I finished my 10 month solo tour of all 50 States and 50 US National Parks in October. I came in over schedule, over budget, and overwhelmed.

During my trip I drove on the Pacific Coast Highway, Route 66, The Natchez Trace, The Blue Ridge Parkway, Lewis and Clark Highway, The Trail of Tears, The Oregon Trail, and all 1,390 miles of the Alaskan Highway.

I now know the character of America's most iconic mountain ranges, the Appalachians, Rockies, Cascades, and Sierra Nevadas.

I hiked up volcanoes in Hawaii, Washington, and California, and down into caves in New Mexico, Kentucky, and Idaho. I experienced the long standing spectacle of Niagara Falls, The Grand Canyon, and Old Faithful. I admired Redwoods, Sequoias, and Bristlecone pines, respectfully the tallest, largest, and oldest trees in the world. I stood under pouring rain at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. I stood under gnawing heat at the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers. 

I've now been inside the Seattle Space Needle, the St. Louis Gateway Arch, and the Statue of Liberty. I wandered in amazement through the Museum of Natural History in Washington DC, Museum of Art in Philadelphia, and the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.

I saw horses race at the Carolina Cup and cars race at the Indy 500. I camped out at a mud bog rally in Florida and a music festival in Michigan. I paid homage to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Kennedy Space Center, and the immigrant intake building on Ellis Island. I visited George Washington’s birthplace and Martin Luther King’s tomb.

I paid respects to the Oklahoma City Memorial, the 9/11 Memorial, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery.

I’ve seen coal mines in West Virginia, Uranium Mines in Utah, and Copper mines in Michigan. I’ve seen the oil fields of North Dakota and Texas, the refineries of Louisiana, and the Tanana River crossing of the Trans-Alaskan pipeline.

I savored fresh lobster in Maine and fresh crab in Alaska. I sampled New Orleans gumbo, Kansas City BBQ, and Yooper pasties. I snagged a Philly cheesesteak, a Chicago dog, and a New York slice. I picked Huckleberries in Montana, Blueberries in Washington, and Salmon Berries in Alaska. I bought Florida Oranges, Washington Apples, and California Avocados.

For the first time I saw moose, prong horn antelope, big horn sheep, bison, killer whale, wild turkey, fox, fireflies, beaver, and bald eagle.