Fires, and floods, and extreme heat, oh my!

I'll soon be taking off on my summer math adventure, and I'm thinking it's going to a bit more exciting than I'd originally anticipated.  I should be staying north of the wildfires in Arizona.  The late snowmelt and flooding may keep me from hiking The Narrows in Zion but it hasn't closed the park.  And the extreme heat?  It means the perfect excuse for some mid-day reading on educational Common Core standards, differentiation, and standards based grading -- all to be followed by a nap!  I am blessed to be able to embark on this adventure, and along the way I will be thinking of all of those being affected by the fires and the flooding all over the country, particularly at home.

The trip will include:

• 6 states (Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah)
•  8 National Parks
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison
• Mesa Verde
• Petrified Forest
• Grand Canyon
• Zion
• Bryce Canyon
• Canyonlands
• Arches
• Several National Monuments and National Forests
• about 4,500 miles
• 24 nights in a tent
• 2 nights at a dear friend's home in Durango, CO
• 1 night in a cabin in Colorado
• 3 sleeping bags (for a few days)
• countless gallons of water
• thousands of pictures

and lots of other statistics that I'll keep track of along the way for you (and for my classroom)!

My plan is to post updates and photos to this blog when I'm able.  I know I've reserved campsites at a few KOAs along the way that offer Wi-Fi, so there will be opportunities.  Plus, I'm a little bit obsessed with public libraries and so I may have to find one or two.  I blame my father for that trait. Love you, Dad!

There are so many people who have supported me with this project in all kinds of ways.  I'd like to publicly thank all of you!!!  In no particular order:

Beckie Edwards, Lynn Tucker, Walt Dowd, Carl Hancock, Francie Firner Stoner, Jeremy Shroyer, Deb Otto, Andrea Weinfurt, Elizabeth Sullivan, Ann Raab, Courtney J Block, Nicole Orr, Cindy Bond, Kathy Miller, Mary Kinney, Patrick Roberts, Angela Davis, Audrey and Greg Hoffman, Shannon Kinney-Duh, Rebecca Friend, Kim & John Grindstaff, Judie, Rosario and Joe Herbst, Kary Arimoto-Mercer, Polly Mertens, Amy Block, Jennifer Smith, Quint Shafer, Stacy Shipman, Lisa Townsley, Mark Cone, Janice McCabe, Sherry McGhay, Samantha Kinslow, Matt Pessarra, Matt and Phyllis Even, Paul and Kathy Weber, Karl Reinsch, Dale Bergerhofer, Chris Stewart, John Collier, Maureen Weber, Jason Mateo, Lauren Gebhardt, Sandy and Billy Krohne, Ron Block, Colleen Powers, Angela Hoffman, Libby Even, Jacinda Manka, Brian Hoffman, Kate Jones, Helen Penrod, Chris Kendall, Julie and Jim Hoffman, Keith Rawson, Tiffany Schwartz, Brit Cruise, Claire White, Susanna Hickman Bartee, Toni Clemens, Kristi Norris, Susan Wurtenberger, Ben Schmitt, Lexi Norris/Nathan Dulle, Cathi O’Malley, Lori Brown, Gerald Shroyer, Amy Fincham, Jenny Seydel, Kara Moran, Marilyn Wiesehan, Tracy Beattie, Rick Mercer, June Kisker, Ann Suarez, Mike Lowe, Greg Pearson, Diana McKenna, Emerita Farnan, Claire Verbeck, Denali Alt/Brian Pierce, Beryl Gebhardt Memorial, Sr. Rita Killackey, Ann and Chris Drop, Rita Pospisil, Joe and Janelle Hoffman, Don Hoffman, Chuck and Marguerite Penning, Bridget Head, Lori Callow, Helen Shores, Vanessa Nower, Kim and Edie Hays, and the Faculty and Staff at West Platte!


I fear I've left someone off of the list, and if I have, I apologize!  Please let me know and I'll be sure to correct my mistake!

Hope you are all enjoying your summers!

~Kristi