Chapter 39
NOTE: There is some minor language in this chapter, specifically in the part about Ethan Allen. For those who are very easily offended, or have small children in the room, read at your own risk.
So they went and saw the Palace Theatre, as well as the Zimmerman house, and a few other things in New Hampshire. They drove over to Vermont next...
ETHAN ALLEN HOMESTEAD MUSEUM – BURLINGTON, VERMONT
The girls were looking around the former home of Ethan Allen, which is now a museum.
CIARA: So, this is the Ethan Allen?
CLAIRE: Yep.
CIARA: Wasn't he part of the Revolutionary War?
CLAIRE: Oh, yes.
CIARA: I heard a story about him once in school.
CLAIRE: Let's hear it.
CIARA: It was right after the war. Ethan Allen went over to England to do business with the King, and one night, he was having dinner with a group of English Lords. Well, as one would, Ethan Allen found that he was in need of a privy, which he was glad to be directed to. Relieved, you might say.
Claire laughed.
CIARA: Upon entering the water closet, he found that the only decoration was a portrait of George Washington hanging on the back of the door. Ethan Allen did his business, and returned to the dinner table. All the English Lords were waiting for him to say something, but he didn't. Well, finally, one man asked if he had seen it, which he had. Well, the man asked what he thought of its placement, whether he felt it appropriate. Ethan said that he felt it was very appropriate.
CLAIRE: Really?
CIARA: Yeah. Well, at that, the English Lords lost it. “Appropriate?! George Washington's likeness in a water closet?!”. “Yes,” said Mr. Allen, “where it will do good service. The whole world knows that nothing makes an Englishman s**t quicker than the sight of George Washington”.
Claire and Ciara laughed.
CLAIRE: That's awesome!
They continued looking around Vermont, and then went south to West Virginia. There, they looked at the Museum of Radio and Technology, the Shenandoah River, and parts of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Then, they went to Ohio. They looked around the house from A Christmas Story, and went to SeaWorld Ohio. They also made sure to stop at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.
ROCK 'N' ROLL HALL OF FAME – CLEVELAND, OHIO
CLAIRE: Whoa!
CIARA: Look at all these people!
CLAIRE: And all the stuff from their careers!
CIARA: Look, there's Elvis!
CLAIRE: There's the Who.
CIARA: Janis Joplin!
CLAIRE: Nat “King” Cole!
CIARA: U2!
CLAIRE: Genesis!
CIARA: Green Day!
CLAIRE: There's just so many!
CIARA: Well, they keep adding more every year!
CLAIRE: I know. But, look at all of these amazing people who influenced music!
CIARA: It's pretty awesome!
Continuing the musical portion of their trip, they went to Michigan, and visited Hitsville U.S.A. Then, they went to Kentucky, and saw the Kentucky Derby Museum. Next, they moved on to Indiana, and saw the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Finally, they made their way to Illinois, visited the Bean, and Navy Pier. Ciara and Claire had now officially traveled all 50 states. They had many adventures, not written in this story. But, these are written to give just a small taste of their adventures throughout the year.
Tune in tomorrow for the finale.
