Life is too short...: January 2015

As far as travel is concerned, I have been very fortunate. As a kid, my family would go on vacations every year allowing me to experience new places within and outside of my home states of California and Nevada. Then, as a teenager and young adult, basketball took me all over the country giving me tiny glimpses into parts of the west, northwest, south, midwest, southeast, and east. Getting a taste of what my country had to offer made exploring the U.S. and its national parks something I always wanted to do.

I told myself I would do it the summer after high school, but I found other things to do. Then I said I would do it after college, but I decided to go to physical therapy school instead. After a year, I dropped out of PT school, worked for a few months, and then became a grad assistant coaching college basketball and working toward a masters degree in education. "Real life" began and the thought of traveling around the States became "silly, childish, and irresponsible". It would just have to wait until... I had less responsibilities? I had a steady career and income? I was settled? I retired? I didn't know what I had to wait for, just that I had to wait. There were so many reasons why now was not a good time; i.e. I had to work, I was too busy, I didn't have time, I didn't have money, etc.

In January 2009, I decided to take a road trip to the Grand Canyon. I was only gone for a few days, but it sparked something inside of me. So, about a month later I drove up Pacific Coast Highway to Monterey. I loved the freedom of just getting in the car and going, with no specific plan in mind. Whatever I felt like doing, I did. Wherever I wanted to stop, I stopped. Whenever I got the urge to change course, I went in a new direction. It was another short excursion, but it made me realize that all I was doing before was making excuses. If going on a road trip around the United States was something I really wanted, then I should do whatever it takes to make it happen. Life is too short to wait!

Finally in June 2009, I stopped making excuses, I cut all my ties and responsibilities, and I left San Diego on a road trip around the United States. I didn't really know where I was going or how long it would take. I just knew there was stuff out there I hadn't yet seen, so I set out to see it all. It took me about 6 months to make a giant loop around the United States. And then for the following year I took many more, smaller road trips seeking out other parts of America I hadn't yet experienced. It was one of the best things I ever did!

I know years have passed, but I have a blog now, so I can share some of my trip with you.

Here's an overview of the major areas I explored during that year and a half: