The Explore All 50 States Project
Let's Go!
Apparently there is some discrepancy as to whether or not this really is the oldest house in the USA, but that’s what the sign said. Here’s what we found out: The house was originally constructed as a part of the Pueblo de Analco—a Pueblo Indian community that existed in what is now Santa Fe, New Mexico. While the exact date of construction is unknown, it was probably constructed some time in the Thirteenth … [Read more...]
The Rodeo De Santa Fe is a seasonal show that takes place during the summer, so make sure you check ahead if you’re hoping to catch this authentic rodeo experience! We had actually planned our trip to coincide with it and I am so glad because it's something none of us will ever forget. It was so memorable as none of us had ever been to a real rodeo—and this is as real as it gets. First out the gate were the … [Read more...]
The New Mexico State Capitol Building in Santa Fe was not what we expected. It's pretty modern and unlike most statehouses that we've seen. Unfortunately as we got there when it was closed so we missed checking out the inside. Here are a few interesting facts though. The New Mexico statehouse is the only round state capitol building in the U.S. and it was designed to resemble the Zia Sun Symbol with four … [Read more...]
A little off the beaten path is the Taos Drum Factory, was both a fun and interesting stop. After learning about the Taos Indians at the pueblo, we understood a little about the role the drum plays in their culture. At the factory we learned how the drums are made and saw a huge variety of them, some tiny and some massively huge all with interesting an unusual shapes. Walking into the warehouse we immediately smelled … [Read more...]
Exploring the Taos Pueblo is to step back in time and to understand the lifestyle of the Taos Indians who occupy the structure today. The pueblo stands as the largest surviving multistoried Pueblo structure in the United States and is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. The multi-storied adobe buildings have been … [Read more...]
Whether it’s a super-ritzy resort or a dingy motel, bedbugs can be a real problem that at best can leave you an itchy mess and at worst follow you home and become a true nightmare. My first encounter with these miserable creatures was at a very nice resort in South Florida. At 3am in the morning, I woke up feeling like something had bitten me on my butt. I went to the bathroom to check it out and sure enough I … [Read more...]
Planning a trip around an idea When planning a trip I like to focus on an idea or message based on the places we are going and the sights we’ll see. Themes are a great way to connect an entire itinerary to what your kids are learning in school, or to general ideas in everyday life. It’s important to make sure that your theme is age appropriate so everyone gets the most out of each trip. Our very first road … [Read more...]
“Ahhh the romance of the open road…traveling with my family...all of us together in our little camper…” It all sounds good on paper, but there are many things to consider before you embark on your road trip if you’re considering taking an RV. For those of you seasoned RV travelers, my hat’s off to you. Once was enough to decide that it just wasn’t for me. On our very first road trip to Washington and … [Read more...]
If you’re like me and RVs are not an option, then hotels are where you’ll be staying over the course of your trip. Choosing a hotel can be a scary process if you have no knowledge of the area and are working with a limited budget, but using my helpful tips can take out some of the guesswork in finding acceptable hotels. 1. Chain hotels are usually a safe bet (and you could get breakfast for … [Read more...]
Picture this: You’re in rural New Mexico and, after a long, tedious drive you are about to check in to your motel for the night. But something’s wrong—the reservation you made weeks in advance isn’t showing up in the system. Even worse, you have no phone service and your laptop/iPad is dead. Now you’ve got tired kids and a short temper, and no way to prove that you pre-paid for a room. There’s one … [Read more...]
