Have you ever wondered what it’s like to get out of your hometown? To travel the world and see all the scenery and different cultures the world has to offer? Of course, you have. I know I have. When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of getting out of Louisiana. I wanted to travel the world, and have adventures. When I imagined traveling, I never thought about taking a road trip around the United States, but beginning when I was 11 years old, that’s exactly what we did.
In the summer of 2006, my father, my older sister, my grandmother, and I packed up our car and began a 10 day road trip across the West Coast. This trip was huge for my sister and I, because it was the first time we had ever traveled anywhere other than Oklahoma. We used to travel to Oklahoma every year because we were born there, and a lot of our family members live there. Aside from that, we had never been anywhere in the United States. On this trip we went to nine different states, visited National Landmarks, visited family, and spent a lot of hours in the car. We loved the trip and the time we got to spend together so much, that we took another road trip the following summer. The second trip was another 10 days, and we visited another nine states, and even went to Canada.
Don’t get me wrong. Traveling around the world, and visiting other countries is a wonderful experience. In 2013, I went to France and England and it sparked an even greater desire in me to continue to travel. Learning about different cultures, learning new languages, meeting new people, trying new food, and just experiencing a different lifestyle is an incredible opportunity, but I think it is important to travel the country you live in, and see all the beauties it has to offer. Seeing the Grand Canyon, white water rafting in Tennessee, camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, standing on top of the Empire State Building, and walking along the New Jersey boardwalk. Those are just a few of the wonderful things I’ve been able to do on the road trips I’ve taken.
Since our first extensive road trip in 2006, we have traveled to over 35 states, and I can’t wait to continue to travel to more. I’ve seen so many National Monuments and Landmarks, made so many wonderful memories, learned so much history about different places and cities, and I’ve even learned more about myself. Traveling is what makes me happy, and I encourage everyone to travel around the United States, learn about where you come from, learn about your country, and make everlasting memories in the process.
