2025 Whirligig-TeachersFirst Reading Trek
This map is intended to help students better understand the places and content mentioned in the text.

Author's Information

Monterey, CA
Paul Taylor Fleischman was born in Monterey, California, on September 5, 1952. He is the middle child and only son of author Sid Fleischman and Beth Taylor Fleischman. These images show the coastal California community. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com and pixabay.com.)

Santa Monica, CA
Paul Fleischman has shared that he grew up in Santa Monica. He played the piano and enjoyed setting type in a printing press as he and his sisters created their own business cards. Santa Monica is known for its beaches and family entertainment at the historic Santa Monica Pier. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

University of California, Berkeley
Mr. Fleischman attended the University of California at Berkley from 1970 to 1972. These images are of the library and the Campanile or Sather Tower. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com and pixabay.com.)

New Hampshire House in the Woods
As seen in this 1784 map, Colonial New Hampshire was primarily settled near the coast and navigatable rivers. These images are reflective of the wooded areas there. The actual location of the "House in the Woods" is estimated. While Mr. Fleischman lived here, it was as if a time warp had set him back into the 18th century, where there were no utilities or modern conveniences. Mr. Fleischman left the University of California at Berkely and traveled across Canada and the northern United States by train and bicycle, ending up in this wooded area. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com, unsplash.com, and https://www.loc.gov/item/gm71005419/.)

The University of New Mexico
After a few years in the woodlands of New Hampshire, Mr. Fleischman returned to academia, earning his B.A. in 1977. While studying there, he also played in string quartets as music was quite inspirational to him. Learn more about the campus at www.unm.edu. The first image is an aerial view of the campus. It hosts an event attracting folks from around the globe, as seen in the second image featuring the local Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, where hundreds of hot-air balloons take flight for several days. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz is a coastal community on the northern Monterey Bay. These images show the commercialized boardwalk and sea-carved coastline areas. Surfers have enjoyed the waves here since Hawaiian visitors first hit the waves on planks of redwood. (Photo Credit: unsplash.com.)

Pacific Grove/Monterey Bay Area
Paul Fleischman and his wife, Patty, live in Pacific Grove at the southern end of Monterey Bay. The second image shows marine wildlife in the historic harbor and wharf. The Carmel Mission Basilica Museum, pictured in the third image, depicts the Spanish influence on the area's architecture and more. The fourth image is of a neighborhood street in Pacific Grove. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Publisher's Information

Square Fish
Square Fish is an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC. Square Fish first published Whirligig in 2010, although it has a copyright of 1998. This unique structure was completed in 1902. Macmillan Publishing  had been the anchor tenant of this building for many years and many authors considered a rite of passage to have had a meeting in this grand building. (Image Credit: Unsplash.com)

Brent Bishop's Places of His "First Life"

Chicago, IL
As the story opens, Brent lived in a suburb of Chicago and attended a private school in the western suburbs. Chicago is known for its skyline. Visit https://chicagoimagegallery.cityofchicago.org/ to view official photos of the city. These images show the busy downtown area of Chicago. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com)

Atlanta, GA
Brent and his parents last lived in the Atlanta area before an employment promotion moved the family again. Atlanta serves as a hub for many large companies, such as CNN and Coke. (Image Credit: pixabay.com)

Palm Beach, FL
Brent and his family vacationed in Palm Beach while they lived in Atlanta, GA.The ocean's waves on the Atlantic side of Florida are taller and stronger, usually making it much better for surfing. (Photo Credit: unsplash.com)

Connecticut
The Bishop family lived somewhere in Connecticut. The family relocated several times due to his parents' employment opportunities. (Image Credit: pixabay.com)

Jonathan's Home
Jonathan's family lived in the suburbs west of Chicago in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, an affluent community 24 miles west of Chicago's downtown district. This image shows the commuter rail line there.  (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com)

Chaz's House & Party Location
Chaz's family lived in a large home in Wilmette, IL. The Wilmette area, classified as a village due to population size, is just fourteen miles north of Chicago. Lake Michigan offers residents recreational water activities and marinas, such as the one in the first image, facilitating easy lake access. Good schools and a low crime rate make this area a desired haven for family life; large homes, like the one featured in the second image, are readily found around the community. The third image is reflective of a human-scale chess board. (Image Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com and unsplash.com)

Skokie, IL
According to the people who live there, Skokie is known as the world's largest village. The community is only ten square miles. There, one will find an urban performing arts theatre with live entertainment contrasting with the serene lake pictured. It is connected to Chicago by subway and  expressways. Visit www.downtownskokie.org to learn more about the village. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com)

Lea Zamora's Places

Republic of the Philippines
Lea's parents met when her mother was there teaching English. Tagalog is a version of Filipino, the primary language of most people living there; English is the second official language. The Republic of the Philipines consists of 7,641 islands; many of these islands are too small to be seen on the map in the first image. Colorful homes, seen in the second image, dot the landscape formed by volcanoes. Island cultures vary greatly from Manilla in the third image to tropical forests and farmland in the fourth image. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com)

Niles North High School
Niles North High School serves some of the residents of Skokie, a North Shore suburb of Chicago, and Niles Township. In the story, Lea was active in academics and sports there. Visit the actual school at https://www.niles-hs.k12.il.us/North/; scenes from the movie "Sixteen Candles" were filmed here.

Resurrection Hospital
Lea was said to have volunteered at this hospital. Learn more about this hospital at

California
Lea planned to do volunteer work over the upcoming summer after graduating from high school, possibly here in the Santa Barbara are as pictured above. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com)

Boston, MA
Lea planned to attend college in the Boston area; there are many colleges, and several specialize in medical fields. Seven of these colleges are within walking distance of the Massachusetts State House shown here. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com)

Brent's Travels on Greyhound Bus Lines to Build the Whirligigs

Wabash Ave. Bookstore
Kroch's & Brentano's Inc. was a bookstore whose business has spanned over 100 years. This bookstore could have been a whirligig-building resource for the journey.

