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There's a terrific book called 1000 Places To See Before You Die which highlights some of the most unusual, fascinating, important, and scenic places on the planet. It's a great book to flip through to construct a bucket list of travel.
But let's get real. No one has time to see 1000 places before they die. Maybe a pilot or flight attendant or a travel writer might, over the course of a 30-year career. But you and I could probably count on seeing closer to fifty destinations if we're really enthusiastic about travel.
Our bucket lists have to be constructed with care if we're really serious about them. Time and money are both limited resources. Which places are really going to be worth it?
One last road trip for me
I will probably have relocated overseas in a year's time. But, of course there will be visits back to America, and beyond visiting my hometown, I've been thinking recently about where else in my own country I would like to spend my precious and limited traveling time.
Several years ago my mother and I went on a road trip all the way from Cleveland, Ohio through New Mexico and Arizona and we also went through Texas and Tennessee on our way back. I was so taken by the wide-open blue skies of Albuquerque, that I limited my job search to that city and eventually wound up living there for four years.
From Albuquerque, my mother and I drove out to Sedona, Arizona,, and the north rim of the Grand Canyon, where we camped for five nights. Those were the best two road trips of my life.
Road trips are filled with such possibilities, aren't they? You can stick to your itinerary or you can add new stops along the way. As long as you don't make any hotel reservations, which you shouldn't, you're free to adjust your trip along the way. And so, looking forward to the end of the lockdowns and travel restrictions, I’ve started to piece together a plan for what may my last major road trip in America.
I've seen quite a bit of America already simply by way of the places that I have called home: Cleveland, Boston, Maryland/DC, Albuquerque, Los Angeles, Madison, small-town Minnesota, and Chicago. I'm glad for all these experiences, but my road trip, for the most part, will be all about seeing the new.
My big fat final road trip
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
I've already been to Martha's Vineyard twice over 25 years ago. Loved, loved, loved it. The second time, I went camping with three of my roommates, pretty far out of the main towns. It would have been a crazy long walk to get to town. So, we hitchhiked and we actually got rides on two consecutive days! There's almost nowhere in the country that I would be willing to do that. And for people to pick up the four of us! Nice!
This time around, I'd like to branch out and see those parts of the Cape that I missed: Nantucket, Provincetown, Hyannis, Falmouth, Yarmouth (pirate museum!) have been on my bucket list for many years.
Providence Rhode Island
Since I'm starting in New England, I glanced at a map to see what I should be including. I had a vague recollection of reading something positive about Providence. Here it is. Just the fact that the city was founded by dissenters escaping Puritanism in Massachusetts was enough to pique my interest.
Also, the older I get, the more interest I take in small cities and towns. I like the walkability of them, the likelihood of running into people that you know in the main streets (I really liked that when I lived in Madison). I also like the visuals of this city. Yes, there are a few skyscrapers, but also a lot of charming architecture - definitely worth a stop while I'm in New England.
Montpelier, Vermont (and Burlington)
Not every place on this list is going to be a superstar tourist city. Montpelier just came to my attention because it became part of a major recent phenomenon in America. Cities big and small are paying people to move to them - anywhere from $2,000 to $15000 to relocate to their city for at least two years.
Some have requirements - maybe they want tech workers. Some had extreme limitations - the money has to go toward homeownership. But if you are chosen for Montpelier and move there as a remote worker, they'll give you 5K for 2 years running. That goes up to 7.5K for two straight years if you get a local job. Yes, I'm intrigued. And then, I looked at the photos. Very pretty historical architecture, which is a must for me. Got to check it out.
Woodstock, New York State
No, I'm not revisiting my past. I’m too young to be an old hippie (I'm 58.) I just read an article recently about the Woodstock real estate (nothing I can afford.) The city was charming, rustic, and artsy - possibly a good model of what I'll be looking for in the senior years to come (although I'm not there yet!) Road trips are a good time to indulge in whimsical curiosity. Woodstock, it is.
Montauk, New York State
My only vivid impression of the Hamptons is what I was taught about it from Sex and the City. Pretentious, crowded, with annoying wealthy people and annoying tourists who like to gawk at them.
But apparently, further afield there's a corner of the Hamptons that is nature-blessed, low-key, and chill. There’s an area there called the Walking Dunes that I’d like to check out. I love a good dune. Montauk makes the list.
Nashville, Tennessee
I'm not a country music fan. So, this wasn't an obvious choice for me. But, two years ago, Old Town Road and The Git Up hit the music charts and I was hooked and excited about the potential of country rap. So excited, that I was inspired to write my first country rap song. I think my lyrics are pretty cool if I do say so myself. But I need a partner who’s strong on the music end of things. Nashville might be the ideal place to look for a collaborator - and later on, we might be able to work remotely. I know. Big crazy far-fetched dreams – we're all entitled to them. Nashville will get a full week.
