A Guest Blog - Chris, Sophie, and Charlie's Road Trip
I am the proud aunt of Chris and Sophie Herbert and their brother, Charlie Plimpton. This past August, the three siblings and a dog, spent 4 days together on a road trip and captured these images with their iPhones.
(Written by Chris) At the beginning of August, I was scheduled to travel out west to join Tim, my husband, who had taken a job at the Aspen Music Festival in beautiful Aspen, Colorado. Because we wanted our dog, Pumpkin, with us, I needed to make the journey by car. New York City to Colorado is quite a trek and I convinced my sister, Sophie, and my brother, Charlie, to drive with me. After picking up the rental car in Connecticut and then spending the night in Brooklyn, we took off on our 4-day journey across America. We had a fantastic time as siblings, and Pumpkin was quite a trooper, as well. I hope you enjoy our photos and captions!
1 After Charlie and I picked up the rental car in Fairfield, CT, we were off to Brooklyn, NY. We spent the night at my apartment, getting it ready for the sub-let. The next morning, we met up with Sophie and set off on our adventure.
2 Here we are with Sophie the next morning. We enjoyed a quick breakfast and officially began the road trip. However, it took us a frustrating hour just to get out of Brooklyn!
3 We decided to take a photo of every state sign but, unfortunately, we missed New Jersey! Here's the sign crossing over into the long state of Pennsylvania, the State of Independence.
4 The iPhone app, Urban Spoon, proved invaluable. We found some great places to eat on the trip, including this Vietnamese restaurant, Meiji, in Harrisburg, PA. We ordered entirely too much food!
5 As you can see, Sophie and Charlie, were a little stunned with the amount of food!
6 There was also a mysterious box of 'free' food!
7 Turns out it was full of delicious Vietnamese donuts.
8 Pumpkin was happy to romp in this lovely park in Harrisburg.
9 An accidental detour led right through Amish country, where we encountered quite a few horse and buggies.
10 We all took turns driving - Sophie drove us safely through a big rain storm.
11 We also took turns sitting in the backseat with Pumpkin, who proved to be an excellent travel companion.
12 Sophie stretched at a Pennsylvania rest stop.
13 These cement barriers were perfect for a little seated forward bend.
14 After spending most of the day in Pennsylvania, we finally crossed over into West Virginia!
15 About to cross over the Ohio river into Ohio
16 For dinner the first night, we ate in Cambridge, Ohio at a Greek Diner.
17 We stayed at dog friendly La Quinta hotel in Columbus Ohio.
18 On the morning of day 2, we hit the road and headed for St. Louis, Missouri.
19 Later for lunch, Urban Spoon led us to River Road Barbecue. The smokers were cooking away.
20 The pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw and baked beans were amazing!
21 Crossing over into Kentucky
22 And then to Indiana, the Crossroads of America
23 The next state was the drought stricken land of Illinois, The Land of Lincoln.
24 Passing by the beautiful gateway arch of St. Louis, which is the centerpiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen and German-American structural engineer Hannskarl Bandel in 1947, the arch wasn't built until the 1960's.
25 The second night we stayed at the house of Sophie and my father's best friend from high school, Susie Slivka. She has two very cute dogs.
26 Pumpkin was very jealous of the other dogs, so she needed extra attention.
27 Susie and her husband, Jac, grew those melons in their garden!
28 On Day 3, we passed through Kansas City, Missouri where we ate amazing Southern food at Lufti's Fish.
29 Sophie's lunch - fried codfish sandwich with fried okra and collard greens
30 Charlies lunch - Fried codfish sandwich with mac & cheese
31 The Kansas City skyline - As you can see, it was also very dry. Kansas City is the largest city in Missouri. It is well-known for its jazz and blues and also its Kansas City-style barbecue.
32 In Kansas City, we stopped at Liberty Memorial, dedicated to the soldiers who died in World War I. The memorial was completed and dedicated on November 11, 1926 and has the largest and most important collection of World War 1 artifacts in the United States.
