We have successfully traversed the USA and made it back to Sydney. 🙂 We took three weeks off and had an amazing time!! Here is what we did on our trip!

Sunday, 30th of June we took an Uber to the Sydney airport and took off at 9:30a. We got upgraded to Comfort Plus for being Silver Medallion members on Delta. The 13 hour flight went well and we both watched some movies Keria Knightley marathon!) and I got some sleep. We arrived in LA at 6:30a Sunday, 30th of June and waited for Collin’s flight to get in at 9. We then took our rental car to the California Science Center to see the Space Shuttle Endeavor and the rest of the museum. We then drove to the Griffith Observatory up in the hills to do more space things and admired the view of LA and the Hollywood sign. It was way too hot and sunny to hike around, so we went to our Airbnb to check in, then drove to supper at the Hard Rock Cafe on Hollywood Blvd. We looked at the shops, saw a few Hollywood stars and then called it a night.

Monday, we got up and had breakfast at Ihop where I had a giant coffee. We then drove the coastal highway 1 north to Pismo Beach. The 3.5 hr drive was gorgeous between the coastal beaches to the hills and valleys and fields of flowers. Our Airbnb was amazing and looked like it was styled out of a magazine. We ate supper at a restaurant beachside (they had Wisconsin cheese curds!) and wandered around the pier until sunset. Our Airbnb had streaming, so we watched an Apollo 11 documentary. The next morning we got up to go ATVing on the Oceano sand dunes for three hours. It was so fun!!! You had to really watch where you were going as the dunes could have a foot drop off or 100 feet cliff. They had 5.5 miles of beach and dunes to bum around on. We had a blast and were very sore, bruised and blistered after running around. The day started out overcast, but it was bright and sunny by the time we were done. We all got sunburned on our hands. We had burgers at a cute train restaurant, then went to check out some coastal parks and walks and saw a lot of sea birds and squirrels. We had Japanese for dinner and ended the day watching the first 3 episodes of Chernobyl and packing up for our early return back to LA.

Our drive back to LA was uneventful and we got stuck in traffic. We still made it to the airport with plenty of time. Collin was in a different terminal than us so we had to say good bye on the Hertz shuttle. Brandon and I had a little lunch and then got to our gate. We had already noticed the bigger portions in the US and were concerned about gaining weight! We were upgraded to Comfort Plus (Yay free alcohol and more legroom!!) on our flight to Denver and enjoyed seeing all the cool mountains and rock formations flying across the western USA. We arrived in Denver and picked up our beast of a rental car (Barracuda!) and went to Golden to meet Lindsey (my cousin, the bride) and her friends for supper. We then headed to my Aunt Donna’s to stay the night and help her get ready for her 4th of July party the next day.

We drove to the airport to pick up my parents, Uncle Ted and cousin Taylor. More family came with them and were trickling in all day from Wisconsin. The Denver area was having a wetter than usual summer and we had random rain showers every day while we were there with a few hail storms mixed in as well. This made for some amazing rainbows and double rainbows. Once back to Aunt Donna’s we had breakfast, then an epic ladder golf tournament complete with prizes. It was a great day full of food, family, and yard games. Thankfully, we started the trip at Aunt Donna’s since she is the lowest elevation (around 6000 feet) and some of the family have issues with altitude. I even learned the Ebben way to make Bloody Mary’s. Everyone in our car and a few more rented a house in the mountains near Evergreen, where the wedding was, so we headed there to check in and spend some time in the hot tub. We had barely gotten on the high way and a hail storm started. We were able to hide under an overpass until it stopped, but some of the hail was quarter sized. The hot tub was great for Brandon and I since we were still sore from ATVing. The owners of the house were staying in a camper along the crazy winding, switchback driveway where we saw deer along a few times. The house was very nice and had an amazing view of the surrounding mountains. We could even see a town’s 4th of July fireworks from the kitchen. There were hummingbird feeders and hummingbirds everywhere. The next morning, the day of the wedding, the guys tried out the hot tub, we got ready for the big event, then went for lunch at the local golf course.

