The Explore All 50 States Project
Let's Go!
There were many things I was excited to learn more about on our road trip to New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, but by far the one of the things I was most looking forward to was a visit to Ellis Island. So many of us from immigrant stock (myself included) can trace our ancestors first stop here on their way to their new life in America. Although no longer in use as an immigrant processing facility a total of 12 … [Read more...]
There is no better way to see the Statue of Liberty than just the way those incoming immigrants saw her on a boat in the harbor. Thankfully you can do that from two locations, one from New York City at Battery Park, and also at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. There are several tours to choose from but be forewarned, the crown tour sells out months in advance because there are a limited number of … [Read more...]
Forget about Jersey Shore the TV show, the kids and I were super excited to check out the beach, rides and restaurants on one of the infamous boardwalks on the Jersey shore. One of the better known locales is in Seaside Heights. As we started to make our way down the a huge summer storm unleashed it's fury and didn't let up until late into the evening. Sadly we had to miss this Jersey hot spot, but if you get … [Read more...]
My kids and I were so excited to check out Thomas Edison's lab but sadly we never made it. First off our GPS took us to Thomas Edison's home in Edison NJ also known as Menlo Park about one hour south. Upon realizing our mistake, we also realized I had lost my wallet at Ellis Island and made a beeline back the Statue of Liberty Cruise at Liberty State Park. What a nightmare. By the time we got what we could sorted … [Read more...]
When it comes to pacing your road trip, balance is key. The pace of your trip is a key factor in making the experience a success that leaves everyone excited for the next one. A trip that’s too jam-packed with activities can be overwhelming and exhausting. On the other hand, a trip that is too slow or with too few planned outings can leave everyone bored. A well-paced trip keeps everyone excited for the next … [Read more...]
Too often we only think of traveling to states that have lots of tourist appeal like Hawaii, or Alaska, New York or Florida. Sadly there are too many hidden gems that most folks miss all across the country that are definitely worth exploring. These places are not only interesting, but they illustrate the character of our country and often give meaning to what it means to be American. Here are a few places that … [Read more...]
How much do you know about the Sunshine State? Take our quiz and find out if your are up on your trivia when it comes to Florida. 1. One of Miami's largest immigrant communities hails from what Latin American Country? A) Argentina B) Chile C) The Dominican Republic D) Cuba E) Guatemala 2. What was the value of the treasure recovered from the shipwreck of Spanish Galleon named the Atocha … [Read more...]
One of my biggest motivations for starting The Explore All 50 Project with my kids was to create a family history, one rich with rituals that define who we are giving us a collective sense of identity and purpose. I instinctively knew this was really important for my kids, but I didn't realize just how much, and how important it would come to be in connecting us all together. Rituals can be defined as "a sequence … [Read more...]
Many people dream about and then retire to warmer climates and my grandparents were no exception. The sweet memories of my days visiting them are still sunny and golden like the sun and sand in Florida. Sun-sweetened fresh squeezed pulp infused orange juice from Sid’s backyard grove, cantaloupe cubes, Fruit Loops and Oreos. Sid also grew the most extraordinary roses, but they were only edible to the eyes. Those … [Read more...]
I "met" Dee online when she wrote to let me know I'd left off her favorite ice cream, the benchmark against which she measures all others-Graetors in Cincinnati. Boy am I sorry we missed it when we visited the Buckeye state on trip # 11. I found out that Dee and her husband Jerry are lucky enough to live every travelers dream. As retirees based in Santa Barbara California they are avid RV'ers, happily wandering … [Read more...]
