PENSACOLA BEACH, FL Looking out my hotel window I see the Gulf of Mexico. The whitest sands ever are in Pensacola-Destin. This afternoon it was a trip to Elberta Middle School, Elberta Alabama. The first day back to school for students, the first day back to school for Ben Franklin. I was in fine form, if I must say so myself. Lots of energy and enthusiasm after being off a month. I had a wonderful time!

Jumped on old Highway 98. Made my way to Pensacola and via a number of highways and thoroughfares toward Gulf Shores, Alabama. Lots of building going on. Most of it seems to be straight up. We'll soon have Manhattan skyscrapers on the edges of all our beaches blocking views of cars, houses and pedestrians. I drove along many miles of beach highway in and out of the shadows of these monsters.

Spoke to 5th graders at Gulf Shores Elementary School. I was having so much fun I'm afraid I went a little over on my time. Everyone at Gulf Shores was very nice to me. What nice people, what a nice place!

Had some interesting driving to do to get from Gulf Shores to Destin but I made it in about two hours. Learned a lot of Spanish in that time listening to my audio CD. Uno dos tres cuatro

DESTIN, FL Drove a few miles up Highway 98 to Santa Rosa Beach. They have a very nice library there, and I spoke to a large, very friendly and knowledgeable group of “northern visitors.” In any audience like this there is always someone from Boston or Philadelphia or both--so Ben has to be very careful that what he says is correct. Sure enough, I had very nice man come up to me after the program and say he was from Philadelphia. Another man commented on my southern accent and wondered what Ben Franklin actually sounded like. I would like to know that too!

MILTON, FL What a day! Started off speaking at Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Walton Beach. Then drove like crazy to get to Warrington Elementary in Pensacola, then drove like crazy to get to Navarre Library, then drove like crazy to get to Gulf Breeze Library. Well, it wasn't quite as bad as that--but I did keep going up and down Highway 98 pretty much all day.

The kids at Calvary Christian were fun, nice, respectful--thank you! I'm sorry I couldn't linger with you after the program, but I was concerned about getting to my next school on time.

The staff at Warrington Elementary took extra care in preparing nice seating for the kids, and making sure they were prepared for the big event. Ben had as much fun at Warrington Elementary as he has had speaking anywhere. Super kids. Super, super kids. And, as I said, principal and staff had them ready. Played the harmonica and sang the Star Spangled Banner.

Navarre Library had a large audience of mostly kids and parents. A newsman interviewed Ben and several of the attendees. Before the show a nice woman who I thought was a library staff member escorted Ben arm and arm through the library announcing his upcoming show. Turned out the lady was just someone who was friendly and nice and wanted to show Ben around.

Gulf Breeze Library also had a large enthusiastic audience mostly of kids and parents. Ben's program was very well received and he left feeling just great--until he discovered he did not have the key to his van. Oh, no. Ben Franklin has lost his key! A potential huge nightmare was avoided when library personnel called AAA for Ben and got a locksmith to open his car door. The key was found on the car seat.

Got to my motel in Milton at about 8:30 PM. A big, busy, exciting day. Met lots of very nice people. Lots of fun and thrills. Special thanks to the library folks for helping Ben get into his car!

MILTON, FL First stop, Avalon Middle School. Spoke to a large group of eighth graders. Very friendly, enthusiastic. Ben was warmly welcomed to the school by Dale Anderson, the history teacher. We talked a lot about American History before the kids came to the program. Turned out Mr. Anderson and old Ben had a lot of common interests. I know, the kids at Avalon Middle School learn a lot of history, and enjoy it, from Mr. Anderson. I really enjoyed my time at Avalon and appreciate the way everyone treated me there.

