USA Road Trips

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:

I took thousands of photos and if you are interested you can view them all using the link below. Here are some to get you started:

Open Roads and Open Spaces

National and State Parks and Forests

 

Colorful Sunsets

 

Places of Historical Significance

Amazing Architecture

Beaches

Waterfalls

 and much, much more.

Click here to see more photos of my American Road Trips in 2009.
Click here to see more photos of my American Road Trips in 2010.