New Orleans, LA

We danced and ate and had a great time in The Big Easy. Zydeco music has fun written all over it! We talked about the music, the French Quarter and the sad story of Hurricane Katrina. What an amazing and fun place.

New Orleans is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana.

New Orleans is known for its multicultural heritage as well as its music and cuisine and is considered the birthplace of jazz.

Its status as a world-famous tourist destination is due in part to its architecture, music, cuisine, its annual Mardi Gras, and other celebrations and festivals. The city is often referred to as "The most unique city in America".

Houston, TX

Wow! What a state! Houston was very cool! Lots of great history and places to see! We stopped in San Antonio this morning for chips and an amazing dip! (Cream Cheese, Black Beans, and Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce) The chips were really from San Antonio. We even took a ride on a roller coaster and saw the Alamo!

Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States of America and the largest city within the state of Texas. As of the 2006 U.S. Census estimate, the city has a population of 2.14 million within an area of 600 square miles. Houston is the seat of Harris County and an economic center of the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area—the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. with a population of more than 5.5 million.

Houston was founded on August 30, 1836 by brothers Augustus Chapman Allen and John Kirby Allen on land near the banks of Buffalo Bayou. The city was incorporated on June 5, 1837 and named after then-President of the Republic of Texas—former General Sam Houston—who had commanded at the Battle of San Jacinto, which took place 25 miles east of where the city was established. The burgeoning port and railroad industry, combined with oil discovery in 1901, has induced continual surges in the city's population. In the mid-twentieth century, Houston became the home of the Texas Medical Center—the world's largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions—and NASA's Johnson Space Center, where Mission Control Center is located.

Houston's economy has a broad industrial base in the energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, and technology; only New York City is home to more Fortune 500 headquarters. Commercially, Houston is ranked as a world city, and the area is a leading center for building oilfield equipment. The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage handled and second in total cargo tonnage handled. The city has a multicultural population with a large and growing international community. It is home to many cultural institutions and exhibits—attracting more than 7 million visitors a year to the Houston Museum District. Houston has an active visual and performing arts scene in the Theater District and is one of five U.S. cities that offer year-round resident companies in all major performing arts.

Dallas, TX

"Everything is big in Texas," "Live Large, Think Big" those are just a couple of things that we heard today in Dallas. What a neat town and amazing and sometimes sad history. We rode on the Texas Star and went out to Southfork Ranch. Who shot Jr?

Dallas is the third-largest city in the state of Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. Residents of Dallas are called Dallasites. The city covers 385 square miles and is the county seat of Dallas County. As of July 1, 2006, U.S. Census estimates put central Dallas at a population of over 1.2 million. The city is the main economic center of the 12-county Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metropolitan area—at 6 million people, it is the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Dallas is listed as a gamma world city by the Loughborough University Globalization and World Cities Study Group & Network.

Dallas was founded in 1841 and formally incorporated as a city on 2 February 1856. The city's economy is primarily based on the petroleum industry, telecommunications, computer technology, banking, and transportation. It is the core of the largest inland metropolitan area in the United States and lacks any navigable link to the sea—Dallas's prominence despite this comes from its historical importance as a center for the oil and cotton industries, its position along numerous railroad lines, and a strong industrial and financial sector.

Little Rock, AR

We learned about the heroes of Central High today. 9 students that dared to go to a desegregated high school in 1957. An amazing story. We saw the capital building which is a small version of our capital building in Washington D.C. We learned a lot about the area and the history!

Little Rock is the capital and the most populous city of the State of Arkansas. It is also the county seat of Pulaski County and had a city population of 184,422 in the 2006 census estimates. It and North Little Rock, Arkansas are co-principal cities of the six-county Little Rock-North Little Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area, an area with a population of 652,834 people, according to 2006 census estimates. The MSA is in turn included in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff Combined Statistical Area, which had a population of 829,032 in the 2006 census estimates.

