The Global Dispatch (#2): Waterfalls, US Founding Story, & Friends Along the Way

12 minutes ago
4 min read

Hi Everyone, our family adventure is officially underway, and what a first stretch it has been! Over the past several weeks, we have followed a route through Niagara Falls, Vermont, Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Colonial Williamsburg, and Washington, D.C., mixing history and hands-on learning with outdoor adventures, city discoveries, and the joy of reconnecting with friends.

Click the picture below for a quick overview video of our road trip...

WATER, ENERGY & WONDER AT NIAGARA FALLS

At Niagara Falls, we experienced the power of the water from nearly every angle. We explored the historic Niagara Parks Power Station and descended through its tunnel to the gorge, learning how the force of the falls has been transformed into electricity. We rode into the mist aboard a Niagara City Cruises boat, watched the falls glow at night beneath fireworks, and even tried authentic poutine.

It was a perfect worldschooling stop, part geology, part engineering, part history, and entirely unforgettable. We share the full story in Niagara Falls with Kids: Learning in the Mist.

A VERMONT PAUSE

After Niagara, we slowed down at The Landgrove in Vermont’s Green Mountains. Our days included trail running, the West River Farmers Market, swimming, canoeing, geocaching, the Vermont Country Store, and plenty of ice cream. The inn gave us room to breathe between cities and reminded us that some of the best travel moments come from unhurried time outdoors.

The Landgrove was much more than a place to stay. Bruce, Emily, and their girls welcomed us with extraordinary warmth, delicious meals, outdoor adventures, and the feeling that we had been folded into a joyful family home. We arrived excited to reconnect with old friends and left deeply impressed by the thoughtful, creative, and welcoming place they are building. Read more in The Landgrove: A Vermont Stay with Heart.

WALKING THROUGH AMERICAN HISTORY

In Boston, we followed the Freedom Trail, toured the USS Constitution, explored the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, wandered the North End, and balanced sightseeing with homeschooling mornings and a welcome rainy day at home.

New York City brought a completely different energy. We explored Times Square and Central Park, visited the Intrepid Museum, and spent a meaningful day at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Standing in places connected to immigration, freedom, and generations of new beginnings made the history we have been studying feel real.

Philadelphia carried the story forward. We explored Independence National Historical Park, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution took shape, deepened our understanding of America’s founding framework at the National Constitution Center, and visited Valley Forge National Historical Park to learn about the Continental Army’s pivotal winter encampment. Along the way, we shared meals with friends and continued learning how the American experiment developed from revolution into a new system of government. For more on that leg of the trip, see Boston & Philadelphia with Kids: An American History Trip.

AN UNEXPECTED ADDITION: COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG

Colonial Williamsburg was not part of our original travel plans, but it became a wonderful addition to the journey. We stepped into 18th-century Virginia through the Governor’s Palace, Capitol, Courthouse, historic homes, working kitchens, and demonstrations by blacksmiths, tailors, milliners, and other tradespeople. A military encampment, cannon firing, rare-breed animals, and dinner at a historic tavern made the experience especially vivid.

The stop gave us another valuable perspective on colonial life and the American Revolution, not only through famous leaders and government buildings, but through the work, homes, choices, and experiences of the many people who shaped daily life. Sometimes the unplanned additions become some of the best parts of a trip! We share our family tips and favorite experiences in Colonial Williamsburg with Kids: History Comes Alive.

STEPPING INTO THE PRESENT IN WASHINGTON, DC.

We wrapped up this portion of our trip in Washington, D.C., connecting the history we explored in Boston, Philadelphia, and Williamsburg with the institutions that shape civic life today. The Smithsonian museums, monuments, and U.S. Capitol are giving us new ways to explore American history, government, culture, and innovation.

We have mixed museum days with homeschooling, neighborhood exploration, good food, and family downtime. There is still much more ahead, and we are excited to keep learning as we experience the capital together.

FRIENDS ALONG THE JOURNEY

One of the greatest blessings of this first month has been the people who have welcomed us along the way. We stayed with friends in Boston and Philadelphia, connected with work colleagues and old University of Florida friends for dinner in Philly, shared the Vermont inn experience with friends, met friends for our day at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, explored the Intrepid Museum with friends in New York City, and connected with friends for a museum visit in Washington, DC. That’s a lot of friend time!

We are deeply thankful for every open door, shared meal, museum companion, conversation, laugh, and moment of connection. Traveling can easily become a list of places, but these friendships have made the journey feel personal and rooted. We feel incredibly blessed to be creating new family memories while strengthening relationships that matter so much to us.

(Refraining from posting photos, but you guys know who you are!) 🤩

LOOKING AHEAD: PARKS OF THE AMERICAN WEST

Next, we trade city streets and museums for mountains, rainforests, coastlines, waterfalls, and wide-open spaces. Our Washington National Parks adventure will take us camping and hiking through North Cascades, Olympic, and Mount Rainier, with turquoise lakes, moss-covered forests, Pacific beaches, alpine meadows, glaciers, waterfalls, hot springs, and plenty of NPS Junior Ranger learning along the way.

From there, we will reconnect with family in Oregon, then continue on an Idaho road trip before reaching Yellowstone & Grand Tetons National Parks. We cannot wait to see geysers, hot springs, dramatic peaks, canyon views, and wildlife, while giving Eva and Jordan a front-row lesson in geology, ecology, conservation, and the remarkable landscapes of the American West. Onwards!

QUICK LAST ASK...

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