Two afternoon shows at Brentwood Middle School in Pensacola. My visit to Brentwood was very satisfying. Warmly welcomed by the principal . . . the sound system was carefully seen to . . . . Ben had everything he needed instantly provided. Spoke to 6th graders and Ben felt his programs were very well received. From his point of view, they were wonderful. When you do a program and you feel at times you have your audience spellbound--well that is about as good as it gets for a speaker. Maybe this happens, and maybe it is just an illusion caused by students being good audience participants; but I know I was very happy when I walked out of Brentwood Middle School.

Friendly, helpful staff and very nice kids at Three Oaks Elementary School. Lots of fun. Ben spoke a few words of Spanish for the first time in public and played his big gold harmonica. Thank you!

Hello frozen people up north it was over 80 today in Fort Myers! Don't come! Everyone else is already here. Every time I come to this part of Florida I am struck by how the senior citizens act just like kids do everywhere else. Lots of them riding around on bicycles and hanging out! Maybe I'm jealous, since I am a senior too and I'm still earning my daily bread.

Drove to Cape Coral Christian School for my afternoon show. Not knowing which door to go into, I tried one and stuck my head into a high school class. I created quite a commotion on campus. Oh, the folks at Cape Coral Christian School were very, very friendly. Big kids, little kids, the staff--everybody was so nice to Ben!

Drove over the big bridge to St. Petersburg for 5:00 PM show for Hillsborough County history teachers. Saw folks wind surfing in the bay. They were going so fast and were so close to the highway I thought they were going to come right onto the interstate.

TAMPA-ST. PETE Things got busy during my six days in the Tampa area. I had many adventures, many great programs, met many wonderful people. The following are the schools and libraries I spoke at during this time: Cypress Woods Elem, Palm Harbor; Dade City Library; Hudson Library; Berkeley Prep, Tampa; St. Mary's Episcopal Day School, Tampa; New Port Richey Library; Curtis Fundamental Elem, Clearwater; Palm Harbor Elem; Seven Springs Elem, New Port Richey; Montessori Prep School, Temple Terrace, Shorecrest Prep School, St. Petersburg.

I would like to write at length about my visit to each school and library, but I find it takes pretty much all my energy just to do the programs. Most days I have two morning programs, an afternoon program, and a 4:00 PM and/or 6:30 PM library show. Every program is very special to me, and many are incredibly enjoyable experiences. Although I am very busy, and have performed the same show thousands of times, each program is a thoroughly unique experience.

ORLANDO-DAYTONA BEACH My programs for these three days included: Downey Christian School, Orlando; Orangewood Christian School, Maitland; City Island Library, Daytona Beach; Pathways Elementary School, Ormond Beach; Lake Helen Public Library; and Central Christian Academy, Orlando.

My three week Florida tour was the busiest and maybe the best time of my life! My audiences were quite varied ranging from 300 senior citizens in Daytona Beach to 30 history teachers in Tampa to 8th graders in the panhandle to little kids sitting on the floor to hundreds of students in auditoriums. I spoke in many churches this trip.

I find I am giving an exciting new message to older students and adults. My programs for middle school and above have been going very, very well. I am emphasizing Ben Franklin's importance in American history and the fact that I believe he is the greatest American who ever lived. The more I deliver this message, the stronger it becomes and the more I am convinced of it. Of course, I remain respectful of other people's opinions, and I encourage them to tell me who they think is greatest and why.

For the little kids, Ben has been playing his huge, gold harmonica. Since my contact with schools and kids has inspired me lately to take up playing musical instruments as a hobby, I am returning the favor by playing the harmonica and occasionally singing for the kids.

SAVANNAH, GA Spoke at Islands Elementary School in the morning. Students were well-prepared and a lot of fun to speak to. Staff was very kind and helpful. Thank you! TV cameras were present--I hope Ben made the evening newscast!

AMERICUS, GA I drove what seemed to be a million miles from Savannah to Americus. Stayed at a quaint downtown hotel that I cannot recommend. Youthful college conference goers deprived Ben of his much needed beauty sleep.

