The Explore All 50 States Project
Let's Go!
Hiking medallions are my new souvenir obsession. I had no idea these even existed until I came across one at Harper's Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia. So what are they and what are they for? Serious hikers use a walking stick and these medallions are cool collectibles to show fellow hiker's where you've been. The medallion comes with two super tiny nails. If you've got a walking stick like the … [Read more...]
Some of our most treasured and memorable sights are part of the National Park Service and this year in 2016, it celebrates it's 100th anniversary since being established in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson. The Park Service was established to preserve and protect America's national treasures for all of us to enjoy for generations to come. Of course we are all familiar with our most famous National Parks like … [Read more...]
Here's a super cool opportunity I'd love to share with you dear readers!!! If you love to travel across the US like me and enjoy visiting National Parks and National Historic Sites more than likely you've got some amazing photos. In fact, one of your photos might even be good enough to be selected to be the image for the annual Federal Recreational Lands Pass. The National Park Foundation has partnered with a few … [Read more...]
All of Chincoteague Island is a beautiful natural wonderland but to really explore the natural habitat you must visit the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is not only home to the beautiful wild Chincoteague ponies, but a host of other wildlife and some incredible beaches. You can pop in for a quick drive through, or bring a picnic and make it a whole day affair. It's a wonderful place to relax as … [Read more...]
This was our last and final stop and the place where we actually completed visiting all 50 states. It was such a momentous moment we forgot to capture it on film...Ugh..I will regret that till the day I die. Just a word of warning though, when using your GPS make sure it knows you want Harpers Ferry National Park in West Virginia. It's important to note that this is where the states Maryland, Virginia and West … [Read more...]
It's such a great feeling when you meet someone new who shares your same thoughts and sentiments. It was almost like listening to myself when I heard parent and schoolteacher Carrie McWhorter tell me about the impact their road trip travels have had on their family. Carrie and her husband and fellow teacher Owen and their kids Avery, 13 and Stella 11 are on a quest to see all 50 so far having visited 33. It all … [Read more...]
There is nothing that can prepare you for the solemnity and enormity of Gettysburg National Military Park. Visiting here was something I had looked forward to ever since taking on our goal of seeing all 50 states 13 years ago. But I could never have imagined what an incredible experience it would be with kids in high school-particularly enrolled in A.P. U.S. History. My kids and I would agree it was the highlight of … [Read more...]
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...]
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...]
You just cannot visit the Big Island of Hawaii without visiting Volcano National Park which is about a 45 minute drive from Hilo or about a 2 hour drive from Kona. We just could not pass up the opportunity to explore mother nature at her most powerful and to understand how the Hawaiian Islands were created while exploring the geology of our entire planet. As we always do, we headed straight for the visitors … [Read more...]
