It's a gaping hole in my U.S. travel experiences. Photo of Grand Canyon National Park courtesy of the National Park Service.
Last week I had drinks with a bunch of other travelish types. On the way there, the old nerves cropped up a bit. Get a gaggle of travel writers together and the conversation can turn competitive. Most know exactly how many countries and states and counties and tributaries they’ve visited and, yes, we do sit around discussing the oddest things we ever ate. (Mine: fried vein of cow udder in Sonora, Mexico. VERY bouncy.) I was feeling a bit off my game, hadn’t traveled all that much recently, and didn’t feel like playing what amounts to Travel Writer Risk.
But a funny thing happened on the way to my second bourbon. (Maker’s rocks. Thanks.) A bunch of us started talking about the places we hadn’t been in the U.S. The giant gaping holes in our closer-to-home travel experiences. It was fun. It felt like we were all admitting something a little dirty. I mean, a whole bunch of us hadn’t ever been to…wait for it…the Grand Canyon.
Thinking back on that conversation, I decided to make some travel resolutions. Normally, the whole New Year’s resolutions thing makes me cranky. I’m not a big fan of setting oneself up for failure. I’m perfectly capable of racking up failures without giving everybody I know advance notice of my plans. But with January just days away and my cross-country drive plans far from moving ahead, I might as well put a New Year’s resolutions spin on the whole shebang and, oh hell, toss in a few more.
So, my all-American travel resolutions for 2010:
1. Visit New Orleans. (Nope. Haven’t been. But I will admit that putting this on the list is pretty much like putting something on a to-do list after you’ve done it. My plane takes off for Louisiana at 6:30 a.m. on the 5th.)
2. Drive across the U.S. Live in Alaska for the summer. Drive back. (I will make this happen, dagnabit!)
3. Go to the Grand Canyon.
4. Go camping. (My family was not a camping family. But I think I could be a camping person. It’s time I got started. Got a tent I could borrow?)
5. Start my State Fair collection. I want to go to every State Fair. I haven’t been to any yet. (Yes. I know. I should be ashamed. Blah blah blah.)
6. See The Godfather. (OK, it’s not a travel resolution. But, really, a viewing is ridiculously overdue.)
OK, that’s enough for now. Any all-American travel resolutions on your list?
OK…I’m officially volunteering to be your personal tour guide at the Iowa State Fair. (Our state fair IS the best state fair! Don’t miss it, don’t even be late!)
I’ve only missed a couple in all my years, even after we moved to Georgia! It’s the BEST!
Thanks lady! I, Jenna Schnuer, take you up on your offer. That would be a blast. (I hope you like Ferris wheels cause I sure do. And I plan to ride every Ferris wheel I come across, like, 12 times. They’re so much better than rollercoasters.)
Oh but, be prepared for some debate out here over Iowa’s “best” ranking. Sophia loves her some Great State Fair of Texas.
GREAT post. I, too, shamefully have not been to the Grand Canyon. I also did not grow up camping. Took my first camping trip at 27 years old and got hooked. Now own all my own gear (including a tent for ya).
No time like the present to start checking new things off the list!
Why thankee Mike. Where has your camping love taken you? Are you a car camper type or a backpack camper?
It’s just absolutely ridiculous that I never went camping again after my family’s not-so-excellent outdoor adventure. (We were more of a hotel family.) I mean, seriously, it was 33 years ago. And I’ve been meaning to try it again every since. Must make it happen…
And, I should add (for everybody else–you already know this Mike)–Mike was one of the other people in the “I’ve never….” conversation. And I am going to out him on one thing I noticed he didn’t fess up to: he also hasn’t seen The Godfather.
I will bite my tongue because I applaud local state fair pride. We all are certain ours is the best. Once you finish your quest, you can do a compare and contrast.
I’ve camped in Wisconsin, Vermont and Puerto Rico thus far. Itching to do so much more. I grew up in a resort vacation family. Thankfully, camper friends too me under their wing and now I can do it on my own!
And yes, I have never seen the Godfather films. I have also never seen any of the Star Wars movies in their entirety.
I love the idea of a travel resolution list! I’ve never thought about it that way before. My mother does this…of sorts. She’s a travel agent. She’s planning Arizona, Wisconsin, Russia, Florida, New York for the Thanksgiving parade. My resolutions are visiting old faves: Spain and NYC. I love love love your state fair idea.
Kirsten — You mom’s list is a hoot. A bunch of U.S. states mixed in with a hearty dose of, oh, Russia. Give a shout when you make NYC a reality — we’ll meet up for some cawfee.
cawfee…DEF!
I’ve seen The Godfather a zillion times (and love it still) but I’ve never seen ET. Maybe I will someday but I’m just not terribly interested.
I feel the same way as Jenna about camping. Desperately want to add it to my travel repertoire. I’ve done it a handful of times and love it, but I’m a little intimidated. I think setting up the tent that scares me the most. I can imagine getting so tangled, I’d need the Jaws of Life to get me out of it.
