The state of the road trip is in need of a All-American come back. From the mountains to the prairies, and yes, those oceans white with foam (gross), the great USofA has everything you need for your next travel extravaganza. Now, I'll let you know where I'm coming from; I often find myself going down tangential internet quests looking at the most exotic places across the globe, scheming and planning how I can get myself into those unknown corners. But you see, I don't have to go half way across the globe to see true beauty, to experience another culture, and to even scratch that travel itch. Now, I'm the first one to support a classic euro-backpacking tour, or a lets-go-natural SE Asia tour, but before you get your passport out of the nightstand, it's time to review some of the benefits to an extended staycation.
BEAUTY
I encourage you to scroll through a "50 most beautiful spots in America" Google search. Prepare to be amazed and instantly in the mood to get there. The Swiss Alps are amazing, and so is South Africa and Nepal, but before flying off to find raw, natural beauty elsewhere, snookered some of the exquisite beauty here in America. Start exploring the inter-webs and you'll find a never-ending list of places that will drop your jaw, right here in The States. A clever idea if you have the time is a National Park tour- annual passes are just $80!
MONEY
Money money moneeeyyy. Now, before I discuss the state of the Chinese market fluctuations, and how Greece can't seem to hold it together (sorry Greece), there are some obvious, simple benefits to the USA money situation.
- You already have it in your pocket/bank. Seems simple enough, but unless you've dealt with chip-less credit cards in Europe or the god-forsaken western union, you'll never understand just how nice it is to already have your cash on your dash (ok, maybe in your wallet, dash probably isn't the best idea, though I did that once). Not to mention currency exchange. No hoards of hawking border bankers here.**
- No massive changes in value. Going from country to country, you risk fluctuations in relative prices of goods (apple here is $1 vs 2$, etc). Now, those variations are certain to occur at home in the states, but the cost of most things is relatively stable, and perhaps most importantly, predictable. It's nice spending American dollars in America.
**Fo non-Americans, I suppose the currency exchange headaches still apply to you, but for most Europeans, America still = cheap(er).
CULTURE
Let's sit a New Yorker, Midwesterner and a West coaster down at a table and just observe. Americans vary widely, and you can still get a small taste of culture shock without going across the oceans. Stay in between them, and you'll get plenty of it! I think it's a great testament to the fact that America's diversity is what makes us, well, America. Such a mixed history, backgrounds, ways of doing things is hard to rival, and a pretty neat thing to experience in an of itself. A US road trip will offer the opportunity to explore these differences and see how you fit in!
LANGUAGE
OK sure, practicing your French in the quintessential cafe du croissant in Paris (yes, that's made up) is fun, practical, and carries of hint of travelesque romance to it, until you're yelled at. Less Fun. Not in the spirit of travel you might argue? Let me counter with the idea that it is still in the spirit of travel. There's a romantic beauty in apprenticing the dialects of your own language and being able to travel 3000 miles, stop at any diner, and be speaking one language the entire time. It's a different kind of fun, and worth experiencing.
ESPIRIT DE 'MERICA
This is my way of saying cause you've got to do it in your lifetime. Don't let your travel days pass by and only ever see the grass on the other side. There is plenty of that right here (seriously, go to Nebraska). The All-American Road Trip is still a big long trip, but you could feasibly cross the country in a week, 10 days would be fun. Imagine if you took [only] 2-3 weeks? Imagine what you could see!
I hope I've inspired you to consider your own back yard for your next big trip! America has so much to offer in ways of traveling, and it really must be explored. And if you don't have time/money for a big trip soon, the principle of "staying home" can really change how you travel. Have a free weekend? Go to a nearby town and spend the night there. Try a new restaurant. Do something new! Remember, it's not about the destination, but all the things on the way- enjoy your journey!!