Back to the USA: The adventure heads west

Erica enjoys Leland, Michigan

Looking back on the remainder of our visit to the States, I'm left with several somewhat random and likely unconnected thoughts.  My first thought is to try and constantly remember that our lives are not infinite.  Time is indeed limited.  Plan for the future but live for the day.  Although it may be human nature to concern ourselves with our challenges and troubles, enjoying ourselves and the ones we love is of extreme importance.  On this grand adventure, we were able to share some fun times and stories of afar as well as to offer our support to some family members battling illnesses that have brought new perspective to their lives.

A couple of Jones boys enjoying life

Blowout on the way to Michigan

Secondly, be sure to appreciate your tires.  We had an impressive blowout on the freeway heading from Ohio to Michigan but were able to coast to a stop.  It turned into a little bit bigger ordeal because the ground was too mushy and uneven to try to jack it up ourselves.  Everything eventually worked out just fine and the glass of wine at the end of the day tasted that much better.

You kids want some adventure?

Nice setting, to say the least

We enjoyed somewhat of a family reunion in Leland, Michigan at Dan and Sue's house, enjoying the fantastic vistas, adventures and company.  Though we tremendously appreciated their hospitality as always, I was most impressed with their ability to withstand the vortex of pediatric energy that accompanies all these cousins together.

Girl cousins have to stick together

Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, great for wearing out kids!

Henry launches into Lake Leelanau

Enjoying the view inside Dan's garage

A big group for sure

The party continued, this time further south again.  More time in Ohio before heading to Valparaiso, Indiana, for the first time.

Erica gets some pointers from her dad

Yet another beautiful spot that would never have been discovered if not for the thirst of our children for geocaches

Generous pours in German Village

Enthralled kids aboard the Santa Maria replica, Columbus

Sully deftly handling his own kayak

We did enjoy a really great day outdoors in Valparaiso, Indiana, with the entire Jones complement of cousins.  Plenty of activities to wear kids out, and no major injuries!  Thanks to activity coordinators/outfitters/hoteliers Taysha and Brian for their energy and patience.

Not-so-happy looking local resident

More good times

Happy

Americana at its finest:  a PACKED drive-in

After goodbyes (which are seldom easy for us), we took a big left turn.  An easy commuter train ride from Valparaiso to Chicago was followed by a Herculean slog with our luggage through a warm downtown to Union Station.  What originally sounded like a great idea for a walk turned into a warm, sweaty and tiring trek.  Are we there yet?

A third random thought.  Taking Amtrak is like stepping back into time in terms of its speed, crew, facilities and the way it handles its passengers.  Though I understand the reluctance of some folks to taking an Amtrak trip (for these very reasons), we can't help but be seduced by the slow travel through some stunning scenery.  The trip from Chicago to Portland is meant to take about 48 hours or so.  The irony for this particular trip was that, because of our significant delay (5 hours at one point), we passed through the amazingly beautiful Glacier National Park at night and missed it altogether.  In addition, also because of this delay, we were shipped by bus from Spokane, WA to Portland and missed the train trip through the Columbia River Gorge.  But we still enjoyed.

Seen onboard:  North Dakotan of Norwegian descent explaining the role of trolls in their folklore

Incredibile views in Big Sky country

Sullivan watches the world pass by

Good friends are hard to come by

We were warmly welcomed in Portland after our long journey.  I'd seen some of our friends and family during my trips back for work but this was the first return for Erica and the kids.  And they were excited.  Soon after reuniting with Erica's mom, we headed out to the Oregon Coast with some dear friends.

July Oregon Coast colors

Not far removed from swimming in the Pacific at the 10th parallel in Costa Rica and soon after dipping our feet in the Florida Atlantic, we were reunited with the lovely but cool Oregon Coast.  It's tough to argue for a more stunning summer scene anywhere.

