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In The Beginning...
What's in that country? What's in that city? Who are the people that live over there? I need to find out… My curiosity began in childhood. Every few summers, my Father and I would road trip out of the south side Chicago. As we got onto the highway he would hand me the road atlas. “Where are we going Brian? Tell me how to get there.” Looking at the map, I could only trace the route and imagine what we would pass through. No smart phones in the 90s to Google what we could expect to see. “If we get on I-90, its only 2000 miles to Seattle! Should be easy!”, he laughed.
As the miles went by I couldn’t believe how the landscape would change. I remember the Rocky Mountains seemly rise from the distance as we crossed the Great Plains. Like a wall, imposing and impassable. I remember making it to the Pacific Ocean. There was no more road to drive. That first sensory overload of salt in the air. Hearing the waves crash against the shoreline. What a moment. I spent my adolescence in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After school I would hike up the Sandia Mountains, stare into the horizon and that’s when I knew and I had to go further. I was hooked.
At the time of this post, my travel tally is all 50 States, and 48 countries across 6 continents. Collectively, I’ve spent 7 years so far outside of the US. Follow me as I recount events in these many places and share insights not commonly heard in day to day American life. I’ll tell you how I managed to do all this, how I navigated my way, and even some harrowing encounters. Suggestions on how you could launch a similar endeavor and how I believe these adventures can absolutely add vitality to anyone’s soul. The journey was worth it. Its not even about me, I’m just the messenger now.
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I love your Substack's niche, Brian! There's so much we can learn from travel. It broadens our worldview and can act like a breath of fresh air. Looking forward to reading more about your travels!
There is no better way to travel than to do a road trip in my humble opinion, Brian. Really cool memories here with your father. I want to do the same with my wife and kids one day--to take them on a cross-country road trip. It's a visceral experience to watch beautiful mountains slowly approach you from the distance before engulfing you from 360 degrees. I want my kids to experience that.