The Explore All 50 States Project
Let's Go!
As I’ve said in so many of my blog posts, with any road trip, good planning is essential. However, it’s always a good idea to leave room for a little spontaneity. Some of our most unique and memorable experiences are things we didn’t plan, but sort of stumbled upon along the way. Here are a few ideas to help you find some adventure behind an unexpected corner… In hotel lobbies and even some … [Read more...]
While North Dakota is probably not high on your destination list, if you have the time and are touring South Dakota, I highly encourage you to visit. Granted many of the activities are a little spread out, you will enjoy the scenery getting from one place to the next. Along the road we did a little unorthodox sightseeing getting up close and personal with a herd of black cows, checking out some bales of hay, and … [Read more...]
Arizona is the epitome of the wild wild west. We have explored the area around the Grand Canyon and trekked along Route 66 through Kingman and on to Laughlin. We still have yet to explore Tuscon and Phoenix and their environs but we hope to do so soon since it isn't that far from Southern California where we live. It's really interesting to see how the architecture here is built to reflect heat and to keep … [Read more...]
The NorthDakota State Capitol Building does not conform to norms of state capitol architecture particularly since it is 19 stories tall. There is no dome or rotunda but still my kids could not wait to race inside and see what treasures it held. Inside we did see some historical artwork and carvings, but they most enjoyed checking out the state seal. Personally, I found the sculptures on the grounds really … [Read more...]
The Grand Canyon is the grand daddy of National Parks! So much to see and do here, and so little time-it's enormous and overwhelming. We drove around the South Rim not quite sure how to tackle it but taking in the enormity of the canyon below.. What really blew me away is that up until the Grand Canyon the land is completely flat open space and then all of a sudden there is this huge hole in the ground as far as your … [Read more...]
There’s a big difference between driving around your neighborhood running errands or heading to work and cruising the open roads of a rural 2-lane highway across unfamiliar territory. Here are some tips to help you drive safely and steer clear of trouble with the Highway Patrol. While most official rules of the road are uniform across the country, it’s very important to make a special effort to observe the … [Read more...]
Originally we were awestruck at the natural beauty of Zion and Bryce, some of our nations most beautiful and unique national parks. Now having seen more including Salt Lake City and Park City, we can honestly say Utah struck all of us as the work of G-d's paintbrush. In the spring and summer, beautiful colors, especially reds, oranges and yellows are transposed on magical rock formations. I still have yet to see … [Read more...]
Visiting The National Buffalo Museum and Frontier Village was a memorable and moving experience. Before entering the museum there is a small frontier village with a few shops that sell arts and crafts made by the local tribes of the Sioux and the Lakota. I got a really great pair of handmade buckskin moccasins that I love so much I am afraid to wear them for fear of ruining them. Isaac got a little drum that … [Read more...]
We arrived in Medora in the early afternoon and had a little time to explore the town before the Medora Musical that night so we decided to do a 1 hour trail ride at the Medora Riding Stables. Everyone got saddled up on our trusty steeds, even Avrille, and we set out on the trail on a gentle and leisurely ride. Heading out, our guide gave us a brief history of the area and it's connection to President Teddy … [Read more...]
Not far from Zion is Bryce Canyon National Park, one of the most interesting and unique landscapes my kids and I have ever seen. As we hiked into the park, for a moment it seemed like staring out at another planet with a million rock spires right out of a science fiction movie. The unique shapes at Bryce are caused by natural erosion, so over time, the water and wind have washed and blown away layers of rock … [Read more...]
