11 States down and 39 to go...........11 weeks before we leave

In order to make the most of all the info that we will be absorbing on the trip, we are doing a state study of all 50 states and all 44 presidents (using Jennifer Steward's Quick Look studies, great resource).....actually very fun and we are all learning so many facts, some very funny! John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826, 50 years after signing the Declaration of Independence.  Andrew Jackson is the only president to take part in a duel over an insult to his wife.  John Quincy Adams skinnydipped in the Potomac River everyday and one day a thief stole his clothes!  My left-handed writer, Gracie, liked James Garfield who also wrote with his left hand.  He, however, would write a phrase in Greek with his right hand and a phrase in Latin with his left hand, at the same time, to give his staff a laugh....Gracie can't quite do that yet!!   Grover Cleveland is one of the only presidents to serve two terms non-consecutively. His daughter is the original "Baby Ruth", the candy bar being named after her.  Did you know that President Taft was the heaviest president on record?  He was so large that he actually got stuck in the bathtub and they had to pry him out of it (this fact giving my kids the most giggles).  My favorite books that we have used is Our 50 States; A Family Adventure Across America by Lynne Cheney and Time for Learning States by Lynn Blanton and Betsy Hedberg.  Both books have cool facts and great pictures and illustrations, especially the ones in Lynne Cheney's book.  We are also using the Professor Noggins Presidents of the US and Geography of the US games.  My biggest goal, of course, is that Maddie, Christian and Gracie have fun learning about this vast country and retain some information from this hands on learning adventure.  I want them to be experienced, learned scholars not just to be able to regurgitate facts and figures.  I believe we are on the right track. So before we take off for our adventures we have 39 states and 16 presidents to go......

Planning.....

So, many years ago, I had this dream to travel across America to learn about and then teach my children about this vast country and our rich heritage.  So began my quest to plan a trip across the states.  I am a huge history buff and I love to travel so this trip fits me like a glove.  Now, to find a friend that shares my enthusiasm or crazy ideas, if you will.  Enter Pam Douglas, my trusty travel side kick!  We became friends about 11 years ago when we both began homeschooling our oldest children, Brandon (hers) and Madison (mine). Not only would we become friends but we would discover willing and excited travel partners in each other.  She is always game to go along with my crazy travel ideas and I about hers, as well.  We have successfully navigated the state of California with 6 kids (in one car) twice to study California history for our two sets of kids(missions, missions, missions), been to Tahoe more times than I can count (the last time with 4 large dogs and 11 puppies) and RVd to the Grand Canyon with both families in her RV and a tent, in the snow.  We are two crazy moms that love to share an excitement for learning through first hand experiences!  So this summer, we traveled to Tahoe for our annual June and Sept. trips and spent the lazy warm days on the beach with our "Trip Binder", maps, KOA campground book and Trip Tik apps to plan our fabulous trip across the USA.  We will leave in March and arrive back in California around May 31.  We plan to visit around 37 states, see many sites and some family and friends along the way.   I am doubly excited as I discovered last year in my family archives, genealogy records that trace my ancestry to John Alden of the Mayflower pilgrims.  We will be visiting, among our itinerary, Plymouth to see where my ancestors first set foot on these shores and to Ellis Island to find my grandfather's name on the wall of immigrants.   So, come along with us as we embark on an epic adventure across America.....hope that you have as much fun as we do......