Our Second Flat Traveler Adventure

  Our second traveler adventure was a little more disjointed than the first.  Lesson #1 learned: don't set up your next swap until your traveler is back in hand.  The swapping group we belong to hosts swaps every month, so I was getting our next destination ready based on expected time of arrival of our traveler per communication with our swapping partners.  Well, real life happens, and no matter how well you plan it can go awry (see here about our first experience).  Having made commitments for the future made it hard to get a good starting exchange date.
  We had a lot of fun with our new travelers: Desert Tortoise from Las Vegas & Maria from Kitty Hawk, NC.  Here is what we sent with them:

what we sent to Las Vegas

  Desert Tortoise got to come with us on our South Dakota trip, so we had tons of fun things to send.  We even sent a fossilized turtle shell piece that we found at the Homestead B & B.  He came with a journal to fill out, but we still included a scrapbook like we have in our previous packets. 

what we sent to Kitty Hawk

  We didn't go as many places with Flat Maria, so we made it more of a Kansas theme & included a Little House on the Prairie book & some other Kansas items along with trinkets from our trips.  She came with her own journal too and a passport.  We bought a stamp just for it  to represent Kansas for it & future passports.

Las Vegas

  Due to some scheduling it took a little while to get Bubby's Flat Hank back from Las Vegas, but that was ok since we weren't planning on hosting any travelers during the holidays.  His host family sent pictures of Hank & some Nevada work sheets:)

Kitty Hawk

  Buffy's host family sent some great pamphlets showing some of the wonderful shoreline adventures in their area as well as pictures & a nice note from our swapping partner, even a Halloween decoration since it was close to then when we got it back.  I was really impressed with this because you could tell the student did most of the work & that was neat:)  I've been writing most of the journal entries for the ones we send but getting input from the kids on what they think is important to include.  I hope that for the next ones that we do they will be in "the know" since we have a few under our belt and take more of it on themselves. 
   Something to keep in mind, each swap is different, you never know what you're going to get.  Just make sure that you "do unto others...." and not expect grandiose things each time.  Go into it to just enjoy catching a glimpse of the interesting things in another part of the world and being an ambassador for your part of the world and you'll have a great time! :)

My Dad, My Hero

   I adore my dad.  There are probably a million reasons why.  He is one of the kindest, most generous, thoughtful people I know.  This week when Veterans' Day rolled around, I posted a picture of him during his military service on my Facebook page.  My dad is a Vietnam veteran and I am so proud of his service there, even though he'd rather of been anywhere else at the time.  He served with Co. D 1/502nd Infantry of the 101st Airborne in the Army in 1970 & '71.  On that Facebook post, I had a really great discussion with a friend of mine who is also a Vietnam vet & it made me think of all the stories Dad would tell me about his time in 'Nam.  There was a period when I was young where he would tell me bedtime stories of all the good things - jumping out of airplanes, everyday camp life, marching through the jungle, etc... all the kid friendly things.  One story in particular was about one of the guys taking a picture of some of his 'Nam buddies.  The guy's brother made it into a poster with the title "The Dirty Dozen" & sent it back to the guy.  When it got to be too much to carry around, he was going to get rid of it, but Dad said he'd take it on but eventually he gave it up too.  Oh, how I'd love to see that picture!  I thought it would be fun to find it for Dad too.
   I wanted to start a quest on the internet to see if I could look up some of the guys in the troop & find a copy of that picture! I got my mom to dig out Dad's old pictures from Vietnam.  The quest eventually turned from one to find a picture to one of wanting to share his pictures.  While scouring the message boards that are out there for reconnecting veterans, I saw a post that said that one guy was looking for pictures because he hadn't had a camera when he was over there.  Dad had so many great shots of the guys in his group, now my quest is to see if I can find them so they can have some pictures they might not have.
  I've started a Facebook page dedicated to his group and I'll be posting a sampling pictures of each of the guys.  So far, I've found these names amongst the pictures: Tom Claunch, Sean Hurst or Hersch, "Davy" Crockett, Greg Clifton, Herb Collins, Bert Kriese, Ed Cobos, Richard "Bear" Sugamele, Wayne Sorrell, George Hinyer, Dave Trotter, Robert Gomez, Mike McNeary, and numerous others that are named with nicknames or just first or last names.
  My historian part of me has never gotten off on modern history, but I'm starting to warm up to the idea;) 

