Mike Smith:
Have you thought about planning your summer vacation around a study of art and literature? That’s what one family did. The Williams family, homeschoolers in California, actually went to New Zealand to see the countryside where the Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed.

Your family might not be able to travel all the way to New Zealand, but you can still center your summer vacation on literature, painting, and music.

American authors have come from every corner of our country, and in many cases, their homes and birthplaces have been preserved as landmarks. Sunnyside, the home of Washington Irving, is the beautiful home of one of America’s first major authors. It appears today just as it did in Irving’s time. Your family might also enjoy visiting Mark Twain’s birthplace (a small cabin in Missouri) or the Mark Twain House in Hartford, Connecticut.

Take a day off to explore the world of visual art. Whether you’re visiting a major city or small town, you can nearly always discover an art gallery or sculpture garden. Instead of rushing through the exhibits, encourage your kids to slow down and pay attention to each painting. Talk about what the artist might have been trying to communicate through the techniques used. Or study the many facets of architecture. The tours of most historical buildings include details on structure and design. Investigate the buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright, located in 37 different states.

Finally, summertime is the season of outdoor concerts. Whether you’re attending one of the U.S. Capitol’s free concerts, or watching the sun set over the Hudson River at West Point’s amphitheater, you’ll be experiencing the joy of live music in a gorgeous setting.

And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.