a fawn. We went through the capital of Charleston, W.V. The dome wasn't gold but it was painted gold. The second capital we went through was Frankfort, Ky. It was cool. The dome on the Charleston building had really cool designs and it had little bumps. Mercedes

We went to go see a glass factory that closed 1 hour and 3 minutes before we got there. We ate at the one waffle house on the trip for Mercedes and Dad left his cell phone there. We swam in Frankfort, Ky at the Holiday Inn and nothing else happened that whole day except we saw deer walk past out tents. Grant

We ate at Waffle House and Dad left his phone at Waffle House. We saw several capitals. We stayed at a nice hotel with a waterfall. Zachary

Woke up early and saw 3 deer eating in our camp. Drove out of Skyline Drive and saw the pretty views. Clouds ere over some of the hills. Got tired but saw several capitals. Portia gets excited when she sees them.. Stayed in a nice hotel. John and I had dinner in our room while the kids ate and went swimming. Fell asleep easily. Grandma

DAY 13 - August 4, 2004

Summary: We drove from Frankfort, Ky to O'Fallon, Ill. where we stayed overnight with Tim's mother.

Uneventful drive from Frankfort, Ky to Mom's house in O'Fallon. Got to see Tommy in the hospital...pray he gets better soon. had a nice dinner with Sandy and Mom. Tim

Had a breakfast buffet at our Hotel, got on the road and drove to Tim's Mom's in O'Fallon. Had dinner with John, cam back, went to bed early, worried about John's eye...Grandma

We ate a big breakfast and drove. We got to Grandma's house...little Leo wasn't there so I called and Uncle Leo drove him to Grandma's. Aunt Lee came and visited and I got to play with Leo. He spent the night. It was fun. Mercedes

We drove a lot and arrived at Grandma Annibelles house. We waited for little Leo to arrive and when he did we played tag and gunfighter. We also got to watch Grandma make chocolate cake and banana split cake. At night we watched Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen and Payback. Zachary

Rode most of the day to St. Louis. Linda and I had dinner together but were to tired to go to the movie. John

We just went to Grandma in St. Louis and we went to the hospital and saw Uncul Tomy. Portia

We went to see Uncle Tommy in the hospital and he was doing better. We ate at Lone Star and I had some really good steak wrapped in bacon and sweet bourbon salmon. I teased Aunt Sandy a lot and kept nodding off while we watched Paycheck. Grant

DAY 14 - August 5, 2004

Final Day of Our Great Adventure

Final Thoughts

Thought everything went well - Let Grant drive the bug and I am still alive to write about it. He needs time to polish his skills a bit. No major problems except with Grant getting lost - twice - glad he is growing up enough that my fright level is only ankle deep. The highlight was easily rafting but I hope that the kids come to appreciate where they have been and what they have seen (Quebec, Montreal, Bar Harbor , Burlington) thankful that Mom and Dad got to experience this trip with the kids also...Gigi

I had a wonderful time. The whale watching and white water rafting were great. We saw so many great cars on this trip, it's mind boggling. Getting to spend time with Gigi was the highlight. Canada was a nice experience. The hike in the Shenandoah Valley was the only tense moment to speak of. I would do the whole trip again if given the chance. Tim

My final thoughts are the things I really liked were the Whale watching, white water rafting; Montreal, Quebec, Negara Falls with Angle Falls. Rafting was really spontaneous. Whale watching was really cool with the dolphins, the porpoises, seals and of course whales. Negara Falls with Angle Falls was really pretty. The mist was so big...Montreal and Quebec was kind of the same to me but in Montreal the underground city was so cool. I got lots of cool souvenirs. Ben and Jerry's factory was really cool. I got to taste some really good ice cream. The fire road walk in the Appalachian Mountains was cool and funny especially with Portia going diarrhea. Mercedes

It wa a fun trip and everyone had fun. I want to do it again someday. There was not much fighting anyway. Zachary

I had a fun time...Portia

I got to drive the bug and Mom said I did a good job. I had fun whale watching, rafting and hiking. The best part of the trip to me was playing with Grandpa and making him lose in password and O Hell. I'm glad I got to spend some time with Mom...Grant

Wasn't too sure how this trip would go but had some wonderful times. There was a lot of laughter in the van especially when people would yell, "Roll down the windowsd" And of course, Tim and I would beat people in password. Saw some new places I had never seen before and had a great time being with everybody. Opportunities like this don't happen every often. I am glad we went because we had a great time and created some lasting family memories...Linda

It was an incredible trip from start to finish. It was easily one of the best - if not the best vacation I have ever had. Almost my entire family crammed into a van traveling together for almost 14 days and hardly ever a cross word. I remember laughing so hard I could not breath. This is what I will always remember .. the joy of this great adventure! Grandpa

ONE LINERS

What we would change, do again, food we liked and other one liners!

Sadie: Change nothing, whitewater rafting and food was Ben and Jerry's

Portia: liked the white water rafting

Grant; Favorite thing the Montreal Walk (Soho), Lasagna in Frankfort, Ky. change nothing

Zach: Favorite thing was Whitewater rafting, food was Grandma Annabell's chocolate cake, change nothing

Tim: Favorite was white water rafting, steak at lodge, leave for walk earlier

Linda: Change - never do the walk again, liked white water rafting, Lobster dinner in Bar Harbor

John: Rafting and Steak at lodge

Gigi: Toss up between steak at the lodge and lobster in Bar Harbor, Rafting, spend more time in Montreal, Quebec City and old Orchard Beach just hanging out!

Other Lines

Portia giving the speed limit, it's 35 miles per hour and you are speeding

Grandpa stinks at password

You suck

Thank God for playing cars with Gigi cause I finally won.

Tim and Linda reign supreme at password...

Class 4 rapids are for wimps...

Gigi, is your 100 miles up yet?

Singing keeps the bears away

I'm a good boy (Zach)

Rubber Duckee

Is there anything behind me ... I'm going to wack it with a stick.

Hello! We need to stop! I have a problem, and Portia did

Turn around .. don't look back ...

Fire road ahead....