These United States of America have wonderful treasures of expansive scenery, historical sites, but most of all, our people with our collective energy and patriotism. I'm making a list of our fifty states and noting which ones I need to explore. In front of me, propped up on my desk, is the National Geographic 2006 map of "The United States."
Let's see: east of the mighty Mississippi River, the only states I have not physically set foot in are Iowa, Minnesota, and Vermont. FYI: I am not including states like Arizona, which I have only stopped in at an airport (Phoenix). Besides my home state of Kentucky, the states I know best are Virginia and North Carolina. Indeed, my car could probably drive east on I-64 to Norfolk by itself!
West of the Mississippi, I've visited Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas at different times. On the west coast, there was one trip to Washington last year and many to California, including a visit to Nevada, when my beloved parents lived there. And my trip to Hawaii several weeks ago is so fresh in my mind that I dumped out even more Hawaii sand from my beach shoes at Lake Cumberland this week!
When I break it down this way, it doesn't seem like such an enormous wish to want to visit every state. What is left to visit: Iowa, Minnesota, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Alaska. That's a total of 14 states left out of our 50 states.
Speaking of Alaska, my parents took a cruise there once upon a time. They had cruised and traveled all over the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Europe, with an annual Hawaiian cruise on their December 26th Wedding Anniversary. I asked mom, "Which one was yuour very favorite cruise?" She didn't even have to think on this. Mom immediately replied, "Alaska! You can't imagine how beautiful it is." I hope I may go there also.
It is not too early to begin thinking about a big trip for next summer. . .or several big trips!
Just as the AAA travel agent didn't hesitate an instant when I asked for help with my journey from Lexington, Kentucky, to Florida, through Alabama and Mississippi to New Orleans, Louisiana, then to Texas, next home through Arkansas and Tennessee with a side trip to Hanceville, Alabama, I don't expect there would be a problem with a long trip west.
In two separate trips, Ive driven the length of I-95, on the east coast, as far north as Portland, Maine, and as far south as Port St. Lucie, Florida. I would really like to wander up the west coast on I-5 and US-101.
Will keep you posted as plans unveil in the coming months!
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