FAQ

Where did you get this idea?

The idea sort of snuck up on me one night.  A few weeks back, I had bought a scratch off map on Amazon of the USA.  We scratched off the states that our family has visited, and I was a little bummed that there weren't many states so far.  I was also trying to figure out a way to keep the kids busy, since our budget just wasn't allowing us to travel (to scratch off those new states).  The Virtual Road Trip was the brainchild of these two thoughts:  wanting to cover more of the map and thinking about ways to keep the kids busy this summer.  We may be using a different map, but we're hoping to blow away the other one.  Instead of a mere 12-15 states, our goal is to get at least 35 or 40!  How do you think we'll do?

How did you get the postcards?

Two words... Facebook Plea.  Well, I mentioned it on a Facebook status and on group pages, tagged certain people in a Facebook message, sent emails, and in general, just talked it up!  I asked friends to forward the email on to other family and friends.  I just spread the word as much as I could.  I told those that are mailing a postcard (or any other little souvenir) to us that we'll try to return the favor.  :)

Can we send you a postcard?

Absolutely!!  Send an email to hollarvirtualroadtrip@gmail.com and let us know where you are sending from.  We'll give you the details!  Essentially we're asking for three bits of info:  your names, one thing to see or do at the location on the postcard, and what was the high temperature around the time you mailed the postcard.

Where did you get the coloring maps?

I was looking for a black and white large map that the kids could color in slowly.  Unfortunately I didn't find what I was looking for, so I made them myself.  I found some free graphics online, created a pdf file (added my own titles) and loaded it onto Staples site.  You can get engineering prints for just a few dollars.  The ones I made are 24"x36" and both maps cost me just under $7 total.  I didn't rush the order for same-day pick-up... BUT they emailed that evening to say it was ready.  So, actually I did get the maps the same day.  I would include the pdf files for you to use, but I must admit, ours are a little low-resolution since I used the first FREE graphics that included what I wanted.  If you are okay with that, I can send them to you via email.  Send us an email with the title "Map PDF Files."

What is the Hollar Gazette?

Every summer, for the last several summers, our kids have participated in creating a family newsletter in the summer.  We've done it different way.... once a week, twice a month, and last year, when we were super busy, just one end-of-summer edition.  The kids split up some of the things we're doing and write articles about them.  We've even had puzzle pages, spot-the-picture pages, photo galleries, advice column, recipes, "our favorites", and many more things.  It kept the kids thinking and writing... and over time, they began doing more and more on the computer as well.  This year, we'll have them include some of the statistics and findings in the Hollar Gazette.  We create a PDF file of the newsletter and send it out to friends and family.  Since it often has personal information, we cannot share it with everyone.