A Road Trip to Remember!

We recently returned from an amazing family vacation – a road trip spanning seventeen hundred miles and ten states, plus Washington, DC. Numerous hours spent researching minute details and planning our agenda paid off! We efficiently, yet leisurely explored many well-known historical and engaging sites.   

Day 1: Nicholas suggested a picnic lunch at Gettysburg, so we began our road trip early in the morning. Arriving in Gettysburg around noon, we found the landscape serene and beautiful - ironic when considering the amount of bloodshed on this Civil War battlefield. Our favorite section was Little Round Top, a hill full of huge rocks, narrow crevices, and perfect spots for boys to recreate a soldier’s defense in war time.

The boys recited from memory the Gettysburg Address in the same spot Lincoln delivered his famous speech seven scores and nine years ago!

Day 2: We began at Hershey Chocolate World, a very fun and happy place which is home to many delicious sweet treats. 

We then drove a few miles to Indian Echo Caverns, where we trekked underground to explore the murky interior of a cave. Zachary claims this journey as his favorite road trip activity.

Following a picnic lunch, we chose the scenic route to Philadelphia, detouring through Amish country and visiting an Amish farm. We’ll never forget the homemade root beer we purchased, which we later discovered was more “beer” than “root”!

We wrapped up the day with a tour of Valley Forge, another landscape whose current tranquility seems to contradict its heartrending history so many winters ago.

Day 3: A drive through rush hour traffic led us to Philadelphia. Highlights included touring the Philadelphia Mint, walking through the room where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed, and seeing the Liberty Bell.  

While I appreciate the history, my favorite memory from this town may be eating Philly cheese steaks for lunch in the front yard of Independence Hall!

We left Philadelphia around mid-afternoon, crossed the Deleware River just a couple of miles from where Washington and his troops did during the Revolutionary War, and spent the rest of the day driving towards Boston.

Day 4: After another morning of rush-hour traffic, we arrived at Boston Common and began our trek along the historic Freedom Trail. Memorable sites included the balcony of the Old State House where the Declaration of Independence was first read and Paul Revere’s house. After lunch, we climbed 294 steps to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument, a feat that exhausted our already weary legs. 

The highlight of Boston, and perhaps our entire trip, was boarding the U.S.S. Constitution, an incredible ship with a rich history of courage, victory, and patriotism.

Nicholas was overjoyed at seeing the boat he and his granddaddy have discussed so much!

We arrived in Plymouth just as the sun was setting, a beautiful sight to behold. We saw the infamous Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower 2. 

We stopped by Cupcake Charlie’s for a sweet treat, only to find it closed. However, the owner flagged us down and gave us five absolutely delicious chocolate chip whoop cakes for free!

Day 5: After an overnight stay in Rhode Island, we drove to Staten Island and took the ferry to lower Manhattan.  Zachary claimed he had never seen so many people in his life! We walked through Wall Street, ate near Battery Park, and visited the 9/11 Memorial – a touching tribute in response to a terrible tragedy. Before heading back to the ferry, we ate supper: pretzels and cheesecake! We returned to Staten Island as the sun was setting behind the Statue of Liberty – a stunning, unplanned delight! 

Day 6: We took an early bus from our hotel in Secaucus, NJ, to Times Square. Our first stop was the observatory deck of the Empire State Building, the highlight of the trip for Brandon. He was amazed at how small and peaceful this big and busy city looks eighty-six floors up!

We then walked along 5^th Avenue, making stops at the New York Public Library, Grand Central Terminal, Junior’s Cheesecake, Rockefeller Center, and FAO Schwarz. We rested on a bench in Central Park before taking the subway back to Times Square for supper at John’s Pizzaria, cheesecake from Roxie’s, and shopping.  Zachary bought a hat from a street vendor.  Doesn’t he look cool?

We all love New York City!

Day 7: After sleeping late and eating a delicious hotel breakfast that included the best bagel I have had in my entire life, we were back on the road. We stopped at our favorite pizza place in Washington, DC, for a mid-afternoon lunch/supper before arriving home at dusk. 

This road trip showcased the beauty of our country - from the peaceful hills and valleys of Pennsylvania to the energy and resilience of New York City; from a humble Amish farm to the mighty Old Ironsides; from the charm of Plymouth Harbor back to the comfort and love of home. The time spent exploring this part of America together as a family is a gift for which I will forever be thankful.

“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed, it was very good!”Genesis 1:31