The Fifty

Here are my stories for each of the 50 states. I decided to go alphabetical cuz chronological might hurt my brain. The notes might not be the first visit, but they're the memorable visit

Alabama - moving to DE trip with Karie (1997)

Alaska - June 2023

Arizona - numerous trips across country

Arkansas - numerous trips across country, most notably when moving to TX in 2005

California - live here!

Colorado - Yellowstone with fam 1986 (87?)

Connecticut - summer 1996 with Ma

Delaware - lived here! 

Florida - Spring Training 2005 for 30th bday

Georgia - moving to DE trip with Karie (1997)

Hawaii - Summer 2018

Idaho - Yellowstone with fam 1986 (87?), Craters of the Moon was memorable

Illinois - moving Bev! (Feb 2004)

Indiana - moving Bev! (Feb 2004)

Iowa - Road Trip 2024 (#50)

Kansas - Dan's wedding trip with Mere (2009)

Kentucky - okay so the memory is of the Cincinatti airport, which is IN Kentucky, I learned when I Was there for a layover, thinking it was my first time in OH; also ,when asked if we'd ever gone through KY on a trip across country, both parents said,  "yeah probably"

Louisiana - moving to DE trip with Karie (1997)

Maine - summer 1996 with Ma

Maryland - lived here!

Massachusetts - summer 1996 with Ma, baseball trip 2003

Michigan -  Road Trip 2024 

Minnesota - this was where my plane from Paris landed - I was so happy to see that gigantic American flag! Also,  Road Trip 2024

Mississippi - moving to DE trip with Karie (1997)

Missouri - UMW trip  2010

Montana - Yellowstone with fam 1986 (87?) we saw a sign that said Montana 15 miles so Dad drove 20 and we called it good; also Road Trip 2024 

Nebraska -  Road Trip 2024 

Nevada - several but let's go with Michelle's wedding! (2006)

New Hampshire - summer 1996 with Ma

New Jersey - summer 1996 with Ma (amongst other trips when living in DE)

New Mexico - numerous trips across country / to TX

New York - summer 1996 with Ma, baseball trip 2003

North Carolina - moving to DE trip with Karie (1997)

North Dakota -  Road Trip 2024 

Ohio - moving Bev! (Feb 2004)

Oklahoma - several but notably gambled at Winstar Casino as a 40-4-40 new thing

Oregon - Yellowstone with fam 1986 (87?) - I think it was this trip but I know we drove through Bend to be able to "get" Oregon. 

Pennsylvania - oh so many baseball games in Philly! plus summer 1996 with Ma

Rhode Island - summer 1996 with Ma

South Carolina - moving to DE trip with Karie (1997)

South Dakota - Road Trip 2024 

Tennessee - several drives across country

Texas - lived here! plus moving to DE trip with Karie

Utah - Yellowstone with fam 1986 (87?)

Vermont - summer 1996 with Ma

Virginia - born here! lived here! visit Ma here!

Washington - RHA conference in college (1998 or 99)

West Virginia - family reunion trips, various other trips

Wisconsin - moving Bev! (Feb 2004)

Wyoming - Yellowstone with fam 1986 (87?)

Rebecca's Epic Road Trip 2024 Wrap-Up

Some numbers:

4 planes (2 layovers), 2 trains, 1 boat, 1 rental car (plus some ubers), 2 buses, a subway, and a stagecoach (I seriously tried to figure out helicopter, bicycle and horseback but it just never worked out)

11 (recorded) hikes/walks on paths/trails

10 states, 12 if you count layovers but not origin (GA, MI, IN, IL, WI, MN, ND, MT, SD, NE, IA, TX)

2975 miles driven (plus a train)

12 nights, 11 hotels (plus a redeye flight)

4 baseball games in 4 days at 4 stadiums

What a trip!!! It was everything I dreamed it would be and more!! God was definitely with me as I just missed several weather things plus all those dirt roads! And, I was a woman traveling alone. But I never felt in danger or anything like that. I just drove and saw stuff and did my thing! 

I wish I could say there was a highlight but the whole dang trip was a highlight! Seriously. I saw SO much!! Every single person I talked to from cashiers to fellow travelers were just super nice and helpful. I even just looked through my pics again to see if there was one that stuck out. Nope. Every single day, every single thing I did and saw, was cool! 

I realized just how much I don't know about history and the people who did stuff to make America awe-inspiring. I bought two books and have several others on the TBR list. One of the interesting aspects of my trip is that I went from Lewis and Clark history stuff to the Cold War and what seemed like everything in between! I took in SO much information and I remember very little except that I wanted to learn more about every single thing I did and saw! 