The nice thing about specializing in the USA is that you can almost always win the travel writer one-upsmanship contest in that respect because so many travel writers go out of the country before they see America. Paul Theroux just did his first cross country drive. I mean, really!
Well, I’ve done some truly odd things and been to more little places than a lot of other people who don’t do as much U.S. stuff but, really, I have a lot of states left to sleep in. But, for the most part, I look on that more as an “excellent, look what’s ahead” sort of thing instead of a head-hanging-in-shame sort of thing.
30 years ago tents were difficult to put up. Modern ones are really easy – you can’t go wrong.
So I hear. I tried it once during a Becoming an Outdoorswoman weekend and did not distinguish myself. Although I wasn’t as bad at that as I was at the Land Navigation workshop.
Great list Jenna! Here’s mine:
1. Take the kids to Washington, DC and actually have a good time. We’ll never see everything, so we won’t even try.
2. Saddle up at a dude ranch, even though this trip will likely cost as much as a Lexus.
3. Ditto the Grand Canyon. I’ve been there; kids haven’t.
4. Go to Herkimer, New York to dig for the cool quartzite crystals there, despite the fact that it’s in the middle of nowhere.
5. See Great Sand Dunes National Park.
A fine list Jamie. If you need any dude ranch recommendations, give me and Sophia a shout (or just wander Flyover America)…we’re both way keen on horseback riding and dude ranches.
Happy travels (and please drop in to share your photos and travel tales)!
I’d really like to see the national parks – a multi-day hike in Yosemite is on the cards for this year.
Sounds excellent Caitlin. Have you planned it out yet or are you still in the dreaming/researching stage?
When you go to the Grand Canyon, be sure to include enough time to visit the North Rim, it’s my favorite side of the canyon. Then, head on up to Page to hike through Lower and Upper Antelope Canyons (both are slot canyons and make beautiful photography subjects).
On my list for 2010:
Road trip up the coast of California from Santa Barbara to San Francisco with additional time in the wine country.
Road trip from Tucson to Memphis, with probable stops in the hill country of Texas. Got any suggestions on must sees?
I agree about the North Rim … it’s gorgeous. You pretty much have to make a separate trip from the South Rim, though, unless you are really wandering.
I’ve heard great things about Antelope Canyons. I hope to get there someday, too.
I know the Hill Country pretty well and would be happy to make suggestions. (Gruene Hall for honky tonking, for one. Bandera for dude ranches for another. Austin because it’s a swell city.) I’ve also seen a decent amount of New Mexico. Please let us know as your route develops so we can put in our two cents!
Thanks Donna. I will definitely keep that Grand Canyon tip in mind. As for your road trip, I’ve got a few Hill Country ideas–though, when it comes to Texas, Sophia’s definitely the expert round these parts–and I’ll gather them up and post them for you. As for Memphis, was there a few years back and, again, will gather my thoughts there and post your way. There’s a place that serves amazing tempura gherkins–yes, tempura gherkins–that put all other fried pickles to shame (in my eyes) and I’ll dig the name up for you. It’s right near an old store that’s been turned into a cat shelter. So you walk by the window and there are just cats lazing about everywhere. It’s kind of excellent.
No I haven’t planned it out yet – it’s probably one for late spring.
The glaring hole for me, that I’m planning to take care of this year, is all the National Parks in southern Utah. I’ve been to Utah at least a dozen times for work, but never south of Salt Lake.
Glacier NP is also on my list.
And Alaska, the only state I haven’t visited. My wife says I have to get her to the rest of the lower 48 first though.
Wow, Chris, just one state left? I bow to you.
I’ve never been to Yosemite.
Another bow to you here. But when you’re ready for Alaska (or want help convincing your wife why it should move up on the list), give a shout! You know I love me some Alaska.
I like the state fair idea. I keep wanting to start a minor league / major league baseball tour, maybe 2010 should be the year.
Thanks Chris. And, ya on the baseball stadium tour. I’d nudge you toward the minor league idea — I just think that’d be more fun (and you would come away with the world’s best t-shirt collection:http://readflyoveramerica.com/2009/05/18/minor/). Stop back in and tell us how the plans go, k? Well, stop back in any old time, of course!
Great discussion! My family and I are Yellowstone-bound this summer. VERY excited about that trip.
Jamie – I loved Elk Mountain Ranch in Buena Vista, Colorado. Small with EXCELLENT customer service — just the loveliest owners and stafff. Combine it w/ a trip to Great Sand Dunes (and a stopover chez Williams in the mountains if you like!!).
Chris – We’re big fans of the Utah parks — Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce…. hitting a few in one trip makes an excellent adventure!
Kara — I love Yellowstone. I was there during a wintry bit–and was sort of proud to be one of the final diners of the season at one of W. Yellowstone’s best breakfast spots. Here’s a slideshow I posted a bit back: http://readflyoveramerica.com/2009/09/28/yellowstone/. I look forward to seeing your shots when you return. (And nice to see you out on Flyover America!)
