Occurring an extremely formidable journey, I got down to journey all 50 states of america in simply 50 days after having traveled the world without cost two years early (truly from Germany to Antarctica with out cash).
This new problem would take me from the northeastern nook of the nation in Portland, Maine, to the picturesque islands of Hawaii within the Pacific. As I began this journey, my objective was to go to every state and face one distinctive problem that embraced the spirit and essence of that exact state.
I deliberate my route to make sure a clean and environment friendly journey, contemplating the shortest path throughout the nation. The route resembled the form of a “W,” ranging from the northeast and heading southeast, then south, traversing the Midwest to the north, and journeying south once more throughout the majestic Rocky Mountains.
Lastly, I’d head north alongside the breathtaking West Coast till I reached Seattle. From there, I’d board a aircraft to Alaska and proceed my journey to the magnificent state of Hawaii, the place I’d conclude my unimaginable journey.
To make this audacious feat potential, I needed to contemplate a number of important points that will contribute to the success of my journey. Let’s dive into the seven components that made my journey work:
1. The Proper Car
Touring all 14,000 miles inside the 48 mainland states required cautious planning and preparation. I acquired a well-equipped van that grew to become my trusty companion all through the journey.
The van was geared up with a mini kitchen, permitting me to arrange meals on the go and saving worthwhile time that will have in any other case been spent looking for eating places or diners.
For instance, in Montana, I loved cooking a meal in my van utilizing meals from a grocery store, relishing the area’s flavors. Sadly, there was no time for a campfire or a farmer’s market to enhance this.
Recommendation for you: Plan Your Route
Fastidiously plan your route, contemplating probably the most environment friendly path throughout the nation. Think about visiting iconic landmarks just like the Statue of Liberty in New York, the Arizona Grand Canyon, or the California Golden Gate Bridge—analysis lesser-known gems such because the Nice Smoky Mountains in Tennessee or the gorgeous shoreline of Oregon.
By planning your route strategically, you possibly can embrace these must-see sights.
The shortest route throughout all 50 US states right here
2. Select Parking Choices
I incessantly parked and slept in Walmart parking tons for security, comfort, and easy accessibility to facilities.
These areas supplied a safe place to spend the night time, and so they had been located subsequent to their grocery shops, permitting me to fill up on provides and use clear restroom amenities rapidly. This technique ensured a snug and hassle-free expertise as I traveled from state to state.
In Ohio, I parked at a Walmart, took benefit of their free Wi-Fi to plan my subsequent day’s challenges, and conveniently restocked my provides earlier than heading to the following vacation spot.
Recommendation for you: In a single day Lodging
Think about quite a lot of in a single day lodging to fit your preferences and funds. Whereas accommodations and motels present consolation and facilities, tenting in nationwide parks or RV parks can present distinctive experiences and produce you nearer to nature.
For instance, you may end up tenting underneath the celebrities in Yellowstone Nationwide Park or waking as much as the sound of crashing waves at a beachfront campsite in Florida.
RV park information for North America
3. Analysis and Plan
To execute my challenges effectively, I meticulously pre-planned all 50 of them earlier than setting off on my journey.
Every problem was fastidiously tailor-made to mirror the distinctive traits and choices of the respective state.
As an example, in Tennessee, I made a decision to immerse myself within the wealthy musical heritage of Nashville by trying to put in writing and carry out a rustic track inside 24 hours. With the assistance of native musicians, I attempted to compose a heartfelt ballad that captured the essence of the state’s vibrant music scene. The outcome was referred to as “nice leisure” by the locals, undecided if I’ll make it one to change into a rustic singer.
Recommendation for you: Begin your Analysis Early
Earlier than your journey, take the time to analysis every state and its distinctive traits totally. Determine the important thing sights, landmarks, and cultural points that outline the form.
It will show you how to tailor your challenges to mirror the essence of every location. Think about partaking with locals, shopping journey blogs, or consulting guidebooks to assemble insights and concepts.
Search Native Experience and Assist
Have interaction with locals who can present worthwhile insights and steerage. Join with musicians, artists, or specialists associated to your problem. They will supply recommendation, share their experiences, and even collaborate with you to boost your problem.
In Tennessee, the help of native musicians helped create an genuine and memorable nation track expertise.
