Day 33 - October 17th

After having lunch with friends we drove to Anniston Alabama to see the World's Largest Chair. It was not as exciting as you would think. 

On our way to Maggie's house we stopped by Janney Furnace. It was built during the Civil War and is the largest Confederate Memorial.

We spent the night with our friend Maggie's parents. They made us a great dinner (with sweet tea!) they were so welcoming and we felt right at home! 

Day 31, 32, 33 - October 15th to October 17th

Thursday night we stayed in a hotel in Knoxville TN. Friday morning we drove through Pigeon Forge on our way to the Smokey Mountains. We saw this upside down building and had to stop to take a picture. 

I woke up feeling kinda sick on Friday so instead of going for a hike we just took a nice drive through the mountains. 

Isaac stopped to find the perfect rock to add to his collection. 

The leafs were so pretty in the Smokey Mountains. 

After leaving the mountains we stopped in Chattanooga to see the famous trains!

We spent Friday and Saturday night with our friend Ellenor and her family in Alpharetta Georgia. I ended up getting more sick so we didn't do too much. Isaac and Ellenor's family took great care of me. We hung out and watched football and had a great dinner with them on Saturday night. This picture is from Sunday morning when we went to church to see some of our San Diego friends. 

It was fun to see San Diego friends and catch up with them when we were in Georgia!

Day 30 - October 14th

After leaving the Dunn's we drove to Louisville to go to the Louisville Slugger Factory. 

We couldn't take pictures of the actual bat making but they had some exhibits after the tour.
(It took about 5 minutes to get this picture - I did NOT like standing by this wax figure) 

Watch it Loveland!

We were each able to hold bats that were used in a game. You had to wear these white gloves to hold the bat. I held a bat used by Mickey Mantle. 

Isaac held one used by Johnny Bench

We headed toward Indiana next and went to Squire Boone Caverns. It was a hot spot for class trips, we actually toured the caves with 30 4th graders and their parents. 

Before exiting the Caverns our tour guide brought us past this small casket which actually holds the bones of Squire Boone (the man who discovered the caves).. ewww. 

It was a day of caves for us. After leaving Squire Boone Caverns we went to Mommoth Cave National Park.

These caves were much bigger and contain over 300 miles of different paths. We did a tour that went through about a mile of the caves.  

Day 28 and 29 - October 12th and 13th

On Tuesday we were able to meet up with the Loveland's at Hopewell Culture National Historic Park. We thought it would be an exciting thing to see in Ohio, but it wasn't 

It pretty much looked like a golf course. The park rangers even said they don't know what they were really created for. 

After leaving Hopewell the Loveland's drove back to Aunt Blanche and Uncle Wayne's with us. Things were much more exciting there!

The whole family came over for dinner! We had such a fun time talking, eating, and laughing!

I didn't take too many pictures while we were visiting the Dunn's. We stayed there all day Tuesday and all day Wednesday. It was awesome to have the Loveland's come and meet us there. Isaac, Jimmy Loveland, and Isaac's Uncle Wayne were able to bring our car to get new tires. They also changed the oil and spent a lot of time washing the car. While the boys worked, I spent some time relaxing! I colored with Isaac's cousin Ava, played Candy Land with Ava and Mom Loveland, and spent some time hanging out with Angie (Isaac's cousin Rich's wife) and her kids. Wednesday night Rich and Angie came back over for dinner, and we all hung out that night. Being at the Dunn's is just like being at the Loveland's. There are always people there having a good time and laughing. We are looking forward to our next visit Ohio!

Day 27 - October 11th

We left John Michael's early Monday morning and drove up to Chicago. Our first stop was to find this sign for the start (or end) or Rt 66.

When Isaac was in A-School he would go into Chicago on the weekends. He thought this bean was pretty cool so he took me to see it.  

It was pretty cool to stand under it and take your picture in the reflection. 

After the bean we made our way to the top of the Sears Tower. 

It was very crowded on the elevators and the observation deck so we didn't stay for too long. 

We left Chicago and drove into Michigan. The leafs are changing there and it was beautiful!

We had originally planned to see a lighthouse at Holland State Park, but when we stopped at the Michigan Visitor Center we found out this orchard was much closer. 

I was so excited to go through the corn maze and pick apples with Isaac. He hasn't been home for the past four Falls in Jersey so it was great to do Fall things with him!

Apple picking wasn't as exciting for Isaac but we had fun. 

The orchard also had a petting zoo. I attempted to feed a pig, got grossed out, and threw the food on the ground - but Isaac picked it up and fed him. 

Day 26 - October 10th

The Smerillo's suggested that we stop at the Minneapolis Sculpture Gardens and see this. 

After leaving Minnesota we headed to Iowa to see this large strawberry

After leaving Iowa we drove into Wisconsin. We wanted to tour a cheese factory, but apparently most factories don't offer tours. We ended up at the Historic Cheese Making Center.

At the Cheese Making Center we were able to look at a very old building where they used to make cheese. This is the pit where the fire would be and they would move a huge pot inside of it to heat the cheese.

When we left the Cheese Making Center we stopped at a local shop to buy some cheese. It was delicious.

We spent the night at my neighbor John Michael's house near his school in Illinois. We went out to dinner with him and his girlfriend Jess and then got to hang out and play with their dog.