The Explore All 50 States Project
Let's Go!
Yellowstone National Park is America’s first national park, founded in 1872. One of the reasons the government decided to preserve this area as public land is because it holds the majority of the world’s geysers including “Old Faithful.” Geysers are created by steam generated by volcanic heat under the surface of the earths crust. The establishment of Yellowstone National Park inspired the creation of many … [Read more...]
Wow, I'd we we'd had more time here to explore. I would have loved to have spent some time on the Snake River, checked out a paper mill or a potato farm but we just didn't have the time. Idaho is like the shy sister whose beauty is not as as celebrated as her more popular sister Montana. Because Idaho Falls was our starting and stopping point for our loop which took us through some very pretty scenery, we did get … [Read more...]
Lower Mesa Falls was our first road trip stop after landing in Idaho Falls with Shari and all the kids in tow. First stop? Find a toilet...After taking care of business, we headed up to where the waterfall spills over and stood out on the viewing platform. It was so natural and beautiful to see the rushing water and feel the spray. It was great to hear the kids ooh and ahh over something that was so far removed from … [Read more...]
The Museum of Idaho is another wonderful museum that tells the story of the native peoples of the region and Lewis and Clark. This was a great last minute activity that we happened upon by chance and we're really glad we did. There are beautiful displays that highlight the life and culture of the Native Americans, particularly the tribes that Lewis and Clark happened upon in their travels in the region. There are … [Read more...]
If you are looking for a family friendly place for breakfast you won't do any better than Smitty's. They have plenty of stuff to please any palette. Eggs and such and all kinds of combos of pancakes, french toast, hash brown, you name it. Lot's of kid friendly stuff on the kids menu too. All five kids left with tummies full and big smiles... … [Read more...]
We had time for one more short activity before heading home the next day so we decided to take the kids to the Tautphaus Zoo. Although I am not a fan of zoos at all (I liken them to animal prisons), most of the animals here were on the smaller side and didn’t look too unhappy. (Ever see swaying elephants and pacing tigers—you just know they are going out of their minds. Wouldn’t you if you were confined to a … [Read more...]
Georgia is a lush and beautiful state, green everywhere you look with kudzu growing wild covering everything. We explored from the northern border, through Atlanta. and then down to Savannah until we headed North again to the border of South Carolina. We started and stopped in Atlanta, a bustling and vibrant metropolis spread out in all directions. From Coca Cola, to CNN, to The Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta is filled … [Read more...]
In the Atlanta suburb of Buckhead sits a real gem of a museum, The Atlanta History Center. There is so much to learn here about this amazing city and its special place it holds in this region. The kids and I found this museum really interesting for a variety of reasons, but what was most insightful for us west coasters was learning about Atlanta's significance during the Civil War. One of the most important … [Read more...]
Atlanta is the home of CNN, The Cable News Network founded by media mogul Ted Turner. Taking the CNN Tour allows you to go inside and learn what it takes to gather, write, and broadcast the news on television. Watching the news on TV we take for granted how it's gathered and "packaged" and presented to us. We just click the remote and have instant access 24 hours a day to whatever is making headlines around the … [Read more...]
Atlanta is the world headquarters for Coca Cola and you simply cannot miss learning all you ever wanted to know about the world's most popular soft drink at The World of Coca Cola. The kids and I were so completely jazzed we just could not wait to get inside. Coca Cola has a special place in my heart. As a kid, there was not much that was more satisfying than an ice cold Coke, some french fries and a … [Read more...]
