Travelog for: Noodles

Hi everyone,

We said goodbye to Cheerio and hugged her one by one.  We will miss her a lot but she will have a wonderful time in, that is, I mean with Yosemite.

I see a ghost.

Your buddy,

Noodles

Okuma was packing up to fly to his next host and I decided to stow away. Mom caught me and tried to talk me out of it because if a lion and a bird travel together, one might eat the other.  I promised I wouldn't eat Okuma so Mom asked Okuma's host if she has room for me, too.  She does!!!  Wahoo!!  I am so excited. This is my first trip and I don't have to travel alone.  Mom fed us both very large meals so we won't be hungry during the trip.  We looked at the map with Miss Kitty’s help, had a goodbye coffee with the gang and both of us jumped into a travel box.  We're off!  

I see a ghost! 

Your pal, Noodles
Wise Young Snowy Owl

Hello!
Okuma and I have arrived safely to our new host. See? I didn't eat him at all-- not even a little bit! 



Whew~! It sure is nice to get out of that small box. 



The first thing we did was introduce ourselves to the TVs already staying here. Everyone was really friendly! We swapped stories and addresses. Mom, I'd like you to meet Priscilla, Shaunee, and Luc Zeke.



We ate a big breakfast to get ready for our adventures. 

Hello!

Today we went into the city of Minneapolis. We met up with another host in the area: Chloe09 and her TVs.

We hopped in the car. Ready for adventure! 





My host says this is a tasty place to eat; but it's only spaghetti. Bah! Give me some meat!



We passed by the Metrodome-- their famous football stadium. Minnesota's state team is the Vikings; sounds pretty tough. :/



Finally, we arrive at the Como Zoo! I am designated as the "keeper of the map" or "navigator". Not one to shirk responsibilities, I lead our team onward.











We stopped at a local diner called "Snuffy's" for lunch. We all shared a basket of chili fries and a chocolate malt. Yum yum! I am most pleased.



My host wanted to take one last quick stop before heading home: the car wash!



Oh boy-- here we go!





Whoa! Almost hypnotizing...... 

Good morning!



Hey, guys! Let's watch a movie!



I voted for "UP". I like movies with lots of flying scenes.



We ended up with "Pocahontas" instead. Still good-- that princess really knows how to soar. 



It's a beautifully sunny morning, and Okuma and I are having breakfast.



These chocolate cheerios are strangely addicting!



We took a little trip to a local lake today. I could live here very comfortably. (Except I'd miss my mom at home!)





We had lunch at Taco Bell and shared a combo pack.



Having a grand old time over here!
~Noodles

It's me!

Well, we are heading "Up North" as everyone says here-- to Duluth, Minnesota. It's about a three hour car trip from here, so we buckled ourselves in for the long ride.

I called "shotgun"! Noodles doesn't take a back seat. No siree bob!



Obviously, I was elected "Navigator" of this trip. *Sigh* Give a bird some responsibility, and he's always relied upon. Oh well. I must take care of my fellow TVs.



We took a breather at a rest stop to get directions and a bite to eat. The information center had this sign posted.

No pets?!? BAH! This sign won't stop me. 





We can look down upon Duluth from here: what a view~!
It makes me happy to be up so high. I like Duluth already. 





The first thing we did was visit Canal Park. They have this famous Lift Bridge!



We even toured a little museum.



My host rented a funny-looking bicycle contraption for us to ride.



We rode all the way down to the end of the pier in this strange thing. Good thing it had such a big basket. There was quite a large group of us TVs along.





At the end of the pier was a lighthouse on this big platform. We enjoyed looking out onto Lake Superior. You couldn't even see the other side~!









Group Picture time!





We just had to go back to see the Lift Bridge again.







Of course, we stopped for ice cream afterwards. 







Walking around the outdoor shops, I came across some other owl waiting to be sold. I wished them the best of luck in finding an owner, and told them all about Toyvoyagers.



Now we're continuing on to Superior, Wisconsin. We'll spend the next week at Camp and hopefully the beach!

Bye for now!

Hello!

We are staying at a Camp ground just outside of Superior, Wisconsin. The first thing we did was find a cabin to stay in and change into our swimsuits.

Hmmm..... yes. This one will do for the present.



C'mon! Let's go to the beach! 







Here we are at the end of the dock:



We are all lined up waiting patiently for our turn to go tubing.



Of course, I won't ride behind. Safe in the boat is the place for me.



Yes, the beach is where we spent as much of our time as we could. Good thing we had such beautiful weather!





The long car ride back to my host's house wasn't as fun as the trip there...... I slept most of the way. 

We're back at my host mom's house and there's nothing to do.
I complained politely pronounced that we needed some adventure!

Host mom said I was quite right and that the two of us should do something fun. Quite right, I agreed.

So, just me and host mom went off to the movies! 
We went to our local AMC Theater.



One tickets for Brave, Please! Host mom snuck me in. 



Hmmm..... what snacks should we purchase?



Host mom has a slight but controllable candy addiction. So, she knew right what she wanted. 



