Back in Indiana

Wow. What a nice vacation! I wish I could've stayed laying on the beach, but I must continue on my journey. I am now with a nice fellow named Alan Dishman back in Greenfield, Indiana. I got to explore more of this beautiful state. I visited the Hancock County Courthouse and it had a statue of Kames Whitcomb Riley in front of it. Then I drove a short way to Bloomington, Indiana where Indiana University is. I got to try on a Hoosiers t-shirt, but it was a little big for me. No one really knows why people in Indiana are called Hoosiers, but one explanations is that when a stranger would come up to a pioneer settler's house, the pioneer would call out "who's here" and it got shortened to Hoosier.

In Jamaica Mon!

Hi Class,
It’s me, your friend Teddy. This school project has been a lot of work traveling around the United States gathering information for our fifth grade class. I was talking with one of my new friends in Colorado Springs, Linda Johnston. She has been spreading the word about my school project and how hard I’ve been working to some of her friends. One couple she knows offered to take me with them on their vacation to Jamaica. Well, it only took me a second to ask when do we leave and what do I need to pack.

The couple that took me to Jamaica are Andy & Laurel Skuntz. Andy works at Focus on the Family with Linda and Laurel works for Integral Systems, a company that works on government contracts. It was Integral Systems that sponsored this trip for their employees.

We traveled by plane and bus to the Sunset Beach Resort in Montego Bay and once we got to our hotel room, I went out on the deck to check out the view – life is good. There were lots of places to go and see in Jamaica but we mostly hung out at the beach. We went out on a paddle boat and a kayak and then we went shopping. Look how cool I look with my sunglasses laying out at the beach and trying on a Jamaican hat. Andy and Laurel went out on a sailboat. They stopped at a reef and went snorkeling and then they stopped at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. They said it’s a famous place because of an American singer named Jimmy Buffet.

The most famous person from Jamaica is Bob Marley. He made his “reggae” music famous around the world. And then there was the Jamaican bobsled team that went to the Olympics in 1988 and then Disney made a movie called “Cool Runnings”. No one gave them a chance in the Olympics since they are from a country in the Caribbean Sea and have never seen snow before.

We only stayed for four days and three nights but this vacation was just what I needed to get back to work on my school project. I hope all is well in Casper, WY with our fifth grade class. Tell everyone I miss them and I will see you at Christmas.

Blessings to you,
Teddy

Greenfield, Indiana

In Mrs. Hammon's class we had a lot of fun playing, learning and testing. In Indiana in the fall it gets chilly and the leaves turn colors. All week we learned about Johnny Appleseed and aobut apples. (Week of September 26-30) Next week on Friday we will be in a flower parade for James Whitcomb Riles a famous poet from our town.

Denver, Colorado

My second step in my journey led me to Denver, Colorado. I went to the Denver Convention Center, where there is a huge blue beark looking in the window! I had my picture taken with Nate and Ana in front of him. Then we walked to the Center for Performing Arts, where there is a scuplture of big dancing people. Next, we went to the United States Mint in Denver, where coins are made. We stopped outside the Denver Art Museum too where they are adding a whole new section desighned by Daniel Libeskind, a famous architect. Finally we took a bus on the 16th Street Mall and had some ice cream.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

September 27, 2005

Whoa! I just woke up from a dream that seemed so real! My name is Teddy. Never mind my last name, you probably wouldn't believe me anyway. I've lived in Casper, Wyoming all my life. I haven't traveled much except with my Gramma and Grampa when they take me fishing with them. We pull their camping trailer behind their blue Explorer. Grampa loves to fish. Sometimes we catch our limit, but if we don't, Gramma always has eggs to cook!

But this is about my dream! I was about 400 miles away in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I was so tired because I'd just washed all the windows in the Air Force Academy Chapel! (Picture #1) I'd heard Colorado Springs has seven military bases - I wonder if I'd get to see them all. The next thing I knew, I was at Ft. Carson (picture #2). So you suppose I just got drafted? I got up on this huge tank and 'bout broke my neck when I fell off! Bud do you think I learned anything? No!!! I tried to fly a helicopter at Schriever Air Force Base! (Pictures 4 &5) Actually, in Picture #5 I'm sliding down very carefully. I'll leave that flyin' stuff to the birds.

The best part of my dram, though, happened at Peterson Air Force Base. The President of the United States, George Bush, flew in to stay at NorthCom (the Homeland Security Base for this part of the U.S.) to watch what was going to happen with Hurricane Rita. This Tech. Sgt. guy let me help take a picture of the President! (Picture #6)

I'm glad I woke. Mom and Dad are right in the bedroom next to mine. But that dream was so much fun! Maybe if I put my head back on the pillow, close my eyes really tight... where shall I go next?

Casper, Wyoming

September 2005



Well, I am leaving from my home in Casper, Wyoming to go on an adventure. I have no way of knowing where I will end up but that is the adventure. The reason I am going on this journey is to help my fifth grade classmates learn more about our fifty states. I am headed to Colorado Springs to my aunt's house as the first stop in my quest to visit all fifty states. Let the journey begin...