Cherokee Elementary School in Americus was ready for Ben Franklin's visit. The students were primed with important facts. The teachers provided guidance and other staff helped by making sure seating went smoothly. Ben had a lot of fun and was very impressed by everything he saw at Cherokee Elementary. My two programs were paid for by Andersonville Historical Site--Thank You!

Very fine time at Wynnton Arts Academy. This is a very old school, though it looks brand new. I believe it dates back 150 or more years. Anyway, Wynnton Arts Academy is a very fine school with great kids and a very nice auditorium. Ben had a great time speaking to kids who obviously have experienced many, many programs and educational assemblies.

My afternoon program was at Clubview Elementary School, just a few miles from Wynnton Academy. Everyone in the school came to my program, I believe--a large, wonderful audience. Perfect.

COLUMBUS, GA Three morning programs at Midland Academy. Staff was very friendly and helpful, and each different group seemed to enjoy my programs in a different way. One teacher came up after one of the shows and said very kind words about how I had boosted the spirits and esteem of one of her students I had chosen to help with the show. Such words are carefully and lovingly filed into my memory banks. Thank you!

South Carolina: Among the schools and libraries I spoke at during this time were: Thomas Sumter Academy, Dalzell; Richard Winn Academy, Winnsboro; Laurens County Library, Laurens; Ford Elementary School, Laurens; Bennettsville Elementary School, Bennettsville; Williamsburg Academy, Kingstree; and St. James-Santee Elementary, McClellanville. Each program had its own excitement and adventures. I met many good, smart, interesting people. My thanks to everyone who shared learning and good times with me. Special thanks to the people who invited me to speak to their audiences. I hope you will have me back in a year or two!

I decided to drive a straight line from West Blocton to Sylacauga, AL. The scenic route turned into the slow route, which is usually the case. Saw a sign at a veterinarian's office--Free Small Dog. I hope he finds a nice home. Rose of sharon blooming at Wilton, the first sign of spring. I passed a lime factory and all the trees and cars and everything all around was white.

SYLACAUGA, AL Made a return visit to B.B. Comer Memorial Elementary School. I spoke in the fine auditorium that the elementary school shares with the high school. Two super audiences. I remember PJ in the first group. What a nice, funny little kid! Very well-behaved groups. The students at B.B. Comber have obviously attended many school assembly programs.

As I headed out of Wilsonville, I noticed one of my favorite old fashioned plants blooming--flowering quince. Another sure sign of early spring. I will be headed north so I will see less and less signs of spring I suppose.

Saw a huge rose of sharon, at least 35 feet high in Garden City. Fully blooming. Later, heading toward I-65, I saw forsythia beginning to bloom. A lovely, mild blue-sky day. Supposed to be severe thunderstorms tomorrow. Hold onto your hat Ben!

DECATUR, AL Up early and off to Eastwood Elementary School. Storms were predicted for today, but everything was cool and relaxed at Eastwood. Everyone treated Ben warmly. Lots of fun. One boy who seemed to enjoy my harmonica playing uncommonly much was asked if he would dance for the school while I played. Remarkably, he agreed! A very special time.

I had a 10:30 AM program at St. Ann's School. Oh what a good time I had there! School was to let out for bad weather at noon, but we had plenty of time for a once-in-a-lifetime world class school assembly program. Had a chance to talk with many students and interact with them in a fun way. Thank you, St. Ann's!

Stopped off at Books-A-Million. Picked up 2 Shelby Foote civil war books and headed back to my motel to ride out the bad weather. Storms all around us, but it never got bad at the Comfort Inn and Suites. I had a wonderful time reading and relaxing and watching the weather channel all afternoon.