33 At night, the top of the memorial tower emits steam illuminated by bright orange lights, creating the illusion of a burning pyre.
34 We were drawn to these two interesting limestone Sphinx sculptures guarding the approach to the memorial. Each sphinx is 12-feet-long by 15-feet-wide by 15-feet-high and they are covering their faces with their wings.
35 After crossing into Kansas, night 3 was spent in Salina, where we had great Mexican takeout at Cotijas.
36 Gorgeous clouds in Kansas
37 Charlie took this picture noticing that the plaza was appropriately named Sunset Plaza.
38 There were giant grain elevators (thanks Susan!) in every town along the train tracks in Kansas, like this one which is for sale.
39 In Kansas, we saw acres and acres of wind farms.
40 When we stopped for gas, we soon realized why Kansas has so many wind turbines.
41 We found Kansas to be quite beautiful and rather painterly.
42 Crossing over into eastern Colorado, the landscape looked pretty much the same.
43 We saw some very long freight trains as we drove through Colorado.
44 Nothing but open land in this part of Colorado.
45 After 4 days of driving, we finally arrived in Denver, where we stayed with Chris's friends at their lovely home in a beautiful neighborhood.
46 Charlie and Chris with Harold, John, and Sandy
47 It was time for Sophie and Charlie to fly back home. Denver International airport features these Teflon-coated fiber glass roofs which are meant to look like the snow capped Rocky Mountains.
48 Bye, Chris and Pumpkin! What a fun journey!
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
What a wonderful trip. When my son, Michael, the one who died, was posted in Kansas, we went to see him, and on other trips, I've passed by the Arch, but have not really seen it. Since I was driving, I had to look where I was going, but it is beautiful at a glance.
So, in this Blog, we see the Gateway Arch of St. Louis, and in photo #37, we see the Golden Arches in the backgound.
Kansas is really beautiful when all the Sunflowers are in bloom, field after field.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | September 10th, 2012 at 1:38 am
What a lovely time! I for one just love road trips. The longest road trip I've taken is from Arkansas to California. However, NY to CO is very long! Glad to see the siblings could share this together. Laura you have just lovely children. The food looked awesome! Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | September 10th, 2012 at 4:43 am
Another great and interesting guest blogger! Chris I really enjoyed the photo's and captions! I want to adopt Pumpkin! Looks like you all had a great time....I might try and convince my siblings to have a go at this sometime! I've driven around Europe with my partner but would love a US roadtrip!
Posted by: Deborah Ross | September 10th, 2012 at 7:04 am
I think that is what summer should be about, road trips! How fun to travel from New York to Colorado. Chris, Sophie and Charlie, you all looked like you had fun! I think it's nice for siblings, especially adults to spend time together, and how sweet is Pumpkin! What a neat iPhone app, Urbanspoon, invaluable when you are in a strange city and want to know where to eat! I enjoyed the photos and info on the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, how neat it would be to see the Memorial Tower at night. Thanks for sharing your journey and Chris I hope you are enjoying beautiful Aspen!
Posted by: Cindy F | September 10th, 2012 at 7:21 am
What a great trip, must have been so much fun being together for so many days. Quite a "mini documentary" of a part of the US many don't know very well on the East Coast.
Always wanted to make a road trip across the States. Maybe I will "borrow" your itinerary!!
Posted by: Viveka Kj | September 10th, 2012 at 8:51 am
What a great trip! Last autumn my 88 year old Dad & I drove from Illinois to his home in Phoenix. We jumped off the Interstate and visited Dwight Eisenhower's Presidential library. It was so inspiring. We then headed to Vail and dropped south down to Arches National Park and the Grand Canyon. We had lunch at Sedona, AZ and then on to Phoenix.
I was raised on road trips. We usually headed to Florida or took route 66 to L.A. I remember when there was no Arch in St. Louis. Of course, no A/C in the car either which we survived just fine flying along with the windows open. Got to say, I do like the quieter ride now. LOL
Great day to all!
