Day 6- Whatever Tickles Your Fancy: US Travels

I was going to post this yesterday but forgot! Here it is a day late. Day 7 to come later! ; )


A major item on my bucket list is to visit all 50 states in my lifetime. In order for it to count, I either have to do something touristy there, visit someone, or at least see a major section of that sate by driving through it. (So, just being at an airport there does not count!) Here's a list of all 50 states. The ones in bold are those that I have been to... 18 out of 50. As you can see, I still have a long way to go! (Ashley, I realized I have never been to Kansas! We should fix this!!!)


Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming


And, just for fun, here's what I've done in each of these states (that I can remember, I may be forgetting something!)

Alabama- Driven through it on the way to Florida several times. Seen a lot of the land. I don't think I've ever done anything "touristy" here, but maybe I've forgotten. If anyone has suggestions, I'm open to them!


Arizona- I have been to Phoenix twice, once my freshman year of college with Liz and Caroline while Care's mom was working there. We had a great time and made a trip to the Grand Canyon, which was beautiful. I definitely want to go there again. I also traveled to Phoenix for the 2010 Fiesta Bowl! While it was a disappointing finish, it was still a fun trip for my senior year.

Arkansas- In addition to traveling through this state numerous times on my way to Tennessee, I also competed in a pageant in Hot Springs when I was a baby (and won a national title, I might add!)

California- I went to Disneyland, Hollywood, etc. when I was 3 years old and have vague memories of it. I have also been to San Diego 3 times, once when I was little and twice for TCU Bowl game trips (woohoo, Poinsettia Bowl!) I will be going to Los Angeles in several weeks to visit Alex. San Fransisco is high on my must-visit list!

Florida- I have been to Florida many, many times. Always love the beautiful beaches! I am probably forgetting somewhere, but I know I have visited Tampa, St. Petersburg, Destin, Navarre, Orlando... and gosh, there has to be more! My favorite is Navarre Beach though. Pretty blue water, gorgeous white sand, and not nearly as crowded as Destin. My visit there was also so fun because I was with one of my besties, Marissa.

Georgia- We went to Savannah as part of our family vacation. What a cool, historic city. We ate at Paula Deen's restaurant and it was Southern cooking at its finest!

Hawaii-- My most recent trip! This was a graduation present for me and my sister from our wonderful parents. We had a great time. I still need to post pictures and stories from this.

Illinois-- I went to Chicago for a family reunion during the summer of 2004. Chicago is a very cool city, and I want to go back. I finally went to the American Girl Place and experienced the aquarium and Tastes of Chicago, among other things.

Louisiana- Once again, driven through it many times, but I also went to Baton Rouge for TBS/KKY convention at LSU!

Mississippi- Driven through it and spent a night there on my way to Florida, but also been to Vicksburg and toured the battle site!

Missouri- Branson for family vacation. A very fun place that's great for families. I especially loved Silver Dollar City (an amusement park) and our evening on the Branson Belle showboat.

New Mexico- I kind of shudder when I think about this state, because it's where we went for the worst band trip ever! Those of us who were in the TCU Band in '06 and unfortunately went on this trip all agree. The hotel we stayed at got trashed by some members that got out of control, and the next morning when we boarded the bus to head back to Texas, many people felt ill from their unwise decisions the night before. The bus I was on broke down before we were even out of Albuquerque, which began a multi-hour process of trying to fix the bus while we all waited on the bus, in a rest stop, etc. Finally, they gave us a "new" bus which really meant an old bus that happened to be running. It was another loooong drive back to FW, and at this point we were way behind schedule. I remember that when we were literally on the edge of campus, the bus stalled, and all I wanted to do was get off the bus and walk the rest of the way to my dorm! Rough weekend, but funny to look back on now. Maybe I need to visit Santa Fe next time...

New York- I went to visit Marissa in NYC! I had a great time there. I love big cities, and I got to do many tourist things and also see neighborhoods and other places I wouldn't see if I wasn't with someone who knew her way around. I will definitely go back.

Ohio- WGI World Championships in 2005 in Dayton, Ohio! What a cool experience.


Oklahoma- I considered going to OU, so I toured the campus. I also went to Norman when TCU played OU my junior year. And now my sister is going there, so I know I'll be back!

South Carolina- We went to Charleston on family vacation and also stayed on Hilton Head Island. Very pretty and a fun, new place.

Tennessee- I have been here many times to visit my Grandpa! I have also been to the Smokey Mountains and climbed Clingman's Dome, as well as toured The Hermitage.

Texas- Obviously, I have lived here my whole life! I love Dallas/Fort Worth so much! I have also been to Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, South Padre, etc.



I have a lot of places still to cover... who wants to come with me?
: )