Obama

Eline and Robert were pretty impressed when they saw the long lines of voters at the Caucasus of the Democratic Party earlier this year in Seattle. They were pretty happy with the button they got from the Obama campaign and ever since every sign of Obama was pointed out, and they saw a lot of them in Seattle:)
At the farmers market in South Bend Indiana we bought an Obama 'Yes we can' cola bottle, it tasted well!

So when Obama won the election Eline and Robert were cheerful. While the crowds on CNN shouted out "Yes we can" Robert mentioned: "just like Bob the Builder". But then he got a little concerned about the promised change in the US, "Obama is not going to change the Children's Museum in Seattle, is he?"

This week the supermarket started a remodel, Robert asked: "Did Obama started this as well?", there are high expectations about the change by the young generation!

Halloween

Luckily we had some costumes with us to wear for Halloween!
After two days of snowfun, the temperatures were back to mild 18C/68F, the perfect weather to be dressed as a natural mermaid!

or a real spiderman!

Robert's teacher was really scary!

At night the kids loved to trick or treat in our new neighborhood.

First snow!

Two days before Halloween and two weeks after our 28C/88F beach day, the first snowflakes fell, this is how we could see the car from our hotel room in the morning (still with rooftop, ready to ski).

It created a paradise for the kids! We are ready to go!

It took a long time to arrive at school!




Constructing an iglo is serious work!

Start at new school

Eline and Robert started school in Canada!
They both started at Masonville School, Eline in Grade 1/2 and Robert in Junior Kindergarten.

We still commute between the hotel and school but they love to be in a school routine again.
First thing they had to learn is the Canadian Anthem:

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

They still need some practice:)

We look forward to be able to bike to school (no hills)!

Niagara Falls

The long weekend gave us the opportunity to visit the Niagara Falls. They were more impressive than expected!

Fall in Ontario

During the warm Thanksgiving weekend we enjoyed the Indian Summer and the farmers markets!

The Great Lakes part 3: Lake Huron

On Sunday it was time to visit Lake Huron. We went to a Provincial State Park and it was an excellent day on a beautiful beach. Even warmer then Saturday!
We made a sandcastle and even cooled off in the Lake!

The Great Lakes part 2: Lake Erie

It's been the Thanksgiving weekend in Canada with lots of sun and summer-like temperatures in the 80 F -28C. Time to explore the lakes! During our trip we saw the beauty of Lake Michigan,
Saturday we visited Lake Erie at Port Stanley.

London Ontario

It's time to get used to our new place to live, London Ontario. While living in our hotel suite, we explore the city and started the house hunt.

The local Storybook Gardens are a success!

South Bend to London, Ontario

Saturday, sept 27. South Bend, IN to London, ON (362 miles, 3530 total).
Today we drove the last part of our trip. We have traveled 3530 miles (5650 km) over the past 12 days. The last day started in South Bend where we stayed with Jonathan and Rebecca. Jonathan gave us a tour of South Bend, pointing out some of the areas that were most hit by the sub-prime mortgage crisis in the US. South Bend is home to Notre Dame University which is now one of the main employers, but used to also be the home of Studebaker, a large automotive manufacturer (they went bankrupt about 30 years ago). The contrast between poor and richer areas is quite sharp. South Bend is trying to revamp it's economy by investing in nano-technology centers (together with Notre Dame university), so perhaps they will be able to turn the tide somewhat.
Our kids tried to contribute to this economic recovery by setting up a small yard sale. They had been making drawings and paintings and were selling them on the sidewalk. There were not very many customers (other than their parents), so they were trying to think of any way to increase the possibility of people coming by their little art shop. They had made signs and were posting them on trees and also considered knocking on doors to invite the potential buyers. It was a lot of fun to watch.
Towards the end of the afternoon we finally decided to get in the car and start our last drive, which was a long one. We crossed the border around 10 PM and after 1.5 hours we could continue to London. We arrived around 2 AM, very tired and happy to be able to go to bed.
It has been a very nice trip. Eline, Robert and Kathelijne were great little troopers in the back of the car. It was not always easy to drive these long distances. The DVD player saved us though.


Former executive house in South Bend


Other parts of town


"I think we should start a franchise.."


Buying fruit and greens


The kids and the cat.


Art sale on the side walk.


Fire hydrants look nice in South Bend.


The main employer of South Bend.


Tunnel to Canada in Detroit.


Our goal in sight after 12 days.