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station
With a Greyhound Bus Pass valid for forty-five days of unlimited travel in hand and a backpack filled with the needed tools and supplies, Brent began and eventually ended his journey of restitution here. (Photo Credit: pixabay.com)

Journey to Washington State
The Greyhound bus would have traveled this route based on the Greyhound Bus Line's route maps.The cities mentioned in the story along the way are noted with a bus icon. Much of this route followed Interstates 90 and 94.

Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake totally within the United States; there are only slight currents within the lake. International shipping of iron ore and other infrastructure raw materials creates jobs along the shore line and the need for lighthouses, such as the one featured in the first image located in the Chicago harbor. The winds blowing across the lake whip up the waves, as seen in the second image. Fierce storms can generate 15 feet tall waves. (Photo Credit: unsplash.com)

Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee was one of the places the Greyhound bus stopped, and at least one passenger boarded. Located on Lake Michigan, this port city is Wisconsin's largest city and is home to rendering and manufacturing facilities. (Photo Credit: unsplash.com and image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis, MN, the state's largest city, is one part of the Twin Cities, and the other twin is St. Paul, the state's capital. Once known primarily for flour mills and railway transport, the area is now known for cultural and art venues and professional sports. (Photo Credit: unsplash.com and image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Fargo, ND
Fargo, ND may still have an "Old West" feel in some aspects; as the state's largest city it, has amenities like the Fargodome and the theatre pictured in the first image, both offering live entertainment. In days long past, the railroad brought hopeful settlers west from the eastern cities to start new lives homesteading on their new fertile farmland. Today the city has grown, but the frontier spirit remains among its residents; agricultural products such as sugar beets, grains, soybeans, and creameries and meat processing facilities are commonly seen in the area. (Image Credit: https://www.loc.gov/item/2010630114/ and  image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Bozeman, MT
Bozeman, home of Montana State University and the Museum of the Rockies with a large collection of T. rex specimens attracts tourists for skiing, the arts, and many outdoor activities. Grotto Falls, seen in the first image in nearby Hyalite Canyon, is just one of the many recreational draws. The historic Hotel Bozeman, featured in the second image, offers a glimpse into its past when the city had hoped to become Montana's capitol. (Image Credit: unsplash.com and image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Butte, MT
Butte has long served as a mining area for large natural deposits of copper. In the late 1800s many viewed Butte as the "Richest Hill on Earth," and the city had grown to be the largest city west of the Mississippi River; today, the city offers one of America's largest National Historic Landmark Districts with several thousand Victorian structures preserved. Seen in the first image are a mine shaft and the local courthouse. The second image shows homes dotting the rolling hills. Art blended with history, and outdoor recreation attracts visitors year round. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Spokane, WA
The city sits on the Spokane River, complete with falls and a dam within the downtown business area. This electric and water project, featured in the first image, combined to fill much of the electricity demands and drinking water for the city and offer recreational opportunities. The city is the cultural and recreational hub for eastern Washington State. The second image  (Image Credit: unsplash.com and image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Snoqualmie Pass in the Cascade Mountains Range
The Snoqualmie Pass in the Cascade Mountains is on the route of Interstate 90. A mountain pass makes travel possible by cutting through the mountain range; the first image shows how using the natural pass, and elevated highway enables this travel. In this case, the summit pass elevation is 3,022 feet, creating hazardous travel during the winter months, as evidenced in the second image. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Mt. Rainier
Mt. Rainier is quite complex - this National Park is the most glaciated peak within the 48 continental United States, and is a dormant volcano. It has snow year round in the summit region, as seen in both images. Lower elevations have dense evergreen forests with alpine meadows at even lower elevations. (Image Credit: unsplash.com and image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Preston, WA
Preston is a rural area whose residential population is under 1,000 people living near Tiger Mountain State Forest; the mountain is pictured in the first image. At lower elevations, the forest is lush, as the second image shows, with hiking and biking opportunities abounding. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Issaquah, WA
This area is known for its salmon hatchery and festival and its mountains for paragliding, as the first image shows. The area is complete with charming architecture from the past as well as modern. The second image features Lake Sammamish and the area's highlands and neighborhoods. (Image Credit: unsplash.com and image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Seattle, WA
Seattle sees the west end of Interstate 90; Brent's first whirligig would be constructed in this area of the Northwest. Common tourist attractions include the Space Needle, built for the 1962 World's Fair, as seen in the first image, and Pike Place Public Market, as seen in the second and third images. The Seattle port serves as a gateway for both passengers and freight bound for or coming from Asia and Alaska, linking varied transportation methods. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Puget Sound
The Puget Sound is a Pacific estuary known for its scenic waterways and busy ports. The image seen here shows the many islands and waterway inlets that makeup Puget Sound. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market, known for fresh produce and meats as well as other items since 1907, covers a nine-acre area in Seattle's historic district. Learn more at www.pikeplacemarket.org. A wide array of farmers, artisans, shops, and eateries are housed under this umbrella of independent businesses. The second image offers a glimpse of the fish and seafood eateries that helped build this landmark. The third image is a mere sample of the fresh farm-to-table items available to purchase. (Image Credit: unsplash.com and image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Stewart Street
Stewart Street connects the expressway traffic to the waterfront area, including the piers, Pike Place, museums, and other tourist attractions. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Waterfront Park
Waterfront Park combines piers, gardens, open spaces, and elvated areas, as seen in the first image. It is a lighted boardwalk with scenic spots along the seawall in some places and amusements in others. As Seattle has been rebuilding and revitalizing this area, both human and marine inhabitants have been considered to help all thrive in the new waterfront project. The park will incorporate 20 piers when completed. The Seattle Great Wheel, the Ferris Wheel is seen in the second image, is located on Pier 57 on Alaskan Way. Pier 59 is home to the Seattle Aquarium. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Mount Vernon, WA
Mount Vernon, Washington is a small city about an hour and a half north of Seattle; the city is on the Skagit River and is known for the berries and tulips raised there, as seen in the first image, and the annual Tulip Festival. Being part of the Skagit River Valley, the area is not only home to rich farm lands but to a plethora of wildlife; some live there year round while others use the intertidal marsh area as a stopover on their migration path as snow geese are seen in the second image. The third image features a view of the river and the road to Mount Vernon's farmlands. (Image Credit: unsplash.com and image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

