#1 Introductions


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Bobby Sock #1: Introductions

Puppet at www.CateandLevi.com

Photo credit: Geraldine Finn


“Hello there! My name is Bobby…Bobby Sock and I am a sock puppet that is going to guide you through my amazing adventure as I travel with Mr. Starchman to all 50 states, Mexico, Canada, and the Bahamas!

Have you ever lost a sock in the dryer? Your mom or dad goes to put the laundry away and suddenly you only have one sock? Have you ever wondered what happens to those missing socks? Well…I’m going to let you in on a secret…

We go on adventures!

Some of us are not so brave and we just take an adventure behind the dryer. Some of us inspect your entire house from kitchen to living room to spooky broom closet. Some of us explore your town and sometimes we even get lost and never find our way home.

And then some of us are extremely brave and we explore for months on end, searching for our missing brother and sister socks, experimenting with new fabric softeners, and bringing back stories for all the other socks to hear about the world beyond the laundry room.

You can make your own version of me using your own socks and some glue and craft supplies (ask your parents or teachers first!) Or you can buy one that looks just like me. Have your parent or teacher use the link below and check back here regularly for more stories. I will be posting updates from every state and you can read along with your own Bobby Sock puppet!”

Make Your Own Sock Puppet Link

Pre-made Sock Puppet Link

Sincerely.

Bobby Sock


#2 San Francisco Libraries

Greetings from beautiful San Francisco.  

I know most people think of the Golden Gate Bridge or the 49ers or Fisherman’s Wharf when they think of San Francisco, but I want to introduce you to my favorite part of this city.  The libraries!

Did you know there are over 30 public libraries in San Francisco?  It’s true! And all of them have children’s sections so that puppets like me who are just learning to read can enjoy them too.  

Mr. Starchman has taken me to six of the libraries so far where he likes to write and research the United States before his big trip.  Today we are at the Golden Gate Valley Branch. It was built in 1917 and is over 100 years older. That’s even older than the oldest socks that your grandpa has!

We have been learning all about California.  Did you know that it has the highest and the lowest points in the United States?  It also has the largest living thing in the world, the giant Sequoia tree and the oldest living thing on earth, the Bristlecone Pine!  If you haven’t seen what these amazing trees look like, have your teacher or parent look them up on the internet. Or better yet, head to Yosemite National Park and Inyo National Forest to say hello to these trees in person!

Tonight we are packing all of our things including 40 t-shirts, 35 pairs of underwear, and of course lots and lots of socks!  That way Mr. Starchman only has to do laundry one a month...but I hope I’ll take baths a little more frequently.  

Next we are headed to the California coast to visit the home of Mr. Starchman’s favorite author John Steinbeck in Salinas, to see the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the beautiful beaches in Big Sur.

I’ll write more soon!

Your friendly sock puppet

~Bobby Sock


#3 Big Sur, California

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Salutations from breathtaking Big Sur, California

“Big” is English for...big!  Giant. Immense. Gargantuan.  Substantial! Colossal!! Brobdingnagian!!!  ...not small.  

(Sorry, I got a little carried away there.  I love synonyms...and cinnamon. Mmmmm. Churros) 

“Sur” is Spanish for “South”.

So I spent the last week in the “Big South” part of the Pacific coast just past Monterey, California.

There was no cell phone service.  No Wifi. There wasn’t even a television in the room!!!  What was a sock puppet to do for entertainment!?!  

But then I went outside and realized that I had the biggest high definition screen in the galaxy: nature!  And all I needed to do was open my button eyes.  

This is the longest and most scenic stretch of coastline in the lower United States! (Alaska has more...but Alaska is a lot colder!) 

Many famous American authors have written about and even lived here including John Steinbeck (my favorite), Jack Kerouac (rhymes with hairy back), and Henry Miller.  

Back in the olden times the hills were populated with grizzly bears! Now there are mountain lions, deer, fox, coyotes, and even wild boar.  (Mmmmm. Big Sur Bacon.) 

Three tribes of Native Americans—the Ohlone, Esselen, and Salinan—are the first known people to have inhabited the area.  They would traditionally eat mussels, abalone, and even otter.  I’ll stick to dryer sheets...and churros...and bacon.

Next up I’m headed to Las Vegas, Nevada.  Spanish for “Expensive Casino”.

I’ll write more soon!

Your friendly sock puppet

~Bobby Sock