Home Sweet Home

We're home! (Well, we've actually been home for a week, but I'm just now getting around to writing our Welcome Home post.) The final week of our trip (a.k.a. The Week of the Rental Car) was as relaxing and air-conditioned as we'd hoped it would be. We were so happy to be rid of the bikes! And better yet, we were super happy to spend so much time with friends in our final week on the road.

From Cleveland, our first stop was Niagara Falls. Truth be told, I thought Niagara Falls was going to be one huge, over-rated tourist trap. And it is swarming with tourists, but it's also totally awesome! Instead of riding the Maid of the Mist boat, we took an elevator down to the base of the falls and walked around on a series of observation platforms that led us ever closer to the falls. The final platform is called the "Hurricane Deck," and it's so close to the falls that when I walked onto it, the force of the water felt like it could knock me off my feet!

After Niagara Falls, we spent a day driving south and visiting two of Doug's Peace Corps friends who live in Pennsylvania. Matt greeted us and took us to coffee in Bethlehem, PA...


...and Justin treated us to a scrumptious dinner at the aptly chosen California Pizza Kitchen in Philadelphia.



The next day, we spent some time wandering around Philly before driving to Baltimore. Among other things, we discovered that visiting the Liberty Bell is rather boring. Here, after walking past a series of overwrought, gushing historical placards in the Bell's visitor center, Doug feigns excitement at having reached the bell:

From Philly, we drove to Baltimore to visit my friend Melinda, which, despite the rain we encountered, was loads of fun. Doug and I spent one rainy afternoon reading in Barnes & Noble, while the next day's sunniness meant Melinda & I could enjoy a walk in Patterson Park (see yellow sculpture photo below). Then the three of us took our books down to the harbor and read on a dock. Add in some yummy Thai food and long conversations about West Africa and oral rehydration systems, and you've got one great visit! (In other less savoury news, we also saw the movie Inglorious Basterds. Stay home and save your money, folks.)

Our last stop was Washington, D.C., where we spent a really fun day hanging out with Doug's friend Krissy (also from Peace Corps) and her roommate, and then spent our last day exploring the Capitol Mall and its surrounding museums.


My personal favorite was the U.S. Botanical Garden:
Doug avoided an attack by the stuffed tiger at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History:

Our flight home was smooth (thanks, Jerry, for the late night pickup!), and we've had a fun week of reunions with family and friends. I was particularly happy to reunite with a particular kitty who I've missed terribly:

We'll be resting at home during September, so call us if you want to hang out! And I'll probably take a break from blogging while we're home, but be sure to check back in October to read the next chapter of our adventures: "Where in the World are Jen and Doug?--International Edition!"