Humpback Humpback I

My paternal grandparents lived on a street called Mississippi Drive (though not in the state of Mississippi), and so I was always kind of smug thinking that I could spell "Mississippi" more easily than other kids could. Whatever. I was seven.

Today's blogger was born in Alabama, raised in Louisiana, and currently living in Mississippi.

Let's join Crystal and do some blogtrotting Southern style in Mississippi!

From my front porch looking in. . . .

Please leave Crystal a comment to let her know that the BlogTrotters were in town!

Stay tuned for tomorrow's trip to a state that's famous lake might make you thirsty (or sounds like it would) . . .

The Keystone State

We're visiting Debi in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania today! If my information is correct, that word is pronounced "school-kill", although whenever I see signs for it, I pronounce it shooey-kill, because I think its more fun that way. I'm betting residents get a laugh at their visitors various attempts at pronunciation.

Today's blogger has a truly inspirational story. She and her husband are the proud parents of nine, count 'em, NINE children. She also has absolutely the most hilarious proposal story ever. So head on over to see her:

Who Says 8 Is Enough

Be sure to leave Debi a comment so she knows the BlogTrotting crew have been through town! Tomorrow we're visiting the sultry south, so get ready for some mudbugs, shrimp and catfish.

MASS laughter!

Happy Monday, BlogTrotters! Today we're in New England visiting the great state of Massachusetts and checking in on a witty and honesty blogger -- Sarahviz of In the Trenches of Mommyhood. I love her tag line: I had a mind once. Now I have children. I hear you, Sarahviz.

I had so much fun checking out her recent posts so make sure to check them out after enjoying her tour of Massachusetts.

Let's Go!

In the Trenches of Mommyhood

Please leave a comment to let Sarahviz know you stopped by!

And, as always, stay tuned for tomorrow's travels. Hint: This state is home of the Gosselin Eight! Sorry, couldn't resist the rhyme.

Hi Ho Hi Ho, To the Promised Land We Go!

I grew up in the Cincinnati area and would cut my left foot off to be still living there and raising my kids there. One of my other sisters also lives "out of town" (i.e., not in Cincinnati) and we refer to Southern Ohio as The Promised Land.

I don't know if today's BlogTrotting tour guide feels the same way, but I am so excited to tour Cincinnati from the perspective of a former Texan. However HiHoOhio feels about Ohio, I feel confident you will enjoy her positivity and enthusiasm for life.

Make sure to check out her Texas Pride Ohio license plate!

So, let's go!

HiHoOhio

Please leave a comment! And, don't forget to rest up this weekend for next week's travels!

America's Last Frontier

We're heading way north today. To Alaska! We're visiting Jenny in Anchorage. I don't know much about Alaska other than that they have verrrry long winters that include nights that last all day and verrrrry short summers that include days that last all day. Today's tour is sure to be extra informative! Can't wait to see what Jenny has in store for us. So head on over to see her: 

The Adventures of Superwife

Be sure to leave Jenny a comment and let her know the BlogTrotting crew have been through town. We're coming back to the lower 48 tomorrow, so rest up and get ready for another great tour.

Welcome to the O.C. and beyond!

BlogTrotters, you're in for a special treat today. Our featured blogger is a family blogger (mother of twin toddlers) and a travel blogger. Her goal is to inspire parents to explore the world around them with their kids, and her blog highlights their family's adventures -- with some awesome photographs, I might add.

After barely surviving a long winter of family "adventures" exploring Target, McDonalds, and our own basement playroom, I am totally inspired by Sharlene and her blog, Double the Adventure!

Are you ready to visit Orange County? I know I could use the sunshine! Let's go!

Double the Adventure

Please leave Sharlene a comment to let her know you stopped by.

Stay tuned tomorrow, but you'll need to trade your shorts for a fleece (maybe more). Where are we headed? Hint: This state's former governor is shopping a reality show highlighting her state.

Land of the Rising Sun: Japan!

We're off on a big trip today! We'll be visiting Debra, also known as The Captain, in Yokosuka, Japan. I'm super excited for this tour because my sister lived in Japan for three years, in fact, my nephew was born there, but I was not able to visit her while she was there. And that's always bothered me. Not just because I wish I could have seen where she lived, but also because Japan is such a interesting place. So much history and such a fascinating culture. I blew an opportunity to visit with a free place to stay, silly me. I was young and poor, though, and just couldn't make it work. But we're going to make up for it just a teensy bit today with our tour. I can't wait!!

