Following in the steps of my dad - taking the grandsons out west!

My dad was the most patriotic man I've ever known.  He believed children need to know this country's history and geography and he believed first hand experience was the best teacher. 

When my sons were 8 and 10, we took a family vacation from Illinois through IN, OH, PA, NY, DC, VA, stopping at many historical sites - my oldest brother and his family, me and my boys, my parents and my nephew.  It was a great adventure.



Wendy, Nathan, Jeff, Matt, Ryan - on the ferry headed to Battery Park from Liberty Island, NYC (see twin towers in the background)

This year I decided to follow in my dad's footsteps and plan a similar trip with my grandsons.  I asked them where they wanted to go - after getting past the request "let's go there" (pointing at a picture of Florence, Italy) Evan said he wanted to go see Mt. Rushmore (he's seen my photos from my 2011 motorcycle trip to South Dakota).

So eight months ago we began planning the trip finally settling on a nine day adventure beginning in Rapid City, SD and continuing on through Montana and Wyoming. 

Step 1:  map the route
Step 2: secure flights and lodging
Step 3: plan hour by hour schedule

Hopefully the boys will have a fun time and learn a lot of geography and history during our nine day trip!  Details to come.