25. Closing Thoughts

A cross-country trip has been on my bucket list for many years and it was the combination of a kid away at school and covid-related travel restrictions that made me plan this out.  It was a whirlwind of two weeks and the type of trip that could only be done alone due to the miles driven per day and the crazy schedule.  The experience was absolutely unforgettable and opened my eyes to so many places I want to revisit and explore more in the future.

I would highly recommend a classic American road trip to anyone, even if you can only do small chunks at a time - get off the couch, pack the car and just go!  You'll make memories that will last so much longer than that TV show or report for work.  Thanks for following along with my journey, I look forward to reading about yours someday.  I'll leave this with my notes from the road, happy travels!

Impressions from the road: 

I love my truck and at some point in my life I need an overland camper. Also a McLaren 😎

My favorite satellite radio station is Y2Kountry and it's only one I can listen to for more than an hour at a time.

Camping in a Walmart parking lot is not that bad.

The support for Trump in the Midwest is as overwhelming as expected but what surprised me more was actually how many Biden signs there were.

Everyone in California should leave the state at some point to learn how to drive!

The fall colors in the northeast really are as amazing as all the computer screen savers.

A good songwriter can make a catchy tune about anything, case in point: Water by Brad Paisley

State by State impressions:

California has the worst roads, worst traffic and the worst drivers but is probably still the best all around state for scenery and things to do.

Nevada is full of prisons in people that look like they belong in prison.

Utah has a lot of good looking scenery and good looking people too.

Wyoming had the best roads and the highest speed limit which is good because there's nothing to see so you just want to hurry up again through there (if you're on I-80).  The northern route however is a completely different world, coming through Big Horn State Park, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons into Jackson Hole.

Nebraska has wide open plains but a lot of hills but my biggest question is: where does all the corn go?

Iowa is the wind capital of the country,  also the cheapest gas and best rest stops.

Illinois is one big suburb for Chicago.

Indiana is the birthplace of RV trailers and pontoon boats.

Ohio has the best highway system and toll roads with money well spent.

Pennsylvania is the gateway to the northeast with quaint towns and hardworking Midwestern people.

Upstate New York is a different world from New York City and completely changed my mind about the state.

South Dakota was a whole lot of farmland, then boom - Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and a ton of attractions all gathered in that one small area.

Idaho was a lot more farmland than I expected, but those potatoes have to grow somewhere!  Some neat towns and a lot of waterfalls too.