Drop me a note if you know any of those guys:)

A Grandmother's Hope

   In order to prepare for a most likely lean Christmas season, I am making most of our gifts.  One project I'm doing involves needlepoint. I am not a crafty person.  It is good for me that God blessed me with a daughter who LOVES all things crafty because it forces me to cultivate that part of me. 
   When I was about Mookie's age (9), my Grandma Murray tried so hard to get me interested in embroidering a dish towel.  That side of my family is into any kind of sewing arts big time.  There was hardly a time we would get together for a family gathering that someone wouldn't have some kind of project in hand.  The walls at my Grandparents' house displayed wonderful pieces that were done by my grandmothers, aunts, mom and cousins.  They were lovely!
   I remember Grandma letting me pick out my pattern, showing me how to do the stitches like it was yesterday (this is one of my most vibrant childhood memories).  She tried so hard to get me going on it.  She'd keep it at her house and mention getting it out each time I'd visit (to which most of the time I'd decline).  She'd brag to her friends about how small and even my stitches were, how similar they were to her mother's.  And what happened to my first dishtowel?  It is still unfinished in a box in the attic.  My poor grandma!  It pains me that I didn't take a greater interest then.
  Yesterday when I picked out my pattern, it all came rushing back.  It was like I could hear my grandma re-telling all the instructions she laid out for me more than 25 years ago.  Each poke of the needle & drag of the floss brings back sweet memories of a grandma I miss so dearly even though she's been gone 17 years.  It also makes it very, very obvious to me too that no matter if your child is interested in what you are doing together it's the time taken and encouragement and trying to impart something that you enjoy in a non-pushy manner that matters.  It sticks. 

Guess Who?: Atchison

My Atchison batch + some tintypes:

W. Babberger - photographer

Conklin - photographer

Hill - photographer

J. C. Hill - photographer

Possibly a Beeson or Locker. J. M. Munn - photographer

Kleckner - photographer

Kleckner - photographer

Most likely children of Philo Mauzey.  McLeod - photographer

My tintypes:

I sincerely hope that this is my
gggg-grandma Charity Beeson (b. 1803),
but I don't know

Guess Who?: St. Joseph & Unknowns

If you see anyone you know, drop me a note! :)

J. T. Needles, St. Joseph, MO - photographer

Uhlman, St. Joseph, MO - photographer

Probably Albert Isaacs (son of Amos & Ally),
taken by H. S. Stovall, Weatherby, MO

The following pics are totally unmarked:(

postcard picture

Guess Who?: St. Joe & Atchison

These are a series of other unknowns.  Some I think I have figured out, and I can narrow down the family branch on the St. Joeseph ones, but I need to know who they are! Let me know if you can help:)

no photographer's mark,
but he looks very similar to a picture
I have of the sons of
Amos and Ally Isaacs of St. Joseph, MO

Memorial photograph.
I'm thinking this is Samuel Isaacs,
 son of Amos and Ally Isaacs

Thinking this is Ally Jane (Judah) Isaacs,
the resemblance to Ally's daughter Addie is striking

J. S. Saurman, St. Joseph - photographer

Speculating that this is either Levi or Samuel Judah,
brothers of Ally Jane (Judah) Isaacs

The only one in this post from Atchison,
he has similar features, so I included him

J. W. Souder, St. Joseph, MO - photographer

W. J. Rea, St. Joseph, MO - photographer

Field Trip Friday: Homecoming

  Starting off on our trip this morning and the gas station attendant in town asked if we were going to the parade today.  "Parade?", I asked her.  "For homecoming", was the reply.  One of those things we homeschoolers are out of touch with.  I've been seeing all the fun pictures of my friends' kiddos dressed for spirit week, but hadn't given the homecoming parade a second thought.  We were off on our own "homecoming", just a different way. 
  My parents, Ducky and Gigi, own a piece of land that my great-grandparents farmed and lived on.  On its edge is a gravel bar on the Neosho River that they like to go and take their trailer to and stay at for a week or so periodically. They were there this week, so we went to hang out with them.  The gravel bar is just a magical place.  Several miles outside of a small town called LeRoy, down a small field road, surrounded by fields of corn and soybeans.  It is the ultimate place for the kids to explore nature.
  

off to look for shells

The kids love scouring the river banks for mussel shells.  Today they were using the shells to line "caves" that they were digging into the gravel bar.

