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.

Canada 2015!

It's true that I have a LONG list of places I would like to see and experience while I have the opportunity. But, for the most part I pick a travel destination within a year of my planned departure. I like it that way; little research, little planning, just go. Suffice it to say, next year's adventure is an exception. I have known where I wanted to be in the summer of 2015 for the last four years; since the summer of 2011. That place is at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada. No other options exist. The rest of the world doesn't exist. All there is is Canada. And all I want to do is cheer on the greatest team in world, the U.S. Women's National Team, to gold.

Who's with me??? I'm serious! I won't only be watching games but hopefully road-tripping all over Canada and I'm always open to having travel buddies for a day(s), week(s), or month(s). The Women's World Cup Draw is on December 6, 2014 and the World Cup begins on June 6, 2015!

Autumn Road Trip

Just because I chose to return to the States doesn't mean I was ready to stop exploring. There is so much beauty in our own backyard and I've never had a problem finding new places to check out. Plus, places I have been before, whether it has been once or hundreds of times, can look and feel completely different each time I visit. Here's a rough outline (in black) of the route that I took.

 My adventures included...

a smoky day on the Five Lakes trail in the north Lake Tahoe area,

a return (15+ years after my first ascent) to the top of Job's Peak in the south Lake Tahoe area,

the wilderness and beauty of eastern Oregon,

Washington's scenic highways and byways,

Idaho's panhandle and Craters of the Moon,

a drive down Utah's Highway 89,

the north rim of the Grand Canyon,

Yosemite National Park (even without its magnificent waterfalls it's still one of my favorites),

 and many more.

Click here to see more photos of Five Lakes, Job's Peak, and the rest of my Autumn Road Trip.