Located near the geographic center of Arkansas, Little Rock derives its name from a small rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas River called La Petite Roche (the "little rock"). The "little rock" was used by early river traffic as a landmark and became a well-known river crossing.

Memphis. TN

There is a rich history here with music and the Civil Rights Movement. The more you explore this city the more amazing it becomes!

Memphis is a city in the southwest corner of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. Memphis rises above the Mississippi River on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff just south of the mouth of the Wolf River.

As of 2006, Memphis had an estimated population of 670,902, making it the largest city in the state of Tennessee, the second largest in the southeastern region (only to Jacksonville, Florida), and the 17th largest in the United States.

The greater Memphis metropolitan area, including the adjacent counties of Mississippi and Arkansas, has a population of 1,260,581. This makes Memphis the second largest metropolitan area in Tennessee, surpassed only by metropolitan Nashville.

St. Louis, MO

Who is that guy? It looks like Raggedy Andy!


St. Louis is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is bordered by the Mississippi River on the east and by St. Louis County on the north, south, and west. St. Louis is the largest metropolitan area in Missouri. Sometimes written as Saint Louis, the city is named for King Louis IX of France. St. Louis is known for its French and German heritage and Victorian past. Two events at the beginning of the 20th century, the 1904 World's Fair and 1904 Olympic Games (the first ever held in the United States) are of particular pride to St. Louisans. In the 21st century, St. Louis has transformed from a manufacturing and industrial economy into a globally known focus for research in medicine, biotechnology, and other sciences.

Chicago, IL

We talked about The Great Chicago Fire AND met real fire fighters today!!

Chicago, is the largest city in the state of Illinois and the largest in the Midwest. With its population of over 2.8 million people located almost entirely in Cook County Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. The population of Chicago's metropolitan area, which extends over several counties, contains over 9.7 million people in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana, making it the third largest metropolitan area in the U.S. Rich in history and renowned for its innovative and influential architecture, Chicago is classified as an alpha world city.

Located at the site of a portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed, Chicago was incorporated as a city in 1837. It rapidly became a major transportation hub, as well as the business, financial, and cultural capital of the Midwest.

Milwaukee, WI

Look at this awesome creating from our Valentine Party. Thanks to all that were involved! That is very cool!

Milwaukee is the largest city in the state of Wisconsin and 22nd largest (by population) in the United States. The city is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. As of the 2006 U.S. Census estimate, Milwaukee had a population of 602,782. The city is the main cultural and economic center of the Milwaukee–Racine–Waukesha Metropolitan Area with a population of 1,773,519.

Once known almost exclusively as a brewing and manufacturing powerhouse, Milwaukee has taken steps in recent years to reshape its image. In the past decade, major new additions to the city have included the Milwaukee Riverwalk, the Midwest Airlines Center, Miller Park, an internationally renowned addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum, and Pier Wisconsin, as well as major renovations to the Milwaukee Auditorium and U.S. Cellular Arena. In addition, many new skyscrapers, condos, lofts, and apartments have been constructed in neighborhoods on and near the lakefront and riverbanks

Madison, WI

Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

The 2006 population estimate of Madison was 223,389, making it the second largest city in Wisconsin, after Milwaukee, and the 82nd largest in the United States. The city forms the core of the United States Census Bureau's Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Dane County and neighboring Iowa and Columbia counties. The Madison MSA had a 2006 estimated population of 543,022, and is one of the fastest-growing in Wisconsin.

Duluth, MN

Lift Bridge
Duluth is a seaport city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county
seat of St. Louis County. The city had a total population of 86,918 in
the 2000 census and the metropolitan census including outer suburbs and
villages was estimated to be roughly 184,000. At the westernmost point
on the north shore of Lake Superior, Duluth is linked to the Atlantic
Ocean 2,300 miles (3,700 km) away via the Great Lakes and Erie
Canal/New York State Barge Canal or Saint Lawrence Seaway passages and
is the Atlantic Ocean's westernmost deep-water port.
Duluth forms a metropolitan area with Superior, Wisconsin, Called the
Twin Ports, these two cities share the Duluth-Superior Harbor and
together are one of the most important ports on the Great Lakes,
shipping coal, iron ore (taconite), and grain. As a tourist destination
for the Midwest, Duluth features America's only all-freshwater
aquarium, the Great Lakes Aquarium, the Aerial Lift Bridge which spans
the short canal into Duluth's harbor, "Park Point", the world's second
longest freshwater sandbar, spanning 6 miles, and is a launching point
for the North Shore.

