States I have visited

One of the items on my 30 by 30 list is to experience all 50 states. "Experience" being defined as my feet touch the ground and I see some kind of unique attraction. So once again, thanks to the help of a quick search on the internet I found an interactive map that reflects where I have been (orange) and where I still need to go (grey).

Create your own visited states map or check out the JavaScript Charts.

This map made me realize how tough this item is going to be to accomplish in less than three years time, especially while trying to knock off the other 29 items on the list. It has been 27 1/2 years and I haven't even reached the half way point!

Despite my childhood of vagabondage due to a mother and an aunt who loved planning family trips, I still have a long way to go and not a lot of time (or money) to get there.

In 1996, to celebrate Utah's Centennial, my family and cousins traveled through every county in the state and visited at least one historical site, state park, or national monument of some kind to get our "Utah Passports" stamped. It is one of the greatest memories and accomplishments from my childhood and I have the video cassette, stamped passport, funny stories and reward blanket to prove it.

I would like to do something similar with the states, but it is going to require me to hit more than half of them within just a few years. I have always loved traveling, and try to do it as much as I can afford. I even travel for work quite frequently. Unfortunately, however I think I have failed to follow the suggestions of Mr. Robert Frost and have revisited to many areas instead of focusing on "the road(s) less traveled by."

The good ol days!

Don't get me wrong, I cherished the annual trips to float the Snake River and visit Yellowstone National Park.

Mountain biking in Moab and rocking back and forth while lying on the bed of a truck camper and staring out the slit window to keep from getting car sick has made me the man I am today.

Now it is time to focus on the eastern half of the continent, but can it be done in two years time?

I guess we will see, or I might have to switch the goal to be a little more specific. I can do that, right? It is my list.

Making the map was fun to get a visual of where I have been and where I need to go. I encourage you to try it. It is like the digital version of those awesome sticker maps people slap on their RVs.

Just curious if you have been to any of the unvisited states on my map if you have suggestions on good trips and things to see. If so comment below.