About Our Trip
It started in 2013.
We (AKA Han) decided we needed to go to Canada. Not only to visit Elise, our old aupair, but to live there and experience a new country for about 12 months while the kids were young. #Canada2017 was born.
But plans changed, and jobs in Canada were no longer a prospect, so we decided on a holiday. A big one.
It seemed like an unattainable dream for so long. We were knocked back by so much- redundancies, expensive schools, the biggest lemon of a car known to mankind, but somehow, God thought we deserved it. We became debt free (hooray!) and started saving for our trip of a lifetime.
We could have saved for a house, we could buy a car that doesn't have a black mark next to it at RACQ HQ, but we decided this needed to be done. Not only because the kids are cheaper to travel with, but because they will appreciate the experience much more than if we wait. We have two aupairs to visit, and we made some great friends on a recent holiday who invited us to stay and it all just seemed to fall into place. Plus, Han has waited to travel overseas since she was 15, and who can do a huge trip when there's a mortgage to pay down?
The plans were changed so often even Shane didn't know what was really going on until about May. We added so much to our original Canada-only itinerary that #CANADA2017 isn't entirely accurate anymore, but it's been going for so long it's hard to give it up!
So, without further ado, here is our big trip itinerary, and why we chose to visit. We hope you enjoy our travels as much as we do!
We (AKA Han) decided we needed to go to Canada. Not only to visit Elise, our old aupair, but to live there and experience a new country for about 12 months while the kids were young. #Canada2017 was born.
But plans changed, and jobs in Canada were no longer a prospect, so we decided on a holiday. A big one.
It seemed like an unattainable dream for so long. We were knocked back by so much- redundancies, expensive schools, the biggest lemon of a car known to mankind, but somehow, God thought we deserved it. We became debt free (hooray!) and started saving for our trip of a lifetime.
We could have saved for a house, we could buy a car that doesn't have a black mark next to it at RACQ HQ, but we decided this needed to be done. Not only because the kids are cheaper to travel with, but because they will appreciate the experience much more than if we wait. We have two aupairs to visit, and we made some great friends on a recent holiday who invited us to stay and it all just seemed to fall into place. Plus, Han has waited to travel overseas since she was 15, and who can do a huge trip when there's a mortgage to pay down?
The plans were changed so often even Shane didn't know what was really going on until about May. We added so much to our original Canada-only itinerary that #CANADA2017 isn't entirely accurate anymore, but it's been going for so long it's hard to give it up!
So, without further ado, here is our big trip itinerary, and why we chose to visit. We hope you enjoy our travels as much as we do!
DALLAS/FORT WORTH 5 days
Fort Worth was not originally on the plan. We were looking at taking the kids to a County Fair- the type you see on Grease or an 80's sit-com. The NY State Fair wasn't in our time frame... but the Texas one was!
So it was decided- we were going to check out the Worlds Biggest Honky Tonk, eat some true Tex-Mex, drive some huuuuuuge Pick-Up trucks and eat deep-fried jello! Oh, and throwing in some conspiracy theory debate on the Grassy Knoll.
NEW YORK 2 days
Because, New York!
While we originally planned to stay here much, much longer, New York is sadly only getting two days of appreciation. I'm sure the husband will appreciate me cutting the SATC and Gossip Girl site visits off the itinerary!
Because, New York!
While we originally planned to stay here much, much longer, New York is sadly only getting two days of appreciation. I'm sure the husband will appreciate me cutting the SATC and Gossip Girl site visits off the itinerary!
NEW YORK to NIAGARA FALLS 2 days After cramming in a few busy days in the Big Apple, we are off to the quieter upstate region! The start of our road trip includes a stop in the Finger Lakes region to check out the scenery and wildlife, then on to one of the most magical natural wonders of the world.
TORONTO REGION 6 days
This trip wouldn't be happening if we had not had such magnificent aupairs join our family through the years.
Our stay in the Toronto area will include the usual sight seeing, but is mostly for a catch-up with Elise and Reid (and their families).
We are lucky to be there over Thanksgiving and are looking forward to whatever they hold in store for our visit.
