On the Road Again: East Coast, Here We Come!

Yep, we're hitting the road again. The house has shown lots of times, but the economy doesn't seem to support its sale at a price that will get us where we want to be. Still, we continue showing and hoping, and leaving the house in show condition. That means no science projects sitting out, not much kid art on the walls, and kid toys sadly stowed away in the garage. And with the traditional academic year upon us, that also means finding a way to provide some directed learning while maintaining the house in this form.

So...we're headed east to study history and geography, botany and topography in an entirely hands-on lesson. Should take us about 10 weeks, give or take, and we're kicking it off with a quick visit to Utah. We'd love to stay longer, but the world is a giant place, and we're headed to the other side of the continent this trip.

Here's the general plan.

Mr. B will tend to animals and duties at home. Maddie's previous owner will help keep her in shape. Mr. B will join us in Florida. And we have friends and/or relatives to see in Utah, Virginia, Louisiana and Texas.

Trip kicks of Tuesday, Aug. 30. Itinerary generally includes:
- Brigham City, Utah - family
- St. Louis, MO - Gateway Arch & Museum of Westward Expansion, Forest Park (museums, park, forest, zoo), Turtle Park, City Circus, Riverboat(?)
- Louisville, KY - Churchill Downs & Museum
- Lexington, KY - International Museum of the Horse
- Monongahela National Forest, WV
- Fallingwater, PA - F.L. Wright home
- Lake Erie, NY
- Niagara Falls, NY
- Strong Museum (National Museum of Play), NY 
- Seneca Falls, NY - National Women's Rights Historical Park, Tubman Home
- Adirondacks, NY
- Stowe, VT
- Sebago Lake State Park, ME
- Acadia National Park, ME
- Longfellow House
- Kennebunkport, ME
- Salem, MA
- Minuteman National Historic Park (Northbridge), MA
- Walden Pond
- Boston, MA - lots to see
- Standish State Forest, MA
- Plimouth Plantation, MA
- Cape Cod Bay, MA
- Naragansett Monument, R.I.
- Burlingame State Park, R.I. 
- Westerley, R.I. - Flying Horse Carousel
- Mystic, CT
- Old Saybrook, CT - James Soda Fountain
- New Haven, CT - Yale
- NYC
- New Hope, PA - Mule barges and canals
- Washington Crossing Parks
- Philadelphia, PA - lots o' stuff
- Valley Forge, PA
- French Creek State Park, PA
- Intercourse, PA - Amish Country
- Hershey, PA - chocolate, of course
- Gettysburg, PA - Gettysburg National Military Park
- Haymarket, VA - visiting friends  
- Washington, D.C. - are you kiddin' me? We could spend a lifetime here and still not get through the Smithsonian, let alone all the other great stuff here!
- Assateague Island, MD
- Williamsburg Colony, VA
- Jamestown Colony, VA
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore, NC
- Ft. Sumter National Monument and Visitors Center, NC
- Fort Pulaski, NC
- Anastasia State Park, FL
- Disneyworld, FL
- Orlando, FL - Universal's Hogwarts and the rest of the park, too 
- Merritt Island, FL - Kennedy Space Center
- Jon Dickson State Park, FL
- Florida Keys
- Flamingo, FL
- Everglades, FL - Shark Valley
- Sanibel, FL
- Captiva, FL
- Manatee State Park, FL
- Evonfina, FL
- Wakulla Springs, FL
- Curtis Mill State Park, FL
- Grayton Beach State Park, FL
- Belle Chasse, LA - visiting friends
- New Orleans, LA
- Austin, TX - visiting relatives
- El Paso, TX - visiting friends
- Quartzite, AZ - meeting Families On the Road

Should be home in 10 weeks, hardly enough time to do this trip justice. But the girls want to see both Maine and Florida and lots of spots in between. And there's only so much time in our human lives, so we'll see what we can this go round. Maybe we'll return another time to our favorites - or win the lottery so we can save a lot of the drive time by flying (and staying in the luxury of hotels).

For now, we do what we can, and we're thrilled!