South Whidbey State Park
This Washington State Park is a day use only state park and no longer allows camping due to tree diseases that would threaten the rare and giant trees there. This state park is west of Mount Vernon and on the Puget Sound. Learn more at https://parks.state.wa.us/585/South-Whidbey. The first image shows a quiet road on Whidbey Island, cutting a path through stately trees lining both sides. As shown in the second image, many enjoy saltwater shoreline fishing, , while others participate in crabbing or wildlife watching. Sea breezes help generate the lush plant life seen in the third image. (This state park fits many of the clues in the text, although it is not in Bellevue, WA.) (Image Credit: unsplash.com and mage(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Olympic Mountains
as this first image shows, the Olympic Mountains offer an incredible silhouette to the night sky . These mountains are nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Puget Sound creating a unique environment supporting endemic species. The less-forested, eastern slopes are seen in the background as a pod of orcas migrate north in the second image. The sunset featured in the third image shows the saltwater Hood Canal fjord flowing from the Olympic Mountains to the Puget Sound. The habitats here are protected as a national park for future generations. (Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Journey to California
This route is the approximate direction the bus would have traveled based on Greyhound Bus Line's route maps  In addition, the cities mentioned in the story along the path are noted with a bus icon. Much of this journey followed Interstate 5, coming into Sacramento, then Interstate 80  for a bit, according to the Greyhound Bus Lines route map.

San Francisco, CA
San Francisco is known for its fog that rolls in twice daily, and cable cars travel the hilly streets. The images shown here are reflective of just a few of the local icons. (Image Credit: unsplash.com and image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara is a sprawling coastal city northwest of Los Angeles nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Santa Barbara Channel; this location facilitates a milder climate. The city is known for its beaches and Spanish Colonial architecture, as shown in the images. (Image Credit: unsplash.com and image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Los Angeles, CA
Close to four million people live within the 462 square miles that make up the city of Los Angeles. Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO1nTh52OCg to see the city in motion. Los Angeles County contains 90 cities and 75 coastal miles. As seen in the first image, the Los Angeles metropolitan area is dauntingly vast. While many summer days are sunny and mild, as the first image shows, quite often, the skies are hazy from smog, as seen in the second image; pollution and greenhouse gas limits aim to clear the skies over time. The third image shows Oakwood Avenue, a neighborhood street in Central Los Angeles. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

San Diego, CA
San Diego's 70 miles of beaches and a climate considered ideal to most helped create this bustling port city with a plethora of landscape types. National Avenue, shown from a high angle, connects the roadways to the piers. The Gaslamp District, a historical neighborhood in the downtown area, is featured in the second image; shopping and entertainment opportunities abound here as well Victorian era structures. Leaving the cityscape of San Diego for Coronado's coastline is merely a drive across the bridge to wide beaches and water-inspired recreational activities. Visit https://www.sandiegovisit.org/ to learn more. (Image Credit: unsplash.com and image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Balboa Park
Balboa Park is a must for tourists visiting San Diego with its museums, gardens, zoo, and art venues; dating back to 1868, this park has grown to host global cultural events. This first image shows the Botanical Building and Lily Pond; this historic structure houses fascinating tropical plants. More than just dancing water, the Bea Evanson Fountain is controlled by the breeze - the stronger the wind, the less the water is used in the spray, keeping it from being lost. The third image showcases the 200-foot tall California Tower that chimes a carol every 15 minutes. Visit www.balboapark.org to learn more or take a virtual tour at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG4WSd-jr2E. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

San Diego Zoo
Be sure to visit https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/ and check out the 13 animal webcams at https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams,  including the apes and tigers featured in the first and second images. Flamingos are the star of the third image. With so much to see and do at the zoo, visitors should allow plenty of time to explore. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

San Diego Natural History Museum
The San Diego Natural History Society was first founded in 1874 with a goal of being scientific culture's primary source, discovering new species, serving the community through technical innovations, and making authentic contributions to the scientific community.  The society opened museum locations in 1917 before moving to their home, shown in the first image in 1922. The dinosaur fossil in the second image is just one of the incredible exhibits at the San Diego Natural History Museum; check out https://www.sdnat.org/ to see more. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com and  unsplash.com.)

SeaWorld San Diego
These images show marine mammals performing incredible acrobatic feats, a mere portion of all that happens at SeaWorld. Over 1,000 animals are residents of this aquatic theme park. SeaWorld offers aquatic animal exhibits, rescue care for injured marine life, amusement park rides, and more. Check out all you can see and do at https://seaworld.com/san-diego/. (Image Credit: pixabay.com and image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Journey to Florida
This route is the approximate direction the bus would have traveled based on Greyhound Bus Line's route maps. In addtion, the cities mentioned in the story along the path are noted with a bus icon.

