The Explore All 50 States Project
Let's Go!
Our 50th state, Hawaii is comprised of a group of islands all different and uniquely beautiful. On this amazing trip we had the opportunity to visit Kauai, Maui, the Big Island of Hawaii and Oahu. We learned about natural wonders like black sand beaches, volcanoes and the abundant sea life that inhabit the water surrounding the islands. We learned about Hawaiian history and culture, how the Polynesian peoples … [Read more...]
When I think of Florida, I think of fun in the sun, heck it’s called the “Sunshine state” right? All the retirees who affectionately call themselves ‘snow birds” flock to Florida in the winter to escape the cold. Well, we thought it would be just grand to head to Florida on winter break, spend some time at the beach, which we love, and turn it into a road trip taking in the sites along the way. Just as … [Read more...]
During the planning phase of this trip, the theme sort of came to me just by looking at the activities and historic sites. Many things had to do with waves of different groups who came to settle in these states to begin a new life far from the foreign lands they’d come from. It’s what makes cities across this area so interesting and unique—places like Chicago, a wonderfully diverse city where you can explore … [Read more...]
Texas is the largest of the contiguous 48 states but its bold spirit and larger than life character almost overshadow its enormous size. Because there was so much ground to cover we decided to explore Texas on it’s own and in 9 days we still didn’t get to see all of it. I really would have like to explore places like Amarillo in the north and Padre Island to the far south but it just wasn’t possible to do it … [Read more...]
“Is there enough to see and do in ‘boring’ states?” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked this question, so let me set the record straight, once and for all—there is no such thing as a boring state! Every state has something unique and interesting to offer. Case in point: Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma. While most folks would not put these destinations on their must-see list, I hope that after … [Read more...]
What is there to do in North and South Dakota, you ask? Plenty! When people ask me which trip was my favorite, I always think of this one, mostly because I was surprised by what I took away from it: a new appreciation of the American spirit embodied in the homesteaders and pioneers who toughed it out for a piece of land to call their own. It’s tough to imagine my kids and me coming out on a covered wagon to settle … [Read more...]
Shari and her kids were hooked on the road trip experience after our journey through Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana, and so they jumped at the chance to join us on our odyssey through the heart of the American Southwest. Flying in and out of Albuquerque, we traversed a loop moving up to Santa Fe and across the border as far north as Pueblo, Colorado, and then cutting through the Rocky mountains to Montrose where we … [Read more...]
This was our third road trip, and by now we’d started to get the hang of traveling together, moving quickly and absorbing everything we were seeing. Back home, our friends were starting to get very invested in our adventures on the road, and one family in particular was pretty keen on joining us. Sherry and her two kids, Maya and Eitan, were a godsend. Sherry was a retired attorney and 8th grade history teacher, … [Read more...]
This was my first solo trip (sort of—I took my housekeeper who although has been like a second mother to my kids, speaks no English and cannot drive…I love her to death but let's be honest, she could not be a great help in an emergency in the middle of nowhere). Had I known better, I would have taken along another mom with kids, but of course experience is the best teacher and so I learned for the next trip what … [Read more...]
This was our inaugural road trip, and because the kids were small (7, 6, and 4), we kept it really simple with a focus on nature that appeals to all ages. Starting and stopping in the Emerald City of Seattle (emerald for the lush greenery), we looped down the coast with its crashing waves and incredible sand dunes, and then moved inland to explore amazing volcanoes, steep mountains, and a mighty river. There is so … [Read more...]