This trip wouldn't be happening if we had not had such magnificent aupairs join our family through the years.
Our stay in the Toronto area will include the usual sight seeing, but is mostly for a catch-up with Elise and Reid (and their families).
We are lucky to be there over Thanksgiving and are looking forward to whatever they hold in store for our visit.
WINDSOR, DETROIT and FORT WAYNE 2 days
The next major leg of our road trip is making our way from Canada, through the Windsor Tunnel on to Indianapolis. With a day to spend in Detroit, we are checking out the Henry Ford Museum before hightailing it down through Ohio and into Indiana that evening. 4 States in 1 day!
The next major leg of our road trip is making our way from Canada, through the Windsor Tunnel on to Indianapolis. With a day to spend in Detroit, we are checking out the Henry Ford Museum before hightailing it down through Ohio and into Indiana that evening. 4 States in 1 day!
INDIANAPOLIS 1 day
We were fortunate enough that the one day we were going through Indianapolis, the Red Bull Air Race is on at the Motor Speedway. With cheap tickets and a venue we were going to check out anyway, it was meant to be!
We were fortunate enough that the one day we were going through Indianapolis, the Red Bull Air Race is on at the Motor Speedway. With cheap tickets and a venue we were going to check out anyway, it was meant to be!
SPRINGFIELD and BLOOMINGTON 1 day
One of many Springfield's the Simpsons could be emulating, this one is the state capital of Illinois and where we will get our fix of American political history. The birthplace and home of Abraham Lincoln until his presidency will be checked out before we make our way up a little road called Route 66!
One of many Springfield's the Simpsons could be emulating, this one is the state capital of Illinois and where we will get our fix of American political history. The birthplace and home of Abraham Lincoln until his presidency will be checked out before we make our way up a little road called Route 66!
ROUTE 66 1 day
Shane's prerequisite for our trip. Spending a day getting our kicks on the 'Mother Road' with visits to the Gemini Giant, old family diners, a maple sirup farm and a few other bygone era locations.
A stop at Joliet Prison, where the Blues Brothers made their escape, is a must.
Shane's prerequisite for our trip. Spending a day getting our kicks on the 'Mother Road' with visits to the Gemini Giant, old family diners, a maple sirup farm and a few other bygone era locations.
A stop at Joliet Prison, where the Blues Brothers made their escape, is a must.
CHICAGO 1 day
Who can resist Deep-dish Pizza, the tallest ledge walk in America and a history of mafia and bootlegging? Spending a day in the beautiful city will be full of Navy Pier, Millennium Park and Foodie goodness before we board our United flight (hopefully sans-nosebleeds and aisle dragging) back to Canada!
RED DEER, ALBERTA 5 days
The wonderful, kind, generous and beautiful Duncan family (well, Laurie and Cally anyway!) that we got along smashingly well with during our sail of the Whitsundays in December, generously invited us to visit them on their sprawling farm in Red Deer, Alberta.
After flying in and spending a night in Calgary, we head north towards Edmonton until we find ourselves on a huge Canola Farm with our favourite redneck (there's your shoutout Dennis!) and his family. We will spend the few days helping them harvest, cooking them 'Traditional Aussie Tucker', teaching them slang and generally making a nuisance of ourselves.
The wonderful, kind, generous and beautiful Duncan family (well, Laurie and Cally anyway!) that we got along smashingly well with during our sail of the Whitsundays in December, generously invited us to visit them on their sprawling farm in Red Deer, Alberta.
After flying in and spending a night in Calgary, we head north towards Edmonton until we find ourselves on a huge Canola Farm with our favourite redneck (there's your shoutout Dennis!) and his family. We will spend the few days helping them harvest, cooking them 'Traditional Aussie Tucker', teaching them slang and generally making a nuisance of ourselves.
THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 2 days
The whole reason the obsession with Canada started.
Lake Louise, Banff...
No explanation is really necessary.
CALGARY 2 days
Our trip ends with a few days at the home of the 1988 Winter Olympics and the Cowboy fest "Calgary Stampede".
Very excited about our visit to Winpark...