Phoenix, AZ
In the very northernmost Sonoran Desert and at the confluence of the Gila and Salt Rivers, the city of Phoenix has risen from the arid surrounding with the Mazatal Mountains nearby; the first image offers a view of Elephant Arch near the city. Many know Phoenix as the Valley of the Sun, it is a large city in central Arizona; it can be seen in the second image with a golf course in the foreground. Not far from the Mazatal Mountains is Superstition Mountain and its range, seen in the third image; it is a recreational area full of legend and lore. Make a virtual trip at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vovaRAk-olI. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

El Paso, TX
El Paso, located on the Rio Grande in western Texas, is the largest city on the United States-Mexico border. The first image shows the sprawling city with the Franklin mountains in the distance. This location was of strategic importance as the "Pass to the North" when the area to be New Mexico was being settled. The small town of El Paso grew quickly once railroad service came into the area. The city is a major port for goods traveling to and from Mexico and points to the South. The desert mountains featured in the second image show off the desert grasses, shrubs, and cacti growing there. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Houston, TX
Houston is Texas' largest city, and its prime location near the Gulf of Mexico has helped its growth; the first image offers a view of the city and the Root Memorial Square. Houston is America's largest city in terms of total area, including the urban, suburban, industrial, and agricultural areas. The second image shows one of the 50+ oil industrial areas called tank farms; petrollium products are stored in tanks in conjunction with transportation resources by road, rail, or sea. Another farm type is outside of the urbanized areas; the Texas Longhorn is the prized breed of cattle. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Mobile, AL
The port city of Mobile, Alabama, has been under the control of four nations throughout its history. The first image shows the city's downtown area. The second image features the USS Alabama at Battleship Memorial Park; visit the park at https://www.ussalabama.com/. The third image shows the Bragg-Mitchell antebellum mansion built in 1855 and remains a historic reminder of days past; take a peek inside the grand home at  (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com, unsplash.com, and pixabay.com.)

Tampa, FL
The metropolitan area of Tampa, along with Clearwater and St. Petersburg, began as a fort in the early 1800s to oversee Native American peoples living in the area. The deepwater port and railways have helped the area's economy grow in the realms of trade and tourism; agriculture is another economic facet. These images show the city's skyline. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

"Beale Beach" (fictional location)
Beale Beach is not an actual location in Florida-there is a Beale Beach in Ireland. Using clues, the Cape Coral area is a probable location just south of Fort Myers, The Gulf or western side of the Florida peninsula offers wide sandy beaches with a gentler surf than the Atlantic side. The first image shows a wooden walkway to the open beach to protect the dunes and wildlife nesting there. The second image offers a view of vintage signage. An abandoned ice cream shop is shown in the third image; often, in small towns, such as the one portrayed here, businesses fade away with memories remaining for those who frequented them. Colorful hotels dot the strip along the beaches, like the one in the fourth image. This area is also known for the inland water and wildlife preserves as seen in the fifth image.  (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com and unsplash.com.)

Journey to Maine
This route is the approximate path the bus would have traveled. The cities mentioned in the story along the route are noted with a bus icon. http://www.maine.gov/portal/visitors/.

Washington, D.C.
Washington, D. C., the nation's capital, is a popular destination for tourists globally; the bus route would have offered views of the city such as those seen here. Featured in the first image are the Capitol Building and National Mall with a view of the cherry trees in bloom along the Tidal Basin. The Rossyln business district is featured the second image. This working federal city combines the politics and cultures of the nation with history and museums. Private and government structures are intermingled across the cityscape.  (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Baltimore, MD
Maryland's largest city, Baltimore, is historically known for its harbor, just 15 miles upriver from the Chesapeake Bay. The city was a crucial port for both imports and exports, as well as milling using the river's power. The city has grown from the harbor, with business and suburbs to the south, west, and the north as is visible in the second image. Rail and roadway transports of goods, tourism, and education largely impact the economy there. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Wilmington, DE
Delaware's largest city since the American Revolution, Wilmington, was established nearly 400 years ago as the first permanent settlement in the Delaware River Valley. Industry in the city helped drive railway trade connecting it to other hubs. These images show the riverfront city today; the city's bus station is seen in the first image. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Philadelphia, PA
The historic port city of Philadelphia has played many key roles in the development of the United States. The first image features Independence Hall, where freedom was first founded in America; learn more by visiting  https://www.nps.gov/inde/index.htm. From the days of Ben Franklin until today, the city has grown well beyond Penn Square to the city seen in the second image. The city's economy is driven by many factors, including manufacturing, technology, food processing, and tourism. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Newark, NJ
The port city of Newark, New Jersey, is situated on the Passaic River and Newark Bay, just a mere 8 miles south of Manhattan Island. The area is highly industrialized with diverse manufacturing; the city has a long history of innovative manufacturing of leather products and film for motion pictures. The city is a hub of import and export with the extensive sea, air, rail, and roadway transit. Just across Newark Bay, the port area has grown to include Cape Liberty and Bayonne, a former Naval Supply Depot, pictured in the second image; this port services both cruise and container ships helping to reduce some shipping traffic. Newark has the largest population of New Jersey's cities. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Port Authority Bus Terminal
The Port Authority of the greater New York metropolitan area includes the area's airport system, the rail transit system, primary connecting bridges and tunnels, sea ports on both the New York and New Jersey shores of the Upper New York Bay and Hudson River, and Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. The first image shown features a map indicating services. The Bus Terminal serves roughly 200,000 riders each day - local, long distance, and commuter. The second image offers a rooftop view of this multiblock transit organization serving customers around the clock. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Milford, CT
Nestled on the Long Island Sound, the city of Milford can trace its roots back to 1639 when colonists purchased the land from Paugusset Indians who lived in the area at the time. The local militia played a role in the American Revolution as they drove off a British landing force. The economy of this waterfront town, seen in the first image, has utilized its natural resources - oysters and clams from the local waters. The second image displays the shoreline with sea lettuce growing on rounded stones; dried sea lettuce is used in various dishes, from soups to salads. Seasonal tourism is another facet of the local economy. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