Posted by: Sharon | September 10th, 2012 at 9:26 am
Thanks Chris, Sophie and Charlie for sharing your fun road trip with us and how great that all three of you could take turns driving. I’ve always enjoyed a good road trip but not so much the wrong turns because it sometimes took forever to get back on track. I speak of being up in some of the mountains! I smiled at seeing Sophie doing her yoga stretches; she is so dedicated and in such great shape too. All three of you look fine and I can’t help but notice one thing in particular. Why is it that the brothers always get the curly or wavy hair? Enjoy Colorado Chris! I’m sure Tim was really happy to see you! Trish
Posted by: Trish | September 10th, 2012 at 9:38 am
Hi Martha, Laura, Chris, Sophie, & Charlie, OMG! WOW! Thank you, thank you thank you for sharing this absolutely fabulous blog about the great road trip from New York to Aspen, Colorado in only 4 days! You siblings sure did have a fantastic time traveling together and taking Pumpkin with you to join Tim who has taken a job at the Aspen Music Festival-the website about the AMF is terrific! Chris, will you be living there for awhile? I absolutely love all of your delightful photos and comments about this trip! How many miles was that? Many years ago, my family and I drove to Denver from Ellensburg, Wa to see my brother and that was a long trip, too! You sure did have lots of great meals as you drove there and how nice to stay at a dog friendly hotel! Pumpkin sure was jealous of those dogs at Sophie's friend's house-typical! Those melons in photo #27 are delicious and gorgeous looking! Charlie and Sophie, you must have had a nice flight home after that 4 day trip and Chris And Pumpkin look great in photo #48! I have enjoyed seeing all three of you siblings on Martha's TV Shows, Martha's blogs where you traveled with her or visited her farm, etc., and I love listening to Sophie on SiriusXM 110! Laura you have the greatest kids and I know you are proud of them! Hope all of you have another great day! Off to see The Daily Wag "Checking out the Corn Patch!" Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | September 10th, 2012 at 9:50 am
Thanks Chris, Charlie, Sophie and Pumpkin for sharing your trip!! It''s so nice to see that you took Pumpkin with you inside the car and not on top of the car roof (remember who did that)!!!!!
Posted by: Sharon | September 10th, 2012 at 9:57 am
Is that the Charlie that was curled up on a chair on a cover just before Christmas years ago? How cute he turned out to be. Looks like a great road trip for all!
Posted by: Holiday Baker Man | September 10th, 2012 at 11:50 am
Hi Charlie, Chris and Sophie!
Great taste of Americana! Loved all the down home photos -- especially the photo of the Amish horse and buggy. I'm quite fascinated with the Amish -- I spend many nights on youtube just googling Amish!
Thanks again for the great photos of the Road Trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Much love,
Your neighbor,
Liz
Posted by: liz fuller | September 10th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
I just happened to log into this site as I was writing to the office regarding my subscriptions. How lucky am I to have enjoyed this blog on this beautiful sunny Autumn day. It was of immense interest to me as I, a Canadian, having visited many States in the U.S.A., was fortunate to see photographs of States I have never had the pleasure of seeing. As others have said, the food looked absolutely scrumptious, and it was so interesting to see important State monuments. So many of your States look familiar to me as the landscape is very similar to ours here in Canada. We also have Amish Country in Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario. Kansas and Colorado driving is as if we were driving through the Prairies in Saskatchewan. Wasn't it wonderful that the three siblings, Chris, Charlie and Sophie were able to find the time to be together. I have three children also, but it would be very difficult for them to get together as a daughter lives in Verona, Italy, a son in Regina, Saskatchewan and one daughter who lives close to me. I am rambling on, but I just had to tell you how much I enjoyed the blog. Pumpkin must be as sweet as her name.
Thank you again for this lovely time visiting you.