Disneyworld and Universal Studios, Florida
Okay, it's a cliche. And expensive. And I will probably have a blast. I lived in Los Angeles for seventeen years and went to Disneyland about four or five times, so, yeah, this is my idea of a good time. I think I'd want to go to each park for two days apiece. This is also the one destination that I might recruit family or friends to come join me. I do have a grown niece who has two boys. I also have a friend out in LA who jumped out of a plane for her recent birthday. So, I don't think I'd have a problem finding a volunteer.
Saint Augustine. Florida
I don't really like modern cities with their skyscrapers and uninspired strip malls. I do love old historical cities and St Augustine promises to tick all the bells. They claim the status of America's oldest city and their Spanish mission style reminds me a bit of my years in New Mexico and Southern California - very satisfying.
Key West, Florida
An overcrowded, touristy spot, admittedly. The town will be filled with kitschy nautical and pirate-themed restaurants and bars - fishing nets, parrots, tropical colors, and a fierce peg-legged statue greeting you at the door.
As luck would have it, I'm a sucker for the pirate kitsch.
And then, there are all the Ernest Hemingway spots. I'm a writer and I love visiting the homes of writers and artists that have been turned into museums. So while I don't think I could ever live in such an overtouristed place, Key West has been sitting on my bucket list for quite a long time.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Such a unique city. But it almost didn't make my list, primarily because of the crime statistics. And the hurricanes. But mostly it's the crime that gives me pause. But by now, you know what a sucker I am for great architecture, not to mention my interest in seeing a live music scene that might be as much fun as Nashville's. I have to make my way from Florida to the Southwest. How could I not check out The Big Easy?
Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, Utah
I'm going to count this as a single location because I'm going to probably have a single base camp for both of them. Over two decades ago, my mother and I camped for 5 days on the north rim of the Grand Canyon and we and we meant to spend a bit of time at Zion, but only managed a couple of hours. (When you only get a few weeks vacation, even road trips have their limit.) I'd love to spend at least two days at each Park and maybe more. They feel like two of the best spots in the Southwest, and for this beautiful desert corner of the world, that's saying quite a lot.
Bisbee, Arizona
I first heard of Bisbee over twenty-five years ago when I was fixated on moving to the Southwest, and Arizona was a big consideration. More recently, I came across a list of the coolest small towns in America and I had another look. Very artsy, quirky, and super touristy. But in a way that I would get a kick out of. I like places that play up Old West designs and frontier history. Sarsaparilla in the saloon? I'm there! A town filled with artists? That I'd like to see.
Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada
Because if I had all the money in the world, I'd love to spend my summers in a spacious lakeside cabin, learn how to kayak, and spend my days writing by the water and throwing a monthly BBQ for local friends. Oh, and weekly trips to the casino, as I do love a good Texas No-Limit Hold'em tournament. Writing, community, water, and poker. Sounds fantastic.
The California Coast
I live in Los Angeles for seventeen years but never made it far from the city. I had three incredibly old cars back-to-back for sixteen years and there were many times when they just didn't feel roadworthy for a long trip (ask me how many times I've sat next to a tow truck driver!) I did manage to see Santa Barbara, Hearst Castle, take multiple trips to Disneyland, but not much else. But I always wanted to do a drive up the coast, and since I have to get from the Southwest up to the Pacific Northwest, it's a great opportunity to take it all that coastal scenery.
The San Juan Islands, Washington State
This will be my first trip to this Pacific Northwest. But Seattle and Portland are not the big draws for me (that's how done I am with big cities.) But these islands are a different kind of living. I once did a bit of research on them because they were the location of a writers’ retreat I once took an interest in. There's just something about the island life- a very chill, small community feel, but with some energy and creativity. I might bring along a little work with me and create my own writer’s retreat. If I get in a productive groove, I can see staying a whole week. Especially since this is where my trip ends.
That was a long ride
Whew, that was fun! Part of the beauty of a road trip is the planning and the anticipation. This is a trip that I really want to take. I highly recommend that you put together your own road trip list, even if it will be a while before you can hit the road. Because we all need something big to look forward to.
How long will my trip take? At least six weeks, but perhaps eight if I stop to get some writing done along the way. And why not? This might make for a dozen good travel articles.
It also might be an ideal time to experience van life if I can find a convenient rental. Otherwise, it will be six to eight weeks of motel life, which wouldn't bother me but would be pricier.
Some of these destinations may live up to the hype and I'm sure many will fall short. That's to be expected. Some things you need to see and feel for yourself.
And while I'll never want to do this entire trip a second time, there is likely to be (at least) one favorite that calls me back for a second date. I wonder which one it will be.
BTW I did say that I was focusing on places that I've never been to before, but if you think I could pass the Grand Canyon or Vegas without stopping by, think again!
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