Lindsey and Brian got married at her home parish and had the cocktail hour and reception right there. It was a lovely ceremony and so nice to meet Brian and his family and friends and learn more about him. Congrats to you!!!! My Aunt Donna made a slide show of pictures of Brian and Lindsey which was awesome. All my dad’s brothers and sisters made it to the wedding and a number of my cousins as well. It was a fun night and they had awesome wedding favors of can cozies and wooden coasters and a photo booth for a guest book! I did a bit of dancing, but Brandon and I mainly stuck to the patio area and talked to people. The next morning, Brandon and I drove an hour north to do the South Boulder parkrun. Our first and only one in the US so far! The altitude made it a bit harder than usual, so we both ran/walked it. There was a lot of doubt in the family that we would get up and do it, so I was glad we did. We drove back and got ready to go to Aunt Jan and Uncle Nelson’s house (Lindsey’s parents) for lunch and a John Denver-like concert. Uncle Darrell took Brandon and I on a hike to the Watershed nearby. It was beautiful and we even saw wild Columbines, the Colorado state flower. We arrived back to an epic volleyball tournament happening and Mom getting some baby time in. The family then sat around the campfire and told stories of growing up and Grandma and Grandpa who passed away in the last few years.

Sunday morning we got up and went to the same church as the wedding for a mass said for Grandma and Grandpa. The family then did their own thing for the day. My parents, Brandon and I checked out the shops in downtown Evergreen and we found some fun Colorado t-shirts. Brandon and I did a wine tasting and I got a cinnamon roll latte from an adorable coffee shop. We then met most of the family back at Aunt Donna’s for a grill out and more yard game competition. We were all invited to Lindsey and Brian’s new house for supper up in the mountains. Elevation-wise, our house we rented and my Aunt Jan’s house are at about 8000 feet above sea level. Brian and Lindsey are at about 9000 feet. The ride up was pretty twisty- turny and had me rather anxious. The view from their house is incredible and it is an awesome log house. Brian grilled amazing burgers and we headed back down the mountain before it got too dark. There was apparently a back way/short cut down to Evergreen, but had more cliffs and was more twisty. We elected to not go that way. I had put all the addresses for the trip in a collection in Here Maps beforehand. I knew that service was hit and miss in the mountains, so I just used offline GPS to get us where we needed to go. Brandon drove the Barracuda and I navigated and it worked out well. Our GPS, Bridgett, who is British, not Swedish (Uncle Ted!) never let us down. Even though we got confused about taking a private drive to get to Aunt Jean’s house. Human error!

The next day we packed up our rental house and went to my Aunt Jean and Uncle Darrell’s for breakfast. He lead a few of us went on a hike around their property, that got cut a bit short by another rain shower. Mom, Dad and I reenacted a picture from our first trip to Colorado on their swings; the first was 24 years ago. Brandon and I then took my parents to the airport for their flight home and we headed to Golden for lunch, then up to Brian and Lindsey’s house for the night. They lead us on a hike around their property (they have 15 acres) and had fun knocking dead trees down. We had a nice visit with them and headed off to the airport early the next day.

Brandon and I returned the Barracuda without incident, though we did fill out extra paperwork because of the hail storm. We had second breakfast in the airport from Panda Express and were upgraded to first class on the way to Minneapolis. We got Bloody Mary’s to celebrate, but they were not good like the Ebbens make them. Our flight to Appleton was delayed, but Minneapolis airport is amazing, so we passed the time exploring the shops, having dinner and relaxing. Mom and Dad came and got us at the airport. My sister and family were going to come too and surprise us, but due to our delay, couldn’t. We went for a sunset walk in the neighborhood and saw a deer family. My dad and I found a sealer for the wooden coasters from Lindsey and Brian so I could take them back into Australia. I added another coat every day we were there so they passed inspection and did not pose a biosecurity risk. The next day, Wednesday, Brandon and I helped Dad rota-till (sp?) the garden and take the fence down. Brandon had a shock with the humidity of WI and we were happy to get back into my parents’ AC. The two of us had lunch at BWW and ran errands getting a bunch of shopping done, mainly for shoes. I drove my mom’s car and it went well. I just kept flipping the windshield wipers instead of the blinker at first. We then met Brandon’s parents for supper at Cheddar’s and picked up their car that Brandon used while in Wisconsin. Dad had to put the fence back around the garden since the baby bunnies were eating it already. A few of them met his pellet gun and became fertilizer for the very garden they were wrecking.

