Where I've been

And what I like about it

Published on November 8, 2004 By ZubaZ In Travel

It's funny how red and blue states have been so in the news in the US lately and here I am contributing to the whole thing. But these red states are the ones I claim as notches on my steering wheel. And the blue ones, targets in my future.

The rules for claiming a state are easy for me (Your rules may be harder or easier. That's OK, it's your world, be happy).
1) Lay-overs in airports don't count. I must leave the airport complex and visit the city.

2) Driving to/through a state to mark a state off violates the spirit of the count and therefore does not count.

3) Unlike what some politicians in the US might think, flying over a state does not count. Keep flying.

I drove through most of those states. That's the only way to really get a sense of who lives there and what they are about. Before I became vegaterian I made an effort to go to the local eateries and sample the local fare. Sit with the people you know. Buy the local paper. I still try, but find myself eating more in chains. Although, now that I have a family, we stop at lots of town squares and public greens and playgrounds in the small towns we pass through. Kids are kids and make freinds everywhere we go. I get to meet some parents. It's good.

Favorite states:
Montana - From what my daughter says the Rockie don't compare to the Alps. But she's only 15 and I'm still jealous of her seeing the Alps so we won't count her opinion. Montana is amazing. The colors sem so much mor vivid there than anywhere else I have seen in the US.
California - I ahve only been in San Francisco and San Jose/Capitola. This state gets my nod as a favorite because of San Francisco. I love small cities that yo u can walk around in and that have things worth walking to.
Massachusetts - This is in the list because of Boston. Same reasons as above.

Unlikely states worth seeing:
The Dakotas, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona. Lots of desolation in these states. Rocks and sand and fire damage. But the beauty in the starkness . . wow.

Great rest stop states: Texas and Illinois. Clean, good playgrounds. Wisconson rest stop story interlude - We had just crossed over to WI from IL and I was bored. So I go into the rest stop and am standing there "resting." A gentleman comes in and stands next to to me. The "Imp of the Perverse" alights on my shoulder and whispers in my ear. I take his heed and turn to the guy next to me and say with an impish (of course) smile, "Hey! Are you the new guy?" {wink}. Nervouse look from him and a quick retreat. I smiled all the way to Green Bay.

Best camping states: Alabama and Virginia

Books to read:
Travels with Charley - John Steinbeck
Lost Continent - Bill Bryson

Favorite travel site and associated book (although, when I started travelling on my own it was only the book): Roadside America

I'm hoping to get up to the New England states sometime soon . . but it's hard to do so without violating rule 2. We'll see. I have time. create your own personalized map of the USA or write about it on the open travel guide<

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