Concepts for planning your journey right here
4. Set Needed Boundaries
Whereas there have been quite a few alternatives alongside the way in which, resembling pleasant invites to individuals’s houses or thrilling prospects to increase my keep in a specific state, I set agency boundaries to make sure I stayed on the quickest route.
It was important to withstand the attract of those detours and stay centered on my objective. In Utah, regardless of being tempted by invitation to expertise the gorgeous great thing about Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park, I reminded myself of my time constraints.
I continued alongside the deliberate route, appreciating the park’s wonders from afar.
Recommendation for you: Set Boundaries
Whereas spontaneous invites and alternatives could come up, setting boundaries is crucial to remain on observe. Think about prioritizing sights and actions that align along with your pursuits and targets.
For instance, in the event you’re obsessed with historical past, you may decline an invite for an evening out to make sure you have sufficient time to discover historic websites like Independence Corridor in Philadelphia or the Alamo in Texas.
Let’s pause for a second to get pleasure from Michael’s video trailer of this epic journey:
5. Time Administration
To maximise my time and canopy as a lot floor as potential, I devised a method to drive by way of not less than two states day by day, significantly within the smaller northeastern states. This method allowed me to allocate extra time to the huge and expansive states like Texas and California, the place numerous miles of driving awaited me.
Recommendation for you: Time Administration
Plan your time correctly to take advantage of every state’s choices. You may allocate a shorter period of time in smaller states, permitting you to spend extra days in bigger states with intensive sights.
As an example, you possibly can spend an hour or two exploring Rhode Island’s charming coastal cities after which allocate two days or extra to totally immerse your self in California’s vibrant tradition and pure magnificence.
6. Get better from the Tempo of Touring
The extraordinary tempo of the journey began to take a toll on my power ranges after reaching the thirtieth state, normally sleeping at most six hours and driving not less than 500 miles a day.
To fight excessive tiredness and preserve my stamina, I developed a routine. Together with the much-needed gasoline from copious quantities of espresso, I made it a day by day observe to leap out of the van for a 45-minute run.
Even within the scorching warmth of Dying Valley, I’d lace up my trainers at 7 am, embracing the solitude and tranquility of the early morning hours whereas marveling on the breathtaking desert panorama.
Recommendation for you: Fight Fatigue
Lengthy journeys may be bodily and mentally exhausting.
Maintain your self by incorporating rejuvenating actions into your routine.
For instance, get pleasure from a scenic morning jog alongside the seashore in Florida or observe yoga in a serene park in Oregon.
Moreover, contemplate incorporating leisure hours into your itinerary, the place you possibly can bask in a (fast) spa remedy or get pleasure from a leisurely day exploring a quaint city.
Learn additionally: Journey when you can (and never a second later!)
7. Challenges
The journey wouldn’t have been full with out embracing thrilling and thrilling challenges.
In New Orleans, generally known as the birthplace of jazz, I took on the duty of studying to play the trumpet inside a mere 60 minutes. With the steerage of a neighborhood marching band, I immersed myself within the metropolis’s vibrant musical tradition, creating harmonious melodies that resonated with the soul of New Orleans.
One other exceptional feat was sprinting into the depths of the Grand Canyon inside 60 minutes, conquering its 6,000-foot vertical descent and embracing the sheer grandeur of nature’s masterpiece.
Moreover, I seized the chance to throw a memorable occasion within the quaint city of Boring, Oregon, infusing the town with life and pleasure by way of a festive celebration that introduced the neighborhood collectively. About ten individuals could have joined my spontaneous occasion.
Moreover, I sought to expertise distinctive encounters in every state. I visited an Amish farmer in Pennsylvania, immersing myself of their conventional lifestyle and fascinating in conversations in previous German, connecting with a wealthy cultural heritage that also thrived on this fashionable age.
Concepts on your 50 States Challenges:
- Conquer a Mountain climbing Path: Problem your self to deal with a marked mountaineering path in every state. Every path affords breathtaking surroundings and bodily challenges, from the Appalachian Path in Maine to the Pacific Crest Path in Washington.
- Pattern Native Delicacies: Bask in the culinary delights of every state by making an attempt a signature dish or native specialty. From clam chowder in Massachusetts to beignets in Louisiana or deep-dish pizza in Illinois, immerse your self within the flavors that outline every area.
