Home Sweet Home!

We could hardly sleep the last night in Vermont, excited that the next would be spent in our own home!! We packed up and drove to New Hampshire. The license plates that we once cheered for along the road were now surrounding us! Every few minutes the children would exclaim that they recognized a landmark or rest area! The weather was gray, but it didn't dampen our enthusiasm- we missed home.

We drove in the driveway to find that there were decorations to welcome us. Soon after, Nancy-Jane's parents arrived to welcome us home with lobster rolls and strawberry rhubarb pie for lunch!

We were greeted with signs and balloons.

It was great to be home!

Wonderful artwork!

Our map of the United States!

The View gets a well-deserved rest!!

Fort Ticonderoga, NY to Vermont

We said goodbye to our Swiss friends in Canada and began the last leg of our journey with mixed feelings. We were all excited to be closer to home, missing our family, friends, and it's comforts- yet it was difficult to imagine this grand adventure coming to a close.

We had mixed feelings as we returned to the US.

 We chose a route through New York along the west side of Lake Champlain. It was a gorgeous summer day and we enjoyed views of the Adirondacks to our right and the lake to our left. We paid a visit to Fort Ticonderoga, a strategic outpost first for French troops, then British, and critical to Americans during the Revolutionary War. Ethan Allen  and his Green Mountain boys captured the fort from the British. The fort's cannons were sent to Boston to aid in driving the British from the city.

What had been a strategic military vantage point between Lake Champlain and narrow waterways to Lake George, NY proved to be a scenic setting for visitors!

A visit to the famous strategic fort.

Good thing the cannons no longer work.

Beautiful view of Lake Champlain.

The soldiers have a visit with the kids outside the barracks.

Our GPS was set for Vermont and a visit to Richard's mother, Barbara. As we wound along the country roads connecting New York to Vermont our excitement increased!! We were anticipating a warm welcome, Barbara's great cooking, her pool, and a comfortable bed.

The Wanderluffs arrive in Vermont!!!

We enjoyed a swim in BaBa's pool.

Hooray- in Vermont!

A swim to rejuvenate us after a long 6 months.

The fabulous meal!

 The next day was gray and drizzling, not what we had wanted for a planned trip to the nearby swimming hole. We chose instead to use the time to reflect, relax, and catch up on our trip journals (and blog)!

The most relaxing couch.

Caroline catches up on her drawing.