New Haven, CT
New Haven, Connecticut, is a waterfront community bordered by the Long Island Sound and the Housatonic River. New Haven was founded by Puritans in the mid 1600s and became the home of Yale University, as pictured in the first image. Inventors Eli Whitney and Charles Goodyear helped to industrialize the economy. Tourism, history, the arts, and so much more contribute to the economy here. The picturesque homes featured in the second image add to the area's charm. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Greyhound - BOSTON TWS
Boston's South Staton Transportation Center serves Greyhound Bus Lines, the local mass transit system, subway and buses, Amtrak, and various commuter trains. These images show the Boston metropolitan area. In the first image, the Boston Bus and Rail Terminal/South Station is the large brick structure on the right in the foreground; visit https://tinyurl.com/Boston-South-Station to learn more. Featured in the second image is Boston's harbor area. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Portland, ME
Portland, Maine, was settled in 1633 by two Englishmen, and over the following one hundred and fifty years, it was besieged and renamed by the French, Native Americans, and the British. Along with being a port city, fishing and shipbuilding have contributed to the city's growth and development. The city's port is the eastern terminus for an oil pipeline bringing more global trade in addition to commercial fishing and manufacturing within the city itself. These images show both historic and modern structures within Portland. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com and unsplash.com.)

Congress Street
Congress Street is one of Portland's primary thoroughfares, just a few blocks from the piers. It is the commercial and cultural hub of the downtown area, as seen in this image. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Bed and Breakfast
The Inn at St. John is an actual bed and breakfast on Congress Street in Portland; visit it at https://www.innatstjohn.com/. Bed and breakfast establishments have become a new, less expensive, and yet more personalized option for travelers. Historic and older homes, such as the one featured in the first image, are often being renovated to accomodate travelers and locals looking for a unique getaway. Simple and  subtle signs, such as the one in the second image, do not disrupt the atmosphere these inns are trying to create while maintaining a friendly and flexible air. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Casco Bay
Casco Bay is an inlet of the Gulf of Maine with many islands of varied sizes and populations. The Casco Bay Lines offers a ferry service to eight islands for vehicles, passengers, freight, and even the mail year round and has for the last 150 years; specialty cruises are also an option. These images show the varied shorelines. Commercial fishing boats, container and tanker ships, and personal watercraft can be seen traveling across the bay with historic lighthouses to support safe travels. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Possible Ficticious Weeksboro/Freeport, ME
The fictitious community of Weeksboro, Maine, could easily have been based in Freeport, Maine. There is a town hall and book store, as referenced in the story. There are several points looking out on Casco Bay. Visit the town virtually at  https://www.visitfreeport.com/. These images are commonplace to coastal Maine and other communities along the North Atlantic.  Lobster traps, such as the one in the second image, vary, but the one pictured here would offer scrap wood pieces as needed in the story. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Weeksboro, ME (Actual Location)
Author Paul Fleischman did not know when he used "Weeksboro" as a name for a town that this community already existed in northeastern Maine. The community's elevation is 700 feet above sea level and is located near Saint Croix Lake.

Wolfe's Neck Camping
In the story, the fictious Howlett's Campground is the location north of Portland on Casco Bay; Wolfe's Neck is an acutual campground that meets the description. Visit them at www.freeportcamping.com. These images show the area at low tide in the first image and a hiking trail near the beach. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Journey Home
This path is the approximate route the bus would have traveled. The cities mentioned in the story along the route are noted with a bus icon.

Lake George
Lake George, known to many as the "Queen" of the American lakes, is located near the southern  Adirondack Mountains and is actually connected to the Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River basin as the river flows. The lake spans some 32 miles in length. The region draws a large tourist crowd year round with activities ranging from water sports, hiking, and golf in the summer to skiing and ice fishing in the winter; learn more at https://www.visitlakegeorge.com. The first image shows a sandy beach with steamboats in the background; tourists and locals can enjoy sightseeing and meals on board these vessels. The second image shows the Shelving Rock Falls, part of a hiking trail on nearby Shelving Rock Mountain. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Brent's New Friends' Places from Along the Journey

Prince George, British Columbia
Prince George is the capital of northern British Columbia. The temperate rainforest, seen in the first image, is part of a priority conservation project in British Columbia to protect both the wildlife and their habitat as well as benefits its citizens get from nature. Visit https://tourismpg.com/ to learn more about this unique city were nature meets urban refinement, such as the culture center in the second photo. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com and pixabay.com)

Yukon Territory, Canada
The Yukon is part of the Northwest Territories and has been a remote source of gold and other minerals for over 100 years. It is known for its high plateaus and rugged mountains and remains more of a frontier, sparsely populated, except for some of the plateau areas. Tourists often visit for its adventures and scenic attractions, as seen in these images during the short summers. The vegetation here is limited due to the climate, but many animals, especially those of the aquatic wetlands, thrive. (Image Credit: unsplash.com.)

