'Merica

  Today was a day full of back road meanderings, and I landed at one of America's most iconic sites. Now, in case some of the readers don't know- I'm going this current All-American road trip using AAA roads maps alone. No GPS, not even my iPhone. I remember random scenes from movies growing up where the dad is driving, trying to fold a map all at once, and everybody is yelling. Minus the company- that is almost entirely true. I yell at myself. It's great.

I'm well into my trip at this point, and I've gotten into a bit of a groove when it comes to my map reading skills. I remember doing a similar trip with my brother a few years ago the same way. It takes a bit to get used to, but once you recognize the patterns, you realize just how freeing it is to not use a Navi of any sort. No more worrying about time of arrival- just look at the miles and think about your speed. No more worrying about which exit to get off in a city- just look at the main streets, follow signs for downtown, you'll be OK. The best part though, is a sense of discovery you get when arriving to various destinations. It's that sense of "I've found you!", instead of "yup, I'm here". Subtle perhaps, but makes a big difference when hauling long miles.

I spent the morning on the Oregon Trail at Scottsbluff, NE. There's a great little hiking trail you can take that brings you to actual remnants of the trail itself. Here at Scottsbluff, wagons had to single file through the ravine, making large ruts, some of which are still visible today! Pretty neat to think about the fact that I'm looking up at this bluff with a sense of American pride, and so did the emigrants from years ago. Cool.

Then I headed north into South Dakota. I went via Agate Fossil bed (I won't lie, kinda anticlimactic, though some good views of prairie along the way). Then it was grassland. As far as you can see. It was very impressive, and something I had never quite seen before (always a neat feeling). I'd seen grassland in Turkey before, but never to the extent that I saw yesterday.

I stopped at the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre- a reminder of the less-proud moments of our history.

Then it was on toward the Badlands. Let me tell you- if I was stranded out here, I would probably die by sunset. Expansive, dry, windy, hot, rocky. Yikes. Needless to say, it was a beautiful sight to see. I went through Badlands National Park (honestly- our Natn'l Park System is incredible), and even saw some wildlife! That moment when I'm just minding my business taking photos and a group of Bighorn sheep come UP THE CLIFF right in front of you. That was definitely special and exciting.

Finally, I made my way to Keystone and saw the Big One. By that I mean the Big 4. By that I mean I went to Mt. Rushmore. It's a beautiful site, and incredibly well maintained. The complex and trail are pristine. I will warn you though- the parking is privately owned so your Annual Pas is worthless! $11. Grr. But I'd still say it was worth it.

I headed into Wyoming before bedding don for the night outside of Hulett, Wyoming. I tried my hand at "astrophotography". The night sky was gorgeous and it took me a while before deciding I should probably get my camera out and try to capture it all. Enjoy the photos!

The Scenic Route

 

Today was definitely an off-the-beaten-path sort of day. Well, I should say, from the beaten path to a less beaten path that's prettier and more scenic. I'm driving a corolla across the country- not a hummer. I started today in Omaha, and made sure I was the first in line to the Henry Doorly Zoo! I love zoos- it's a thing of mine- so I could't let this one pass me by. It's considered on of the best and I would stand by that! A phenomenal gorilla habitat.

I then hopped onto I-80 and headed to Lincoln, for a quick visit to the state capitol building. I won't lie- this is one of the best ones I've seen! In city of mostly smaller office buildings, this pinnacle of good 'ol country government stands out quite impressively. I grabbed some lunch at the yelp-suggested Sultan's Kite where I had the best chicken shawarma I've had. Move over NYC, Lincoln is honing in your shawarma game. I little bit further west on I-80 until Grand Island where I jumped onto Route 2...for a long time.

Nebraska Route 2 is considered one the country's most scenic routes (this term also seems interchangeable with iconic, though this was in fact scenic!). It juts diagonally NW across the state without reservations, and goes clear though the grassland heart of Nebraska, known as the Sandhills. Absolutely gorgeous. Miles and miles of quickly rolling hills of grassland. The road is in good condition too, which always makes it pleasant. Fill up on gas though, as most of the towns are 10-15 homes huddled together.

I finished Route 2 at Alliance, and then decided I better head south the 30 miles to check out Chimney Rock and Scottsbluff, both national parks/monuments. So that's where I'm writing this from. Will check those out and head due north tomorrow for South Dakota!

Country Road

 

There's nothing like a small town. The cricket and cicadas buzzing in the background, the sounds of people talking in small conversations, and the occasional burrr of a car driving by. This is small town America, and from what is quickly becoming clear on this journey out west, this is most of America.

