B

The Graham family of Kansas did something very unusual last year. Mr and Mrs Graham did not go to work, and their children did not go to school. Instead, Craig and Marlene Graham and their children, Courtney, 12, and Collier, 4, traveled together in a van(箱式车) and drove across America for a whole year.

First, Craig and Marlene sold their business(生意). Craig had a fruit business, and Marlene owned a small newspaper. Then they sold their large house. Finally, Courtney said goodbye to her classmates, and their dream trip began. The Graham family started their trip on July 4. They visited big cities and small towns in all 50 states. They also visited the birthplaces of all the United States’ Presidents(总统). They wanted to visit many interesting places, parks, and zoos in the United States, but they also wanted to meet the American people. The Grahams had many wonderful experiences. Many people were very friendly and helpful to them. Some people invited the Graham family to stay in their homes with them.

Every day, Marlene wrote reports about her family’s trip. She described the family’s daily experiences, where they went, and what they did. Courtney kept a journal of her life on the way. Marlene and Courtney put their writing on the Internet. Schoolchildren from all over the United States followed the Graham family’s trip by using computers at home and in school. Some children wrote letters to the Graham family. American newspapers carried stories about the Grahams, and people met the family on TV shows.

At the end of the year, Craig said that they all had a wonderful trip. Courtney said that she missed her friends at school, but also enjoyed the trip very much. The Grahams traveled 54,944 miles. They returned home on the same date that they left: July 4. They plan to write a book about their travels to describe everything they learned about their country and the American people.