Sunday, September 19, 2021

A Homeschool Year on the Road

When I started homeschooling (16 years ago), one of things I was sure we would do was spend a lot of time on the road, traveling across the U.S. I envisioned seeing the Grand Canyon, and having the daily Math work be calculating how many miles we had traveled and how much we had spent. Etc.

Now being home all of the time because of COVID is putting that dream back into my mind.

Making the book list for Jazz -- and thinking of how much fun it would be to visit New Orleans and see Mardi Gras -- made me think of it too.

Also, starting Zac in first grade at the age of 6 means that we potentially have an extra year to fill so that his 3rd grade main lesson blocks will fall when he is 9, as they should. I have friends in Alaska and Hawaii, and so it seems at least mildly doable that we could visit all 50 states. Would we take a year of school to do that, or spread the travel around over several years?

Who knows at this point! COVID makes you realize you have to live in the moment.

But I do want to transition from dreaming to planning, so I want to have a blog post where I can make notes (as we read books or do other activities) of what I'd most like to see in each state. For the next few years, I can add to the list. At some time, when we travel, I'll have all my notes in one place!

Of course, as always, I welcome suggestions. What are the must-see places in the U.S.? And if anyone knows of a blogger who has written about homeschooling on the road, please share the link!

I used to have a goal of getting my PhD before I turned 50. Now I think it's going to be to visit all 50 states before I turn 50 (which gives me 5 years).


For lack of a better plan, I'm going to list the states in alphabetical order. Of course there are a few territories that aren't that far away. It would also be fantastic to visit some tribal lands. My first job out of college was teaching at St. Bonaventure Mission on the Navajo Reservation and I'd love to take Zac!


Last updated: April 23, 2024

What to Know Before Booking a National Park Trip This Summer
The New York Times - Apr 22, 2024


1. Alabama


2. Alaska

    Northern Lights
    Fairbanks AK (in March, ideally)

    Whale Fest Kodiak
    Kodiak Island (April)


3. Arizona


4. Arkansas


5. California


6. Colorado


7. Connecticut


8. Delaware


9. Florida

    Key West FL


10. Georgia


11. Hawaii


12. Idaho


13. Illinois


14. Indiana


15. Iowa


16. Kansas

    Konsa Prairie Biological Station
    near Manhattan KS


    Autumn Calf
    by Jill Haukos


17. Kentucky


18. Louisiana

    Mardi Gras
    New Orleans LA (Feb 21, 2023)


    The 5 O'Clock Band
    by Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews


19. Maine


20. Maryland


21. Massachusetts


22. Michigan


23. Minnesota


24. Mississippi

    Biloxi MS


25. Missouri


26. Montana


27. Nebraska


28. Nevada


29. New Hampshire


30. New Jersey


31. New Mexico


32. New York


33. North Carolina


34. North Dakota


35. Ohio


36. Oklahoma


37. Oregon


38. Pennsylvania


39. Rhode Island


40. South Carolina


41. South Dakota


42. Tennessee


43. Texas


44. Utah


45. Vermont


46. Virginia


47. Washington


48. West Virginia


49. Wisconsin


50. Wyoming


Washington, District of Columbia


Puerto Rico


U.S. Virgin Islands


This post contains affiliate links to materials I truly use for homeschooling. Qualifying purchases provide me with revenue. Thank you for your support!

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