Thursday, Brandon and I took my sister on the Fox Valley Wine Trail. We started in Green Bay at Captain’s Walk, where the guy who helped us, Lee was hilarious. We did a flight on the patio at Parallel 44 in Keewanee, a tasting at Trout Springs Winery in Greenleaf with a look at their trout ponds and a pet of their corgis. LedgeStone Vineyards had the fanciest building and the driest wine. We had a nice plate of nibbles there to refresh us. Lastly, we went to Kerrigan Brothers, who uses the grape juice from Door County grapes to craft a huge number of sweet(!) wines and did a tasting. It was a great day with beautiful weather! Driving around the countryside was so peaceful and relaxing. Wisconsin had a very harsh winter this past year and a very wet spring. The farmers are in trouble and the corn is really low. I really hope summer weather is good for them and fall is long so they are able to get all their crops harvested in time!

Friday, we hung out with Brandon’s Grandparents. We went on a boat ride to Omro for lunch, then Brandon’s parents met us for supper at a country club. Yay perch and haddock fish fry!! Saturday, I went with my dad to visit Grandma and Grandpa Ebben’s grave. I had wanted to go out to the woods and pick her a Trillium, A flower she really liked, but the mosquitoes would have eaten us alive. I had a sushi lunch with my old coworker Lacy, then headed back to my parents’ to prep for my mom’s side coming over. We had a nice visit with them; chatting on the deck, playing yard games and having supper. My nephews Austin and Trae stayed the night to join us at the cottage the next day. They hung out with my mom and dad while we picked up Brad and Ciara and hit College Ave. We stopped at D2 and had a drink on their patio, then the new wine bar, then to Deja Vu for martinis. Brad and Ciara had just gotten back from Norway and were in the process of moving house, so we came back to my parents’ house to play cards and continue the shenanigans. They brought us a delicious Norwegian snack that was basically bugles covered in chocolate. It was amazing! We caught up and carried on like old times. Sunday, after staying up until 3:30a, we made it to church with the boys at our old parish in Oshkosh. It was great to see everyone again, especially our choir director. We then had a grill out of brats at the Ebben cottage. My dad drove the boat so Trae could tube and try skiing. He couldn’t make it up, but my 66 year old Uncle Denis did. I was bummed not to do either, but my eye was bothering me, and I didn’t want to make it worse, so I sat in the boat as spotter. My dad wanted to give it a try too, but he thought Mom would object seeing he is not quite 100% well yet. Brandon and I then went to his Grandparents for supper and they grilled out ribs.

Monday, my friend Lindsay had off, so we spent the day in Door County. Brandon spent the day with his Grandparents. It started out a bit overcast and rainy, but by the time we hit Lake Michigan to kayak, it cleared up. It was a bit wavy, but we mastered it and had a nice guided paddle along the limestone cliffs. After, we were going to pick cherries, but they were not ready yet. So we stopped at a few shops and wineries and had a delicious pizza lunch (Packers pizza with bacon and cheese curds) and an easy ride back south. I came back with a cherry danish and pie from Susie’s, YUM! My parents and I had a delicious Mexican supper at El Azteca’s. Tuesday, Brandon was spending the day with his parents, his sister and kids. I had breakfast with Lindsay at a yummy diner, then went to visit my old coworkers at the Referral Center. Lindsay gave me all the Reece’s to bring back to Australia with me. I am so excited to have this little touch of the US!! I went over to my birthmom’s house and had a nice visit with her and her family. I am officially the shortest of my birthmom and younger biological siblings. I met with Allie and Darlene from the Referral Center who are coming to Australia in November to help them plan their trip. Our first visitors!!!! So exciting!!!! We quickly buzzed over to Brad and Ciara’s new house for a tour and to “help” move. 🙂

