Okay, I’m going to be honest here. The last several months have been brutal on our family. We have been dished up the proverbial turd in the toilet of life. Really, I’m not joking. Short of mass hysteria and natural disaster, we have experienced the freaky and the lacking of luck. Then just when you give up, you throw in the towel; the universe throws you a lifeline. Our saving grace came in the form of a date. Mike’s paperwork was finally processed and he enters Officer Training School for the Navy at the end of September. Can I share with you that while I do not want him to go away and be without a partner in crime the thought of a livable wage, health insurance, dental insurance, and money for rent leave me a bit giddy with excitement. Funny how it used to be the thought of a Pearl Jam concert and now resides in the context of having the funds to take the dog to the vet.
So now what do we do? There are many uncertainties that lay ahead. However, we do know that he will be gone for three months to Rhode Island until he is commissioned and then onto training school for an additional six months. That’s a whole lot of month’s people. A lot of time away after a somewhat stressful period that has worn away at what we perceived to be unbreakable. (Thus proving that whole impermanent thing that Buddhists so fondly refer to. How I hate it when the abstract becomes the commonality that holds true.) In an uncommon move that only can be described as a last resort we have decided to reconnect with our hippie roots. For the next two months, starting next Monday to be exact, we will be camping across America. What better way to reconnect as a family than to stand at the edge of a precipice in awe , to rock climb and help each other along the way, and huddle around a campfire and sing songs and roast marshmallows. Really, I can’t think of anything better or more affordable for that matter.
So here’s what I’m asking from you the reader, (if there are any after my month long hiatus), if you could visit any part of what you consider true Americana, what would it be. At this point, we have:
Yellowstone National Park
Route 66 across the Mississippi River
Black Hills
Wright Brothers Memorial
Metropolis Illinois (for the Superhero of course)
The Grand Canyon
Zion National Park
Salem Massachusetts
Gettysburg
Mackinac Island
Feel free to drop a comment and share what you think from random roadside things like the largest freestanding teapot to the biggest twine collection. All will be considered with equal regard. 
Filed under: Mi Familia, Road Trippin' and Exploring the World Around | Tagged: americana, camping across america, tents
Hi Sheri!
Personally, I’ve always wondered what the Black Hills are like. And Mt. Rushmore is up there somewhere. Then, relatively speaking, you are practically to Yellowstone. On your way back east, northern MN has lots of lakes for canoeing, and, I understand, very large mosquitos, so you would have to take that into account, I suppose. I’m not sure where Mackinac Island is, so can’t really comment on that one. If you are up by the Great Lakes, though, you should read “Paddle to the Sea.” You could almost day trip to the Wright Brothers’ Memorial from Norfolk, so leave that for last.
Have a great time! We miss you.
Ginny
It’s a little off course, but when driving Route 66 through Oklahoma make a detour west on highway 60 and head to a town called Bartlesville. There’s a great park called Woolaroc there where bison roam free and you can drive though. There’s also the Tall Grass Prairie you can visit.
We’ve hit several of those spots- Zion, Grand Canyon, Route 66, and Salem- I’m so jealous and excited for your trip!
I have to say though, that one of my allt ime favorite places (you know, other than Hawaii) is Yosemite NP. Can I cast a vote for a stop there? You won’t be disapointed, I promise!
The Iowa State Fair. What’s more Americana than teh Butter Cow? Also the first day of the fair, at 7 am, if you show up admission is free AND you get a free corn dog. This year they are trying to set a record for the most people eating corn dogs at the same time. We will be there!
Ginny-Thank you for the mosquito tip, I will def. remember that
. “Paddle to the Sea” is now on my list of things to buy and read together, along with books on Lewis & Clark and other explorers. I look forward to reading it and chatting about it.
Summer- Thank you for the Rout 66 tip. My husband is fascinated with traveling it so we will def. put Woolaroc on the list. I can’t even imagine watching bison roam free.
Tracey-Most def. Yosemite.
I can’t imagine a cross country trip without it. Perhaps you and the family could do some road trippin yourself. 
MP-Thank you! I am off to Google the Iowa State Fair. Here I was staring at Iowa trying to decide what to do. It never even crossed my mind. Anything free is always good in my book.
It would be so cool if we could run into each other! 
If you end up that way, I will make it a point of connecting with you.
We’ll be at the corn dog thing, but we also don’t live far from the fair grounds and would love to have you over for dinner or some such.
If you’re out this way in Sept, it could definately happen!
If you are going to be in SD you might as well swing by the Corn Palace in Mitchell. I remember it fondly from a family vacation years ago. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corn_Palace
Personally I think Zion National Park would be the best place for you to visit! There are so many wonderful things out west. Utah is calling your name!
You should go to Zion National Park. There are so many wonderful hikes there. There are also many fun people to see in Utah!
Sheri,
When we visited Yosemite, we found a horseback riding place and went for a ride. It was outside the park, we took a loooong ride and were able to play among some of the giant redwoods.
And if you are going all the way to the “left” coast, there is a great place North of SF called Muir Woods. Beautiful. Peaceful. Serene.
Enjoy your trip!
Teresa
PS Kari went for a run yesterday…can you believe it!?!?!
If you can head north of RI when you hit the East Coast, the ADK mountains in northern NY state are so amazing. Definitely worth the detour.
http://thegrasswidowsdiary.blogspot.com/2008/07/adirondacks.html
I vote for Utah too. For selfish reasons. Because there really are some fun (and funny) people to see there. And we live there! We have a house you can stay in for a change from the camper and we’ll even feed you and watch your kids for free.
OK, then, just stop on your way from Zions to Yellowstone and use our bathroom!
I’m interested in the trip, I hope you take your laptop so I can read where you are, etc.
I love you and your kids, your husband, your MIL and your FIL. I hope life is being kind to you all now.
Steph.
Have a wonderful trip. There are so many places we want to see with the boys. If we end up stationed in the US we are taking 30 days and just driving.
You will have to post all about your trip!