Travel Goals

1. Climb to Everest Base Camp.
2. Climb Mt Kilimanjaro.
3. Learn to Scuba Dive.
4. Visit every continent.
5. See the Galapagos Islands.
6. Sail down the Amazon River.
7. Climb Ayer's Rock.
8. Ride the Trans-Siberian.
9. Go into space.
10. Go wild at La Tomintina.
11. See the sunrise from Mt. Fuji.
12. Gaze at Borobudor.
13. Visit the Pyramids
14. Safari in East Africa.
15. Go to the World Cup!
16. See Machu Picchu.
17. Join the Century Club.
18. Visit Antarctica.
19. Do development work.
20. See Petra Jordan.
21. Backpack the Eastern Block.
22. See the Northern Lights.
23. Vegas Baby! Vegas!
24. Greek Island hop.
25. Cycle Tuscany.
26. Visit India.
27. Lounge in the Seychelles.
28. See Morocco.
29. Oktoberfest!
30. Caravan across the Sahara.
31. Visit Tibet.
32. Fly first class.
33. Go to Israel.
34. Carnival!!!!
35. Mardi Gras!
36. Cannes Film Festival.
37. Sundance Film Festival.
38. Eat a sushi meal at NOBU
39. Pacific Island hop.
40. Spend a night in the Ice Hotel.
41. See Glacier National Park.

Book Your Travel Here!!

As a kid, my family went on the obligatory roadtrips to various states but we never went far off the east coast of America. Prior to my solo roadtrip, I had only been west of Mississippi to go to LA for a layover. This would be my first real trip around my nation. I didn’t know what to expect when I left. I was going to areas only had preconceived notions about- the redneck south, the boring Midwest, the beautiful West, and the barren, fire prone southwest. Yet driving around shattered many conceived notions and instead made new notions of each of these little areas nations. I learned a lot over these past two months on the road.

I learned that you never realize how big the country is until you plan a trip across it. You see its size on the map but you can’t imagine it until you hop in your car and drive 700 miles to your next destination and are still in the same state. The size of America itself is amazing!

I learned that the American South isn’t so bad. I learned that it has some good cities, good food, and good people. I called it the backwater of our nation and that was unfair. Sure, there are still aspects of it I don’t like but overall, I was surprised that by the time I left, I knew I’d like to go back.

I learned that Colorado is my favorite state. I loved that state- the nature, the cities, and the people. Out of all the places I’ve been too, this is the one place I’d consider moving to. It had everything might heart desired (as long as I can migrate to warmer weather in the winter!)

I learned that the southwest isn’t so barren. (There’s forests there!) If you have never been to Arizona or New Mexico, I suggest you go there. It’s beautiful. The Grand Canyon, Sedona, Santa Fe, Carlsbad, the landscape- all of it (except Phoenix) is quite amazing. While I wouldn’t want to live there (maybe retire), going there turned this area into my favorite section of the country. I can’t wait to explore its forests, deserts, and canyons again. There is much more out there than retirement communities and golf.

I learned that I can get over my fears, hike 50 miles, and travel alone. I learned that I could learn. I survived two months on the road by myself. I met people, I navigated cities, and I made friends all over the country. I learned that if I can do it here, I can do it overseas.

I learned random things like New Orleans, Savannah, and Charleston are the best cities in the US. That Carl’s Jr. has the best fast food. Waffle House hash browns are a gift from God. You can fake a Tazmanian accent because Americans never travel. Southern sweet tea isn’t all its cracked up to be but southern cooking is. New Orleans has amazing music. International visitors think the US has some of the friendliest people in the world and I would have to agree. And always read your map- otherwise you could miss your exit and end up in the wrong state!

Most importantly though, I learned that, in the famous words of Le Monde, we are all Americans. I have a new appreciation for my countrymen and a new empathy for them. I may not like them all or agree with their opinions, but at the end of the day, I know we’re the same- there is no great difference between us. America is a diverse nation yet the one thing I noticed about this country, despite our political and cultural differences, we are the same. Day to day, we live the same lives, share the same hopes, dreams, fears, and stresses. We all want the economy to do well, our children to have good education, and our politicians to lead. All the debate about politics, religion, and the world are trivial when viewed from our common being.

Yet at the same time, it is easy to notice all the differences when you travel. There are glaring cultural differences from area to area, state to state, and city to city- from the slowness of the south, to the fast pace of the east coast, to the cowboys of the west, and to the small towns of the cornbelt. This great dichotomy between sameness and diversity is really what makes this country great and what really made a lasting impression on me. To borrow a phrase from South Asia, Americans are all “same same but different.”

5 Responses to “Things I Learned Traveling Across America”

1. Anonymous on June 3rd, 2008 3:18 am

   Great article matt! Nice pictures.

   i’ve had a lot of road trips over the last couple years throughout the U.S. I love the diversity that is our country and its vast land!
   My favorite is Yellowstone! I camped out there for a week one year and it was awesome! It’s not just the national park itself, but just the drive in and drive out of the park just put me in awe of the landscapes.

2. Tanya on June 3rd, 2008 12:14 pm

   This post made me want to take a road trip! And it made me a little homesick too.

3. Nomadic Matt on June 3rd, 2008 12:42 pm

   @anon: I have never been to yellostone but I hear it’s lovely. I really enjoyed the rocky mountain national park.

   @tanya: sorry

4. Monna on June 3rd, 2008 8:11 pm

   This post is really poetic, Matt. Thanks for the glimpses of America.

5. Karie on June 4th, 2008 10:19 pm

   Well said! I met someone while traveling abroad that said she thought the one thing that all Americans have in common is that we are all patriotic, no matter what. I don’t know if she meant it as a compliment, but I took it as one. It’s nice to appreciate each other’s differences but still have that common ground.

Got something to say?

Name (required)

Email Address (required)

Website

Speak your mind