China
Thought by many to be the world's longest sustained empire, China's civilization may exceed 5000 years of existence. China's board game Go, mentioned in the story and pictured in the first image, is thought of by many as the world's oldest; its Chinese origin is suggested at 4,000 years. It was introduced to Japan and Korea's military leaders as a learning strategy. Learn the basic rules of the game Go at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PTXdR8hLlQ. While not nearly as old but a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, the Great Wall, featured in the second image, demonstrates China's military power over the centuries. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com and unsplash.com,)

Vietnam
Vietnam is noted for its agriculture, scenic beauty, and the landscapes. This coastal country has a tropic climate promoting diverse plant life. Crops can be grown in difficult to impossible areas using terracing for agriculture, as the first image shows, Roughly 15% of Vietnam's citizens identify themselves as Buddhist and would worship in one of the country's 529 temples; the one featured in the second image is one of the more elaborate temples. (Image Credit: pixabay.com.)

Netherlands/Holland
The Netherlands, also known as Holland, utilizes the waterways throughout the landscape; people travel by water and by roads, as the first and second images depict. The area is known for windmills, wooden shoes, cheeses, and tulips. The windmill in the third image often served to pump water into the rivers, preventing flooding, as well as crushing grains, and cutting wood.  (Image Credit: unsplash.com.)

Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada and is located in Ontario; its location on the Ottawa River was key to the lumber and fur trade that helped the city develop. The second image features Ottawa's Cenotaph, the National War Memorial in the foreground, and the downtown area's luxury landmark hotel, the Chateau Laurier. Parliament's Changing of the Guard in the gardens of Parliament Hill. Take virtual tours from around the city at  (Image Credit: pixabay.com and image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Germany
Germany can boast of scenic mountain lakes and picturesdque cities; it even has beaches on the North Sea. The country is also well known for its cuisine.  (Image Credit: unsplash.com and pixabay.com)

Mexico
Mexico is known for its foods worldwide and for its extremes in its landscapes, climates, and socio-economics. Throughout history, Mexico's flora and fauna populations have a wealth of diversity in those native to the area. (Image Credit: pixabay.com.)

Harvard University
Founded in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest college or university in the United States. It is a private institution and prides itself on excellence. The statue pictured is the John Harvard Statue in honor of the college's first benefactor. The second image shows the Harvard Law School, the United State's oldest continually operating law school. (Image Credit: pixabay.com and unsplash.com.)

Sand Dollar Cafe
The real Sand Dollar Cafe is on Florida's panhandle and not in the area described in the story. The cafe or diner described in the story would have looked much like the ones in the first and second images. Florida's visitors and others often enjoy key lime pie, as seen in the third image, made from smaller, characteristically flavored limes grown in the Florida Keys, Mexico, and West Indes. Visit https://sanddollarcafepsj.com/ to learn more about it. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Steph and Alexandra's Places

Probable Fictitious Weeksboro Location
The small town of Weeksboro could easily be in this area, despite Freeport's current size and development. These images show small towns in the winter months along Casco Bay. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Town Hall
The Freeport community is an incorporated village. The Town Hall serves the administrative needs of its residents. View images at https://bit.ly/3sM9Wk9.

Fictitious "Nook"
This is the location of the Freeport Book Shoppe selling used books. This is another attribute of the village of Freeport that coincides with the story. See inside the store at https://bit.ly/3sRAX5E.

Portland Harbor
The Portland Harbor has been a hub of shipping, fishing, and trade for more than 350 years and continues to be a working waterfront community. These images feature common sights when entering the harbor area. (Image Credit: pixabay.com and unsplash.com.)

Casco Bay
Sitting north and east of Portland Harbor, Casco Bay is home to many islands and provides fishing grounds for local fishermen. The area housed military fortifications useful in battles from the War of 1812 to World War II. Snow covers the region in the winter  months as the image shows one of the points here. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

The Streetsweeper's Places

Miami, FL
Miami, known for its beaches and resorts, is a major port city and a business hub. Miami's history is evidenced in the culture, architecture, and the languages of its residents. Rail service to the area helped the city grow and positively impacted foreign trade through the port. Visit http://www.miami-florida.com/ to learn more about the town and http://www.miamiandbeaches.com/things-to-do/beaches to learn about the beaches there.
(Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is an island territory of the United States that may become the next state. The residents of Puerto Rico are United States citizens but cannot vote in presidential elections and do not have representation in Congress. The island was originally claimed by Christopher Columbus for Spain, but following the Treaty of Paris in 1898, Spain ceded the island to the United States. Learn more about Puerto Rico at http://welcome.topuertorico.org/ and  The streets within cities are narrow, as the first image shows; many of these buildings predate automobiles. Much of the island is mountainous, as evidenced in the second image; however, the coastal areas are flatter, but even here,. buildings are constructed as space allows, as the third image shows. The mountain landscape here provides an excellent environment for growing coffee; the fourth image shows coffee growing that will soon be harvested. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

San Juan, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico's capital city of San Juan is actually two cities in one-the historic, walled Old San Juan, as featured in the first image, and the modern city to the east separated by the Condado Lagoon and the canal connecting it to the Bay of San Juan. This coastal city is an active port city for cruise ships, as well as exports of pharmaceuticals, sugar, petrolium products, and medical equipement. The first image shows the castle wall with the waves breaking below. The second image features a stretch of beach between the historic area and the more modern area; here the homes are brightly colored to help fishermen and sailors navigate along the Atlantic Ocean coast. Just outside of the urban area, farms such as this are commonplace. (Photo Credit: Image (s) used under license from shutterstock.com)