I got popcorn and a slushie! 





Why do they put commercials before the movies? Host mom says they are sponsors. I DON'T like these creepy elves. 





Shhh! The movie is starting! 



..........

What a great movie! That Princess Merida sure has spunk!
We found the movie poster as we were leaving.





Bye bye!
~Noodles

Yesterday, we took about 6 youngsters out to Valleyfair-- a large amusement park in Bloomington, Minnesota.

There's no pictures of us Toy Voyagers on the rides because those little imps were too much maintenance. *sigh*

BUT we did win something rather cool:

It's furry.......


and white.......


and it's a giant......



GORILLA!





Really, I don't know how we managed to get this thing home. :/

Host Mom jokingly said she wanted to make him a Toy Voyager, but I shudder at the thought.

This morning, Chubby Berry and I are eating some delicious~ strawberries for breakfast.



What?
I'm not going vegetarian here or anything...... I just can't resist these sweet little red fruits.

Guess where we are going~!



Nope, not the airport..... that was just the picture host mom took to throw you off the trail.

It's the Mall of America! Yippee doo dah day!



All the parking ramps had state names. No California, so we settled for Nevada. Close enough, right?



This here is the information center. Luc Zeke and I were researching where to take our next trip. Lots of useful stuff.



Going up!



information booth.



Finally we found it! Lego Land~! 





Mall of America is an indoor shopping mall which houses it's own aquarium, amusement park, movie theater, and wedding chapel...... not to mention over 1000 stores!



Okuma and I got lunch at Panda Express.



Host mom wants this t-shirt.



Look at all these tasty treats~!



Guess what? They're actually all DOG TREATS! Isn't that amazing?





Look, mom: The Disney Store! (Hey! We saw that movie!)



This is a magical place!



Bye Bye, MOA!



That was our big adventure. Then we went home and made a pizza.

Hi Mom!

We are heading out on a spontaneous road trip for Michigan! Host Mom is all excited (Woo hoo!). We'll be riding up today and coming down the next night. Very short trip.

It's storming outside as we ride up.



It's eight whole hours in the car from Minneapolis, MN. So, I keep one eye open while I nap and guard the fruit snacks. 



We made quite a few stops for gas, food, and to stretch our legs.... and wings.





Look at this building painted to look like a building! Host mom thinks that doesn't make much sense.....



"Hello, Mom?"...... I don't think I have the right number.....



"Quick! Take a left! A left!"
No, I'm not a backseat driver...... 



We're entering Wisconsin!



We made it up just fine..... we stayed at a friend of a friend's house so we could pick something up for a relative..... I'm not quite sure.....
But before we left, we stopped to get something to eat!





Then we were back on the road again! I won't be taking a nap on the way home--- look what I bought:



I'm gonna color this moose! Oh yeah!



I want to enter this drawing to win us a boat, mom! Wouldn't that be great? 



Tch! Gas prices these days!





We got back to host mom's house rather late...... bedtime now. Goodnight!
~Noodles

Dear Mom,

I'm sorry for not updating regularly.
We've been having waaaay too much fun here!
We took a trip this week to someplace that I think you will especially enjoy:
Lake Superior~!





Even the rocks are beautiful here!





Don't worry-- host mom was SUPER careful when she took us out here. No TVs were hurt or in danger of drowning in the taking of these pictures.





We made a pyramid and I'm on top! hahahaha!













We finally reached the cabin where we'll be staying for a couple of days. It's close to Bayfield, WI.
Aaaand it's right on the lake!



Aren't we a great looking group? :P





We took another trip up here..... more pictures to come!
Miss you!
~Noodles

Today we are taking a really cool trip.....

Sailing on Lake Superior!





We're here at the dock waiting for someone named "Captain Pete" to take us out on his boat.





Can you see all the seagulls on this? They won't come any closer because I've got such a fearsome presence. 



Aaaand away we go~!



The trees you're seeing in the picture below are on Madeline Island-- but we're just passing by......



..... on the way here! This is Devil's Island.





Jillyfish's grandpa was stationed on this island when he served in the Coast Guard 53 years ago! :O

(This was his first time being back..... so it was a very special trip for us.)







Beautiful scenery!





They even have a lighthouse! Let's get a better view.





Guess what? The volunteers currently stationed on the island are going to let us climb it!











It's so peaceful here!





Found the sign!





Our boat is here to take us back to the mainland. Goodbye, Devil's Island! It has been a great trip.

Hello!

We took a little trip to the Renaissance Festival!







There's not a lot of people in costumes this weekend besides the workers..... probably because the festival has been running for a month already.....



But we did see a parade!



and some elephants!

It's Movie Night!
We are going to see Finding Nemo in 3D!





It's Toyvoyagers vs Hosts! (.... our feet don't reach the petals.... :/)





Excuse me, Miss! We'd like tickets for Finding Nemo, please!



What kinds of snacks should we order?





Hey! We are NOT candy!



I'm getting an icee! 



Artsy shot!



Hey guys! I found us a great spot!



Perfect! 3D glasses on?





Shh! The movie is starting!