Category: RV Home School
Palo Alto National Battlefield (RGV)…
February 23, 2011 by Dana Ticknor · 4 Comments
Down in the southern most tip of Texas, in the RGV, is a small National Park that is really quite an interesting destination - The Palo Alto National Battlefield. Before traveling to Texas and looking for all the National Parks that they offer, we had no knowledge of the battle that took place here, or the extent (time and distance) that the US-Mexican War covered. This park is dedicated to the battle that happened on the grounds on May 8, 1846. The first major battle of the US-Mexican War. The visitor’s center is a small building with an informative film and displays that tell about both the battle that happened here, and the US-Mexican War in whole. The US Fort Texas (now the present day location of Brownsville, TX) was being held under siege by Mexican General Mariano Arista. Fort Texas’ General Zachary Taylor (later to be President due to his popularity earned by war actions) left the fort with the majority of his army, and went to Port Isabel (25 miles away... [Read more...]
USS Lexington…
February 17, 2011 by Dana Ticknor · 6 Comments
If you happen to find yourself in southern Texas, one stop that is not to be missed is the USS Lexington! Located in Corpus Christi Bay, this WWII aircraft carrier was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2003, and has been turned into a first-rate museum of all things WWII. While seeing action in WWII, the Lexington served in several campaigns in the Pacific Theatre. This Lexington (CV-16, Lexington #5) is nicknamed The Blue Ghost. Her nickname came from the fact that she was painted a solid, dark blue, instead of in a camouflaging pattern. This was demoralizing to the Japanese – since she was so heavily armored, she didn’t need to hide; they couldn’t sink her anyways. The Japanese said that they would sink her in the evening, and she would be right back in the morning, hence the name the Blue Ghost. Inside there are some commercialized areas like a food court and the gift shop. You could peek in on a F-18 Blue Angels restoration project, or take a turn... [Read more...]
Visit The Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria!
February 2, 2011 by Melissa A. Trainer · Leave a Comment
When we purchased our travel trailer many years ago, I told my husband that our new camper was going to become our informal summer classroom on wheels. I wasn’t home schooling my children, but I was intent on camping and exploring many places with them. I adhere to the “Use Boots Not Books” philosophy, so I knew our camper would open many opportunities for learning. Over the years, we’ve explored countless regional museums throughout the Pacific Northwest. One of our favorite museums is the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon. Located on the massive Columbia River, this beautiful museum celebrates the region’s rich nautical history. There are interactive exhibits suitable for adults and children alike, and the Lightship Columbia is a popular attraction. The museum’s current exhibit, “Crossing the Bar: Perilous Passage,” covers the treacherous Columbia River Bar in depth and detail, using an interactive... [Read more...]
The Missions Trail, San Antonio, TX
January 28, 2011 by Dana Ticknor · 2 Comments
Last week we took the time to drive the Missions Trail in Texas. A great addition to any visit to the Alamo, we enjoyed this part of our stay in San Antonio very much. We began our missions tour with a stop at the San Jose Mission, which is also the location of the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park visitor’s center. We are always on the lookout for National Parks, and love to do the Jr. Ranger program as a supplement to our roadschool history and science curriculums. At San Jose, we picked up Jr. Ranger booklets about the San Antonio Missions, and the kids completed them while we toured the mission. Mission San Jose is one stop on the Missions Trail, which consists of the remaining 5 of 6 original missions in the area (the Alamo is one of the 6). San Jose is a large mission that is very well preserved. You can self tour the mission, or take a 45 min. guided tour. We were surprised to find the entire exterior wall, surrounding the mission, is comprised... [Read more...]
Patti’s Saga of an RV Rookie: How to Quit Your Job and Work from Your RV!
January 8, 2011 by Patti F. · 22 Comments
OK. Don’t quit your job. Having said that, I gotta tell ya : Working online from your RV is the bomb! For those of you who’ve not raised teenagers in a decade, that means it’s really great. Sedona Skies I know there are other ways of earning income while RVing. You read about campground hosts, seasonal park workers, etc. For normal people, these may be great jobs. But for those among us whose aim in life is to own bra-less wardrobes consisting of daytime pajamas and evening pajamas (with minor excursions into sweats for dress up), working online from the RV is heaven. Note: my husband is currently designing an RV toga to meet the alpha male’s need for fashionable comfort. Sedona Hike Anyway, now that you know you’ll not be seeing us strolling on any red carpets, let me defend our honor by stating we are moderately intelligent and are able to earn our livings on line. My husband is an architectural designer, photographer and artist. I blog for three companies and am... [Read more...]