One bonus that they found was a bison horn on the banks!  The kids have their Daddy's eyes:)  They were so excited.  I am always wary of taking home the gooey things that they find from the gravel bar, but they are always so thrilled at all their finds:)

Mookie & Shorty playing with the stomp rocket

One of the favorite things today was Ducky and Gigi's stomp rocket.  Even Shorty got in on this one - and he loved it (didn't do too bad with it either!)

It's always so hard tearing ourselves away.  Luckily we'll be back in a couple of weeks!

Ducky & Shorty

Pit Stop!

I was thinking back on today and our wild flat traveler inspired field trip (in lieu of our "field trip Friday" this week), and Guido from the movie Cars's voice came into my head "Pit Stop!!".  Yep, that's pretty much how it was:)

We were dying to see my folks after our big vacation, and when we found out they were going to be in Topeka, we planned a lunch date.  Funny thing is that all three of us adults had the same eating establishment in mind, we're weird, what can I say?

Just in case, I brought our new flat travelers with us.  Since we were close to downtown, I suggested a trip to the state capital.  Ducky had an appointment later in the afternoon he had to be at, so it would be a quick trip.  With Shorty in need of a nap, I knew that wouldn't be a problem. 

It was a super fast trip, but we got to see all the important parts that were open to the public: the murals and statues, the House and Senate chambers, the old Supreme Court, the door to the Governor's office, and most importantly a ride in the cage elevator! :)

House Chamber

Supreme Court

I had never been in any of the chambers before - so cool!  My favorite was the House chamber, it had a flyer describing different items of note. 

I totally love the John Stuart Curry mural of John Brown.  It is just so powerful, it really captures the imagination of what he must have been like and the volatility of that time period.

So, I am so glad that its free to tour the capital, because our "pit stop" lasted 1/2 hour.  It was a quick one, but since we had been there previously we didn't feel too badly, plus we got to see some new areas!  Shorty slept all the way home and then some:)

Our First Flat Traveler Experience

  We've been having fun with our Facebook group Homeschool Swapping Adventures.  Our last adventure was swapping flat travelers.  Let me tell you, we had a blast with our travelers we received.  The neat part about taking them around was it encouraged us to take more pictures of our everyday life added along with side trips to show neat things about our area!
  In addition to pictures and journaling, we also included small trinkets and pamphlets we picked up along the way - sort of like a small geo-box.  Here are some pictures of what we sent back with our visiting travelers:

Flat Darcy's packet en route to Texas

Flat Jerrin's packet en route to Washington

Here is what we received:

Texas

Flat Darcy's family had some cool trips while our traveler was there an adorable scrapbook & even some bluebonnet seeds (Texas's state flower).  Mookie is so thrilled to plant those in her garden next year!

Washington State

Flat Jerrin's family sent a great journal, a local newspaper, locally made candies and soaps, and even a Bigfoot keychain:)  Bubby is ready to use the map to go see his bestie out in Seattle someday:)

What a wonderful experience!  I've learned some new things to send, like a cd with digital versions of the pictures, and a fact sheet with state info and even a map showing where the traveler went while they were with us.

The only problem we've had so far is that USPS Priority mail is not really as fast as the 2 days like it is advertised.  Our package from Texas took almost 2 weeks, and the one from Washington took a week (it went from Washington to Kansas City, to Memphis, TN and back to us!).  The benefit of doing it priority, however, is that you get a tracking number automatically so you can track it if need be.

A cool side benefit is that you really get to act as an ambassador for your area.  It really makes you think about your everyday activities and if you send your traveler info in journal form, it's neat to see what you've been up to for the last month:)  We're ready to see what new adventures our travelers have!