I live in paradise and I know that America is truly beautiful. But it was just incredible to see so much beauty and diversity in landscapes (from moment to moment!). The Badlands, the Black Hills, the fields of everywhere, Lake Michigan... it was all gorgeous. God created, human created, didn't matter. Even the old buildings in the big cities held their own beauty. 

As amazing as my trip was, I've never been so happy to get home! To see THIS GUY!! I got him some corn ;)

This is most of my haul. I hadn't finished unpacking and I found a few other magnets and stickers stuck places. There are also 2 new shirts in the closet :)

I've been sitting here for 10 minutes trying to figure out how to close this. To say goodbye to this trip. I can't. How does one "conclude" a trip that she has been dreaming of for years and planning for 6 months?! It was truly the trip of a lifetime and I am very thankful that I had the opportunity. I just keep remembering all those people out there who have never left their own state. I've now seen all 50! 

Someone asked me "What's next?" Well, since you asked! In March I turn 50 and will run a 50k to celebrate. Then in June I'll go on my first cruise with a bunch of friends (anyone is invited, holler for details). After that I want to see Canada. At least Calgary (Banff), Quebec and Toronto (baseball). Not all in the same trip!! 

So stay tuned. I'm not done yet :)

Day Twelve Iowa

Iowa! 

I got up early to get to the big event (keep reading) and was rewarded with a fabulous sunrise. 

Today was to include lunch with a buddy (Ashley was a student when I worked at TWU - we bonded over baseball and country music) and Field of Dreams and trying to make everything fit into my suitcase. Exciting sure. But then last night while figuring out lunch plans, Ashley asked if I'd be interested in a little side trip to RIDE IN THE SPRAYER! UH, YES, PLEASE!!!! Her hubby is a farmer and would be in the corn fields on the sprayer. So we coordinated where I should head and then we'd meet up, basically on the side of the road wherever he happened to be. More dirt roads were involved but WHO CARES?! It was awesome!! I mean, I'm sure day after day, field after field, it'd get old, but for my 30 minutes, it was amazing!! My first question was what are we spraying - the answer was nitrogen. I know this works as a fertilizer of sorts from my TX neighbor and his gorgeous lawn. Side note: I had not stopped to use a restroom in a bit, and I mentioned this to Ashley. About 10 minutes in, she texted me and said I needed to ask him to stop so I could deal with it. So I did and he did. And I can now say I've personally watered some corn in Iowa!! (Probably TMI, sorry)

A real Iowa farm! 

The sprayer with the truck filling it with nitrogen

Ashley took these of us in action

Ashley left her two sons with Dad in the sprayer (their favorite thing ever) and she and her daughter and I went and had lunch in a cute little community that had a yummy German restaurant. I then made my way North to Dyersville and the Field of Dreams.

there was a HS game of some sort about to happen on the field

the kitchen

from the porch swing

on the porch swing

I am glad I went but it was definitely a tourist trap. Though it was cool that there was a game happening. I didn't see any ghosts. There are plans to turn it in to a whole little league complex basically which kinda stinks. Takes away the novelty and what I imagine is a very peaceful field when all the people are gone. 

I am now in my final hotel, with everything arranged into the various bags so that it will all get home. I will check the suitcase and I added a tote from the Badlands to the mix. I AM SOOOOO READY TO SEE MY PUPPY!!!!!!

The End.

(PS give me a day or two at home and I'll write a wrap up)

Day Eleven Nebraska

I didn't really have anything planned for today except to drive across Nebraska to Iowa. I took the scenic byway to I80 (after sufficiently checking for any possible dirt roads). Drove through several little towns. Saw cows and horses and more cows. Saw corn and other things growing. Saw a turtle. Lots of blue sky. Finished an audio book started another. Went by more cows and corn and green fields. Oh, there were some marshlands. It was all beautiful but not all that unique or exciting. 

I took no other pictures until I got to Grand Island which is where I picked up I80. But there I finally tried Culver's custard (and a burger). So yummy!

Once I got on the interstate I started to think about what I'd be near. Signs along the highway helped. SO in Lincoln, I stopped at the University of Nebraska. Home of the Cornhuskers. Which was just blocks from the state capitol building (I'm 99% sure that's what it was anyway). 

Love Library

Capital

Then I realized that I had plenty of time, and well, why not stop by the College World Series. Texas A&M was playing Tennessee. I'd watched game one last night on the TV. I had actually looked into tickets back in February before anyone knew who'd be playing but they were way out of my price range so I didn't think about it again. Until today. I did NOT go to a game. Just drove around the field and saw all the peeps who DID go to a game! Aggies lost game 2 so tomorrow is the deciding game 3. So exciting! I did see several TX license plates.

AND THEN I WENT TO IOWA!!!! STATE NUMBER 50!!! 