Jamaica
The West Indies island nation of Jamaica is located in the Caribbean Sea. First named by Christopher Columbus in 1494 as Santiago, the indigenous name has persevered. The island is known for its clear waters and beautiful beaches, as the first and second images show. The island is volcanic in origin with many mountains, including the peak of Blue Mountain seen in the distance in the third image. Jamaica is also known for its musical style, reggae in particular, but the sound of the 55-gallon oil barrel steel drum, as in the fourth image, has influenced other melodies and styles. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Cuba
The Republic of Cuba, a country with a long Spanish heritage, occupies the Caribbean's largest single island. Politically, it is one of the most influential counties of the West Indies with a vital export, sugar. With ties to the communist Soviet Union, the island nation was isolated from the United States in many areas creating widespread uncertainty and shortages of many necessities. The first image shows colorful buildings in Havana, the nation's capital city; the older cars seen here reflect the trade restrictions from the early 1960s. Much of the landscape is relatively flat, with hills and mountains near the coasts; the second image shows the Viñales Valley, a popular site for hiking and bicycling, with limestone hills that resemble towers. Cuba's Rainbow at nearby waterfalls, as seen in the third image, is home to many exotic species of orchids and is a popular ecotourism site. Many persons have left Cuba for other lands in hopes of finding better opportunities, human rights, and safety by crossing the Straits of Florida. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Everglades
The subtropical to tropical, saw-grass wetlands covers more than 4,300 square miles of Florida's southern peninsula. This "River of Grass" is primarily only a single foot deep and flows very slowly at a rate of mere 100 feet per day. This freshwater marsh is home to many endangered species. In an effort to protect and maintain this environment, the Everglades National Park, as the entrance is highlight in the first image, was established in 1947 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The park covers over half of this marshy area. Many mistakenly believe the water levels are affected by the tides, rainfall provides the Everglades water. The second image provides an aerial view of the vast waterway. The alligators of the third image are a common sight, as are over 350 species of water fowl, game fish, deer, and so much more. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Gulf of Mexico
The vast body of water bordered by America's southern coast, the Yucatan peninsula, and Cuba, the Gulf of Mexico, connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the Straits of Florida and the Caribbean Sea. There is a significant continental shelf and slope areas where large deposits of oil and natural gas are harvested; the first image features an oil rig south of New Orleans known as the Thunder Horse platform. The coastal area attracts tourists year round; many enjoy chartered deep sea fishing adventures shown in the second image. Much of the coastal area has developed over the years, despite the stong storms that plague the area; the third image shows the rough seas caused by more shallow waters, the Gulf Stream currents, and cool weather fronts. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

New Jersey
One of the original thirteen colonies and named in honor of an island in the English channel, New Jersey is primarily bordered by water - the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay,  and the Delaware and Hudson Rivers. The state earned its nickname, the Garden State, due to agricultural contributions to the economy over the years. New Jersey's vast coast line has attracted the fishing industry and tourism over the centuries. Cape May, on the state's southern tip, is America's original seaside resort area; the 600 carefully preserved Victorian homes and buildings, such as those seen in the first image, helped denote this city to the National Register of Historic Places. Another historic and protected area in the state's opposite corner is the Passaic River Great Falls, as shown in the second image; the energy harnessed from this waterway helped drive early industrial development. The Steel Pier Amusement Park, featured in the third image, is part of Atlantic City's attractions along the boardwalk.  (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Tony's Places

Seattle, WA
Seattle, Washington, is the home of Tony's family  -his adoptive parents, his younger sister, and himself in the story. The city is the largest metropolitan area in the Pacific Northwest and draws tourists from around the globe. Many who work in the city commute by water, rail, and road; the ferry port and Pier 57's Great Wheel can be seen in the first image. Seattle is home to Boeing manufacturing and many others. The second image features the city's skyline with Mt. Rainier in the distance. Seattle also hosts the flagship location of REI, a store specializing in camping equipment and sporting goods. (Image Credit: pixabay.com and image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Seattle Mariners' Stadium
The Seattle Mariners are a Major League Baseball team, joining the American League in 1977. The team struggled for fourteen years before having a winning season. The Mariners play baseball at home at T-Mobile Park, formerly the Safeco Field, in downtown Seattle near the waterfront. These images show the park from the inside, up behind home plate, and from the outside across from the Interstates 5 and 90 interchange. (Photo Credit: unsplash.com and image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Korea
Tony was adopted from an orphanage somewhere in Korea while still an infant, most likely in South Korea. While both North and South occupy the peninsula surrounded by the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the Sea of Japan, a level of hostility remains with communism and democracy in the balance. South Korea enjoys a developed or advanced economy, while North Korea has a planned, centralized command economy. The first image shows a busy city street in Seoul, South Korea's capital. The tranquil Gyeongbokgung Palace is also located in Seoul but would seem worlds apart. (Image Credit: unsplash.com and image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Seattle Youth Orchestra
Currently, the largest youth orchestra training program in America, the Seattle Youth Orchestra enrolls over 1,800 students yearly. The program began in 1942 and has grown to include five full orchestras practicing and performing during the academic year, summer programs, a conservatory with special classes, and is involved in the Seattle Public Schools. Commitment to such a program requires many hours of practice, individually and as a group, once accepted into the program. Visit https://syso.org/ to view images and learn more. (Image Credit: unsplash.com.)