The Great National Park Adventure - Rushmore

Shorty at our Custer Cabin

  We woke up in Custer State Park to a beautiful morning - I could see my breath!  A beautiful haze was blanketing the huge trees.  Oh how I wish that we could have lingered a little longer in Custer.  They have wonderful wildlife and just neat areas to explore.  We were feeling the crunch though and after a brief stop at the visitors center in Custer that the CCC built, we were on our way to Rushmore.

wouldn't this be an awesome house?

  The drive up was just beautiful.  Even though it wasn't far from where we camped, the curves and switchbacks made it slow going, but really who minds when surrounded by so much beauty of nature?

   When we got to Rushmore, we could tell that it was almost the next weekend because the crowds had really picked up.   The cool thing was when we walked through the parking garage we saw almost a different state/province in every slot!  To be totally honest, I was very disappointed at the "grand entry" to see the monument.  I thought that the monument itself was grand enough and the other just took away from that.  It wasn't there when I was there 20+ years ago, so I was glad I had the memory of that time:)
 

   The exhibit area down closer to the monument was really well done.  They were interactive for the kids and great for all different learning types.   The kids' favorite one was where you could push a tnt detonator plunger and make parts of Mt. Rushmore explode using original video footage.

Making Rushmore go "boom"

getting sworn in as Rushmore Jr. Rangers

  The walk on the President's trail was so pretty with lots of great photo opportunities.  Bubby was really interested in all the Ponderosa pines in the area and would pick up the needles along the path and hand them to Shorty telling him what they were.  Shorty misunderstood and thought they were "porkapine" quills :)

  By the time we left Rushmore, our hopes of reaching Devil's Tower for an afternoon visit were slim, so we just headed for our next night's stay in Keyhole State Park.  It is about 20 miles away from the tower, but you can see it in the distance on your descent into the park.

  Our cabin at Keyhole was more basic (without a heater or close showering facilities), but it was still lovely and lakeside too! 

   Oh how majestic that tower looks!  I've been 3 times and am not tired of it yet.  We got there right when the visitor's center opened and got "rock star parking", which was good, because when we left a couple hours later, it was getting really busy.  

  Surprisingly the kids didn't get really tired of all the hiking we did.  They all trooped along, just excited to be seeing what we saw at each place.  Shorty didn't care much for the faces on the mountain at Rushmore, but he did enjoy the tower - maybe it was because of all the rocks he could climb along the trail.

walking the tower trail

 

  

the kids on the debris at the base of the tower

   After earning their 5th and last Jr. Ranger patch, we started on our last leg through the mountains in Colorado - um, or so we thought.  From about Gillette, Wyoming on we drove through rain.  When we reached a few miles north of Cheyenne the road signs started saying that all roads were closed from Cheyenne to Colorado - huh?  We'd been without internet/tv/phone service for a couple of days so had no idea what was going on.  After we got cell service I made a call to Ducky and Gigi to find out what was going on and they told us about the flooding going on in Colorado.  What a blessing we weren't a day or so earlier in crossing the state border (they had closed the border just that day) - we had been planning on heading to Estes Park area.

  We turned east on I-80 and decided to drive on home.  When we hit pea soup fog in Nebraska, we were doubting our choice.  It even had strong winds with it, but the fog was unaffected!  When we stopped for gas, the attendant said that it had been like that for 2 days.  Thankfully, we ran out of it and had a great uneventful trip safely home.  Shorty woke up when we pulled in at 4am and cheerfully shouted "Home!".  He was more than ready to be there, his schedule had been shot to high heaven on this trip and he was done.  Actually the rest of us were wearing thin too, that is except Bubby.  That kid just fed off of each place we went.  We told them in stages where we were going over the next day or so, that way they would enjoy each thing and not be looking forward to the next to do.  Every time we'd let them in on the schedule, he'd say "I've read about that place and have always wanted to go!" and tell us some odd fact about it.  

  The funny thing about this trip was that the kids asked what we'd be doing about school since they were missing it.  They thought we were weird when we told them that they'd been doing school the whole time!  But really, all the intensive Jr. Ranger research, all the math figuring out ETA and how long the trails would be, P.E. (the hiking), geography, history, etc.... it was the ultimate in school! 

   Who knows when we'll have the opportunity again for something like this, but we'll be ready when we get it! :)