I’ve always dreamt of driving across the country to enjoy all the wonder that is the American West. From cotton candy sunsets, funky dessert formations, snow-capped mountains, roadside diner food, towering redwoods, the promise of wide open spaces and no agenda, this trip has always held a lot of allure for me and when I had the opportunity to take my jeep across the country with my brother and sister, I naturally jumped at the chance.
We camped for the majority of the time which I highly recommend. Our nation is chock full of quality and often free land for camping. Look for Bureau of Land Management property where you’ll always be able to find a free, clean, and safe place to camp. I feel that the best way to truly experience a trip like this is by sleeping out in the wild, although we did splurge on a hotel for a few nights when our travel-weary bodies we in serious need of a soft bed with all the amenities.
Tennessee
We were excited to cut through Tennessee to enjoy some of their world famous bbq. We made our way to Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint in Nashville for some of the best southern style bbq that I’ve had in my life. From the ribs to the pulled pork to the sides of mac and cheese, collard greens, baked beans, and cornbread, we truly enjoyed feasting at this incredibly welcoming and beloved local landmark.
Arkansas
Arkansas is a very lightly populated state where we found the most incredible crystal and stone stores that had every shape, size, and color that you can imagine. They’ll even take you into the mountains to collect your own crystals, fossils, and minerals directly from nature. We didn’t have enough time for this as we were ready to get back on the road, but you can find everything from agate to mammoth fossils in these hills.
Colorado
Colorado is a deeply beautiful state filled with natural wonder. By the time we got here, we were ready to spend some time skiing and snowboarding on one of their world-famous mountains. We stopped in the lovely town of Telluride for this and couldn’t get over its wild west vibe. The mountain views cascade over this town, making it the perfect little place to spend a few days enjoying the incredible nature, abandoned mines, and top-notch skiing.
Driving through this state was breathtaking and we couldn’t get enough of all the massive trees and other greenery. This kind of beauty truly makes hours driving in the car a joy and for a born and raised New Yorker, I couldn’t get enough of how super-sized all the nature in the west coast seems to be. The scale of the trees and lushness of the green life was absolutely breathtaking.
I loved everything about Colorado. From the nature abundant mountains, forests, and parks to the funky old west style cities to the incredible local beer and the laid back people, I could have spent weeks exploring around this wonderful state.
New Mexico
New Mexico is rich with Native American history and we had so much fun exploring through the local craft market that features incredibly beautiful pieces from hand-woven rugs, to earthenware and hand painted ceramics to all sorts of unique local instruments. The artisan market in Santa Fe has lots to explore and we thoroughly enjoyed munching on Elote (roasted corn rolled in cream, cheese, lime, and chili) while perusing through all the incredible works of art. You could feel the history and tradition behind this place and I look forward to spending a few more days the next time I visit.
Arizona
Arizona is filled with breathtaking rock formations and our trip to Antelope Canyon was truly magical. You need a local Native American guide to tour these sacred and protected lands which we loved because they provided us with beautiful insights into the cultural significance and folklore of this enchanted part of the desert. Be sure to take some time to do research into which canyon you want to tour for the day as there are a few great options.
Nevada
Nevada is a breathtakingly beautiful state and we loved spending time in Red Rock Canyon which glows in the hot desert sun and is filled with hidden little ghost towns and other gems. Located right outside of Las Vegas, camping here is a great option you’re not looking for all the glitz and glamour that comes along with Las Vegas.
Vegas: Although we did spend some time in one of Vegas’s famous hotels and even went out to a club one night, my favorite part of this city was the vibrant China Town. Vegas has some of the most delicious Hawaain and Chinese food. The prices are low, the servings are huge and I highly recommend taking some time to enjoy a Hawaiin classic of chicken katsu, with macaroni salad, rice, and curry sauce. So yummy.
California
California will always be a special and deeply magical place for me. From the seemingly endless ecosystems and climates all packed into one state, to the dream big attitude, to the charming coastal towns, to the wonderfully preserved state parks, to the almost always delicious food, I am truly grateful that I decided to pick up and move to this state of wonder and opportunity.
It’s hard to fully understand how big our country is until you travel all the way across it. You see its size on the map, but you can’t imagine it until you hop in your car, drive 700 miles, and are still in the same state. America is huge and to do a road trip justice, you need weeks if not months.
A trip across our nation truly gives you perspective and helped me to fall deeply in love with this wonderful country that I call home. From the majestic pacific ocean to the red rocks of Nevada to the untouched wilderness of Colorado to the prairies of Oklahoma, our nation is truly a place to behold.