So head on over to see her at:

Our Imperfect Life

Please leave her a comment and let her know you've been by! Tomorrow we're hopping back across the Pacific for a visit with a blogger in the "golden state."

**Remember it's the middle of the night over there and she has comment moderation on, so don't be dismayed if your comment doesn't show up for a little bit.

Not Just Another BlogTrot

Today we're heading back to the land of Lincoln to visit with a fabulous blogger named Tracey. She's in Plainfield, which is about 40 minutes (that's about 40 miles for those of you not in the Midwest) west of Chicago, but I'm betting it is a world apart.

Tracey is a great writer and a super mom. Did I mention she's homeschooling her three kids? Plus, she's a whole lot of fun to hang out with and she looks dynamite in a tiara. So head on over to see her:

Just Another Mommy Blog

Be sure to leave her a comment and let her know what corner of the world you're visiting from. Tomorrow, we're going far, far away to the land of the rising sun.

On our way to the F-L-A!

So I titled this post, and then my buzzkill husband pointed out that the official postal abbreviation for Florida is "FL" not "FLA." Sorry!

Also, does anyone else have the problem that anytime you type the word "Florida" you actually type "Floriday"? Happens to me almost every single time, but the good news is that this Friday is Floriday . . . a day to learn about everyday life in the Sunshine State.

Our teacher and tour guide for today's BlogTrotting mission is Melissa from My Version of Sanity. If you have an extra minute, make sure to read this post about the most unbelievably-priced Disney trip ever! I am mucho envious.

Okay, are you ready? To Patalka, FL we go:

My Version of Sanity

Remember to please leave Melissa a comment to let her know you stopped by!

Have a great weekend and see you back here Monday for another trip to my neck of the woods -- Chicagoland!

Lone Star State of Mind

As it turns out, our featured blogger today, Kim, is a fellow Kansas girl! But now she lives in Arlington, Texas. And while I love the sunflower state (Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!), I happen to consider her to be one lucky gal. Why, you ask? Because she lives just down the road from what I think of as The Holy Land. Where's that, you ask? Waco, Texas, the home of Dr Pepper. Sweet, sweet Dr Pepper.

I realize Arlington isn't exactly Waco, they are about 100 miles apart, but in Texas terms they're practically right next door. Cause y'all, Texas is BIG. I'm sure Kim will expound on this fact, but here's an idea: El Paso is closer to California than it is to Dallas. Wild, right? So head on over to see her:


The Misplaced Midwesterner

Please leave a comment for Kim and let her know you're coming by via BlogTrotting! And if you haven't signed up yet to host a tour, do it today! Tomorrow we're going south to see some 'gators!

Howzit, South Africa!

Are you ready, BlogTrotters? I mean, are you really ready? You are so LUCKY today because our virtual tour is completely amazing!

Cat of Juggling Act of Life is showing and telling us everything we need to know about her home in South Africa -- mountains, coastline, animals, Nobel Peace Prize winners, films and movie stars, soccer, diamonds, gold, purple glory . . . so much to learn about and so much to love! The photos are awesome.

Here we go!

Juggling Act of Life

Please leave a comment to let Cat know that the BlogTrotting posse loves traveling near and far!

Stay tuned for tomorrow's trip to that state where everything is bigger!

Curling Bonspiels and Gymnastics Meets

Today we're visiting KJ in Minnesota. This is a state that has elected Al Franken and Jesse Ventura, arguably two of the most colorful politicians in recent years. However, Minnesota is probably best known as the "land of 10,000 lakes." With all of the beauty and wonder that implies.

KJ is one busy lady: a gymnastics mom (which I hear is harder core than the soccer moms and the hockey moms combined), curler (the first real person I've ever "met" who participates in this sport!), golfer, photographer, artist, scrapbooker, and the list goes on. I'm betting she has some great tales to tell!

Letters from the Loony Bin

Don't forget to leave her a comment so she knows the BlogTrotting crew have been to town! Be sure to stop in tomorrow, we're taking a BIG trip. A hint: This country produces about half of the world's gold.

