One year Amanda traveled with Grandma and Grandpa who lived next to the school.  They visited the class sometimes, and the class wrote letters to them.  In the winter they always went to a warm state.  They worked on churches and other buildings that groups used to help people.  Amanda went with them to Oklahoma where Grandpa helped build a building that looked like a lighthouse.  It was where people worked to help other people who are deaf.  Grandma helped Amanda keep a journal of the things she did each day.  She also helped Amanda send postcards so that the class could keep track of the things she did.  Amanda took pictures and brought them back for the class to see.  She liked her blue backpack, and she liked to travel and see new things.

     When Vicki retired she went on a trip with her parents.  They traveled across Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and South Dakota.  They stopped at South Pass where the wagon trains crossed the Rockie Mountains.  They visited DeSmet, South Dakota, where Laura Ingalls Wilder lived when she was young.  They drove across Minnesota and Wisconsin to Palatine, Illinois to visit a friend named John.  He took Amanda, Vicki, and her parents into Chicago.  They went to Navy Pier and took a boat ride up the river that runs through Chicago.  They could see the tall buildings, but they did not have to drive on the busy streets.They also had dinner at a place called Medieval times.  It is like a castle.  They ate dinner with their hands, like people did in castle times.  Knights on horses performed all kinds of skills that castle knights would have known.  There was even a jousting match.  Amanda was excited because she likes learning about knights and castles.

     When Amanda, Vicki, and Vicki's parents left Chicago, they drove through Missouri and Kansas to Oklahoma.  While they were in Oklahoma they visited with Vicki's aunts, uncles, and cousins.  They also went to Dallas, Texas to visit Vicki's cousin.  She took them to see where the Dallas Cowboys play football. 

     After almost a month Amanda, Vicki and her family drove through Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon and came back to Salem.  Amanda really enjoyed her trip, but she was very glad to come home.  She was tired of being in the car and ready to rest before a new adventure.

     On September 28, 2002 Amanda, Vicki, Kathy, and Mary went for a balloon ride.    They met Jim and the balloon crew.  Amanda thought the balloon was beautiful, like a rainbow.  It was very big.  When it was standing up it was 77 feet tall.  Amanda thought the burner made a very loud noise,  but it did not go all of the time.  When it was not burning, it was very quiet.  The balloon drifted across Keizer, Oregon and crossed the Willamette River.  It drifted south across West Salem and crossed the river again.  Then it landed in a big park near where Amanda and Vicki live.  Amanda thought it was such a wonderful ride.  She wanted to fly again.  Now you can read about her hot-air balloon ride in the book Amanda Flies High.  Amanda is really excited to be able to share her adventure and pictures with you.  You will be able to see the book now.. 

     In 2004 Amanda took several trips on the Willamette Queen, a sternwheeler in Salem.  She learned about the history of the riverboats on the Willamette River.  She took many pictures of her cruises.  Now you can learn about her adventures in the book Amanda on the River.  She is really excited to share all of the things she has learned.