Scenes from a Roadtrip (Read 8,379 times)

[André DiMera]

I must admit, I have played a little fast-and-loose with the timeline. They started off on New Year's Day with the aim to visit every state in the U.S. There's 52 weeks in a year and 50 states, so if they spent a week (give or take) in each state, it would take them about a year.

I'm glad you're all enjoying this story! There's still two more chapters to go!

[André DiMera]

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.

[heroicmuse]

Yay! Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!

This has been a great trip. I'm sad it's ending.

[Kpatch]

What a travelogue! I can't wait to see the reunion with their families.

[fluffysmom]

I've enjoyed the trip around the country. It's been educational and fun.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 40

CAR
The girls were in Illinois now and were just about to the Salem town limits. It was a frosty day, and the snow lay thick on the ground.
CIARA: Almost home.
CLAIRE: Yeah.
CIARA: You know, I've noticed something.
CLAIRE: What did you notice?
CIARA: This entire trip, we've never turned on the radio.
Claire thought for a moment.
CLAIRE: No, we haven't, have we? I guess we've just had a lot to talk about.
CIARA: We certainly have.
CLAIRE: Then again, the one thing every roadtrip needs is a sing along.
CIARA: Shall we?
CLAIRE: Let's.
Claire turned on the radio. A Christmas song was just ending.
D.J. (over radio): Well, that was “Last Christmas” by Wham!, and before that was “Same Old Lang Syne” by Dan Fogelberg. Before the next Christmas song, I have a request to play. This request comes to us from a young man in Chicago, and even though it's not a Christmas song, I cannot refuse a request. This one goes out to all of the people who are traveling home...
A song started playing. Click here to listen to it. As the song played, Ciara and Claire reflected on their trip around the U.S.

VARIOUS LOCATIONS – FLASHBACK (MONTAGE)
Ciara and Claire getting in the car and pulling out of the driveway.
The girls on the train at the Riverside and Great Northern Railway.
The girls in the hot tub at the AmericInn in Ladysmith.
The girls taking a selfie from the top of the Space Needle.
Skiing with Aiden and Chase.
Having dinner with Eric and Jamie.
Walking along the Riverwalk.
Going down slides at White Water Bay Park.
Seeing Paul Naurita hit the winning ball out of the park in St. Louis.
Eating beignets at Cafe du Monde.
Riding Soarin' at Disney World.
Outside the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.
Gazing up at the Statue of Liberty.
Walking around Harvard Square.
The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.
Taking pictures of themselves in the Bean in Chicago.
Riding the giant Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier.

OUTSIDE THE HORTON HOME – SALEM
The girls had finally made it back home. They parked the car in the driveway of the Horton Home, which was already very full. On any other day, they would have driven back to Bo and Hope's, which is where they started from. But, they knew that on this night, everyone would be at the Horton's. The girls got out of the car.
CLAIRE: Okay, I've said it before and I'll say it again...
CLAIRE & CIARA: Best. Trip. Ever!
The girls hugged.
CLAIRE: Thank you so much for coming on this trip with me, Ci!
CIARA: Thank you so much for asking me to come, Bear! I wouldn't have missed this for anything.
CLAIRE: Come on, let's go surprise them.
The girls went up to the door of the house and knocked. After a moment, Hope opened the door.
CIARA & CLAIRE: Merry Christmas!
HOPE: Ciara! Claire!
Hope threw her arms around both girls.
HOPE: It's so good to see you!
CIARA: We were hoping we'd make it back in time for the Horton Christmas Party.
HOPE: Well, you certainly have. Come in. Come in. Tell us all about your trip!
So, the girls went inside, and were greeted warmly by everybody. They handed out the presents they had gotten everybody along their trip, and showed everyone pictures. They both agreed that it had been the trip of a lifetime, and something neither of them would ever forget.

THE END

Tune in to “Stranger Than Fiction”, starting Monday, September 21st.

[heroicmuse]

That was a great ending! You know, if had to end. Looking forward to the next story André DiMera

[Kpatch]

Yay. They made it home in time for the ornament hanging! Great story André DiMera. It took a lot of research to put this together. Nice job!

I love the title of your next story.

[fluffysmom]

This is the perfect ending to the girls adventures around the country. Thanks for letting us share the amazing road trip with Claire and Ciara André DiMera. I'm looking forward to reading your next tale.

[krw627]

Love that they made it back for the Horton Ornaments!! Was a great story!