TripLearning

Wednesday will now be the day when I focus on a particular state.  I will give you links to helpful sites, pictures, and some state facts.  So, whether you are able to go there right now or not, you can learn about it and dream of going someday. Alabama We visited Alabama for the first time in 2008 and stayed in Orange Beach.  I really enjoyed our stay and have fond memories of Alabama.  We traveled back through this summer and I think it is a great state to visit.   Main Cities (2000 Estimates)* Birmingham - (Blount, Jefferson including the city of St. Clair, and Shelby counties) 921,106 Mobile - (Baldwin and Mobile counties) 540,258 ...

Our oldest daughter and I wanted to see penguins.  Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia is one of the zoos in the U.S. that has penguins and we couldn't pass up an opportunity to go while we were in town.  Once again, they are part of the AZA reciprocal program , so we saved $60 and got in for FREE.  Can't beat those savings! The penguins were being fed when we entered the Birdhouse where they are housed.  It was fun to watch them swim and burst out of the water onto the land when they are done.  We also saw the Koalas again and one of them was holding a baby on their lap while they both slept.  They have a new Kangaroo Walkabout where you can walk through and there is nothing between you and the kangaroos.  There are a couple other zoos in IL and OH that also have walkabouts.  Riverbanks also has gorillas, baboons , African elephants, Komodo Dragons, giraffes and many other big and small animals. This one woke up long enough for me...

Image Credit We had another long day of driving.  We left the Eastern Shore of Maryland , traveled south through Virginia , across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and stopped to visit a cousin in Portsmouth.  I wish we had time to explore Portsmouth further.  I saw lots of neat shops and a sign for a children's museum that was hard to ignore.  From Portsmouth we traveled to Emporia, which was our normal place to stop for food, restrooms and fuel.  Our only regret was buying fuel there because just a couple miles south on I-95 there was fuel for 30 cents cheaper.  When we entered North Carolina on I-95 South I stopped at the state Welcome Center.  These are great places to get out and let the kids stretch their legs.  Our kids like to pick out a brochure or two as a free souvenir and most of them have something for kids.  Don't be afraid to ask.  I went into this one alone, so I asked if they had coloring books for the kids....

After playing on the indoor playground equipment at the Holiday Inn in Uniontown, PA, we headed to The Mountain State.  West Virginia holds a special place in our hearts because my husband’s family has ties here and his dad and other relatives attended West Virginia University (WVU).  A trip through the area is not complete without a stop at WVU in Morgantown .  Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium is where the football team plays and they have a Hall of Traditions with displays about past players and teams, trophies, video footage and memorabilia.  The WVU Coliseum was also open, so we could walk through and see some displays on players like Jerry West , the NBA logo.  The new basketball practice facility behind the stadium also has a basketball Hall of Traditions and has videos as well as displays about famous players like Jerry West, “ Hot Rod” Hundley , and Rod Thorn .  Georgeann Wells was the first woman to dunk in a game. The Bas...

During my senior year of High School I worked part-time at an electronics factory across from our house.  I don't remember a lot about the jobs I did, but I do remember that they only played country music over the P.A. system.  Up to that point, I greatly disliked country music.  (I was taught that hate is a very strong word.)  By the time I finished working there I could listen to country music without cringing and I had a favorite country song that still comes to mind once in awhile.  Now I can't seem to get it out of my head. Today we filled up on the hotel's complimentary breakfast then headed to the Arkansas State Capitol Building.  It has a traditional dome design, although the dome is not covered in bronze or copper like others we have seen.  Instead it is covered in Indiana limestone with a gold cupola on the top.  It is an impressive looking building with a tunnel entrance under the bronze doors. After going through the metal detector...

The Kansas Capitol under construction in July 2010 The House Chamber An example of the interior architecture and some of the many murals throughout the building Some of the copper found throughout the capitol The Native American statue at the top of the dome  In July 2010 our family visited the state capitol of Kansas in Topeka.  It is what I consider a traditional looking capitol with the dome in the middle and wings coming off the sides.  It is an impressive building.  Each capitol has unique features and this one has a lot of copper and bronze that was used on columns, staircases and architectural accents.  Personally, I found the look very appealing and not gaudy.  There are many murals throughout the building.   Another unique feature is the old historic "cage" elevator that is still in operation.  It was installed in 1923 and the legislature resolved in 1976 to keep it maintained for historical value....

Nebraska's capitol in Lincoln A view of the top of the capitol. The central room of the 14th Floor Observation Level is the Memorial Chamber , it is “dedicated to the forms of heroism called for in the public service and in devotion to humanity”. The colorful doors to the Warner Chamber tell of Native American culture and life. View from the 14th floor observation deck.  The building is 400 feet tall. When we studied American History last year we traveled to many historical sites in America, as well as several state capitols.  I am sure many parents think a state capitol is not a place for children.  But, I disagree.  State capitols are all FREE to tour.  When you have kids, free is good!  Plus, there is always something to see in a capitol.  It usually has big rooms, high ceilings and colorful murals or pictures.  It may not have hands-on displays or high tech gadgets, but give it a chance.  You may be surpr...