Well, I tried to stretch my legs as I traveled back to the good old U.S.A. In the cramped space of my envelope, I missed the comfort of my twin bed at home. Since I've become flat and am basically 2D, I take up a lot less room. I've even been able to slide out of the sheets and replace the pillow without even remaking my bed every day. My mother, Mrs. Lambchop, hasn't noticed, and I'm hoping that Arthur doesn't tell on me. But for now, I'll have to get used to traveling and sleeping in my 11x15 Priority envelope. So at night, instead of counting sheep, I tried to picture a 11 x 15 array and calculate how many square inches this flying bed of mine has. My strategy was to take 10 groups of 15, which equals 150, and then to add 1 group of 15 to it, which is zzzzzzzzzzzzz. With visions of arrays dancing in my head, I fell asleep before I had the answer. Did you figure it out?
I guess that my envelope wasn't completely sealed, and I woke up in the cargo hold of a United Airlines jet. I hit the floor with a thud and checked out my surroundings. I crept toward a small window and looked out. Hmmm, are those puffy cumulus clouds that I see? They remind me of cauliflower, which is not on my list of favorite foods. I am not sure if it is its shape or its taste. But if these are cauliflower clouds, I mean cumulus clouds, it means that I'll have good weather for my visit. Hooray! When the clouds parted, I saw land and the glistening Pacific Ocean. Eureka! That means I've found it! Eureka is also the motto for this beautiful state of California. Here I come!
I was so excited to visit California, our third largest state, and the one with the most people. I was headed to visit Sarah's family in Sonoma, and knew that they'd show me a great time.
Did you know that the land in California used to belong to Mexico? One day in 1846, some people living in the area wanted to start an independent country. I got up close to this sign to read more about the history of this area. I just love to learn about our country.
Many parts of California have warmer weather than we have at home. As a result, cacti are found growing outdoors all year round. Here I am checking some out. Ouch! I got a little too close.
I really like the California flag with the bear. This was the first flag for the Republic of California, which was the first settlement. Did you know that another name for bear is bruin? That's another reason why I like this flag. Can you see me at the bottom right?
I Just Want to Fly
Well, it was soon time to say goodbye to Sarah's family. We shared a quick dinner of flatbread sandwiches and Orange Crush, and headed for the car. "Adios, amigos!", I called to them as they dropped me off at the post office. At least this time, I wouldn't be traveling too far. I was headed to visit Max's grandmother in Reno, Nevada, which was just across the border. I couldn't wait to see her and her pet, too!
nevada_nv_statemapWe flew over one of my favorite places to ski, Lake Tahoe, in CA on our way to Reno, Nevada. Did you know that Nevada is named for the beatiful Sierra Nevada mountains which are found here? I knew that I wouldn't have a chance to try out the slopes on this trip, but I knew that I had a plan to ski and snowboard with Declan and Cooper very soon. In the meantime, I just wanted to learn more about Nevada.
Did you know that Nevada is our most mountainous state and is also our seventh largest? (www50states.com) It is also our largest source of silver and gold. There are so many interesting facts to learn about this place! Most of the state is desert, but many of the mountain ranges have a snow cover all year long.
I had a wonderful visit with Max's family, and took some naps with Misty. I loved all the attention that they gave me. We visited government offices in the state capitol of Carson City together, and I got to see a statue of a Big Horn Sheep (glad it was just a statue) and some elk antlers. They were so kind to me that I started to miss my own family at home. Then then I remembered that one of the last times I saw Arthur, he turned me into a kite and left me stuck hanging in a tree. So, I guess I'm in no huge rush to get back. But sadly, all good things must come to an end. So, I bid them goodbye, and headed for the post office.
The Yellow Rose of Texas
My next trip brought me to visit Lizzy's cousin Sophie in Tyler, Texas. Tyler is famous for its many varieties of roses. I love the way the fragrance of the flowers, but remembering my close encounter with some Califoria cacti, I kept a sharp lookout for thorns, and viewed the roses from a safe distance.
Sophie was so thoughtful to make me a cowboy hat and matching boots. I even wanted to wear both of them to bed with my pajamas. Thanks, Sophie! Since I became flat, it's been so hard to find clothes that fit. I feel so fashionably Texan.
Sophie and I say "Howdy!"
I Can See For Miles and Miles
Here is a map of Texas. Did you know that it is our second largest state? When we drove around, it seemed like I could see down those dusty roads forever. I just loved the flatness of this place! Thanks so much for the visit!
Utah, This Is The Pace
But I knew that soon it was time to go. On my next visit, I headed to see Cooper and his family in Utah. What a majestic place! Cooper, Hudson, and their cousins took me skiing, and to a higher elevation on a chair lift than I'd ever imagined. If a mile is 5,280 feet, and we climbed to 9,415 feet, do you think I was feeling on top of the world? It sure felt like it! Even though I usually prefer the flat terrain of cross country skiing, there is nothing quite like imagining that you are high enough to touch the clouds.
Did you know that on average, the peaks in Utah are the USA's tallest? Cooper really knew how to pick a vacation spot! Utah is our 44st state and our 11th largest. The name Utah comes from the Native American "Ute" tribe, and means people of the mountains. (http://www.utah.gov/)
I was sad to say goodbye, but knew that I still had some amazing adventures ahead of me. I wearily climbed into my envelope and headed east. I was asleep before I even finished the first chapter of my new book, Flat Stanley and the Capital Commotion. Have you read it yet?
Coming Home
I woke up as my buddy Declan opened my envelope. I couldn't wait to go boarding with him. He had told me all about his new snowboard and all of the stunts that he could do on it. I knew that we would have an amazing day. The weather was warm for this time of year, but the manmade snow was perfect. Since it was windy on the chairlift, Declan had to tightly hold on to me. I quickly remembered what happened to me in the wild winds on that Australian beach. I had no time to be a stunt kite that day.
Here I am taking a break and catching some rays on Declan's snowboard.
After the excitement of the day was winding down, I headed home at dusk to surprise my parents, the Lambchops. I noticed that my house was brightly lit, and I wondered who all of the cars in the driveway belonged to. Are my parents having a party without me?, I sadly wondered. I slowly opened the door, and heard the shouts of "Surprise!" It was all for me! My cousins the Porkchops were there, and so were a few of my friends from school. How did they know that I would be here? I thought I had kept my travel plans pretty quiet. Then I remembered that my new iPhone has a GPS and my dad probably knew all along that I was nearby. So much for surprising them. They surprised me! But it was great to be home. My mom had a buffet table set up with some of my favorite foods: mashed potatoes, thinly sliced roast beef, sliced carrots, and even a decorated sheet cake! For some reason, I really don't like layer cake, but a flat sheet cake is so sweet!
Dream a Little Dream
I ate until I was afraid that I would no longer fit into my traveling envelope. Would I still be able to slide in and out of bed without having to make the bed up in the morning? That was my next concern. As fast as I could, I sprinted to the room that I share with Arthur and slid under the sheet like a pro baseball player slides into home. I was safe! I quickly fell asleep and forgot my worries in a field of dreams.
Home Plate
Well, it was so great to be back at home that I decided to take a few days off from my travels. I knew that I was headed soon to visit Europe with Sofia's family, and then to Ecuador with Chris' family. Later, I'd also be heading back to see more of California and Florida. But a few days at home with unlimited pancakes and sausage wouldn't hurt me, would it?
Supersize Me
Stay tuned to read more of my 2D (or 3D) adventures. Keep those cards and letters coming!
Your friend in travel and adventure,
Stanley Lambchop