- Tackle a Water Journey: Have interaction in water-based actions that showcase the distinctive waterways of every state. Attempt white-water rafting in Colorado, snorkeling in Florida’s vibrant coral reefs, or kayaking in Alaska’s pristine fjords.
- Attend a Native Competition: Time your journey to coincide with a conventional or cultural pageant in every state. Whether or not it’s Mardi Gras in Louisiana, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico, or the Sundance Movie Competition in Utah, these occasions supply an opportunity to immerse your self within the native tradition and celebrations.
- Problem Your self in Out of doors Sports activities: Have interaction in exhilarating outside sports activities and actions. Log on in California, snowboarding in Colorado, zip-lining in Georgia, or mountaineering in Utah. Every state affords its adrenaline-pumping adventures.
- Discover Nationwide Parks: Go to iconic nationwide parks and problem your self to discover their distinctive options. Hike the rugged terrain of Zion Nationwide Park in Utah, witness the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone Nationwide Park in Wyoming, or marvel on the towering sequoias in California’s Sequoia Nationwide Park.
- Have interaction in Historic Immersion: Study every state’s historical past by visiting vital landmarks and museums. Discover the Liberty Bell in Pennsylvania, the Kennedy House Heart in Florida, or the Mount Rushmore Nationwide Memorial in South Dakota.
Further Challenges for Visiting US Cities:
- Discover Road Artwork: Uncover varied cities’ vibrant road artwork scenes nationwide. Problem your self to search out and {photograph} distinctive and charming road artwork items in cities like Miami, New York Metropolis, or San Francisco. Seize the creativity and cultural expressions present in these city landscapes.
- Attend a Stay Sporting Occasion: Immerse your self within the electrical ambiance of a reside sporting occasion in numerous cities. Whether or not it’s catching a baseball recreation at Fenway Park in Boston, experiencing the power of an NFL recreation in Dallas, or cheering on a basketball match within the iconic Madison Sq. Backyard in New York Metropolis, be part of the native followers and embrace the joy of American sports activities.
- Have interaction in Music Historical past: Dive into the wealthy music historical past of cities recognized for his or her musical legacies. Problem your self to discover iconic music landmarks, resembling visiting Graceland in Memphis, the previous residence of Elvis Presley, or strolling the historic streets of Nashville, generally known as the “Music Metropolis,” and absorbing the sounds of nation music. Discover the birthplace of jazz in New Orleans or go to Motown’s Hitsville U.S.A. in Detroit for a deeper appreciation of America’s musical heritage.
Bear in mind, the secret’s to personalize the challenges to your pursuits and preferences. Whether or not you’re an journey fanatic, a foodie, or a tradition lover, these challenges supply a implausible strategy to create unforgettable recollections and totally expertise the varied choices of every state.
Embrace the spirit of journey, and let the obstacles improve your journey by way of all 50 states.
Wrapping up
In conclusion, my journey to journey by way of all 50 US states in 50 days was a unprecedented journey that examined my endurance, planning expertise, and skill to adapt to new challenges.
I accomplished this unimaginable feat by meticulously contemplating varied points, resembling touring in a well-equipped van, using Walmart parking tons, pre-planning challenges, setting boundaries, maximizing time, combatting fatigue, and embracing thrilling experiences.
From the gorgeous landscapes and numerous cultures to the distinctive challenges and encounters, this journey allowed me to discover the wealthy tapestry of america and create recollections that can stick with me for a lifetime.
–
Speaker and Problem Seeker Michael Wigge
Award-winning motivational speaker, Michael Wigge, makes a speciality of documenting unimaginable tales about reaching victory over challenges. ‘ Journey the World for Free’, ‘ Barter for Paradise’ (the place he turned an apple right into a Hawaiian dream residence by way of his expertise in bartering for larger, higher issues), and ‘ Journey Europe Blindfolded’ are simply three of his seven journey exhibits. He shared his superb success tales on The Tonight Present with Jay Leno (alongside co-guest Katy Perry) and the At this time Present. His TV applications and books have been broadcast and revealed internationally.
Primarily based on his unimaginable experiences overcoming challenges, Wigge started performing motivational talking engagements and began CMW Teaching & Talking. His most profitable company keynotes are Problem-4-Change Management Success and Problem-4-Change Gross sales Success. He at present delivers shows within the company area, on school campuses, and for personal shoppers within the US and as a speaker in Germany.
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