LARRY GETS LOSTLARRY GETS LOSTA story about DirectionsA story about Directions

By Karen GeorginaBy Karen Georgina

One bright summer morning, Larry the One bright summer morning, Larry the Lizard decided to take a ride in his new Lizard decided to take a ride in his new hot air balloon. He left from Farmington hot air balloon. He left from Farmington

Lake in New Mexico.Lake in New Mexico.

Although Larry was enjoying the scenery, he was not paying attention Although Larry was enjoying the scenery, he was not paying attention to where he was going. When his propane tank became empty, he to where he was going. When his propane tank became empty, he

landed smack-dab in a wheat field in Kansas. “I wonder which landed smack-dab in a wheat field in Kansas. “I wonder which direction I need to travel to get back to New Mexico?” exclaimed Larry.direction I need to travel to get back to New Mexico?” exclaimed Larry.

Larry was glad he had paid attention to Mrs. G’s Larry was glad he had paid attention to Mrs. G’s lesson on directions. “Maybe lesson on directions. “Maybe northnorth is the direction is the direction

I need to go to get back home.” said Larry.I need to go to get back home.” said Larry.

Larry headed Larry headed northnorth until he landed in South Dakota. The until he landed in South Dakota. The tour guide at MOUNT RUSHMORE told him that the four tour guide at MOUNT RUSHMORE told him that the four

presidents carved in the granite stone were George presidents carved in the granite stone were George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and

Abraham Lincoln.Abraham Lincoln.

Although Mount Rushmore was very interesting, it was not Although Mount Rushmore was very interesting, it was not New Mexico, where Larry wanted to be. He flew back to New Mexico, where Larry wanted to be. He flew back to

Kansas. From there, he decided to travel Kansas. From there, he decided to travel southsouth..

Flying Flying southsouth, Larry landed in Texas where he visited the ALAMO. , Larry landed in Texas where he visited the ALAMO. Larry learned that the Texas Revolution was fought there in 1836 when Larry learned that the Texas Revolution was fought there in 1836 when

General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna tried to restore the rule of the General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna tried to restore the rule of the Mexican government in Texas.Mexican government in Texas.

““I’m still not home”, mumbled Larry, as he went back to I’m still not home”, mumbled Larry, as he went back to Kansas and then headed Kansas and then headed east.east.

Gliding Gliding easteast, Larry landed at our NATION’S CAPITOL in , Larry landed at our NATION’S CAPITOL in Washington D.C.Washington D.C.

While at the CAPITOL, Larry sat While at the CAPITOL, Larry sat down to listen to a story read by down to listen to a story read by our president, George W. Bush.our president, George W. Bush.

Heading back to Kansas, Larry decided to try another direction which Heading back to Kansas, Larry decided to try another direction which he thought would lead him to Farmington, New Mexico. This time he he thought would lead him to Farmington, New Mexico. This time he

flew flew west.west.

Traveling Traveling westwest brought brought Larry to the GOLDEN Larry to the GOLDEN

GATE BRIDGE in GATE BRIDGE in California. Larry flew California. Larry flew

over the 4,200 foot long over the 4,200 foot long suspended bridge with suspended bridge with

ease.ease.

““Well, back to the drawing board”, replied Larry as he headed back to Well, back to the drawing board”, replied Larry as he headed back to Kansas. From there, he flew in the direction of Kansas. From there, he flew in the direction of northeast.northeast.

Larry flew Larry flew northeastnortheast until he spotted the STATUE OF LIBERTY in New until he spotted the STATUE OF LIBERTY in New York. He was impressed to find out that the statue was a gift from York. He was impressed to find out that the statue was a gift from France given to the United States because of the friendship they France given to the United States because of the friendship they

formed during the Revolutionary War.formed during the Revolutionary War.

Once more Larry headed back to Kansas and tried another Once more Larry headed back to Kansas and tried another direction in the hopes of getting home. This time he tried direction in the hopes of getting home. This time he tried

southeast.southeast.

““WOW!” shouted Larry when he arrived at Cape Canaveral, Florida. WOW!” shouted Larry when he arrived at Cape Canaveral, Florida. “KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, the only launch site for the Space “KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, the only launch site for the Space

Shuttle is definitely not in New Mexico.”Shuttle is definitely not in New Mexico.”

Although Larry was glad he had learned all his Although Larry was glad he had learned all his directions, he sure wished he had taken a map with him directions, he sure wished he had taken a map with him on his balloon ride. “Maybe on his balloon ride. “Maybe northwestnorthwest is the direction I is the direction I

need to take,” said Larry.need to take,” said Larry.

Flying Flying northeastnortheast brought Larry to the state of Washington. He took a brought Larry to the state of Washington. He took a little side trip to visit MOUNT SAINT HELENS. He found out that on little side trip to visit MOUNT SAINT HELENS. He found out that on

May 18,1980, this volcano’s north face collapsed and caused an May 18,1980, this volcano’s north face collapsed and caused an avalanche which released pressurized gases within the volcano.avalanche which released pressurized gases within the volcano.

““I am definitely running out of directional choices”, Larry whispered I am definitely running out of directional choices”, Larry whispered under his breath. He took one last flight out of Kansas heading under his breath. He took one last flight out of Kansas heading

southwest.southwest.

““Hooray! I’m home sweet home”, Hooray! I’m home sweet home”, shouted Larry, as he touched down shouted Larry, as he touched down at Farmington Lake in New Mexico. at Farmington Lake in New Mexico. Larry was sure glad he knew all his Larry was sure glad he knew all his directions. From that day on, Larry directions. From that day on, Larry

always carried a map and paid always carried a map and paid attention to where he was going. attention to where he was going.

THE ENDTHE END

CitingsUnited states map

www.lakeorion.k12.mi.us/ sims/images/united-sFarmington Lake

www.phototalk.net/photos/ data/500/796Self-PorMount Rushmore

www.ageowns.com/ pics/rayrushmore.jpgAlamo

www.airforcelife.net/ images/alamo.jpgWashington DC.

www.airforcelife.net/ images/alamo.jpgPresident Bush

www.washingtoninsidertours.com/ President%20Bu...Golden Gate Bridge

winter-insurance.at/ Privat/CalOreg/cal4/Golde...Statue of Liberty

members.chello.at/oliver. windsteig/Images/USA...Kennedy Space Center

www.ksc.nasa.gov/ images/launchpalms.gifMount St. Helen’s

privat.ostprignitz.de/.../ mount_st_helens.jpgKansas

www.photo.net/photo/ pcd1661/kansas-75.4.jpg...