What's All This About, Then?
(aka Your Many Questions Indelicately Answered)

(hint #1: scroll down and this won't be as hard to read. You're welcome.)


We go on trips. Road trips. Other trips. But mostly road trips. Sometimes (ideally) long ones. Sometimes not.

Yes, this is the same blog as the one about the Oregon Trail. Yes, it used to have a stagecoach and a dusty feel to it, which went along with the Oregon Trail very nicely. Yes, that was a great trip. That was three years ago. (the blog is still here if you want to read it...it starts here)

So...as we embark on the latest chapter of our roamin' ways, we want to invite you to come along. First, we might get lonely. I mean, we don't really get lonely much, but it's possible. Second, you might miss us. Third, you just might be nosy. And fourth, we are notoriously and and historically bad at sending postcards, circulating photos, keeping up with a scrapbook; as a matter of fact, with documenting our trip in most every way. We figured this might be the 21st century solution. It worked for the last trip, which was (as you know) three years ago (sniff). So we're keeping it going.


We hope you'll pop in, read about where we are, what we're doing, see photos of our adventures, and experience our gypsy hardships (like no room service) vicariously! Most importantly, we hope you'll add your comments and greetings, which we will get when we get to one of our stopping points. Souvenir requests will receive due consideration (Hint #1: Success is highly correlated with tackiness).

For those so inclined (you know who you are), we will also list links to related sites so that you can learn with us as we learn on the road, and maybe visit some of the same sights in the future!

Happy Trails to us all!

Love, Phoebe and Robin


Monday, July 16, 2007

Independence, Missouri




[Tonight's entire entry courtesy of Phoebe!]

I went to a program and got a Junior Ranger badge. Here it is:

And we saw these kids in a summer camp that were going on a fake covered wagon. And we also have a picture of a real covered wagon. Here it is:




We went to Harry Truman's house. Harry Truman was the President of the United States of America and he never liked cutting the grass. And he also noticed that people were trying to take parts of his house and belongings so he built a fence all up around his house and he found new wallpaper and everything. And he liked his wallpaper so much that he even put it on his ceiling. His wife's name was Bess. They had a child named Margaret. She lives in New York and she's 85. When coming to the table for dinner, they always had to dress up in suits or dresses. We didn't really get to see the upstairs, because it wasn't meant for guests.

After we finished Harry Truman's house, we had a bit of lunch and went to the museum and we learned more about pioneers and we also saw a little show about them. It was called "Pioneers Going West". We learned how they went to all different places: California, Oregon, The Great Salt Lake, but all on the same trail. After we saw that movie, I packed a wagon that wasn't covered, but I packed everything that was supposed to be in it. It was very heavy afterwards. We got medicine, bacon, water, tools, flour, sugar, meat, butter, gunpowder, a gun, a butter churn, silverware, dishes, pots, pans, canteens, and other stuff. Here is a picture of me loading the wagon.



After that, we had to unload our wagon. And we looked around at all the stuff in the gift shop. There were big bonnets, little bonnets, dolls, little covered wagons, things that you can build out of logs, and other stuff like that!!

Then we went back to our hotel. We went swimming! And guess what I did? I did a penguin dive! And I went all the way under water. Then we got out and I took a nice warm shower. Then I got dressed and we went out to have something to eat at The Olive Garden, my grandfather's favorite restaurant because it has such good mints. I got a kids menu and I ordered some pasta. After we finished eating we went out and got some ice cream. I got an ice cream that cotton candy was mixed into. Then we ate our ice cream and went back to the hotel. And now I'm in bed, all cozy and warm, and going to sleep (after some Harry Potter).

Hope you get back to us soon!

Phoebe

4 comments:

Eastbound Mama said...

Way to go, Phoebe! I knew you were strong, but I didn't know just how strong until I saw the picture of you loading the wagon!! Congratulations on the new Junior Ranger badge--it's very cool. Tell Mommy she takes GREAT pictures!

Anonymous said...

OK, so I have a question: When, where, and why did Harry Truman say "The buck stops here"? (So, it's really three questions; call me pisher). Wasn't there any other place for Buck to go to sleep?! You are one strong woman, Phoebe; a real pioneer spirit, Junior Ranger badge and all!

patstone said...

ohmygod!!! you are truly a pi-o-neer....what does that mean anyway? and I am always going to interested in what Indian tribes live in the areas where you are visiting....take good care of you
your pat

Anonymous said...

Wow! Thanks for sharing all those interesting facts about Harry Truman and the pioneers. I have never been to President Truman's house, but your description made it feel like I was there too! I can't believe you loaded and unloaded the wagon...you are one strong person, Phoebe. I have always been amazed that the pioneers were so brave and adventurous that they would leave their homes and family and friends with only the provisions that they could take with them on the wagons. Imagine going where there were no stores (especially no Target!!) to replace the items when they were gone. I can't wait to read your next entry. Keep having fun and learning new information!!!