Smiles

For Erica and the kids, their two summer weeks in Oregon were filled with a few of the things they've been missing in Costa Rica.  Their closest friends.  Some of their favorite foods.  Girls' camping trips.  Spending time with Gram.  Berry picking.  Madeleine especially was sad to leave the scene but everyone seemed to appreciate their visit even more so knowing that they'd be heading back down south.

I stayed on another ten days or so to work a bit more and eagerly returned to our simpler life in Costa Rica.

After a month and half or so of US travels, after having spent time with so many of the people most close to us, I'm struck by one other impression.  Some people we saw were extremely interested in all that we've experienced and seen as well as the daily challenges we face by living abroad.  It's clear that for a few, they're working out how they might be able to pull off something similar and are asking a ton of detailed questions.  At the other end of the spectrum, some folks didn't seem interested in the least or acted as if nothing had happened at all since we'd left.  We were not offended in any way but this spectrum was curious.  Life goes on.

Back to the USA: Spacecraft, legos and the farm!

In early July, the Roulier/Jones crew left the relative calm and comfort of lovely Costa Rica and headed back for a vacation in the States.  An inexpensive and short flight took us first to Florida, with the plan of visiting a few spots we’d not experienced in the past.  Having never lived in Florida previously, it had seemed to me a lush and tropical flatland with exotic plants and animals in addition to the largest collection of Disney characters anywhere.  For this visit, however, the sunshine state had more of a familiar feel than in the past, in part thanks to its climate and vegetation.  I’d also never before experienced, while scanning radio stations in the car, hearing the same chatter you hear anywhere, but in English, Spanish and French, depending on the station.  Can't think of too many places in North America where this particular triad of languages can be found so easily.  

The kids didn’t seem to have missed a beat after having been gone from the States after six months.  There was no culture shock but everybody seemed to be struck by the amount of concrete we experienced in South Florida.  They also appreciated being able to communicate easily with everyone without having to work to listen or speak Spanish.

Florida flora and fauna

Like father, like son

Having two boys less than ten years old, we were excited to have the opportunity to visit Legoland.  In the end, though, it was fun but maybe a bit disappointing given what it could have been.  Heavy rains and ever present strong air conditioning made us feel cooler than we’d felt in quite some time.  The flora in the park, which is partially located on the old Cypress Gardens, was rich, beautiful and reminiscent of Costa Rica.  

For me, the relative highlight of Legoland was the impressive artistry of the sculptures and the replicas of world cities and other scenes.  One of the coolest constructions had to have been a scale replica of the Kennedy Space Center, all in Legos!  Speaking of which.  .  .

Miniature Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space center, in Central Florida, is a national gem.  Without a doubt, it is a shining star amongst the attractions in the area.  Located at Cape Canaveral, this was the home of the US Space Program during the Apollo missions as well as the site of the space shuttle launches.  Tours of the enormous complex are offered in part by bus.  The mobile launcher platforms (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Launcher_Platform) were immense unique structures used to move rockets and shuttles from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the launch pads.  Each launcher platform weighs more than 8 million pounds unloaded and screams along the ground at 1 mile/hour.  Astoundingly, they are now for sale (http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/08/mobile-launcher-platform/).  Any takers?

Mobile launcher platform

In addition to the Atlantis shuttle, the Saturn V rocket on display was incredible in terms of its size and technology for its era.  They were used to transport the Apollo capsules into orbit.  Unfortunately there is no clear equivalent in today's era and the government's role in space exploration has become much less well defined.  Still, the fortitude and technological prowess of our great country is rather impressive.

Sullivan and the Saturn V rocket

Kennedy Space Center Rocket Garden

Another short flight, this time on our own independence day, took us from Florida to Ohio.  After a brief night in Columbus, we ventured to Erica's sister's family's farm, in SE Indiana.  Though the scenery is especially beautiful, visiting with their cousins was unquestionably the highlight for our kids. Isn't this what summer is all about? 

The sheep were quite impressed to see us

Sully and Meg hanging out

Good times

Paddling the tranquil Laughery Creek

Flora, pump and barn

Good times were had by all before we headed north.