Exploring America

Posted bydtravelsroundPosted in30 Life CrisisTags:, , , , , , , , , , ,

So, what does one do after making the decision to leave America and become an expat?

Plan an epic, massive, awesome road trip.

That’s right.

My time as a Las Vegan is coming to a bittersweet end in a mere few days (the movers come Monday, June 11). Then, I’m off on a cross-country road trip adventure before I head to Thailand and Elephant Nature Park.

Who is coming along for the ride?

First, Dave, of What’s Dave Doing, will be joining me.

He arrives Sunday to Las Vegas and gets to deal with an emotional D for a few days. (Yes, I feel bad but he has promised alcohol to take the sting of leaving my cats and driving north on 15.)

Where are we going?

No trip through the gorgeous southwest is complete without a stop in Utah at one of the stunning national parks. For this journey, we are parking it for two nights in Zion.

I’ve lived in the area for a total of five-plus years, so Zion isn’t new to me. But, it is to Dave! While I’m not going to be doing any death defying Angel’s Landing adventures, I do plan on re-visiting this gorgeous enclave of nature … and chilling by our hotel’s pool for a bit.

Then, we’re off to Colorado and TBEX — with a stopover to chill out in Denver and possibly drink some Fat Tire.

After getting some travel blogger conference time in, Dave and I will part ways and the passenger seat will open up to one of my favorite travel bloggers in the universe, Erica from Over Yonderlust.

#WinosontheRoad

Like Dave, we’ve never actually met in person, but through e-mail and phone conversations, I know I already adore the girl.

After Colorado, we are heading to Omaha (someplace in middle America, you’re welcome), then Chicago to see one of my best travel girls, Katie, and to make sure Erica crosses off “eating a hot dog” in the Windy City from her bucket list.

From Chicago, we are going to bop on down to Louisville, Kentucky to spend a few days with a good friend of mine, don fascinators and check out the Churchill Downs and even embark on a little bourbon tour.

Then, we’re in the home stretch and headed to Maryland to drop off my car, go sailing with my dad and raise a glass in our nation’s capitol.

What does this mean for the site? Well, for the next few weeks, as I pack, move and road trip it, there will be some guest posts to entertain. Then, once I’m back in the 301, it will be back to a more normal routine again! And, likely, tales of our epic adventures!

Want to follow along on the journey? Be sure to check out #winosontheroad on Twitter, Instagram and our blogs.

Have you done a cross-country road trip through America? Any places we should stop along the way? Leave a comment below and share your story!

 

Published by dtravelsround

Awakening the soul while traveling ... a story of being on the cusp of adulthood.

25 thoughts on “Exploring America”

  1. Sounds like a great adventure! I can’t think of a better way to spend your last few weeks in the States. I’ll be doing a cross-country trip myself in September as I drive from PA to CA!

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  5. Road trips are sweet, but when you travel with cool peeps, they really ARE EPIC.

    For your NEXT American road trip check out: Flagstaff, AZ, Austin, TX, Savannah, GA, Portland, OR, – for quaint/cool urban stops. DC, Philly are favorite stops of ours as well in addition to the biggies: NYC & SF!

    THEN, if you like kitche/Americana; Graceland in Memphis, the President Heads in Houston, Salvation Mt. at Slab City, Big foot in the Northwest, Hike to the Hollywood sign in LA, see Coney Island and walk the Brooklyn Bridge . Middle America and the South West are all littered with crazy road side attractions.Giant bugs, giant chairs, mini museums, giant Jesus statues (not just in Brazil), land locked lighthouses… real ‘Rednecks’ on rt. 66 in Ok…

    Camp in the Ozarks (Arkansas) – amazing natural springs! See Yosemite (CA) or just below in Kings Canyon (less touristy /no res needed). Mt. Shasta and the Redwoods are good summer camp spots too!

    Drives: California Coast (Start in Big Sur) up through the Oregon coast (all the way to Astoria – where The Goonies was filmed) That drive is out of this world! Oh and the Red Rocks in northern Arizona and Utah drive/hike/bike there, too. Drive from upstate New York to DC in the fall for very nice view of the changing colors.

    See monuments AT NIGHT – across the board. Empire State (NYC) Bld @ 2am. Lincoln Mem. (DC) after dark, Mt. Rushmore (SD) lit up at night.

    So much to see and just not enough time!
    Cheers, Jeanette

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    1. Jeanette, this is great!! I’ve been through Flagstaff, and am from DC. 🙂 The Americana tour sounds like a lot of fun! Will pull this back up for the next road trip I take!! 🙂

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  6. Sounds like a fun road trip! I haven’t seen much of the middle of the US, though I did once drive from Atlanta to the Grand Canyon with some friends. I-10 through southern Texas is creepy at night. Anyway, I hope you’re having a great time!

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