Web Rangers keeps ‘em coming back for more!
December 4, 2010 by Dana Ticknor · 5 Comments
One of the activities that we actively pursued in our RV travels last winter, was to visit as many state and National Parks as we could. The kids did Jr. Ranger programs at many of the parks, and came home with over 3 dozen badges each. We really enjoy the programs as they are generally very educational and include many details about the parks that we would otherwise not have known. They are a great way to get in some site-specific learning – and some nag-free roadschooling. The kids have really been missing the J.R. program, and are anxious to get back on the road and start in on it again. Recently, we found an online program that the boys thought was nearly as enjoyable as the real thing; Web Rangers. Web Rangers = Jr. Rangers with a twist. Web Rangers is the National Parks Service’s online Jr. Ranger program. The program is fun, free, and you do not have to download anything onto your computer to play it. It features over 50 different games that... [Read more...]
Great Roadschooling Destination!
October 18, 2010 by Dana Ticknor · Leave a Comment
One of the very first ’touristy stops’ that we did when we first started out on our RV adventures was the Bonneville Fish Hatchery in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. We happened to get there the first week in October, and found that the fall is a great time to visit the hatchery. Built in 1909, the hatchery currently raises nearly 10 million salmon yearly. There are display ponds for both trout and sturgeon, plus there are many runs for the salmon that are bred onsite. We found that Oct. and Nov. are the very best times of the year to visit if you would like to witness the spawning (if you visit nearby Bonneville Dam during this time, you can also watch the salmon swim (jump) the fish ladder in their trek to get back to the hatchery). At the hatchery, we were treated to salmon swimming everywhere, including some areas that they were not supposed to be; we even got to watch a few jump way out of the water and over gates meant to keep them out of other ponds! ... [Read more...]
Fort Fredrica National Monument, Brunswick, Georgia
September 17, 2010 by Dana Ticknor · Leave a Comment
When we travel, we love to stop at State and National Parks, and to participate in their Jr. Ranger programs. Last winter we completed over 3 dozen park programs, and one of our very favorites was the Jr. Ranger program at the Fort Fredrica National Monument in southeast Georgia. When we arrived at this park, we watched their introductory film, and then the wonderful volunteers and ranger in the visitor’s center gave the kids their Jr. Ranger booklets; you can actually get 2 separate Jr. Ranger booklets here – one for the fort, and one called Cultures of the Coast about native coastal tribes, colonists, and the coastal habitats (you can find info. on both programs at the Fort Fredrica site under ‘for kids’ then ‘be a jr ranger’). Both are fantastic booklets, but the Fort program is exceptional!!! Subsidized by a grant from the Fort Fredrica Association, this park’s booklets are in color and are interactive, including many 3 dimensional... [Read more...]
Head out to the local fair
July 23, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
One of the great things about going somewhere new is checking out the local culture. Whether it’s going to a new restaurant to try a new food (got hooked on NC BBQ that way) or visiting a local park, we love to experience new things. Another great way to experience an area is visit their local fair. Just use the County Fairs web site to see if there’s a fair where you’ll be camping. Dairy show at a local fair Of course not all fairs are created equal, some are just small 4-H fairs that have exhibits and some local organizations running a food booth or two. Those are a fun way to relax. Take in a cattle show, see if you can pick which cow will come out on top. Talk to an older4-Her about their project, they’ve worked hard on it, chances are they’d love to inform you about their animal they’ve chosen to show. Then there are the big fairs, with rides, lots of things to do and see, but at their heart they’re still the same. The kids still take care of their animals and talk to... [Read more...]
Global Wildlife Center, Folsom, Louisiana (The Perfect Home-School Field Trip)
July 15, 2010 by RA Manseau · Leave a Comment
I can’t exactly drive to Africa. But I can drive to Folsom, Louisiana! I am always on the lookout for great field trips for my home-schooled kids. One of the best parts of home-schooling is the ability to incorporate school with vacations. And, the Global Wildlife Center in Folsom Louisiana is a great destination! The best description of this wonderful wildlife preserve comes straight from their Mission Statement: “We seek to be a center of excellence in education; to create a perfect place in which threatened and endangered wildlife, from around the world, live and flourish in a free-roaming natural environment. A place where children, adults, students, and teachers embrace the values of active conservation and wildlife preservation through hands-on education and first-person sensory experience. Get ready for a wild adventure at the largest totally free-roaming wildlife preserve of its kind in the country! The Global Wildlife Center in Folsom, Louisiana is home to over 4,000 exotic,... [Read more...]
