Springfield, IL
Topic: June 30, 2005
We started our trip on Route 66 in Springfield , IL. And this is where we return,to the same Cozy Dog Diner, 5,267 miles later. Buzz has his jacket full of pins from the many stops we made west through this beautiful country. He and his friend, Link, will be a part of the learning going on in our third grade classroom this new year. (Boy the dog needs a bath!) I'm building a web quest around all of the pictures, artifacts and friends we've gained along our journey. (Hidden within the web quest will be state standards.) It will be published for children interested in learning about their country through the internet. To think that you can travel that far, never being stopped when crossing borders, and always with a sense of safety is a wonderful thing. Something I don't think is possible on many continents.

We met many groups of people traveling on their motorcycles. They were eager to share they stories and enthusiasm for our country. The sights, smells, sounds, and climate of a community is strong when you are out in the open, upon a motorcycle. All of your senses are keenly aware of your surroundings and for your safety, so it should be. There are still places in our country where few people live, and then places like Los Angeles where millions live. Because you're American you have the freedom to choose how and where you live. I wouldn't choose anywhere else but Indiana. The communities that stand out as being exceptional seem to have one thing in common, the people of that place share a common goal whether it's protecting the natural land, changing the land through new farming techniques, or building monuments that teach others about who they are. The places that stand out for Larry were the Grand Canyon, The Sierra Nevadas, and the vast desert lands. For me the best thing was meeting and learning about people and how they adapted to the land, and for our good friends the Fords, I think it was getting to see a little girl named Ellen. Thanks for sharing our trip with us and let us know how you liked it by e-mailing me at: dmyers@svcs.k12.in.us Have a great summer and...Take It Easy!