The Explore All 50 States Project
Let's Go!
Wow, I can’t believe we are already up to trip #10. This trip entailed exploring the deep South with all its charms and eccentricities. I did not expect how lush and beautiful Tennessee would be (and I can see why it has inspired so many country songs). Simply gorgeous! In fact, all of these states were uniquely beautiful and offered important lessons to be learned. Civil rights played a very important theme, from … [Read more...]
As Americans so many of us take for granted all the awesome stuff we have right here in our own backyard. So many folks feel it's not a real travel adventure unless they're going somewhere exotic and far away like Europe, Asia or Australia (I admit, I too have a hankering to discover Australia). How refreshing it was for me to hear from the Richard family, who after trekking through all the Canadian provinces with … [Read more...]
I am always looking for new and exciting things to do with my family when we're out of the road so I was particularly excited when I stumbled upon the Double Key Treasure Hunts (click here to check out their website) which just happened to have an adventure in Salt Lake City, where we were headed on our winter break. They also have hunts in Boston, Charleston, St. Louis, and Washington DC (with Monterey coming soon). … [Read more...]
From the land of Lincoln, to the Gateway Arch, through Iowa farmland, the wilds of Minnesota to the home of Harley Davidson. Here's a music playlist to keep you humming along as you explore the great Midwest. Enjoy some St. Louis Blues, and a bit of Polka from Wisconsin along with some other hits as you hit the road. "Chicago" Frank Sinatra "Bad Bad Leroy Brown" Jim Croce "You're The … [Read more...]
Have you seen the latest headlines? Embassy closures, heightened security, travel advisories. Like me, I am sure Yemen, Lebanon, and Bahrain are not high on your list of travel destinations, but as a traveler I just don’t feel comfortable leaving my American home turf. I know that sounds a little paranoid but think about it. Travel to Mexico and you run the risk of being kidnapped and held for ransom by a drug … [Read more...]
Missouri is just one of those states that I had always taken for granted and didn't really pay much attention to, but after exploring right through the heart of it, I fell in love. What came as a total surprise is how much I loved St. Louis and now, after having visited, I rank it as one of my all time favorite cities. Driving around the city, it had such a nice peaceful vibe, hip but not taking itself too seriously, … [Read more...]
Who doesn't love baby piggies and puppies and kitties? You can see and touch them as as well as milk a cow and do a bunch of other neat things at the Purina Farms Visitor Center right outside of St. Louis. Not only did we get to spend time with some adorable animals we also learned all about pet and animal care and what role Purina Farms plays in everything from feeding and taking care of your pet, to working … [Read more...]
Leaving St. Louis we headed out to Jefferson City to see the Missouri State Capitol building. Is it just me, or did everyone have a hard time remembering Jefferson City on the state capitols quiz in grade school. Well now that we've officially been here, I don't think I'll forget it ever again. So we pulled up and we see this beautiful building with the usual columns, and dome, pretty standard issue. Inside, … [Read more...]
Think of the state of Illinois and you instantly think of the big city of Chicago, the famous Windy City. Sitting at the shore of Lake Michigan, Chicago teems with life, culture, history and art all of which we had the opportunity to experience as we explored the city. From gleaming skyscrapers to historic immigrant areas like Greek Town and Little Italy Chicago is a diverse city that comes together by a shared … [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...]
