Day 199: Wisconsin: State Fairs and Food

July 22, 2016

Today was another awesome day in the mid west. We headed to a place highly recommended by facebook commenters, but it ended up being really cool! House on the Hill.

Built by a guy who was clearly a little strange, but brilliant, the house is a series of rooms stacked on top of each other, on top of an outcropping.

There were instruments that played themselves, creepy dolls, intricate wood detailing, and an incredible room hanging unsupported from the house which looked like it went on forever.

After the house, we headed to the County Fair. Anna was upset it wasn't as big as the State Fair, but I was blown away at how huge it was, and how there is one almost every fortnight of the same size!!! I had some of the most deliscious, terribly bad for you food ever, and saw some adorable animals.

I don't trust temporary rides, so I didn't go on any, but admired them from a distance in the air-conditioned pavilion.

For dinner, Anna's amazing family did a huge cookout for me, with Bratwursts, salads, beers and pound cake sundaes. All absolutely amazing, and her family were so so lovely.

Tomorrow, farmer's market xx

Day 198: Wisconsin: The Dells

July 21, 2016

Today we went to one of the hotspots near Madison, the Dells.

Actually a set of rock formations, we didn't go and see them, but instead went to the most amazing water park I've ever seen. I was so excited I forgot to take photos!!

I went on a terrifying rollercoaster that legitimately scared me, and wrestled with my fear of water slides.

The highlight was definitely the wave pool though which pumped out a HUGE wave every 2 minutes that toppled me and everyone else every time.

Sadly a lot of the area is becoming more and more "family" oriented, so the cool restaurant we planned on going to ended up being a dulled down version of itself, but they had good burgers anyway.

There was a huge thunderstorm too that threatened to get nasty, but we got back without encountering some of the terrible flooding (cars literally floating away).

Tomorrow, the County Fair xx

Day 197: Wisconsin: Old Friends

July 20, 2016

Today I got to meet up with a friend I haven't seen since I was still in highschool, who is going to be showing me the quintessential mid-west for the next couple of days.

There is a huge amount of corn and wheat in this part of the world.

I didn't do much today except finally update the pictures on my blog and went out to a bar to have a couple of drinks and meet some of Anna's friends.

Tomorrow, the Dells xx

Day 196: Chicago: Riverwalk

July 19, 2016

Today I drove for about 10 hours to arrive in Chicago.

The city is really beautiful, and I did a huge walk along their river, which was just spectacular. The only problem is that parking is a nightmare, and all my photos have "TRUMP" in the middle of them because of his tower.

Tomorrow, more sightseeing xx

Day 195: New York: One Emma

July 18, 2016

Today I had to send home my partner in crime, my marshmallow madness, my travel buddy of almost a month, Emma.

While it will be less upsetting, less people thinking I have a teenage daughter (THERE'S ONLY 4 YEARS BETWEEN US, PEOPLE!!) I will miss her.

It's good timing to send her home though, as she hurt her ankle somehow and I don't have to deal with that now!

This afternoon was just a lot of driving. A lot.

Tomorrow, more driving, then Chicago xx

Day 194: New York: Day 3

July 17, 2016

Today was our last day in New York City, so we tried to tick off the last couple of "must-see" items we hadn't covered yet.

We started off with a short 5 hour walk though central park. That place is HUGE! And as big as it is, it is still beautiful and interesting and amazing. The musicians alone added so much to the experience, from a dance-off with hip-hop music to jazz sax players and accordions to 4 piece classical string sets.

The statues were all so hot that I actually have a burn on my thigh though - the things I'll do for a picture!

We stopped by the Empire State Building to see it by day quickly, but it really is more impressive at night, from afar.

The last thing we really wanted to do was see the Baseball. I have to say, it's a surprisingly interesting sport, due in no small part to the number of chants the stadium does at regular intervals!

We got to see the Yankees beat the Red Sox 3-1 including one spectacular catch at the fenceline, 2 hissy fits, and one snapped bat.

Tomorrow, saying goodbye xx

Day 193: New York: Day 2

July 16, 2016

Today as another great day in NYC.

We took a tour of part of Manhattan including Wall Street, Chinatown, Little Italy and SoHo. There were some amazing things, but it was a bit hot, so we stopped by a Tiffani's to cool down.

We spent a few hours organising tickets to see the baseball tomorrow - an ordeal because all my email accounts have been "compromised" (someone in America was trying to log into them by mobile... um, I think I know who, microsoft)

The evening was incredible though, walking around midtown at dusk, seeing some of the most famous buildings in the world slowly light up, such as Grand Central Terminal, the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building.

The highlight was probably wondering aimlessly around time square for about 3 hours until 2 in the morning. It really is a city that never sleeps!

Tomorrow, more NYC xx

Day 192: New York: Day 1

July 15, 2016

Today we are in New York City, and it is amazing.

We started off not on the island of Manhattan, but on a tour of Brooklyn - the bridge, the heights and dumbo (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass)

It was a great way to ease into the trip as Brooklyn has just as much history and culture, but the people were much friendlier and more willing to allow tourists in their space.

The bridge itself was a major highlight, with amazing views of the city and the sea, as well as just being beautiful itself.

We finished off with some proper New York Style Pizza from a famous pizza place.

We spent the afternoon on the Staten Island Ferry. There is nothing to do on Staten Island, but the views of the statue of liberty were incredible, and it was free! Everyone told us it was a better view from the water anyway.

In the evening, we did a short 9/11 memorial tour which was really moving, as it was taken by a man who lived just a few blocks from the towers, lost friends, and helped with the rescue efforts back in 2001.

We ended the night with a mad rush to the One World Trade Centre for some incredible nighttime views across the entire city. Incredible.

Tomorrow, New York xx

Day 191: Pensilvania: The Amish

July 14, 2016

Today we did something a little bit different and headed to Amish country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Far from a tourist trap, the town just runs as a normal town, with horse drawn buggies and women in bonnets dotted around the farms.

We took a bus tour, where we were the only people on it, and the driver showed us some of the farms in the area. There are over half a million Amish in America, and around 30,000 of them live in Lancaster.

We bought some delicious treats and a couple of presents from their shops and got to learn about this foreign culture.

All of the photos are blurry because we were in a moving vehicle, plus they dislike having photos taken of them.

We arrived in NYC just after dark. They are the worst driver's I've ever seen. And I've ridden a motorbike in Ho Chi Minh.

Tomorrow, New York!! xx

Day 190: Washington DC: More Walking

July 13, 2016

Today we took another walking tour, and once again it was great!

We started off at the Senate building, where some of my favourite cases have been heard, and some of my favourite Justices have served.

Next door is the Library of Congress, which I am in love with. I considered getting a reading card there just for the sake having one it was so amazing, but the process took too long.

We ended the tour at another tour of the Capitol Building. The tour itself was average, because a lot of it is currently under repair, but it was alright.

We ended the day at the National Air and Space Museum which had the lunar module that the first moon walkers landed back to earth in, the original Wright Bros flying machine, and tons of space photos.