Bryan Adams and a Beautiful Prison

Did you read the Anne of Green Gables books as a young girl? I did, over and over again. Sure, I don't remember every single detail, but I think I recall that Anne attended Queen's University in Kingston. I just downloaded all the Anne books on to my Kindle as a sort of symbolic gesture for the baby girl I am expecting in a few weeks . . .

. . . and would you believe it? Today's BlogTrotting tour guide is Maria of Bored Mommy, whose hometown is Kingston, Ontario. Seems like a delightful coincidence to me.

You are going to love the tour of Kingston and will be charmed by Maria's blog. I am really digging her header, her 100 Things About Me list, and her tag line: The Mundane Makes Me INSANE.

So, let's go and see what we can learn about Kingston!

BORED Mommy

Please leave a comment for Maria to let her know you visited. And, if you spot Anne Shirley while you're there, please let me know.

Come back tomorrow for a visit to a state with many lakes and, more importantly, Target headquarters!

(Psst!! Cara here. It's Mep's birthday today! So after you've been to see Maria, would you pop on over to Not to Brag and wish her a great day!)

Somewhere North of Seattle and South of Bellingham

I stole the title for this introduction straight from the profile page of today's BlogTrotter! I love the phrase's perfect combination of specificity and vagueness. Well said, Gramma 2 Many.

Today we head back to the West Coast and the great state of Washington. I've admitted to my regional lack of knowledge several times before and so am so excited for another glimpse of life on the Left Coast.

Today's tour guide is Gramma 2 Many of Yes, They Are All Mine. Are you ready to visit somewhere North of Seattle and South of Bellingham?

Let's Go!

Yes, They Are All Mine

Please leave Gramma 2 Many a comment to let her know you visited!

One more thing . . . how many is many?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Greenest State in the Land of the Free: Tennessee

I can't get that song out of my head now: Davy, Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier! As catchy as the song is, there's a lot more to Tennessee than 19th century folk heroes. It is a lush, hilly state with history and culture. It is the home of Dollywood, after all.

It is also the home of  today's featured blogger, Jane. She is a "rebellious, artsy, homeschoolin' mama." How fun does that sound? And she totally is. So head on over to see her:

Jumpin' in the Jungle

Please leave her a comment and let her know what corner of the world you call home! If you haven't signed up to host a BlogTrotting tour, do it today! Tomorrow, we're heading somewhere we've never been before. A hint: This state produces more apples than any other state in the union.

Wander Indiana, Wander Indiana . . .

Does anyone else remember the "Wander Indiana" jingle from the 1980s? I used to love singing along.

Today's blogtrotter is Natalie from Mommy on Fire who hails from West Lafayette, IN -- home of Purdue University and of a McDonalds' bathroom I have easily visited no less than two hundred times (it's my main stopping point in my many drives between Chicago and Cincinnati).

Read all about Natalie who seems to be on fire in the best possible ways and enjoy the trip to Indiana:

Mommy on Fire

Please leave a comment to let Natalie know you stopped by. And, remember, if you haven't signed up to blogtrot, you really should! Seriously, we want YOU!

Hotlanta

They don't call it that for nothing, folks. Atlanta is one hot town. And not just because I happen to have been born there, although that definitely ups its cool quotient. More importantly, it is the birthplace of Coca-Cola and the home of today's featured blogger, Brainella!

Brainella is super creative and is a whiz with a pottery wheel. She's currently working her way through Lost and just finished up season one, so don't give away any secrets. As if any of us have any more of a clue what's going on! Head on over to see her:

Brainella the Librarian

Please leave a comment to let her know you were there. Tomorrow we're heading back to the midwest, here's a hint: You don't have to be a speedster to appreciate everything this state has to offer.

The Birthplace of a Nation: Virginia

Virginia is an awesome state. So much history. You can't throw a rock without hitting a significant Civil War Battlefield. Not to mention the beautiful natural landscape. All within close distance of the cosmopolitan attractions of our nation's capitol.

Our featured blogger lives in northern Virginia and doesn't waste a minute taking advantage of everything the area has to offer. Vicki is an opinionated, homeschooling, work at home mom with a gift for wielding a needle and thread. So head on over to see her at:

Not So SAHM

Don't forget to leave her a comment letting her know what corner of the world you call home. And if you haven't signed up to host a tour yet, get to it! Tomorrow we're visiting the south. A hint: It is the home of Coca-Cola.