Minneapolis, MN

We met Connor today and he told us all bout the Twin Cities. Wow, is there a lot to do!!

Minneapolis is the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Hennepin County. The city lies on both banks of the Mississippi River, just north of the river's confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Saint Paul, the state's capital. Known as the Twin Cities, these two cities form the core of Minneapolis-St. Paul, the fifteenth largest metropolitan area in the United States, with about 3.5 million residents. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the city of Minneapolis at 372,811 people in 2005. The Metropolitan Council estimate for 2006 was 387,970.

Abundantly rich in water, the city has twenty lakes and wetlands, the Mississippi riverfront, creeks and waterfalls, many connected by parkways in the Chain of Lakes and the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway. Minneapolis was once the world's flour milling capital and a hub for timber, and today is the primary business center between Chicago, Illinois, and Seattle, Washington. America's most literate city, Minneapolis builds cultural organizations that draw creative people and audiences to Minneapolis for theater, visual art, writing and music. The community's diverse population has a long tradition of charitable support through progressive public social programs and through private and corporate philanthropy.

Des Moines, IA

What an incredible city. Our guest made it sound close to heaven. I am ready to move there today!! It seems like the one amazing thing this city has going for it is balance! They are BBA!

Des Moines is the capital of and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857. The five-county metropolitan area is ranked 92nd in terms of population in the United States according to 2006 estimates with 534,230 residents according to United States Census Bureau. The population was 198,682 at the 2000 census.

Des Moines is a major center for the insurance industry and also has a sizeable financial services and publishing business base. The city is the headquarters for the Principal Financial Group, the Meredith Corporation, and Ruan Transportation. Other major corporations such as Wells Fargo, ING Group, Marsh, and Pioneer Hi-Bred have large operations in or near the metro area. Forbes Magazine ranked Des Moines as the fourth "Best Place for Business" in 2007. Des Moines was named the 'hippest city in the USA' in a 2003 article in Fast Company Magazine.

Recently, Des Moines has been experiencing rapid growth in the western and northern suburbs. Downtown Des Moines has been undergoing many new developments as well.

Des Moines is an important city in presidential politics as the capital of Iowa, which is home to the Iowa Caucus. The Iowa Caucus has been the first major electoral event in nominating the President of the United States since 1972; therefore many presidential candidates set up headquarters in Des Moines.

Lincoln, NE

Hey, Lincoln on Lincoln's birthday!!!!!

The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second most populous city of the U.S. state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. The population was 241,167 at the 2006 census estimate.

Lincoln started out as the village of Lancaster, which was founded in 1856, and became the county seat of the newly-created Lancaster County in 1859. The capital of Nebraska Territory had been Omaha since the creation of the territory in 1854; however, most of the territory's population lived south of the Platte River. After much of the territory south of the Platte considered annexation to Kansas, the legislature voted to move the capital south of the river and as far west as possible. The village of Lancaster was chosen, in part due to the salt flats and marshes. However, Omaha interests attempted to derail the move by having Lancaster renamed after the recently-assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. At the time, many of the people south of the river had been sympathetic towards the Confederate cause and it was assumed that the legislature would not pass the measure if the future capital was named after Lincoln. The ploy did not work, as Lancaster was renamed Lincoln and became the state capital upon Nebraska's admission to the Union on March 1, 1867.

Grand Island, NE

Grand Island is known for agriculture! Beef and beans are the name of the game. We talked about supply and demand and got to try some of the beans!