I grew up in a small town; graduated 80-something people from my high school class. Everybody knew everybody, and I can still remember the bus route we took, and where everyone lived. Sure, that meant more people "in your business", but small town Americans have a charm about us. It's really that we care, and think it takes a village to get stuff done. Sure, city-dwellers can be gentle and welcoming too, but there's nothing quite like good 'ol country folk.

I drove through Illinois and Iowa today (spending tonight in Omaha, NE). I made a point, as I ways do, to get off the highway for a bit and drive some smaller roads. Interstates all start looking the same after a while (plus it's a great cure for getting road sleepy- smaller roads keep you awake!), and these roads hug the contours, and get you into the parts-unknown (to outsiders, that is). I was pleasantly surprised by stumbling onto Sacred Rock State Park in Illinois. I was actually hunting down Utica, IL, since I'm from nearby Utica, NY. It's a fantastic park, and worth checking out! But all this driving in these gorgeous, lesser known areas got me thinking all philosophical-like: why do we get so "bored" without constant stimulation?

I won't actually attempt to answer it- I'm not that good at blogging yet. But I can say that people from bigger cities (NYC cough NYC) tend to complain of the lack of "things to do" in small cities. Boy, I'd like to show them Utica, IL, or Grinnel, IA. Now, that by no means is wrong, or even untrue- I mean I love cities, I really do (see Chicago post) it's just a different perspective of things. Now, comparing any town to NYC will probably leave the opinion wanting, but it's worth thinking about how your outlook effects your happiness.

Small towns show the value of being quiet, slowing down, and letting your thoughts, well, be thoughts. Instead of puzzling through something, how often do we drown it out with media, a text, a game on the i-whatever. Being out here lets one think, and that's a good thing. Also, it's beautiful to look at too. Food for thought!

A Day In Chicago

 

Ahh Chicago. I honestly think I knew nothing about you, and what to see here. Except something about a bean. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed (in the rest of the city, not just the bean thing).

I am currently en route to Seattle, WA from Syracuse, NY. I've never been to the "capital of the midwest" (I just made that title up, I hope it's correct), so I figured I'd have to drop in for at least a full day to walk around the highlights. This probably sounds atrocious to many people/travelers, appauled that I'm not budgeting a month for The Lopp district alone. But in efficieny travel, it's all about seeing the most you can, genuinely enjoying it, and kinda moving onward and upward. And upward...and upward. So..many..skyscrapers.

Chicago has architecture. It's that industrial, purely capitalistic neo-who-knows architecture surrounding the city. Buildings are imposing, elegant, and just massive! I've been to NYC many times, and though it's tough to compare skyscraper game to the Big Apple, Chicago is an easy contender. And did I mention the River?? NYC has a couple of those too, but not so well dressed up.

I spent the first part of my day at Millennium Park. This is where "The Cloud Gate" is, and what everybody for descriptively refers to as "The Bean". It looks exactly as the latter nickname infers. After one-too-many photos, I headed over to Giordano's for deep dish pizza. This was a Yelp suggestion, and was 0.2 miles away as opposed to 1 mile, so convince beat out stars. That being said, the pizza was great! Still may favor my NY thin crust though.

I then began an epic walking trek through the jungles of Chicago. The Loop district is fairly grid-like, so navigation is easy. Heading north, you reach the river bend, which is borderline majestic (think Pocohantas, just less singing, and talking raccoons). The Chicago skyliners line the river directly, and with severl old tell bridges spanning the water, it makes for an impressive scene. It's like Paris and NYC had a love child.

My day ended with a free ballet concert at Millennium Park (lucky Saturday), which lasted a few hours, and I was glad of it. One last drive up/down the "Magnificent Mile" (Michigan Avenue) listening to my favorite city driving song, then I headed back to the hotel. Great day!

Let Us Letchworth

As I started my way westward, I told myself not to get too caught up in "just getting there". That's the whole point of travel, isn't it? To enjoy the little things to do and see on the way to wherever we're going (so many life lessons hidden in there- look out). Well, attempting to live by my own advice, I stopped by a state park I had barely even heard of before- Letchworth State Park. Totally. Worth it.

THE DEETS

Letchworth State Park is in Upstate new York, about an hour and change south of Rochester. So for those from NYC, it may a well be Washington State, I know, I know. Well, I wouldn't come from Georgia just to go to this park, but if you live in Upstate NY, it is a MUST do. It's $8 admission (unless nobody is in the booth- this seems to occur after 6pm or so- wink, wink). The driving is straight forward, with viewpoint pull-off spots along the way. Coming from the north side of the park, your views will become more and more dramatic before landing at the falls. Come peak leaf season, this place is where I want to be.