Wednesday, Brandon was hanging out with his other Grandparents, so I hung out with my mom and dad. Mom and I went mall walking, which just turned into me doing more shopping. I found the shoe motherload and a new wallet. Dad made ribeye for lunch which was excellent. We then went over to my cousin Jenny’s to see her kids and her basement renovations. Mom had some nice baby time. Brandon then rejoined me for a visit to my old work Heritage, and dinner with the crew. Thursday, Brandon and I were going to bring my nephews to Great America, but Austin had to work (14 and working at McDonalds), so we changed our destination to the Wisconsin Maritime Museum and brought Dad along. It was a very interesting museum and we got a tour of a WWII sub like the ones made there in Manitowoc (It only took 4 months per sub to make!!). Guys stationed on the sub all smoked and could only shower every few days. The engine and rooms were they launched the torpedoes could get over 100 degrees F during missions. Crazy conditions to spend 50-75 days traveling the South Pacific in! They had displays about the maritime history if the area; my dad and I couldn’t believe all the boats and ships that have gone down over the years on the Great Lakes for various reasons. Pretty treacherous! We got to play with a steam engine and see a bunch of model boats. We stopped for lunch at Culver’s before getting Austin back to work on time. Trae joined us back to my parents’ house and Brandon and I headed to the Millers’ for supper and his Grandpa’s Birthday party. It was awesome to catch up with all of them and see how everyone was.

My mom finally got me to agree to selling my American Girl doll, Addy and my Magic Attic doll, Megan. It is time and she freed up space in the basement for a book case I brought over. Friday was our last day in Wisconsin and Stephani and family came over for a perch fish lunch put on by my dad. He had caught them earlier in the week. We had a Shapoo card game battle and then my dad dropped us off at the airport. The trek back went well, no delays, but no upgrades either. We had second lunch at a sports bar in Minneapolis and all the Starbucks for dessert. We had late supper at a Mexican place in LA, then a bumpy 14 hr flight into Sydney on a Virgin Australia plane. I was a bit underwhelmed by them compared to Delta. Less food, less entertainment choices, they barely brought beverages and snacks around. It was a good thing we were tired and slept the majority of the time. We got into Sydney at 7:30a Sunday and all our luggage made it through too. We took an Uber home and then got ready for 10:30a church. The cats were excited to see us and our friend Bek took excellent care of them and the apartment while we were gone. We took the bus to church, then into Balmain for lunch at Kazbah. Once home, we finished unpacking, then went down to try to start our car after being idle for 3 weeks and it wouldn’t turn over. Thankfully, our friend Nerina was coming over for a visit, so she was able to jump us after some very careful maneuvering to get her car in and out of our garage. Monday, Brandon was back working, but I was off, so got caught up on laundry, paperwork, and spend the majority of the day on this post and pictures. The car wouldn’t start again, so we called roadside assistance to jump it and this time I drove it 30 mins around the neighborhood while Brandon got groceries. I have Easy Cheese and crackers to share with my Netball fitness team and a bunch of Reece’s and candy to share with my coworkers and friends. 🙂

A big thank you to Collin for spending time with us in California, my Aunt Donna and Lindsey for letting us stay over in Colorado, my Aunt Sally who organized our rental house, and all my Colorado family for hosting us! Thank you also to my parents for letting us stay and Brandon’s parents for the use of the car. Thank you to everyone who spent time with us while we were in the US, taking work off, fitting us into your busy lives!!! We so appreciate it and had an amazing time catching up with you all!!! Hopefully some of you will be headed this way in the near future!! Enjoy the pictures of our adventures!!