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The Minnesota State Fair should be high on your list. Highlights include:
- Butter heads. Specifically, the heads of the Princess Kay of the Milky Way pageant contestants. Carved in butter.
- Elaborate works of art made from seeds (and which probably look incredibly tacky in any other context … but here, they’re AWESOME).
- All manner of deep-fried and/or on-a-stick foods, including alligator, spaghetti, and candy bars.
- Epic concerts by epic 1980s rock bands. So epic.
- Myriad ridiculous rides, displays of the latest farm implements, and salespersons demonstrating the incredible abilities of Ginsu knives.
- Theatrical performances by 4H groups (you have not lived until you have seen a sullen Goth teenager from rural Minnesota perform “Summer Nights” from “Grease”; true story).
- The absolute best people-watching you will ever encounter.
Doug — That all sounds beyond excellent. Thanks! My brain is already tumbling over the state fair idea–and I’m working up some plans for making it happen–and your post just revved it up another 37 notches. I’m all about the butter heads. (Oh, that would make a good band name, eh? All About the Butter Heads?) Anyway, thanks for posting. And I totally need to see the 4H theater productions–as a former 4Her myself, it tugs at m’heart strings. By the way, the Europe on Five Bad Ideas a Day site is beaut. Good stuff! http://www.douglasmack.net/europe.html
I would buy an album by All About the Butter Heads. I’m not sure what kind of music they’d play, but I’m certain I’d like it.
Also, just to whet your appetite, the full list of on-a-stick foods can be found here: http://www.mnstatefair.org/find/food/default.lasso (it’s the first category in the drop-down search list)
Thanks for the shout-out and link for the Europe on Five Bad Ideas a Day site!
I can’t even envision making a list other than this week’s grocery list, but I can key into yours:
1. Visit New Orleans. — I was there, briefly, in October. The Lower Ninth Ward still broke my heart. I look forward to reading your report.
2. Drive across the U.S. Live in Alaska for the summer. Drive back. (I will make this happen, dagnabit!) – Driving across the US is, IMO, overrated. There’s a lot of real spooky emptiness of things, places and people that once existed. I’ve never lived in Alaska but I’ve there every season but summer, and I love it.
3. Go to the Grand Canyon. – Been there several times. Looked down from the South Rim. Backbacked down the South Kaibab Trail, hiked up the North Rim, camped, and returned. Exhausting but WOW!
4. Go camping. – See above. Although it’s far harder, I’m willing to backpack. I’m less willing to car camp, tho’ I’ve done that too — in a tent, not a trailer or RV.
5. Start my State Fair collection.- Holler if you get to Colorado’s. It’s in Pueblo.
6. See The Godfather. – Why not just pretend you’ve seen it?
Claire @ http://www.travel-babel.com
I LOVE the spooky emptiness of things you see on a cross-country drive!
Great post & conversation..that brings back memories.
One precursor to our family open ended world tour, was a 6 month road trip I took in my 20’s in a tiny red fiat & a teeny pop-up tent. I still have fond memories of those adventures & places!
We left wintry Boston to Key West, then across the south including New Orleans & Big Bend State Park, saw the Grand Canyon and did the coast from San Diego to San Francisco. Met loads of great people & felt free.
I feel lucky that I grew up in a road-tripping & camping family and have enjoyed doing camping on my own. I get my crazy genes from my dad who would pull us out of school & drive us all 2 or3 times a winter from snowy Michigan to warm white beaches in Florida. Heaven!
I think camping is one of the best & cheapest ways to see the US …& Europe! LOVE the back roads, love being close to nature.
I’d love to add the Grand Canyon to our agenda this year because my daughter has not seen it yet, but we will see. My dad lives nearby, so maybe 2 birds with one stone?
She is also one of the few middle class California kids who has not seen Hawaii (nor have I, despite having relatives there!) so that is on agenda for sure, breaking up our trip to Asia.
We’re hoping to see Miami too, primarily so kidlet can meet a 4 year old cousin she has never met. He’s already had 4 open heart surgeries, so we don’t want to miss the opportunity to meet this little warrior who has been in our hearts and prayers.
We have 4 continents on our travels this year, so have limited time in US this year (mostly it’s to visit family & friends) but we still hope to do an extended road trip around US, Canada & Mexico some day.
I’ve seen many of the 50 states, but my child has not and there is so much beauty in our country, so many more special nooks to discover. So much to see, so little time. Don’t you wish you could clone yourself sometimes to explore more?
Ah, Alaska in summer! That sounds sweet and is on our list…but not this year. I’d love to see NOLA again too.
Happy New Year! Enjoy your great adventures coming up!
Thanks so much for the wonderful comment. You had a million great stories wound into one. Your kid is, indeed, lucky to have so many adventures already in her backpack and so many more to come. And, clearly, it is genetic…sounds like your dad got you off to a good start on the travel front.
A happy 2010 and great adventures to you (and your family), too!
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Theres many US states I haven’t been to. But the one I really want to see is Florida. After the cold snap is over, of course!