Yes, I cried. Not everyone can say they've even been out of their own state, let alone going to all 50. I'm working on the blog that has the story for each state. (Partly cuz I wanted to make sure I really had made it) 

Tomorrow I get to see my buddy Ashley and her family and well, she's giving me a real gift but I'll just make you read tomorrow's entry :) 

Day Ten SD3

 South Dakota is beautiful but I'm glad to be done with it.

I decided to do everything I could in the Badlands before moving on. That wasn't the original plan. But my plan made no sense, once I was here. I got up plenty early to be in the Park with plenty of time to drive through, stop for pictures and of course a hike. Or two :)

I'm not sure I'll ever get over the diversity of the landscapes in America. I've seen prairies, and mountains, and water and roads, and it's all gorgeous. (Okay downtown Chicago wasn't my kind of beauty) Badlands National Park can be added to the awesomeness and wonder at what God created for us. It did look a lot like Teddy's badlands, but yes different. I don't know how to explain it. Maybe it was just because we got closer to the monoliths (?) in Badlands. Anyway, here ya go...

looking one direction

turned around looking the other direction

hike #1

too many people
stairs and boardwalk involved (also trail)

hike #2 - actual trail!

I went far enough to be "amidst" the Badlands

Golly it's humid there. I guess cuz it wasn't all that "hot" (70*?) but I was sweating and yucky! So I left and changed gears to the Cold War. I had a 1pm tour of the Delta 01 Minuteman Missile Launch Control Facility. First I stopped at the Visitor Center and watched the video so I'd know what I was seeing (I've learned how to do this!). 

There were 150 (?) missiles all over the midwest at one point. One launch center controlled 10-15 missiles. Tickets are really hard to get for the tour because they can only let in 6 people at a time. Because the elevator to the bottom where the actual launch controls are, was built for 2. It was super cool to be on a tour with such a small group (one family of 4 and me). The ranger was very informative. "Up top" was basically a home for the 8 folks who were on duty there. Or really for when they weren't on duty, I guess. Down below, there had to be 2 people at all times. They worked 24 hour shifts. There were checks and balances and controls and security up the wazoo so there were no accidents or treasons. Two launch centers had to have the same codes in order for anything to be launched. Amazing. Oh there was also a plane that was Plan B. It was fascinating. I need to find a book!

space for hanging out and eating between shifts

the upstairs desk for security control

elevator to go down with Ranger Emily

the controls, with a reminder list of stuff to make sure
you remember to bring back up with you

hehe

the box (open door on left) is where launch control sits -
it hangs and is able to "swing" in the case of say a big boom

in the box - launch control

the chair moves so that if strapped in, they don't have to get up to complete their job

green lights for all the missiles they're in charge of

me with Ranger Emily (she's from Houston!)

the door into the box

Ranger Emily suggested we drive 11 miles up the road to the actual missile site. One can't go in/down but the missile is there for viewing. 

An actual guy who used to work on it volunteers to talk to people.
I didn't talk to him.
But I'm pretty sure he was in the movie I watched at the Visitor Center.

this is what SD looks like when it's not Badlands or Black Hills

Okay, so then I headed to Nebraska. Punched in the address of the hotel and went on my way. Now, I knew I was going to a little tiny town, but I didn't expect the route that Google took me on. I drove through more fields, more badlands looking landscapes, through a Sioux (?) reservation, and I was about 25 miles from Valentine, my destination, when BAM, the highway turned to dirt! Mud actually. And we all know how much I want to drive on muddy roads. There was a farm driveway just a little ways and a farmer guy in the driveway, so I pulled in. He was VERY helpful. First, the GPS lady had welcomed me to Nebraska about 15 miles too early. He and I looked at my map. I could either go the way it told me, and the dirt would turn back to pavement at the state line, in about 10 miles. Or I could go back the way I came and go around the way I should have in the first place. He promised that the road in front of his house was the worst and it wouldn't be bad. Hmph. It wasn't really. But it certainly wasn't good. And I had to pee SO bad!! BUT I made it. Thank the Good Lord who accompanies me on all my adventures! I was SO excited to get to Nebraska!! About 10 miles later I got to Valentine and a gas station with a VERY  nice bathroom. I bought Twinkies. I deserved a little reward. So, South Dakota will always mean dirt roads to me. 

BTW, I looked for settings that involve dirt roads, but I didn't see any so I think Google is just stupid. I have triple checked my route for tomorrow. 

My hotel is nice and the guy recommended a local restaurant which was very good. Nebraska steak is GOOD steak! And they had a Nebraska sign. #49

Tomorrow I drive to Iowa. Lots of driving, no planned stops, but I am taking the scenic byway.