COLUMBIA, TN Drove out to East Lawrence Middle School, near Trinity, AL. Wow. Ms. Defoor was very nice and had thoroughly prepared all students for Ben Franklin's appearance. It was amazing that we were able to do the programs at all since school had been closed the previous day (when I was booked to come) due to serious thunderstorms predicted to hit the area. Turned out Lawrence County was spared the bad weather, but a tornado hit a high school in Enterprise, Alabama that day, killing five students. Anyway, a great time at East Lawrence Middle School. My thanks to everyone who made my visit so memorable.

Jumped onto I-65 and drove to Franklin, Tennessee for two late afternoon programs. This was a special day at Walnut Grove Elementary School, where many of the kids stayed until 5:00 PM reading, participating in special educational and fun programs. As you can imagine, the scene when I arrived appeared a bit chaotic. Loud music playing. Kids and parents walking around everywhere. I was wondering if I would be able to hold the students' attention.

Not to worry. The students at Walnut Grove Elementary School were super. I was quite astounded at how even K-2 focused on my program at 3:00 PM, when they had obviously already had a very full day. Ben's hat goes off to you.

NASHVILLE, TN A leisurely morning in the hotel, then off to Nashville Christian School for an afternoon program. Kids were great, staff was great--a very, very nice school. Lots of fun with K-6. On the way to and from Nashville Christian I passed the school I will speak at in the morning: Gower Elementary.

NASHVILLE, TN Drove along Old Hickory Blvd. from Brentwood to Gower Elementary School, the same road I traveled Monday. The kids at Gower blew me away with what they knew about Benjamin Franklin. The staff were friendly and very helpful; the teachers were wonderful for preparing the kids as well as they did; and the students showed off and made Ben feel just great. A fine time!

My afternoon program was at McGavock Elementary School. Got turned around a couple of times in my travels, but Ben still made it to McGavock with a little time to spare. Lots of fun with a group of students who had earned the right to attend the program by being excellent students. Thank a lot McGavock Elementary School for inviting me to speak to your scholars!

NASHVILLE, TN I'm still in the music city. Had no trouble finding my way to Hickman Elementary School this morning, since it is close to McGavock. I chose to stay off the interstate and had a stress-free morning commute from Brentwood.

The staff at Hickman were very friendly and showed me around and made sure I had everything I needed. I even visited the library which was colorful and had many interesting displays. I asked who the designer was. Apparently several parent volunteers did most of the work.

My two programs at Hickman went very well. Kids were perfect and Ben had fun. That's as good as it gets in this business. The last student I spoke to at Hickman told me how her brother got his name. Right after he was born his mother was holding him and a $100 bill. The new born grabbed the bill out of her hand, and, on the spot, they decided to name him Franklin!

I drove north to Portland on I-65 for my afternoon show. I had been to Watt-Hardison Elementary before, and, as always, I am especially happy to return to places where I've spoken before. My audience were grades 3-5 and they seemed to be very enthusiastic before, during and after the program. Speaking to such smart, friendly and well-mannered kids is a heartfelt pleasure. Thank you, Watt-Hardison!

Wonderful time at Johnson Elementary in Franklin! Very friendly staff and students were the best Ben Franklin could ask for. This was truly a visit no one will ever forget! Thank you.

Lost an hour driving into Eastern time zone to do a program at Oakdale School in Morgan County, TN. A perfect audience of K-8 students. Program could not have been better. I'd be glad to lose an hour any day to have an opportunity to speak to such a fine audience.

I regained my hour by driving back to Crossville. An afternoon program at Frank Brown Elementary School. Very nice media person had everything ready for me to speak to a large audience of K-6. Very nice school, nice students--thanks for inviting me to Frank Brown Elementary!

At 2:00 PM Central Time I left Crossville for a 6 ½ hour drive to Summerville, SC. Lost that hour again coming off the Plateau and arrived at home at 9:30 PM. Time flew as I listened to CDs on American History.

