Hirns hit the road for 48-state tour

Published:  Tuesday, June 16, 2009 (7 months, 4 weeks ago)
Print

The Hirn family, Dan, left, Abby, 10, Carder, 4, and Becky departed on a year-long tour of the lower 48 states this morning. One of the first stops on the trip is Niagara Falls.Staff Reports

DELPHOS — Dan and Becky Hirn have been planning for this day for over a year.
When the couple made a “bucket list” in January 2008, family time and travel came up top priority.
Today, they, along with their two small children, Abby, 10, and Carder, 4, left in their dual RV travel system on a year-long tour of the lower 48 states.
Driving a 25-foot Class C motor home and pulling an 18-foot travel trailer, the family will downsize from a 2,400-square-foot home to less than 300 square feet.
“We might have 10 percent of the living space we have now but the entire country will be our backyard,” said Dan Hirn.
The trip itinerary includes stops at many of America’s most treasured landmarks and popular destinations. One of the first nights will be spent near Niagara Falls. The family will continue northeast from Ohio and drive along the east coast and Mid-Atlantic states through the summer. They’ll drive south in the fall and southwest in the winter. In spring, they’ll enjoy the Northwest.
“I can’t wait to see the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore,” said 10-year-old Abby Hirn. An animal lover, Abby is also looking forward to a visit to Dogtown, an animal sanctuary in Utah. This fall, Abby will attend Ohio Virtual Academy, an e-school which is part of Ohio public schools.
The couple’s 4-year old son, Carter, is looking -orward to visiting his cousins in Alabama.
“Carter asked me where we were going today and I said, ‘Everywhere’,” Dan Hirn said this morning with a big smile.
As for jobs, Dan and Becky have put their regular jobs on hold for the year and are pursuing other opportunities. Becky is writing a weekly column for The Delphos Herald on family travel. Look for it beginning July 2. In addition the couple has set up a web site: www.ourtriptakesus.com, to promote and document their trip.

1 Reader Response to “Hirns hit the road for 48-state tour”

Complete the form below to leave a response of your own.

  1. #1 — Added 7 months, 3 weeks ago

    Have the time of your life & be safe.

    Posted on June 17, 2009 at 3:05 am by Teri