Grand Island is a city in Hall County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 42,940 in the 2000 census and had grown to 44,632 by 2006. It is the county seat of Hall County. Grand Island is home to the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center (NLETC) which is the sole agency responsible for training law enforcement officers throughout the state.

Denver, CO

There is so much to do here! We can go the museum this weekend or the zoo or even skiing. This is a beautiful place with so many things to see. It is easy to understand why this city is know and the fittest city in the country when it has 300 days of sunshine with near perfect temperatures for being outside. I love it!

The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of Colorado, in the United States. Denver is located in the South Platte River Valley on the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Southern Rocky Mountains. The Denver downtown district is located immediately east of the confluence of Cherry Creek with the South Platte River, approximately 15 miles (24 km) east of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Denver is nicknamed the Mile-High City because its official elevation is exactly one mile (5280 feet or 1609.344 m) above sea level.

We went to the Denver Mint and the Denver Art Museum. They were very neat places with lots of things to see and do!

Albuquerque, NM

Today we met Hannah Montana. Boy was she neat. She showed us around "Old Town," where we tried authentic Mexican food. It was great. The whole city is like one big history lesson. We even saw Petroglyphs. Did you know that this is the "Ballooning Capital of the World." Flat spaces, light winds, temperatures always with in the right range. It is wonderful. We even saw the art work of Georgia O'Keefe.

Gallup, NM

We made a funny connection between the movie "Cars" and Gallup, New Mexico. We looked at how the story of Route 66 is illustrated in that movie. We also read about Billy the Kid and recognized that some of history is fun and other parts are sad.

We also read a book about Pueblos and decided that would be an interesting way to live. It would take being a power under person. You would have to want to help your community!

Gallup (Navajo: Naʼnízhoozhí) is a city in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 20,209 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of McKinley CountyGR6.

Gallup was founded in 1891 as a railhead for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad.

Gallup was the setting as the center of activity in a 2006 Sci Fi Channel mini-series The Lost Room starring Peter Krause.

Gallup is sometimes called the "Indian Capital of the World", for its location in the heart of Native American lands, and the presence of Navajo, Zuni, Hopi and other tribes.

Route 66 runs through Gallup, and the town's name is mentioned in the lyrics to the song, Route 66.

Phoenix, AZ

What an awesome place! There is so much to do here! I think that I will go golfing at one of the 200 courses here this afternoon. No wonder this has become a major conference center for the US!

Phoenix is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona and the county seat of Maricopa County, as well as being the largest state capital in the U.S. by population. It is located along the banks of the now normally dry Salt River. It was incorporated as a city on February 25, 1881. Residents of Phoenix are known as Phoenicians.

The city's estimated population as of 2006 was 1,512,986, making it the fifth largest city in the United States.

Flagstaff, AZ

We saw the evidence of erosion all over the place. Ranger Maggie and mike showed us how erosion works in an erosion pool. It was neat!

Flagstaff (Navajo: Kinłání) is a city located in northern Arizona, in the southwestern United States. As of July 2006, the city's estimated population was 58,213, with a Metropolitan Statistical Area population of 124,953. It is the county seat of Coconino County. In 2005, Men's Journal named Flagstaff as No. 2 on its Best Places to Live list, and National Geographic cited the city in its list of "10 Great Towns That Will Make You Feel Young." The city is named after a Ponderosa Pine flagpole made by a scouting party from Boston (known as the "Flagstaff Tea Party") to celebrate the United States Centennial on July 4, 1876.

Cedar City, UT

Mr. Kind led the kids through Cedar City. They are going to celebrate this weekend. They worked on a budget too!

Cedar City is a city located in Iron County, Utah, United States, 250 miles south of Salt Lake City on Interstate 15. It is the home of Southern Utah University, the Utah Shakespearean Festival, the Neil Simon Theatre Festival, the Utah Summer Games, and other events. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 20,527, estimated to be 23,983 by 2005