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Road Tripping Dreams

Have you ever gone to a favorite restaurant and been torn between ordering your favorite item on the menu and trying something new? That's how I feel when it's time to plan vacations. Spend more time in those places we loved or see someplace new?

These are the states I've visited.



 It looks like I've seen a lot of the United States, but  the map is deceptive; I've spent my life in the big states. Other than Disney World in Florida and Washington, DC, I've never seen the East Coast and somehow never made it to California. I have changed planes in Minnesota, New Jersey, and Oregon, but airports don't count. (Although Portland airport included an excellent meal and the view of sailboats, so it's almost a visit). And I suppose I was technically in Virginia during that trip to DC. So officially, I've touched land in half the states.

 I've seen the wide-open spaces of Big Bend in Texas, the stalactites and stalagmites in Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, and incredible rock formations in Sedona, Arizona and Bryce Canyon in Utah. We honeymooned in Yellowstone, hiked in Montana, snorkeled in Hawaii, and raised a family in Alaska. I love spending time in all these places.

 But, I've never seen the autumn leaves in New England. I've never been to Gettysburg, or Williamsburg, or Charleston. I've never visited the San Diego Zoo, or the La Brea Tar Pits, or the redwoods. Then there's Hoover Dam, and the City of Roses, and New Orleans. And that's just off the top of my head.

 And there's a whole world out there. I've only visited five countries outside the United States, and there are at least a dozen more I'd like to see. In fact, it won't be long before travel isn't limited to this world. Space tourism is coming.

 So if I'm going to fit all those amazing trips into one lifetime, I'd better start planning some trips. How about you? Where are you planning to travel this year?
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Comments

  1. abnormalalienFebruary 9, 2017 at 4:48 AM

    This last October, the hubby and I took 2 weeks "home." Which actually means we drove a large circuit of NYS. If you're into outdoorsy stuff, the Adirondacks are wonderful. Unfortunately, I'm living away from home now so on the off chance I get a vacation, we go home. But sometimes I travel for school; this year it's New Orleans. Someday though, I'd love to poke around the states. Hawaii is on my list, as is the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beth CarpenterFebruary 9, 2017 at 6:40 AM

    Yes, Niagara Falls and the Adirondacks are definately on my list. I've heard how gorgeous the hardwood forests and countryside are in NYS. Hope you have a wonderful time sightseeing and tasting in New Orleans as well doing your business. Do get to Hawaii if you have the chance. Maybe it's the contrast with Alaska, but I think Hawaii is incredible. Every island has a wet junglish side and a dry sunny side with a mountain in the middle and beaches all around the edges. On the Big Island, the volcano is still somewhat active.

    ReplyDelete
  3. S.B. HouseFebruary 9, 2017 at 12:49 PM

    I just love to road trip. I've made it a goal to visit 17 states in 2017, already spent a weekend in Virginia. Of course, the East Coast is easy for me (living in Pennsylvania). The big trip is going to be this fall; driving to Phoenix to visit my sister.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beth CarpenterFebruary 9, 2017 at 2:41 PM

      Seventeen in one year? Wow! You are a traveler.

      Delete
    2. S.B. HouseFebruary 10, 2017 at 3:48 AM

      Yeah, my husband and I are big on going for long drives. Once we turned a 2 hr. drive home from a family vacation into an 8 hr. loop just to have lunch in Ohio. But it was a gorgeous day, and we got to wind our way through the mountains of West Virginia, and the rolling hills of southern Pennsylvania (we don't take many interstates).

      Delete
    3. Beth CarpenterFebruary 10, 2017 at 7:02 AM

      You must love your car time. I tend to get tired of dealing with traffic after a few hours, but I do enjoy driving through scenic areas. I'm looking forward to that self-driving car they keep promising.

      Delete
    4. S.B. HouseFebruary 10, 2017 at 9:08 AM

      We end up making a lot of pit stops. Whenever there's a good view, a state park with a lake, a unique looking coffee shop or book store, a cemetery with interesting monuments... also, state forests usually have dirt roads that can be fun drives if you have a vehicle that can handle some light off-roading. Our drives are usually very unplanned.

      Delete
    5. Beth CarpenterFebruary 10, 2017 at 9:12 AM

      Those are the kinds of trips I love, with time to read the historical monuments and stop at all the scenic overlooks. And I do like old cemetaries. I'll bet you have lots of interesting ones in the east.

      Delete
    6. S.B. HouseFebruary 10, 2017 at 9:14 AM

      Oh yeah, and you can't go far without passing some civil war sign, marker, monument, battlefield...

      Delete

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