11. Visit All 50 States

There was a time when you never left your own town once during a lifetime.  Today, traveling to another continent is no big deal.  But, how many people know our own country?  I will.

1.  Alabama:
2.  Alaska

3.  Arizona:  A no-brainer...I LIVE HERE!  

2011: Goldfield Mine Town




2008: Grand Canyon

4.  Arkansas

5.  California: This has always been one of our go-to vacation spots.  We usually drive through CA on our way to Oregon, too.  I have two sisters living in Brea (Quenta) and Rancho Cucamonga (Ericka).

2010:  Spending spring break
with our great friends, the
Tanners.

2010: For Jake Hatch's farewell we
went to the beach with the Stewarts and Hatches:
Trenton, Suzanne, Daniel, Jake, Tyler, Josiah, Brookie, Eli,
Audrey, and Tanner.

6.  Colorado:  I attended a couple of conferences in Denver, and I lived with a friend in Fort Collins one summer when I was still in high school.  I still have very fond memories of their cabin along Cache La Poudre River.  I need to go back with Suzanne.

7.  Connecticut

8.  Delaware

9.  Florida:  May, 2013 the Kellis family took a rare actual vacation (not Christmas travel, wedding, funeral, etc., and actual vacation!) to Disney World.  We did not get to see much of the state of Florida, but we got to experience a very cool part of it.

California or Florida???  Disney World is an amazing place.

10.  Georgia

11.  Hawaii:  August, 2012 Tyler spent a year going to school at BYU Hawaii.  It was out parental duty to make sure he was settled in and ready to start, so we spent a week there.  It was soooo hard to leave.  We all loved it and can't wait to go back again.

In front of the Dole Pineapple plantation where you can get
the most delicious pineapple ice cream with loads of
fresh pineapple slices on top.

12.  Idaho:  We have been to Idaho many times. My sister, Valerie, lives in Meridian.  Suzanne has relatives in Idaho Falls (Karen and LaRell)  and Grant (Grandma Moore - died 2012). We had a family reunion there in 2010 and often drive through Idaho to get to Oregon.

2010: Daniel opened his mission call to Uruguay at our family reunion in Albion.

2007: Carthage Jail where Joseph Smith,

Prophet, was martyred.

13.  Illinois:  For a couple's trip all the Kellis siblings and spouses went to Nauvoo.  Suzanne and I agree that we really really need to go back and take the kids...now that they are already leaving home :(

2007:  The New Nauvoo Temple.  The original was destroyed by mobs who persecuted the Mormons.  I will never forget the emotion of walking into this temple, remembering that so many early Saints had to leave Nauvoo in haste before they could enter. Their untimely exodus in the dead of winter marked, their pioneer march across the plains, and their humble establishment of Utah marked the beginning of what is now a church of over 13 Million members.

14.  Indiana

15.  Iowa

16.  Kansas: I attended a work conference in Kansas City and came home with a whole new appreciation for BBQ. Since then, I bought a smoker and my freezer is full of smoked chicken, pork and beef. Thank you, Jack Stacks, for getting me hooked!

17.  Kentucky

18.  Louisiana: Another business trip took me to New Orleans, of all days - on Mardi Gras! I stayed off the streets that night, but the next night took a walk through the French Quarter to experience the experience. Naturally, I had to eat gumbo, alligator, and beniets from Cafe du Monte.

19.  Maine

20.  Maryland:  Maybe this is cheating, but I was actually there as evidenced by this photo.  I was in Washington DC and took the subway just far enough to get into Maryland.  You should have seen the look on the subway staff's face when I told him I didn't care where I stopped or how I got there, I just needed to get to Maryland and back.  I think I was in Bethesda a total of 2 minutes.

As you emerge from the subway tunnel, this sign greets you.

21.  Massachusetts:  I had a great opportunity to attend a summer institute at the Harvard College of Education.  I went back again for a conference.  Both times we traveled the historic city of Boston.

Paul Revere's House: Boston Massachusetts

22.  Michigan

23.  Minnesota: Suzanne accompanied me on this trip to St. Paul. We loved to walk the historic neighborhoods, eat at the amazing Cossetta Market, Pasticceria, Pizzeria and Cafe. We also took a quick trip to Mall of America - wow!

24.  Mississippi

25.  Missouri:  As part of our trip to Nauvoo, we traveled to Adam-Ondi-Ahman, prophesied to have been The Garden of Eden, and a gathering spot of Priesthood leader at the Second Coming of Christ.

2007:  To walk where Adam and Even walked is a very special
opportunity.  It would be nice to have a saved seat when
Christ comes here again!

26.  Montana

27.  Nebraska:  I visited Omaha as part of a school trip to visit their school district.  Downtown Omaha has been very nicely revitalized.  It was awkward traveling with drinker and smokers (my work colleagues).  I still need to go again with Suzanne.

28.  Nevada:  We have driven through Nevada at least five time just this year (2013) alone.  We stopped every time in Las Vegas for gas or food or lodging, plus many many times before.  You would think we would take at lease one picture.

29.  New Hampshire

30.  New Jersey

31.  New Mexico:  While I was serving in the Surprise Stake presidency, we were invited to go to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron for leadership training.  Even better, we got to take the whole family.  Daniel went on a Mountain Man backwoods hike for the week, Suzanne had Primary and Relief Society training, and Caity and Tyler had daily camp activities.  This was one of the most memorable summer trips for our family.

2007:  Philmont Scout Ranch

32.  New York

33.  North Carolina

34.  North Dakota

35.  Ohio

36.  Oklahoma

37.  Oregon:  Suzanne is from Oregon.  All her family lives there except us.  We try and get to Corvallis at least once a year, but definitely every other Christmas.  With the Oregon Coast, the always green terrain, this is one of the best places to travel.

2011:  4th of July fun at Mike and Laurie's house in Corvallis.

38.  Pennsylvania

39.  Rhode Island

40.  South Carolina

41.  South Dakota

42.  Tennessee:  I attended a conference in Nashville right next to the Grand Ol' Opry house.  We had a social event at the Music Hall of Fame.  I would like to wait to finalize this post until I have a picture of both Suzanne and I in Nashville.

43.  Texas:  Dallas was another conference location.  I visited the "Grassy Knoll" where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and the Book Depository from where he was allegedly shot.  I will wait to post pictures until I have one with Suzanne.

44.  Utah:  Another easy one...Suzanne and I both attended BYU and were married in Salt Lake City.  I have three sisters living in South Jordan, Orem and Provo.  Most of our Kellis family reunions have been there.  Daniel attended BYU and Tyler is about to.

2009:  We dropped Daniel off at BYU his freshman year.

2011:  All the Kellis siblings and Mom at
Jeanette's wedding in July.

45.  Vermont

46.  Virginia:  May, 2013 I presented at a US Dept. of Energy Conference in Washington DC.  Each evening I would go see the sights.  They were always full of people, so Saturday morning I got up very early and found I had most of the places all to my self.  Arlington Cemetery was definitely
one of my favorite places.

Arlington Cemetery: "The Most Sacred Place in the Country"

47.  Washington: After a fun family cruise with all my siblings and spouses, we drove from Vancouver, Canada to Seattle where we stayed the night, then flew home the next day.  I would like to go back to actually "see" this state.  Tyler is currently serving a church mission in the Vancouver, WA mission.

48.  West Virginia

49.  Wisconsin

50.  Wyoming:  Several years ago, when Suzanne's dad was still alive, our went them her parents to Yellowstone Park.  The whole experience was amazing...Jenny Lake, the geysers, the bison...  We enjoyed a milkshake at an old fashion soda fountain in Jackson Hole.