LAURINBURG, NC Ben visited four schools in Scotland County today, which is, I believe, a record. The schools were North Laurinburg Elementary at 9:00 AM, I. Ellis Johnson Elementary at 10:30 AM, Scotland Accelerated Academy at 1:00 PM and Pate-Gardner Elementary at 3:00 PM. Ben met many warm and friendly people today, every where he went. Waiting in a chair in the school office at Pate-Gardner, I was sitting beside a very little boy who turned out to be a kindergartener. Come to find out he had just been at Scotland Accelerated and had seen my program. He volunteered some information he had learned, then I quizzed him further. I must say I was quite impressed with what the boy remembered. Turned out he was very interested is whose face was on what bill. He asked me to tell him all the ones I knew. When I said George Washington was on the one, he said, “Who is George Washington?”

WHITEVILLE, NC This morning's two programs were at Whiteville High School. Spoke to 2nd and 3rd graders first, then 4th and 5th graders. These were programs scheduled by Whiteville City School District for elementary students in the district.

Great fun speaking in the very nice large auditorium. There were a lot of students in both programs, and both audiences were remarkably well-mannered. Thank you Whiteville City Schools!

My afternoon program was at Lincoln Elementary School in Leland, NC. Very large audience of very friendly and fun students. K-5, 700+ of them. The principal, Ms. Davis, was very nice to Ben Franklin. Thanks for inviting me to your school!

I got to my 4th floor room at the Hampton Inn in Kinston, opened the window, and looked out on a field of white. It looked like miles and miles of snow fields. Actually, I was being treated to tall pear trees in full bloom. If the front desk knew what a view I had, I'm sure they'd charge me extra.

KINSTON, NC Two programs at Banks Elementary School on a hot early spring afternoon (at least 80). Pear trees and red buds in full bloom everywhere. The kids at Banks were extraordinary! Lots of fun. Ben especially wants to say thanks to Holly, who said my program was awesome. Thanks also to dad, it made it all possible.

ROCKY MOUNT, NC As I drove north on highway 258 from Kinston to Rocky Mount, I felt I was going back into time a little bit. The spring flowers were a little earlier; I even saw yellow forsythia as I got close to Rocky Mount. I imagined if I kept driving north I would eventually to come to territory where it was still winter. Yes, I'm sure I could do this, but am glad I don't have to.

An afternoon show at Baskerville Elementary in Rocky Mount. Ben was VERY impressed with the respectful, well-mannered and enthusiastic 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at Baskerville Elementary. Ben had fun and they seemed to have fun too.

After speaking at Baskerville, I pointed my van east on highway 64. Next stop, Edenton, NC. I planned to spend the weekend at this small, very historic town on the Albemarle Sound.

CHESAPEAKE, VA Morning programs at Butts Road Intermediate School in Chesapeake; afternoon programs at Rawls Byrd Elementary in Williamsburg. Super audiences at both places. Ben had great fun at both schools. Wow. What a day!

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA It's 7:00 PM. I am looking from my third story window across a 50 yard expanse of beach at the Atlantic Ocean. Between me and the ocean an endless stream of people pass along the cement boardwalk between the hotel and the beach. People are walking, jogging, roller blading, biking, skateboarding, and riding on several other kinds of foot-powered machines I cannot even identify. People are sure funny looking. I guess I would be too if I was out there.

This was an awesome speaking day for Ben Franklin. At each place I went today a staff member took the time to say very nice, special things about my program. I felt each program absolutely maxxed out, though each program was unique and offered it's own variety of thrills and surprises.

I had been to Shelton Park and Windsor Woods Elementary Schools in Virginia Beach before. Thank you for inviting me back! My afternoon program at Cedar Road Elementary in Chesapeake was a new, exciting experience for me, and I hope the students at Cedar Road. I thought things went very, very well.

The only negative part of my day was when I went to the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Virginia Beach. I checked out 3 or 4 rooms none of which I thought was worth $150 a night. When they told me I would have to park across the street on the 5th floor of a parking garage I said “no thank you” and stomped out.

