The Lounds's do America

We had a nice bit of R and R in Asheville. Didn't do much apart from the park, the beach (it was a actually a lake) but the kids didn't notice. From there we went to Charleston, which we loved. One of the few places I thought I might like to live in America only to realise I couldn't afford to live here. Lots to see and do, and plenty of southern hospitality to enjoy. We are all getting fatter by the day.

From Charleston we hit Hilton Head Island, which is gorgeous if you like the ocean. The hotel is right on the beach, and we have spent our whole time here on the beach or in the pool. Meredith swimming very well now.

Today we head to St Augustine for two days before we finally hit our last destination of Orlando and Mickey Mouse. This will end the "are we there yet"? thankfully

We left Charlottesville and headed for an overnight stay just outside of Roanoke at a place called Copper hill. We could have fitted our house into the room we had. This is real red neck country, bible belt land. There were a couple staying there who had eloped to get married there. Meredith was very disappointed to learn she wasn't going to wear a fancy dress. At this point I shared that Meredith had been a bridesmaid for our friends the year before, but as they were two men, there was no dress. You could have heard a pin drop!

Anyway in the evening we asked for a recommendation for dinner, and we were sent to Pine Tavern. It was my best experience yet in America. It was packed at 5.30 in the evening, and it was like walking into your mum's front room or kitchen There was no choice, just a set menu, of three meats and additions, all for eight of your English pounds!

When it was served, it was a starter of salad, then a main which was an entire platter of beef, ham and southern fried chicken! Then came the additions of mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, green beans, broccoli, and some kind of home made baked beans.

For pudding we were then served blackberry cobbler and ice cream!

I could not believe it and then you take home the left overs. They were very friendly and people kept coming over and telling us how beautiful the kids were. It was all very surreal.

We then went into a small town called Floyd for a jamboree, which is basically where anyone who has a band comes out on a Friday night, finds a corner of the road and starts playing and singing country music.

We had a great, great time, very unexpected and delightful. This is the way the vast majority of Americans live, and I am glad we got to see it.

We are now in Asheville, virginia for the next week. Nice to be settled for more than a day or two.

Meredith had her stitches out today. Very brave!

Well Washington was eventful and for all the wrong reasons! The hotel was great and we spent the first day doing lots of touristy things such as the White House (we didn't see the Obamas - forgot to let them know we were coming). We also saw the Washington monument and some of the Smithsonian, but god it was hot.

Our second day was spent at George Washington hospital after Meredith sliced her ear and needed six stitches. It was pretty traumatic, bless her, she was a brave soldier. I told her she could have a reward, and she chose a manicure for being so brave. The ladies in the salon spoiled her rotten, and even did her hair as well. Meredith milked it for all it was worth. She should be on the stage!

After Washington we spent two days in Shenandoah National park, which is stunningly beautiful but a mistake with kids. Not much to do for them and they were bored by the wildlife and scenery after 10 minutes. So we left a day earlier than planned and drove to Charlottesville, hone of Thomas Jefferson, which was lovely and plenty for the kids and us to appreciate.

We are heading to Copper hill tomorrow for a stopover on our way to Asheville.

Well it took two days to get to Toronto, and six hundred miles. We stayed overnight in a one horse town but hotel was great,

We met my friend Myra on Saturday with her hubby, Kevin and sons Josh and Matthew. It was like 20 years just melted away, and we laughed about old times, and reminisced about Myra's mum, god rest her soul! We then caught up on our lives now, and we had a lovely day. Kids were exhausted, but didn't want the day to end. Toronto Island is great for kids

We went around Toronto the next day and I was a bit underwhelmed to be honest. The CN tower is great but I just didn't get a heartbeat.

On Tuesday we left early to get to New York with a detour to Niagara and that was worth what turned out to be an entire day in the car. Sadly, they have turned the town into some cheap man's Las Vegas, in the hope of attracting visitors but it looks cheap and crap. Anyway the good news is that Niagara is everything and more. The noise and spray is amazing, the spectacle is just out of this world. Definitely one of the modern wonders of the world. Loved it!

New York is a great city, although this time we only saw the inside of Central Park! We did the kids parks, the fairground, the carousel. Kids loved it, and so did we. Cassie now has a taste for rides so bodes well for Disney.

We also did Toys R us which has a Ferris wheel inside the store, and Times Square, but that was the extent of it before leaving for New Jersey to see Paul's cousin Mark and his family. We worked it out that it is 10 years since we last saw him at Nans funeral. Anyway we spent the day with him, his wife Jodie and the kids. Not forgetting Peter, Jodie's dad. We can report to all the Lounds' clan that he is happy, Jodie is lovely, so are the kids and he has a lovely home.

We stayed overnight at the holiday Inn select in Clinton. What a dump, the worst hotel in a long time. Can't wait to spill vitriol on Trip Advisor!

We left and headed to Philadelphia today which only took an hour. What a great city, compact, loads of history but bloody hot!

Tomorrow we head to Washington and then I will be replete with cities, and we are back to scenery and R and R.

Karen x

We left Maine this morning at 9.30 and arrived at our halfway stop to Toronto at 5.30!

Despite the epic journey, we have covered the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York. Vermont has some of the most jaw droppingly beautiful scenery I have ever seen. I am sad we did not get to see more of it. Kids were great, considering the journey. Thank god for air conditioning!

So if you ever come to the States, please go to Vermont!

Another 300 miles tomorrow and we are then in Toronto. Can't wait, especially as we meet up with Myra, a very old school friend, who I haven't seen in about 20 years.

lots of travel over the next week as we hit Toronto, New York, Philadelphia and Washington. Let's hope some of this heat dissipates, before Paul and I kill each other