Much regards,
Madolin
Posted by: Madolin Karch | September 10th, 2012 at 2:45 pm
Greetings to Martha and her family who made the trip to Colorado..On the first night they posted a picture of The Greek Diner where they had dinner..I live in Cambridge, Ohio and we frequently visit that restaurant..They have great food and hopefully they were treated well and their food was great as well..Stop in again if you are in our region , as you are most welcome..Glad everyone had a safe and memorable trip. Sincerely, Elaine LePage, a home town girl
Posted by: Elaine LePage | September 10th, 2012 at 9:21 pm
Fantastic Four Day Trip
.
Rub-a-dub-dub, we're off in our tub,
Turn around then home, one less, that's the rub.
The Urban Spoon application was extremely good.
Great "eat out" at Meiji's but way too much food.
Lovely Pumpkin a happy doggie who loves his huggies,
Quick trip thru Amish country with fine horses and buggies;
Through wind and rain everyone, no matter, taking their turn,
Stop for a little stretch, a forward bend and on we churn.
Over the Ohio river first night stop, a diner for dinner.
A dog friendly stay at La Quinta hotel, that's a winner.
On to Missouri, spied River Road Que, smokers blazing;
We had pulled pork sandwich, coleslaw, baked beans amazing.
Crossing over Kentucky, Indiana and drought stricken Illinois,
Top racing, Crossroads of America, Land of Lincoln, oh! boy.
Saw St. Louis gateway arch, a duo design'47, not 'til 60s built.
Stayed with family friends from high school, good place to wilt.
The two house dogs were cute, of course we made a fuss,
But the green eye of the little yellow dog Pumpkin, sucked up to us.
Day three in Kansas City we had fish sandwiches, Southern style,
Largest city in Missouri well known for jazz n blues we stayed awhile.
Dainty little clouds in Kansas supporting an interesting evening sunset.
Along the train tracks in Kansas giant grain silos, full, is a safe bet.
In Kansas, acres and acres of wind farms with huge turbines whirling,
Remember, Dorothy and Toto found out with all about them swirling.
Also Kansas with its vast vistas carried us into Colorado and a rest stop,
Too soon it was time to say goodbye to the Rocky Mountains snow on top.
Journeys end, the team split up, with wonderful memories to keep,
And the little yellow dog Pumpkin bade farewell, without a peep.
.
.**********************************************
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pic 32 in Kansas, a sad reminder, again.
.
Soldiers Lament
.
Tall, tall as the montains stand,
Small, small as a grain of sand,
Here at my last command,
I think of you.
.
Far, far as the ocean's deep,
Alone, where I may not sleep,
Forever, my word I keep,
And think of you.
.
Still, still I'll rot in this hell,
Forgotten and hungry with none to tell,
I joined this army and I've served it well.
Always, I think of you.
.
Should I never see again your smiling face?
Or feel the tender sweetness of your grace,
Know you brought me peace in this evil place,
And still I thought of you.
.
Posted by: celia stock | September 10th, 2012 at 11:43 pm
Great blog today! But we want to see a picture of Tim!
Posted by: Ralph | September 11th, 2012 at 2:31 am
Hi...just wanted to mention the grain "factories" in Kansas (#38) are actually called grain elevators.
Posted by: Susan | September 12th, 2012 at 8:35 pm
looks as though you were close by (cincinnati, oh) - wish you had stopped in! you should follow this up with a piece on your time in aspen. great to see things are going so well for chris...remember first seeing him on one of martha's shows (a tour of the met's boheme set with peter gelb) and as i'm a big opera fan (and sometime baritone) took an immediate liking to him. all the best to all of you.
michael p
Posted by: michael p | September 12th, 2012 at 8:40 pm
Glad Chris & Co.. enjoyed my home state of Kansas. I agree - it's a great place!
Posted by: Martha E. in KS | September 15th, 2012 at 10:11 pm
I looked at must have been 2 or 300 pictures. I love what you put on here, I think you are the most interesting woman alive today you know so much, how did you learn about everything? Experience makes a big difference doesn't it Martha, I love to watch your shows but I have an antenna now so I can't get your shows. But when I can I assure you you have a fan, Love Della
Posted by: Della Moleon | October 18th, 2012 at 11:56 am