Mom and daughter spent summer vacation with an all-American road trip

Leniece Lane and her daughter, Addison, didn't just get their kicks on Route 66, which was part of their summer vacation. Instead, the duo embarked on a trip across the United States to visit various National Parks and historic sites - a trip that they plan to make again.

"The National Parks Service will celebrate its centennial this year, and part of the celebration was an initiative to have fourth grade students visit parks. Those students could visit National Parks for free," explained Leniece. "It really turned out to be a great time to make this trip because of that, and because there were a lot of special things that would be going on in the parks."

Leniece and Addison embarked on their journey just after school ended with a first stop in Nashville, Tenn., to see the Parthenon, a full-scale replica of the original in Greece.

Stops like the Parthenon had an educational component, Leniece said, as she tries to incorporate what Addison has learned in school with their journeys.

"With this trip we tried to follow Western expansion," she said. "In some areas we were fortunate enough to see where wagon ruts are still visible."

Despite being far from home, the two were surprised when they ran into Leniece's brother's friend near Minneapolis.

"A lot of the cool things we found were ones we just happened on," Leniece said.

Like the Corn Palace in South Dakota.

"It's a castle that is made from corn," Leniece said. "It's not something you'd make a whole trip to see, but it's one of those places that are good to stop by if you are there."

Another similar fun stop in South Dakota was an 1880s ghost town, she said, where Addison had a chance to dress in Western wear and pose for pictures.

Addison's favorite stop - one of those that was unplanned - was a visit to Channel Islands State Park in California.

"It was an awesome change we made to our trip," Addison said. "It was my favorite, and I'm so glad we went."

Addison, who wants to be a marine biologist, said having the opportunity to snorkel was amazing.

"I even petted a sea slug," she said, smiling.

The Badlands was her second favorite, she added, because it was there that she found a fossil.

"The park rangers there said it's not unusual, that it happens every day," Leniece added.

One special part of the trip was a visit to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Roosevelt is remembered as the "conservationist president" and was instrumental in the National Parks Service.

"Learning about him was special," Leniece said. "When he lost his wife and mother in the same day, it led him to live in South Dakota where he became a conservationist. It's a beautiful place and a cute town where the park is."

Smaller parks, like the Grand Tetons, were most special to Leniece.

"I like the small parks where you can explore and learn the idiosyncrasies. I liked the Grand Tetons because I could hike and really explore there."

The more than 30 day trip not only provided mother and daughter an opportunity to spend time together, but to appreciate all that our country has to offer, Leniece said.

"To see America makes you proud to live here," she said. "There were days when we didn't have cell phone reception, and when we did get signal and my phone started to beep with notifications, I didn't want to look at it."

While everyone doesn't have an opportunity to take a month long vacation, Leniece encourages everyone to step away from technology for even just a weekend and explore the world around them.

"It was nice to get away from what bogs us down in our daily lives," she explained. "This trip was a leap of faith for us and a journey we wanted to take."

She's quick to say that it's not the trip of a lifetime.

"No, I will make it again," Leniece said.

Addison nodded. "Yes."

You can follow along with their trip as well as other trips the mother and daughter make online at adventureswithaddie.com or on Facebook; search for Adventures with Addie.

There's still time to take advantage of Every Kid in a Park, which offers a pass that provides free access to students and their families to all federally managed lands and waters - including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and marine sanctuaries.

The pass, which is valid through Aug. 31, grants free entry for fourth graders and three accompanying adults (or an entire car for drive-in parks) at more than 2,000 federally-managed sites.

For more information, visit everykidinapark.gov.