The road ahead leads deeper into America.
Oh boy, I knew exactly what Jenna was talking about when she described gatherings of travel writers. I call it the Commander McBragg syndrome. I always lose that game. I’ve never even been to Nepal.
I’ve seen more places than many people but not nearly as many as others. I hope to see more of the world before I’m done.
But something funny (not funny haha) happened to me earlier this year. As my husband merged our rented PT Cruiser onto the highway in Albuquerque at the start of a week-long road trip, I had a thrill of anticipation and realized that nothing makes me happier than hitting the road to look for America. That’s how my travel life started and I have come full circle back to it. I see my road ahead in the new decade winding ever more deeply into the geography and psyche of America.
I’ve seen a lot of our nation, more than many Americans, but I’ve only just begun. I hardly know the deep South (an upcoming trip to Savannah will help). Much of the middle of America remains mysterious to me. I yearn to know Nebraska and I’m consumed with curiosity about North Dakota.
And I’m ready to move on to some deep cuts. I’ve seen the Grand Canyon many times from the rim; now I want to raft it. I once spent about an hour in Baxter State Park in Maine (after a verrrrry long day of driving) and long to return and really see it. I’ve been to West Virginia twice; it’s a diamond in the rough that I need to know better.
I’m not making resolutions about where I’ll go and what I’ll see this year. Life has been complicated and stressful for several years and I’m not putting any unnecessary pressure on myself right now. My resolution is to permit myself to focus on the U.S.A.—which feels both exciting and like a relief. The world is so big … I probably won’t ever make it into the Century Club or come out on top with the Commander McBragg contingent. But I can get to know one place well, from sea to shining sea.
I look forward to having a fresh, shiny new decade in which to do it.
Sounds like a great plan for the coming year. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year ladies! Good luck on the non-resolutions.
Thanks Chris! And back at ya. I look forward to hearing more of your travel tales in 2010.
Thanks, Chris, and Happy New Year to you, too! Where will you travel to this year?
I’m planning a trip to the southwest in late spring. I’ve got to clear up that southern Utah probably after all!
I want to hit the Wyoming/Montana part of the country at the end of the summer, along with a couple of Canadian provinces I haven’t seen. That will also bring my wife to 49 states visited, so then we can plan a trip to Alaska.
I’m also hoping to get a do-over on a trip to central Mexico in December. We had planned it this past December, and then, you know, there was this whole recession thing. For the record, being a small business owner in a recession is really hard.
Chris — If you swing through Sonora, Mexico at all, skip the fried vein of cow udder. Really.
Well I was really looking forward to some fried vein of cow udder, but if you say skip it I guess I’ll skip it.
1. Commander McBragg reference? McAwesome. Okay, I hate myself just a little bit for that remark. Just a little bit.
2. One of the true highlights of my year was seeing America, the middle bits. The midwest turned out to be an incredible place to travel with great food, friendly locals, all the amazing stories and adventures that ANY good adventure offers. I LOVED crossing Iowa and the Dakotas inspired me. So here’s to your non-resolution being successful.
3. I haven’t been to South America. Or Africa. Or China. The list of places I haven’t been goes on and on.
Yeah, that’s the problem with the world. It’s too big. There are always too many places we haven’t been,