Boston, MA

We went on a Walking Tour today. It was very fun. What a town and what a history! We went down to Cape Code and saw the Atlantic in full swing too! Man what history!! There is so much to see and do here!!

Boston, located in Suffolk County, is the capital and largest city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is considered the economic and cultural center of the entire New England region. The city, which had an estimated population of 596,763 in 2006, lies at the center of the Cambridge–Boston-Quincy metropolitan area—the 11th-largest metropolitan area (5th largest CSA) in the U.S., with a population of 4.4 million. Residents of Boston are referred to as Bostonians.

In 1630, Puritan colonists from England founded the city on the Shawmut Peninsula. During the late eighteenth century Boston was the location of several major events during the American Revolution, including the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party. Several early battles of the American Revolution, such as the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Siege of Boston, occurred within the city and surrounding areas. After American independence was attained Boston became a major shipping port and manufacturing center, and its rich history now attracts 16.3 million visitors annually. The city was the site of several firsts, including America's first public school, Boston Latin School (1635), and first college, Harvard College (1636), in neighboring Cambridge. Boston was also home to the first subway system in the United States.

Through land reclamation and municipal annexation, Boston has expanded beyond the peninsula. With many colleges and universities within the city and surrounding area, Boston is a center of higher education[9] and a center for health care. The city's economy is also based on research, finance, and technology — principally biotechnology. Boston has been experiencing gentrification and has one of the highest costs of living in the United States.

Buffalo, NY

We met the award winning newswoman Judy Martin today and man did she know a lot about Buffalo!!

Cleveland, OH

We met the famous bull rider J.B. Manya! We went to see iron ore get smelted in the iron works. We learned about the hundreds of inventions that have been discovered in Ohio. It is truly "The Heart of America." It is also inspiring to see how Cleveland cleaned itself up. What a city!!

We talked about Great Lakes shipping and iron ore. We discovered why the iron ore was shipped to the Southern Great Lakes. We smelted ore, taking a solid to a liquid and back to a solid again. Very fun discussion. We bonked too, and tried Cliff Bars.

Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately 60 miles (100 km) west of the Pennsylvania border. It was founded in 1796 near the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, and became a manufacturing center owing to its location at the head of numerous canals and railroad lines. With the decline of heavy manufacturing, Cleveland's businesses have diversified into the service economy, including the financial services, insurance, and healthcare sectors. Cleveland is also noted for its association with rock music; the city is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Detroit, MI

It was a nice day in Detroit. Henry Ford himself showed us around town and told us about some more Michigan firsts!!

We celebrated Potzchi Day with Henry by enjoying a Potzchi donut! Another Lent celebration!

We learned a lot today. We learned about Motown and how Henry Ford changed the world. We also learned that working on an assembly line for 5 minutes but that 5 years could be another story.

Detroit (French: meaning "at the strait") is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Wayne County. Detroit is a major port city on the Detroit River, in the Midwest region of the United States. Located north of Windsor, Ontario Detroit is a geographical oddity as the only U.S. city that looks south to Canada. It was founded in 1701 by the Frenchman Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac.

It is known as the world's traditional automotive center — "Detroit" is a center for the American automobile industry — and an important source of popular music, legacies celebrated by the city's two familiar nicknames, Motor City and Motown.

Assembly Lines

Grand Rapids, MI

Man, did we have fun! Lake Michigan is awesome! We saw the Sleeping Bear Dunes, Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel! Did you know that there are no cars allowed on Mackinac Island? We even got yogurt in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids is also the Furniture Capital of the United States. The Public Museum has all kinds of furniture in it and the Myer Gardens has a butterfly display! Cool!

Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 197,800. The Grand Rapids–Wyoming Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 774,084, while the Combined Statistical Area of Grand Rapids–Muskegon–Holland had a population of 1,320,487 as of the 2006 census estimate. It is the county seat of Kent County, Michigan6. It is the second largest city in the state and the principal city in West Michigan.

During the second half of the 19th century, the city became a major lumbering center and the premier furniture manufacturing city of the United States. For this reason it was nicknamed "Furniture City". After an international exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876, Grand Rapids became recognized worldwide as a leader in the production of fine furniture. National home furnishing markets were held in Grand Rapids for about 75 years, concluding in the 1960s. Today, Grand Rapids is considered a world leader in the production of office furniture.

Indianapolis, IN

Fast times in Indianapolis with racer Mario Linnel!! Great info and great times or my name isn't Orville Redenbacher!!

Louisville, KY

We had a great time with Jack in Louisville! Wow, who would have guessed this was such a neat place with such rich history! We had a great time at Churchill Downs too!

We went to the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum and saw a bat being made. We also went to see the river boat The Belle of Louisville and learned what it means to be on the Register of historic places! What a cool place on the Ohio River! It is filled with American icons!