Kansas
With its westward rising plains, Kansas, the 34th state, sits in the center of the continental United States. 90% of Kansas is used for agriculture, as seen in the first image, with some of the most fertile soils globally. The landscape varies greatly across the state, though, from tree-less prairie to hilly with forests to the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, and even scrubby Badlands as is featured in the second image at Castle Rock. Once huge herds of buffalo roamed these lands, meeting many of the needs of the Native Americans, including food, hides for shelter and clothing, and dung for fuel, but while early settlers found the bison to be a profitable source of meat and leather, the railroads found them to be a nuisance. Herds now roam in protected areas again, as seen in the third image, and their population has rebounded from near extinction. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Peru
In the story Tony's parents also adopted another child from Peru who was named Chelsey; she is four years younger than her brother. Peru's climate diversity is due to latitude and elevation with tropical coastal lands to peaks of the Andes Mountains with jungles, deserts, and high plains in between. The Andes helped to create a feeling of remoteness and mystique that intrigues visitors. The first image features the Sacred Valley of the Incas; this southern Peruvian town sits between the tropical foothills and the Amazonian Andes lowlands. The ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu as seen in the second image are high in the Andes; this location was named a UNESCO World Heritage site for its archeological sites.  (Image Credit: Unsplash.com and Image (s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Jenny's Places

Auschwitz
The dreaded Auschwitz Camp was the largest concentration camp in Nazi Germany; the location was an area in Poland that Germany had annexed at the onset of World War II. Auschwitz was an extermination camp where well over one million persons died; most were Jewish, but many Polish prisoners and Roma, nomadic gypsies, also perished in the gas chambers. Families arrived here packed into railroad cars like livestock; some served as slave laborers with identification numbers tattooed on their arms, while others, such as young children and the elderly, were immediately sent to their deaths. The first image shows one of the gated entrances to Auschwitz. The second image shows the interior of a dormitory, the living quarters of those prisoners literally being worked to death. Visit  to learn more about the Holocaust.  (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Poland
In the story, Jenny's grandmother emigrated from Poland following WW II. Germany's  invasion of Poland in 1939 was the catalyst for launching Europe into WW II. Visit https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005070  to learn more about this time. The people of Poland have influenced the arts, politics, and architecture. These images show Poland's beauty and its scars. The first image shows the Old City in Warsaw; the market square was established in 1200s and even though much was destroyed, it was faithfully rebuilt and restored. The second image shows a Nazi-imposed boundary of what would be called the Warsaw Jewish Ghetto, Europe's largest; here, Jewish persons were imprisoned before being sent to concentration camps. The third image features the ruins of homes turned into prison cells by the German soldiers; many Polish people died here from starvation. The Tatra Mountains and one of the lakes in the Five Lakes Valley are the focus of the fourth image; this mountain range creates a natural boundary on Poland's southern border with Slovakia. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

El Cajon Boulevard
This east-west roadway was once the primary route between San Diego and the agricultural fields of Imperial Valley, El Cajon, and it pointed east before Interstate 8 was constructed; a section has a historic highway designation. It is a part of US Route 80. The original "Jack in the Box" restaurant opened on this thoroughfare in 1951 with the first drive-through where employees took orders over a two-way intercom system. Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rbwypmetl0 for a virtual tour of the boulevard.

San Diego, CA
San Diego, California, has as varied of its landscapes as its population. The city spans mesas, canyons and valleys, beaches, and a nearly landlocked bay, as seen in the first image, with a bustling port. The population of San Diego is a blend of peoples of African, Asian, Latino, Native American, and European ancestry. It is also home to a number of military bases that have bolstered the economy. Over the last century, the cityscape has changed as tourism, and many industries have blossomed where the climate offers sunny days and warm temperatures more often than not; the second image shows off a growing skyline. The city has grown around its international airport, seen in the third image, like many coastal and port cities; the San Diego International Airport and the North Island Naval Air Station are only 2 miles apart, and both are very busy. Visit https://tinyurl.com/Explore-San-Diego to learn more. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Morena Blvd
Paralleling Interstate 5 for a distance, Morena Boulevard once carried traffic over four lanes traveling north from downtown. This roadway has been featured in a number of films over the years.

Mission Bay
The Mission Bay community is a residential and recreational area created from 2,000 acres of wetlands. It was constructed between the 1940s to the 1960s in what had been False Bay. Special rules govern the use and ownership of the land and water. Today it is the largest aquatic park in America, encompassing over 4,235 acres with 27 miles of shoreline. The two images show the human design of the landforms and beaches. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Old Town San Diego
Old Town is a San Diego neighborhood; it was actually the first European settlement in 1769 and is often referred to as the birthplace of California. The Old Town State Historic Park in Old Town's center, as the first image shows the welcoming signage, is one of two parks. Visit www.oldtownsandiego.org to learn more. The second image shows the older architecture shadowed by the new skyscrapers. Nearby Victorian homes, such as the one shown in the third image, offer a glimpse of the past home styles. (Photo Credit: unsplash.com and image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Downtown San Diego
Downtown San Diego and the Gas Lamp Quater are a short drive from the international and naval airports. This thriving cultural area blends the old and new in terms of architecture; the region has many tourist-driven attractions with dining and trendy shopping opportunities alongside the baseball stadium and office spaces. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Fourth Avenue
Fourth Avenue runs north to south only. There is a luxury hotel and park at Broadway and Fourth Avenue intersection. Homes in this area resemble the neighborhood shown here. (Photo Credit: Image(s) used under license from shutterstock.com.)

Broadway
Traveling east and west, Broadway runs from its pier, seen here, complete with cruise ship ports, east past theatres and luxury apartments, and then past Interstate 5. (Photo Credit: unsplash.com)

13th Street
13th Street travels north and south and parallels Interstate 5 in this area just south of Balboa Park and Stadium.

University Ave
As San Diego grew during the early 1900s,  higher education came to the city in the form of a "Normal School" where teachers would be properly trained in a state-sponsored college. University Avenue and the nearby neighborhood of University Heights also grew with cable cars providing a new form of transportation to those living there.

Kansas Street
Many of the University Heights neighborhood streets were named for states, such as Kansas Street. Learn more about this neighborhood at https://www.uhhs-uhcdc.org/history.