Wow . . . almost 4 hours of researching sites, admission fees and addresses and we haven't even made it to DC yet. I'm exhausted. We have changed our route slightly (map update to follow as soon as Mark fixes it). Instead of Memphis, Nashville and Roanoke, we re-routed to Montgomery, AL, Atlanta GA and then Greensboro, NC before we head to DC. We made these changes based on our family's interests along with a more direct route to where we want to go.

The kids have done a great job so far researching different attractions. Ksenia has found lots of fun things to do in Salt Lake City including The Ballet West (although a tough choice between ballet in SLC or Broadway in NY). Chelsea has thoroughly researched San Antonio and with some advice from Nana and Papa, has narrowed down some very exciting and fun attractions. Kaleb spent two hours figuring out what to do in New Orleans including a couple celebrity restaurants (another tough call . . . a celebrity restaurant in New Orleans or a celebrity restaurant in NY). He did find what looks to be like some fun jazz restaurants and located a museum documenting Katrina. I spent my hours researching Montgomery, AL, Atlanta, GA and Greensboro, NC. I am so excited about all the different places we have the opportunity to visit . . . historical sites, fun attractions, and museums. I am looking forward to the different fresh fruits and vegetables from the different areas. Mark spent the evening working on the data base we are creating and talking about all the different places with us as we were all talking at once with excitement. Mark is soon to begin working on DC. Having spent 8 different weeks in DC during his career, he has a plan in the making.

This is an amazing experience. The kids are old enough to help in the planning and are having a ton of fun figuring out where to go. More to come as we continue working on the plans.

Getting down to the nitty gritty . . .
Normally during spring break we take the kids to the beach for a couple nights. When we told them not this year, they were all a bit disappointed until we reminded them we were spending 5-6 weeks on the road this summer traveling around the United States on a vacation of a lifetime.

This spring break is being spent trying to finalize some of the travel plans. Starting at the beginning of our map, Mark and I are locating campgrounds and places to actually spend the night. The kids are looking at different stops and each researching what they want to see. Some of the stops are being divided up, but all three of them have asked to research New York. :o) Kaleb heard there was a cool jazz museum in New York regardless of spending a few nights in New Orleans filled with jazz. Ksenia has already asked about seeing a Broadway show (she loves the dancing) and Chelsea is looking forward to an art museum of some sort. Mark is mapping out DC for us, while I'm looking forward to all the different places I can relate to my reading curriculum . . . bats, archeology in the Chicago area, jazz, maps in general, Elvis Presley, on top of spending an incredible summer with my kids and Mark.