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA Ben spoke at a number of area locations these three days including: Trantwood Elem, College Park Elem, Cape Henry Collegiate Sch, and Thoroughgood Elem in Virginia Beach; Ruth Camp Memorial Library and Hunterdale Elem in Franklin; and Elephant's Fork Elem in Suffolk.

READING, PA A Nor'easter was forecast for my trip to Pennsylvania. Snow in northern and high elevation areas, heavy winds and rain elsewhere. I set out from sunny Summerville, South Carolina at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 14. We had already experienced the spring flowers and it was grass-cutting time at home. I knew it would be like traveling back into time when I headed north.

It was cool and raining when I stopped for the night in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Flood warnings were out for the area. Next morning I drove through rain, wind and Washington D.C. and Baltimore--and pulled into Reading a little after noon.

Monday, there was snow on the mountains around Reading and the wind howled. It seemed like I had traveled from a place where it was almost summer to one where it was definitely still winter.

It was cold and very windy with occasional rain for the first three or four days I was in Reading. Things got a little better by Thursday, and Friday it was very nice! Suddenly I noticed blue sky, and pear and cherry trees blooming. When I left Reading at 2:00 PM Friday, winter had changed to spring!

Reading School District had booked Ben to visit 10 schools: Glenside, Lauer's Park, Riverside, 13th and Union, 13th and Green, Thomas Ford, Amanda Stout, 10th and Penn elementary schools. I also performed at two sixth grade magnet schools. I had a lot of fun traveling from school to school, and by Friday I suppose I knew my way around town as well as some of the locals. Thank you, Reading City School District!

Reading Public Library system also booked Ben to appear at four area libraries: Main Library, Northeast Branch, Northwest Branch, and Southeast Branch. Two or three of the kids I met at the library programs turned up at schools I visited, which was very nice. Thank you, Reading Public Library System!

I felt the whole week I was warmly received everywhere I went in Reading. Getting around was difficult the first several days when the weather was bad and I didn't know my way around; by Friday, things had greatly improved in all respects.

Spoke at Northside Elementary and Holy Name of Jesus School in Harrisburg; then drove a few miles north to Middle Paxton Elementary School in Dauphin. All in all, just a wonderful day. I felt the programs were terrific everywhere I went. At Northside I spoke to K-2 and 3-5; at Holy Name of Jesus I spoke just to 4th graders; at Middle Paxton it was pretty much the whole school, K-5. What can I say--it was my day! Thank you to each school I visited this day. Your kids were great.

BALTIMORE, MD Ben would like to thank the following Maryland schools for hosting his program this week: Charles Carroll Elementary, Westminster; Emmanuel Lutheran School, Cantonsville; Washington-Mclaughlin Christian School, Tacoma Park; Gunpowder Elementary, Baltimore; Dayton Oaks Elementary, Dayton; Red House Run Elementary, Baltimore; and Hollifield Station Elementary, Ellicott City.

The Baltimore area has always supported my programs very well, and the schools here are very, very good. Ben received a hug from the librarian at Red House Run Elementary, which was the highlight of his week. What a nice lady! Thanks Livia Rhoades. Also, congratulations Red House Run for being voted a Blue Ribbon school in 2007.

HENDERSONVILLE, NC A relaxing morning at the Comfort Suites in Ashville. Then, I drove to a 4:00 PM program at the branch library in Etowah. Staff and program participants were very kind to Ben.

At 6:30 PM I performed at the Hendersonville Library once again. A 10 year old girl said she enjoyed the show and remembered when I had been at the library when she was 6. Mom remembered, also. Thank you, thank you all!

As I reflect back on this year I remember many schools and libraries and people and stories that have not gotten the attention they deserve in this journal. My only excuses are the weary miles I travel and the fact that it takes pretty much all my energy to get from one place to the next and do the arduous schedule I have lined up each week. Even though I may not have written about you, I remember you, and I hope you remember me!