Toby's Colorado Trip

Very early on August 1st, Logan and I woke the kids and asked them if they'd like to spend the week in Colorado. Boy, were they surprised! We had even managed to pack everything and load the van without their knowledge!!! An hour later, we all piled into the van with Toby for the eight hour drive to our beloved vacation spot--Chalk Creek Canyon near Buena Vista!

~What We Learned about Colorado~

On the long drive through eastern Colorado, we saw large fields of potatoes being harvested. We discussed that process and the fact that the area around Rocky Ford, CO has many large produce farms. Once in a while, we even have Rocky Ford peaches at our local grocery store!

The next morning, everyone was up with the sun and we headed to one of our favorite tourist destinations-St. Elmo, a nearby ghost town.  We were the first ones there. We fed the chipmunks for an hour, explored, and spent some time discussing how a town becomes a ghost town. This led into talk of silver and gold mining, "boom towns," railroads, etc. 

By lunch time, we had hiked up to Agnes Vaille Falls.

While we walked with rain clouds looming overhead, we dicussed melting snow and rain flowing down out of the mountains and into rivers and lakes (even the nearby Arkansas River which eventually runs through our Pawnee County).  We also got to see large washes over the roads during the course of the trip. We briefly discussed natural hot springs, but ran out of time for a relaxing soak at the Mt Princeton Hot Springs Restort.

On our second day, we went to see the Midland Train Tunnels north of Buena Vista.

We did some hiking everyday, and took advantage of the opportunity to observe wildlife, cliffs, creeks,  forest habitat, valleys and plains, and elevation.

We toured the Chalk Cliffs Fish Hatchery. Here, a volunteer presented information on the life cycle of rainbow trout and the growth through stocking processes that take place at the hatchery. After the presentation, we were given buckets of fish food, and went out to feed and observe rainbow trout in various stages of development ranging from fingerlings to full-grown.

The kids could have spent all day feeding the fish! They loved this every bit as much as feeding the chipmunks!

At the end of a great week, we stopped at the Royal Gorge on the way home. The kids marveled at how high they were from the bottom of the gorge and how small the train looked, as we explained that they were standing on the highest suspension bridge over water in the world.  Also at the gorge, we saw big horn sheep, elk, and a white bison in the small zoo. At the "Mountain Man Camp," Wyatt panned for gold, Kjersti panned for polished gem stones, and Laney panned for unpolished gem stones.

At home we learned~Colorado state symbols, capital city, other interesting facts about the history of mining, dinosaur fossils, Mesa Verde, Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods and Cave of the Winds.

Hoppy's Jaunt to South Dakota

Early in the morning, on July 15, 2010 we sent Hoppy on the "Overnight Express" to our cousins, the Bakers, in Hillsboro, Kansas. Promptly following his arrival, Hoppy started on his way to South Dakota with Dave, Sue, Gavin and Dillyn.

Hoppy and the Bakers traveled through Nebraska and stopped at a friend's house. Here, Hoppy discovered real Cornhusker pride!

~What We Learned about Nebraska~

We talked about Nebraska's state symbols. We were surprised to learn that the state bird is the meadowlark and the state tree is the cottonwood--just like Kansas! We also learned that Lincoln is the capital. We discussed that Nebraska is largely a farming state and that there are very few trees (less the 2% of Nebraska is forested); also, not unlike our home state.  This led to a short study of the early settlement of Nebraska. During this time, we learned about the trails that pioneers traveled in wagon trains and the building of the railroad through the state. We learned that the workers building the railway had to travel many, many miles to find enough trees to make the railroad ties. This led to an even greater shortage of timber in the area and is one of the reasons sod was a common building material in the Nebraska territory. In honor of the pioneers who settled the Great Plains region, we made "sod houses" with brownie bricks!

 Nebraska is home to Father Flanagan's Boys Town; which he founded on his belief that "There is no such thing as a bad boy." We watched the Spencer Tracey/Mickey Rooney movie, "Boys Town" and a short documentary included on the DVD as a fun family movie night.  Also, we discussed the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument and the types of dinosaur fossils found there.

In South Dakota, Hoppy visited Sioux Falls,                                the Badlands,

  Mt Rushmore,

 Custer State Park

the Corn Palace, Wall Drug, Reptile Gardens and Spearfish Canyon.

~What We learned about South Dakota~

In our study of South Dakota, we learned about Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Chief Sitting Bull, the Battle of Little Bighorn, and the Legend of Paul Bunyon building the Black Hills. We then, of course watched the Disney version of the "Legend of Paul Bunyon." We also discussed the state symbols and dinosuar fossils found in the state. (A dinosaur study and activity is in our near future!) We studied the building of Mount Rushmoore, had a quick study of the four Presidents, and talked  about the Crazy Horse monument. This picture of Gavin & Hoppy inspired the kids to draw themselves as figures on Mt Rushmoore.

 The children have decided that the Badlands and rock formations at Custer State Park are two of the most incredible places God created. Another favorite in this study was the legend of the "City of Gold" hidden in the Black Hills. On movie night, we watched "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets." It's always great to sneak in little bits of  history with the fun!

Hoppy's journey with the Bakers also included a quick trip to Devil's Tower in Wyoming!

 (To be studied later)

Thank you, Bakers, for sharing your vacation with Hoppy! We learned so much!

We are definitely adding South Dakota to our list of places to visit!

Our Adventure in Home Schooling

This past summer, we have spent much time discussing what we want for our children's educational experience. Creative, hands-on, fun, faith-based, imaginative, full of enrichment..........We want learning to come from more than books full of pictures and facts.

With these things in mind, we, along with our kids, created Toby S. Tuttle and Hoppy Frog. These two friends are going to help us see the world through the eyes of our family and friends! Connecting the places Toby and Hoppy visit with loved ones brings these places to life for the kids in a way that no book can. It creates realism.
Each destination provides an opportunity to investigate the history, geography, culture and interesting facts for that area of the world. The kids will learn through stories shared, hands-on projects, discovery through research and observation, teachable moments and (just for fun) watching a movie or two!

So, "The Adventures of Toby & Hoppy" is the first of many enrichment projects during our adventure in homeschooling. Welcome aboard! We hope you will enjoy the ride!