Nicolas vists the US of A

An adventure that will not soon be forgotten. There are exactly 5937 kilometer (3689 miles) between Lausanne and Boston. That's a long way to go for some pancakes! The idea for the trip all started with a conversation between Tina and Bob. Tina wanted to visit the swiss family Blanchette and the swiss family Blanchette wanted their kid to improve his English.

Tina, Chris and Sara decided to come for the national celebration on the 1^st of August. This was going to work out great. Now Nicolas would fly with them on their return trip and stay 3 weeks before he started school. On the plus side they were using Air France. This was a plus because Nick would be flying back alone and Bob and Sylvie were more comfortable that he was arriving in a French speaking airport.

Ton Ton Bill met them at the airport. Nicolas would be starting his adventure in Charlton Massachusetts pop. 11,263, about the same population of Ecublens. Apart from Grizzly Adams being buried there and the popularity of Dresser Hill Farm, there is not much more to say about this rural town. One thing was sure, Nick was going to get a good night's sleep in the countryside.

There is no better way to start the day than with a hearty breakfast as one Uncle Roger would oftern say. Nicolas was no exception to this wise man's rule of thumb and started his first day at the infamous Carl's Diner. The photo of the pancakes was just a starter. Nicolas would be quick to remind anyone listening that the pancakes were for Uncle Chris and his breakfast was much more substantial.

The Agenda

Week 1

The first week would be full of family visits, fun and games. One of the highlights of the week was horseshoe night. Family and friends get together on Friday night to play horseshoes. Nicolas was more than proud when he threw his first ringer. Ah nothing like American culture! They even put the young man to work. Nicolas road shotgun on his first short haul when Mike took him on a run to Boston to deliver some animal cages to Tuffs. A few wrong turns, not on the road but in the building, and we had one happy guy that dreams to be a trucker.

Week 2 road trip 1

The second week consisted of two road trips. One to New Jersey to visit Uncle Marc and one to Maine to visit Aunt Niecy and Zac. The trip to New Jersey was an adventure in itself. A few missed exists and some lessons in US driving vocabulary and the wayward American Swiss made it to his destination. They arrived a bit late so Kate and Marc's two girls were already in bed. The next morning Nicolas looked up and saw two sweet little girls hiding at the end of the bed trying to get a look at this new exotic pet.

One of the main reasons for the NJ trip was to have the opportunity to visit Marc at work. Marc is a manager at a very large trucking company. The visit was great but because of union regulations Nicolas was not able to make a run in a big rig. He did get to ride in a big rig around the complex though.

Nicolas was standing outside the building with Uncle Marc looking across the river to New York City when he remarked that "New York is small". That was all it took for Marc to take the young man to see the city up close. It was 3:00 Am when they arrived in Times Square. Nicolas was amazed that there was so much activity so early in the morning.

Week 2 road trip 2

Nicolas now thinks that all Americans live in their cars. In less than two weeks he has gone from Massachusetts to New Jersey and back and now road trip 2 from will be from Massachusetts to Main and back. That is a total of ~760 miles or 1170 kilometers. Hmmm, maybe he is right?

The cousins met for the first time in Maine. Nicolas went to visit some of the old family stomping grounds, Old Orchard, Camp Ellis and Hills Beach.

Week 3 another road trip

Nicolas spent his last week with his Grand Papa USA (Don) and Maureen. During the week Don took Nicolas on a visit to Montreal to meet up with his little cousins.

More to come once Nicolas gives me the rest of the stories. In the meantime here are a few photos.