Before we set out we selected a read aloud book (had I realized the rich Native American influences we were about to see, I would have selected something to correlate. However we picked from our book wish list and ended up with Island of the Blue Dolphin). We also brought a printed US map to mark off states as we seen their license plates and of course plenty of snacks. Since we didn't have hotels booked in advance, we brought along the tent and some camping supplies, just in case.
With a full tank and full bellies we set out on interstate 10 headed east to Arizona. Our plan was to continue until we ran out of time or money. We expected a great family adventure but found so much more along the way.
1. Palm Springs Windmills: Sustainable energy in action.
2. Quartzsite Arizona: A geology dream! There are many places to stop and study rocks and minerals. We selected T-Rocks and loved the way in which they organized their supply!
3. Casa Grande Ruins, Coolidge AZ: A legendary sacred place of the Ancestral Sonoran Desert People. An amazing glimpse into the earliest communities, irrigation, trade and more.
4. Biosphere 2: A man made replica of Biosphere 1 (or earth). From biomes and engineered lungs to underground technosphere, all ages are sure to be wowed. The land was once home to Native Americans, followed by ranchers and miners until eventually the Biosphere 2 campus.
5. Salt Lake River, AZ: A tributary of the Gila River with a beautiful scenic drive. Pima (Native American river people) resided along the river before the arrival of Spanish explorers.
6. Landforms and Desert Landscapes: Check out some living books from the library, there is much to see and discuss!
7. Route 66: Historic route, the road well traveled.
8. Gallup New Mexico: Rich in Native American tradition. Authentic Native American art, trading posts with items made in nearby Taos (another must see), nightly Indian Dances and Native Arts Market.
9. Continental Divide: the point in the continent that determines the path of water flow. This divide was home to Zuni and Acoma Tribes. It is also still the home of many Native Americans.
10. San Felipe de Neri: Oldest Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
11. Old Town Albuquerque: Pueblo-Spanish style architecture preserves the historic aspects of this principal settlement of Rio Abajo.
12. Cadillac Graveyard: The neatest interactive art display I've ever seen.
13. Texas Air & Space Museum: Interact with a variety of air crafts. The NASA air craft has an air pressurizer that makes for great discussion after seeing the Biosphere Lung.
14. The Big Texan: Just a fun experience of cowboys and Indians. Plus kids meals served in cowboy hats.
15. Boise City, Oklahoma: small farming town and the site of an accidental bomb drop during WWII. Move from the Native American desert into the farming towns.
16. Pioneer Statues: the Daughters of the American Revolution marked out the "Old Trails Road" from Maryland to California. Pioneer Statues can be found along this trail in cities such as Lamar, Colorado; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Springerville, Arizona and Upland California.
17. Trinidad, Colorado: Explored by Spanish and Mexican traders. Located close to the Santa Fe Trail.
18. Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments: Volcanic lava fields and Native American Ruins near Flagstaff, AZ.
19. Las Vegas Nevada: Originally home to the Paleo-Indians.
20. Calico Ghost Town, CA: Old West Mining Town, home to the largest silver mining camp in California.
This road trip allowed us to explore the nation's rich Native American history, the influence of settlers and pioneers and the science of future advancements. History, science and art in a way textbooks alone could never teach!
No comments:
Post a Comment