In my mind I've gone to Carolina . . .

I feel like a few years ago, I was always hearing about people wanting to move to North Carolina. I'm not questioning that desire because, after all, the state has a lot to offer -- the coast, the mountains, a moderate climate, Southern charm . . .

Plus, some of the coolest people in my life live there, including my youngest brother, his girlfriend, and my friend Kevin (who has thrice been asked to leave performances of Les Miserables for becoming overly, disturbingly emotional to the point of scaring other theatergoers).

Today's tour of North Carolina is brought to us by April of Cup of Delight, a delightful blogger who describes herself as "a woman in process" -- great phrase, right?

Let's head to Greensboro!

Cup of Delight

Please leave a comment to let April know you stopped by!

Enjoy your weekend and get plenty of rest so you're ready for Monday's blogtrotting tour. Hint: One of the largest public corporations in the world is headquartered in this state.

Big Sky Country

Back in my past life, one of the projects I worked on was a museum in Bozeman, Montana. Little did I know that three-ish years later I would meet, via the blogosphere, a fellow mom and blogger in that very same town, which is tiny, by the way.  For that project, I spent a LOT of time reading about Montana and looking at pictures. It is an amazingly beautiful state. And big. Holy cow is it big. I'm betting Denise will have some awesome details and pictures for us, so head on over to see her:

Mom, Interrupted

Be sure and leave her a comment. And if you haven't done so already, sign up to host your own BlogTrotting tour!

Tomorrow we're heading back east. A hint: America's largest home is located here.

Where the desert meets the mountains . . .

I totally stole this title from today's tour guide, who totally stole it from something she heard while watching the Olympics. Where does the desert meant the mountains, you might ask? The answer is Reno, Nevada. Like most Americans, my familiarity with Nevada begins and ends with Vegas so I am fired up to learn more about Reno.

All I know right now are the lyrics to the old Doug Supernaw song, "You know the lady's a lot like Reno / She ain't got a heart / And she don't care when you're down . . ."

I can tell from checking out Lauren's blog that she does have a heart (she crochets for the Humane Society) and that she is familiar with the desert and with dessert (her blog features CUPCAKE MONDAYS -- woo hoo! check out this week's rainbow cupcakes).

So, let's go to Reno:

LaureNspired

Remember to please leave Lauren a comment to let her know you stopped by! We want each day's tour guide to feel like the queen of the blogosphere.

Keep rolling the dice with us tomorrow as we stay in the American West. Hint: This state is one of the most religiously homogeneous states in the U.S.

Have you signed up to Blogtrot yet? Please do. We really want to visit you!

No Situation Here

For the record, I do NOT watch Jersey Shore. Having said that, it's impossible not to know at least a little about the show. Like that one of the "characters" on the show calls himself "The Situation." Which is just about the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. But I digress. We're here today to talk about the REAL New Jersey, the home of today's featured blogger: Brianne. And I'm fairly confident, although you'll have to check out her blog to be sure, that her part of Joyzee is nothing like the MTV show.

So head on over to see her:

Mommy's Time

Be sure to show her some comment love! Tomorrow, we're heading back west. A hint: The name of this state is derived from Spanish for "snow-covered."

Deep in the Heart . . .

As a country-music loving teenager who fancied herself a suburban cowgirl of sorts (the kind with no horses), I always wanted to visit Texas. I still do and cannot believe that, excepting time spent in the Dallas airport, I've never experienced Texas for myself.

That's why I am so excited for today's blogtrotting visit to Austin, TX, brought to us by Jessica of This Is Worthwhile. Austin has it all, right? Music. Film Festival. Theater Scene. Fabulous Food. University of Texas. A movement to "Keep Austin Weird."

So, let's go!

This Is Worthwhile

While you're visiting, be sure to check out Jessica's previous post about her blogging tribe. I love her great attitude about supporting other bloggers! Remember to leave a comment to let Jessica know you stopped by.

Join us tomorrow as we head to a state where accents can be strong, yet sound nothing like those in Texas. Hint: This state had no income tax until 1976.