49 down. Alaska, you're next.
After criss-crossing the country in a van, on planes, in rental cars, and once on a Greyhound I deeply regret — here's what I've learned.
Every State Has a Thing
Oregon has its coast. Montana has its sky. New Mexico has green chile on everything. Every state has something that makes locals fiercely proud, and they're usually right.
Small Towns Are Underrated
The best conversations I've had were in diners in towns with one stoplight. People are curious, generous, and have incredible stories if you just sit down and listen.
America is Massive
You don't understand the scale until you drive it. Texas alone takes 12 hours to cross. The landscape changes completely every few hundred miles.
The National Parks Are the Best Thing We've Done
Zion, Glacier, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon — these places are staggering. If you haven't visited a national park, make it your next trip.
49 states in and I'm more convinced than ever: the best way to understand a place is to go there.