Why I’m doing the Great American Road Trip now

For many of us, doing the Great American Road Trip is high on the list, but that’s easier said than done. The United States is a huge country, so blocking everything in one adventure takes time, money and a lot of preparation. Many travelers first explore the country in smaller sections and postpone the epic journey until after retirement. That’s exactly what I did, but now is the time. I embark on a great adventure to revisit some of the sites previously seen and explore areas that are still new to me. I hope you can follow me on my tour of the American West with its many national parks and other fascinating destinations.

The trip starts tomorrow, March 18, 2021. We will be traveling for 3 months. Our map shows 11,000 miles to go, but it will be more than that with the detours. Follow our journey on my Facebook page and/or my Instagram. (like the pages to follow)

I knew the United States would be my favorite travel destination long before I arrived in this country. With every western I saw in Poland, I fell in love with the American West. So when I finally got here in 1987, I couldn’t wait to start exploring.

For over 30 years now, I have slowly discovered many parts of the country, including the vast majority of national parks. I’ve visited some of my favorites many times before, but I’m drawn to them even more and plan to see them again on this trip.

Yet many lesser-known destinations are calling my name, so I decided to heed that call and put them all on an incredible cross-country journey. And I know without a doubt that this is the right time for me to do so.

I couldn’t ask for a better partner in life and travel, Norman. This photo was taken two years ago during our road trip in Wyoming.

What we will see

The main part of the trip begins in Texas, with Big Bend National Park being the main destination in the state. After that we will continue through the desert of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Nevada.

We will visit most of the national parks in the region including The Mighty 5 in Utah – Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyonland and Capitol Reef. We also plan to explore lesser-known national monuments and state parks.

From there we will travel to California and visit Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Yosemite and Redwoods. We will make a leisure stop at Lake Tahoe.

The next state on the list is Oregon and its beautiful coastal highway. Depending on the remaining time, we can complete the coastal route to Seattle.

REASONS TO TAKE THE GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP

The United States is incredibly beautiful

I haven’t seen every country in the world, but I know what’s out there and I claim the United States is the most beautiful country ever. The wealth of natural wonders, often protected by the national and state park system, is unmatched.

Being old sucks

My body constantly reminds me of this. Almost every day a new pain appears and refuses to go away. I can clearly see that what I could do even a year ago today is a struggle. I have no idea how much longer I could walk.

tomorrow is never given

Unfortunately, life proves it all too often. The year 2020 is a terrifying example of this.

The Covid-19 pandemic took a year off my life

I think I handled social distancing pretty well, but when you’re living with cancer, a lockdown feels like another punch in the stomach. Now Norman and I are fully vaccinated and ready for another adventure.

Planning the Great American Road Trip

Let me tell you, planning a three month itinerary is overwhelming. I had to calculate the best time of year to visit, driving times between stops, private tours, off-the-beaten-path trips, accommodations, etc. But now everything is done and I hope everything will go smoothly.

Packing for three months on the road

The plan is to stay in hotels, but we will pass through some remote parts of the country. As usual, my imagination compelled me to prepare myself for any possible “just in case”. We take all the camping equipment and even a generator!

On the clothing side, no break there either. We will cross a hot desert, high mountains with snow on the ground and eventually follow the Pacific coast. That means pretty much packing for all seasons.

For me, things are even more complicated. I pack my bags not only for the weather but also for the scenery. Since I never know exactly what I would like to wear to each destination, I bring lots of options. Too much !

The Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming offer beauty and solitude.

You might also like:

The Ultimate Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks Itinerary

Best things to do in Zion National Park

Hike the Narrows of Zion National Park

16 reasons to take a road trip in Nova Scotia