I'm amused that I am again writing a blog on the way into Chicago. This time it is morning and we have slept overnight since leaving Niagara Falls a bit after 10pm. We have passed through two states in the night and are in Illinois now. Unfortunately they are not new states to me so didn't add to the talley.
So far we've had one night at a campground and two nights on the road. The bus has 8 bunk beds near the roof and the rest of the area converts to 4 very cozy "honeymoon" beds and two large communal sleeping areas. It is working pretty well so far, a deal of cooperation is required and we are getting to know each other quite well :-). On the camping nights most people have tents to only about 10 of us slept on the bust so had a bit more room.
There are 28 on the bus, mostly mid 20s to mid 30s, but there is one 40ish German lady (Claudia) and an Aussie couple in their 60s on their honeymoon!! There is also a young couple from Whangarei so it's nice to have some backup when I'm trying to explain to people I don't have an accent! It is good to have options to hang out with different people. I have to say that with this many people all the practical stuff takes a while and does suck up some of the time we save by driving while sleeping. There are two driver/guides, Dave and Adrian, and they seem pretty cool with lots of experience. There is an enclosed sleeping compartment for them (one at a time!) at the back which seems pretty well equipped with light and fan and we are under instructions to keep the noise down in the back as we want our drivers well rested.
On the first full day we spent some time at a State Park in Pennsylvania on lake Eire. We had the chance to swim or canoe/kayak and Claudia and I shared a canoe and saw lots of birds and insects and just a couple of turtles. It was a fun way to spend some time.
Visiting Niagara Falls again was good. Unfortunately the guides were very off-putting about visiting Canada so I think the few that I was with were the only ones who bothered. They all seemed pleased they had done that so I was glad to have helped. We also did a "Cave of Winds" walk I hadn't done last time. Quite different from the Maid of the Mist boat ride, but it did take you right to the base of the smallest of the three falls and we got very very wet so that was good as it was another scorcher of a day (photo attached). Also got to see the birds up close, there is quite a variety and lots of young ones at this time of year looking very fluffy.
I expect to be able to send this from Chicago, after that were heading into west, the Badlands (sounds so cool!)
I have heard from Dad that Mum made it safely home after a nice time in California, so I was pleased about that.
Love
Sarah
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