12/25/2025
‘Twas the Night Before the USA250
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the land, A grand celebration was being quite planned. From our van’s dashboard to the back with the gear, the USA250 was finally here!
They started in MASSACHUSETTS where it all had begun, with the "Shot Heard ‘Round the World" and a Patriot’s run. Then to NEW HAMPSHIRE for a weather-wise glance, At the OLD FARMERS ALMANAC—don’t leave it to chance!
In PENNSYLVANIA, the past was quite clear, At PHOTO ANTIQUITIES, where the tintypes appear. While in RHODE ISLAND, the stories, deep and wide, with the BLACK HERITAGE SOCIETY as a cultural guide.
They drove to ILLINOIS, through a wintery choir, to the GLIDDEN HOMESTEAD, the home of BARBED WIRE. Then a roar shook the air, a mechanical dream, at the HARLEY-DAVIDSON MUSEUM, the ultimate team.
In KENTUCKY, they heard the loud crack of the bat, the LOUISVILLE SLUGGER—there’s no pastime like that! Then through MARYLAND's fog, where the pioneers lap, at the historic pass of the CUMBERLAND GAP.
They followed the trail where the great spirits dwell, to LOUISIANA's ancient POVERTY POINT swell. In FLORIDA, pink feathers took flight in the breeze, at the FLAMINGO GARDENS ‘neath the tropical trees.
"On GEORGE PAPP!" Bob called, "The OUTHOUSE EXPERT, so grand!" As they trekked through the heart of this beautiful land. From the IDAHO POTATO MUSEUM's starchy delight, to the OZ MUSEUM in KANSAS, glowing green in the night.
In TENNESSEE, a SECRET CITY was found, with hidden history buried deep in the ground. Then to WEST VIRGINIA, for a candy-store climb, at BERDINE’S FIVE AND DIME, where we step back in time.
They flew over HAWAII, where the quiet waves curl, paying honors at PEARL HARBOR for the rest of the world. Then to VERMONT, where the BENNINGTON glows, with the GRANDMA MOSES paintings that everyone knows.
In WYOMING, the geysers let out a great spark, in YELLOWSTONE's beauty—the first National Park! Then MONTANA’s JEFFERSON VALLEY came into view, where LEWIS AND CLARK came traveling through.
But Bob checked his list and he said with a grin, "There are still twenty-five states that we haven't been in! From the CALIFORNIA coast to the DELAWARE shore, in twenty-twenty-six, we are finding much more!"
"We’ll see ALASKA’s wild peaks and ARIZONA’s deep red, with fifty great stories and the whole road ahead! From the OREGON Trail to the GEORGIA peach tree, we’re visiting EACH state, just you wait and see!"
Santa waved from his sleigh, "There is so much to see! From the great Mother Road to the land of the free! With Bob and with Kelli, the stories stay true, Happy Birthday, America! USA250 to you!"
