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Sunday 20th May 2001 We all met up at the Skyline Hotel at 7:30am where we were introduced to our tour leader, Tony. After getting the "paperwork" done we were shown how to pack the van (Betty). After Betty was all packed we headed for Washington stopping off at a picnic spot for lunch in Chesepeake. It was quite cold and slightly raining so it was a quick stop. We got to Cherry Hill Campsite in Washington about 3pm, unpacked the van and set up the tents before going for a drive. Stopping firstly at the Jefferson Memorial, then Lincoln Memorial, onto Arlington Cemetery where we saw the grave of JFK and the tomb of the unknown soldier to mention a few. From there we stopped at the White House for a quick photo while Mo appologised for the British blowing up the first one. We got back to the campsite about 8:30pm. Had dinner, sat around a fire cooking marshmallows before calling it a night. |
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Monday 21st May 2001 Today was a free day to explore Washington. Our first stop was the FBI building but we were unfortunately too late for a tour so were given a firearm demonstration instead. From there we split into smaller groups to do our own thing. We made our way towards the US Capital Building then onto the Air and Space Museum where we were given a guided tour by the world's most unlikely rocket engineer. Next stop was the Natural History Museum (home of the 45 carat Hope Diamond and many dinosaurs) then back to the van which was parked at the Washington Monument. We went to a Vietnamese restaurant in Georgetown for dinner which was really nice then back to the campsite and sat around the fire before turning in for the night. |
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Tuesday 22nd May 2001 (a driving day!) Today we bid Washington a fond farewell and headed to Bear Country (Wysox, Pennsylvania) stopping for lunch at a picnic spot along the way. We arrived at the Riverside Acres Campsite in Wysox, got the tents set up then decided to go canoeing but there was a mix up so had to scrap that idea (thanks to Richard!). Mo and Sian went investigating the area, getting a little lost and being chased by wild dogs before returning to the campsite. Had dinner, sat around chatting then turned in. |
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Wednesday 23rd May 2001 Today we left Bear Country heading for Niagra Falls getting there in time for lunch. After lunch we went for a half hour Maid of the Mist boat ride which was fantastic. We then had some free time to wander around before meeting up with Tony and the van later. (I could definitely have spent more time here!). Our campsite was over looking Lake Ontario so after setting up camp we had dinner and once again ended the evening with drinks and chats around the fire.
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Thursday 24th May 2001 (a driving day!) Today was definitely our longest driving day! Tony suggested the celebrity game to keep us busy for a while. Of all the people for Mo to get, he was Mickey Mouse (that says it all!). We were heading for the Berkshire Mountains and after a few stops along the way and a lunch break we got to our campsite about 5pm. It was pouring with rain so instead of setting up tents we all decided to find a spot on the floor of the "80's" games room for the night. After games of table tennis, playing computer games, singing along with the jukebox and Mo making friends with "Ralph" we called it a night. |
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Friday 25th May 2001 After getting the van all packed up we made our way to Boston getting there in time for lunch. We got something to eat at Quincy Market and had a little wander around. Met Tony and then went to check into our Motel 6. After getting settled in our rooms we hit the town! We walked about the town a bit before heading for the Cheers bar for a drink. The John Hancock Observatory was also worth a visit to see Boston from the air. We met the rest of the group at the No Name Restaurant for dinner before going to the Barking Crab for an evening drink. Was a good end to a great week! |  |
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Saturday 26th May 2001 We had some free time before leaving Boston so a few of us caught the subway to Harvard University then spent some time enjoying the sunshine in Boston Common. We packed up the van for the last time and headed back for New York. Said our sad goodbyes at the Skyline Hotel and after more than 1,600 miles we were no longer 14 strangers but 14 friends! After getting checked into our room Helen and I got freshened up and met Billie and Chris for a night out in New York. We were hoping to get tickets to see a Broadway show but didn't make it in time so instead we just wandered around, taking in all the sights - Times Square, Broadway, The Empire State Building, the Crysler Building along with all the weirdos of New York. We stopped off in a cafe for pizza before ending up in a pub!! (talk about lethal drinks - neat Barcardi!!!). We ended off the evening with drinks at the hotel before passing out in the early hours of the morning. |  |
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Sunday 27th May 2001 Helen and I started off the day a little later than we anticipated but managed to see what we had planned. To mention a few are Central Park (Strawberry Fields), Grand Central Station and 5th Avenue before meeting up with Sian, Mo, Michelle and Chris at the World Trade Centre. We went up to the top (107 floors up) getting an arial view of New York. From there it was a ride on the Staturn Island Ferry to get a view of the Statue of Liberty. It was now time to bid my new friends goodbye before having to catch my plane back to London. A wonderful holiday was had by all! | PHOTO |