Nathan Hoang

Nathan Hoang

3d

IntroductionI’m from Texas where winters require no more than two layers, restaurants automatically give you chips and salsa and com-mutes come with plenty of elbow room and cup holders.

After 25 years of this spoiled lifestyle, I moved to Colorado in the winter where I biked on hills through snow to get to work, then moved to New York where someone must’ve mistaken tomato sauce for salsa.

Sure, the Rockies are gorgeous and hiking to the top of a mountain is more rewarding than barely beating a red light. And sure, grabbing a late-night dinner at a food cart can be a lifesaver, but there are just some aspects of Houston that aren’t like other places, so I listed out some things I missed about home.

© 2013

For my family, friends, supporters and everyone I met on the road.Without y’all, this would never have been possible.

After posting this list online, some homesick Texans told me I made their homesickness worse. Others wanted a list for their own state.

In June 2013, friends, family and parts of the internet funded my Kickstarter project to visit all 50 states and make a list for all of them. On July 1, 2013, I headed out to learn about each state and ask the people why they call it their home.

I went north to Maine, south to the Florida Keys, and returned to New York City for a break and meet up with my brother. After a couple weeks, I drove west to Washington, flew to Alaska and Hawaii, returned to the mainland, went south to San Diego and slowly snaked my way back to New York.

I took two-lane highways, ate at the bar, visited and couch surfed with strangers who were passionate about their state and wanted to share their love.

Along the way, I asked people three things: • “What would you miss about your state if you left?” • “What does your state do better than the others?”• “Why do you call your state home?”

When I got back to New York City at the end of October, I began to assemble the states’ lists from the notes I took from locals, transplants, observations, experiences and a little research.

The lists are not meant to be a travel guide but a reminder that even though home is where the heart is, it is also where the cheese curds are. Or where your team plays. Or wherever the buffalo roam.

So if you’re a local, I hope you read your state’s list and swell with pride.

If you moved, I hope your homesickness gets worse.

This book is best viewed with red and cyan 3d glasses. Red filter for your left eye, cyan for your right.

Alabama | 6

Iron Bowl • Dreamland BBQCracklin cornbread • AuburnPrevalence of pickup trucksSpirit of America • Fried okraHangout Music Fest • The GulfGlow worms of Dismal CanyonChurch hats • Low cost of livingBoiled peanuts • Spicy beer chiliFried green tomatoes • Sweet teaSurrounded by kudzu on the roadMartin Luther King Jr. • Rosa ParksChitlins • Knowing that you’re a y’allSpace & Rocket Center • Space CampMontgomery Biscuits in the old prisonSweet potato pie • Milk pie • Moon pieSouthern accents • “Sirs” & “Ma’ams” Alabama clay • The skies are so blueNo confusion when ordering a CokeCommunity feasts following a jublieeRoll TideWar EagleUA ASU

Alaska | 7

SnowLiquid sunshine

The coolest school mascotsWhistling when the Northern Lights are out

Alaskan sourdough • Fresh salmon, halibut and herringKnowing it only gets better after the Winter Solstice

Then celebrating the Summer Solstice • Midnight Sun GameMidnight Sun beer is easy to come by • Russian dumpings

Arctic Winter Games • Big Dipper tattoos • No sales tax“Build the road” • Watching bears during a salmon run

Never needing to bring the car in for inspectionWhich is fortunate because the windshield’s always cracked

Billboard-less panoramic views of the wilderness • Totem polesNo state income tax • Forget-me-nots • Huckleberries • MushingKushtaka Glacier hiking • Glacier climbing • Glacier surfing

The Rubber Duckie Race • Santa Claus HouseWorking in XtraTufs • Formal evenings in XtraTufs

Everyone seems to know each other in the largest stateDenali National Park • Drunken Forest • Mount McKinley

Golden North Salmon Derby • Hot Licks • King crab seasonAlaskan beer • Low-hanging clouds sitting on mountains The mountains have mystery Ray Troll Whales

Down-to-earth people ATVs Pond hockeyThe Last Frontier Snake-free

Ice fishing NalukataqUAA Iditarod

UAF AkutaqUAS WEIO

ABC MooseAPU Wolves

Arizona | 8

Forests of saguaros and petrified woodNever springing forward or falling backRodeo Parade • Fiesta de los Vaqueros

Natural and man-made wonders of the worldLowell Observatory • Tubing the Salt RiverRed Rocks State Park • South Mountain Park Getting through monsoons to enjoy winters More canyons than just the Grand Canyon

Wet‘n’Wild • Sliding around at Slide RockCastles N’ Coasters • Montezuma Castle

Lightning storms • Desert snow • Fry breadPrickly pear pie • Four Peaks beer • Dry air

Never mowing the lawn cause it’s just rocksSun tea • Sunsets on the Sonoran Desert

Suns • Cardinals • Diamondbacks • CoyotesFiliberto’s • Cactus tacos • Chimichangas

The Duel in the Desert • HaboobsRte 66 • Sonoran hot dogs

Bolo ties • Eegee’s

Arkansas | 9

Clean, clear, fresh air • Standing up and calling the HogsMagic Springs • Bathing in Hot Springs • Fouke MonsterLocking through on the Arkansas • Big Dam BridgeWhole Hog Cafe • Fried chicken • Wakarusa Music FestivalCrater Diamond Park • Hiking to waterfalls in the OzarksFishing for catfish and crappie and the inevitable fish fryNever having to bring your car in for a safety inspectionClimbing Mount Magazine • King Biscuit Blues FestivalChips and cheese dip • Biscuits and chocolate gravyStrangers driving pickup trucks who’ll wave backDiamond Bear beer • Barbecue • Purple hull peasFried cornbread • Fried corn • Fried cream cornWorld’s Championship Duck Calling ContestMama Max’s Diner and her chocolate turtlesHanging bags of water to repel mosquitoesFloat trips on the Buffalo National River

Candied yams • Yarnell’s Ice CreamRoadside watermelon • Possum pieSweet tea • “Wooooooo Pig Sooie!”

California | 10

Pacific Coast Highway • Big SurSeafood at Fisherman’s WharfSourdough bread • Lake Tahoe

Redwood Forest • See’s CandiesThe modifying adjective, “Hella”

Karl the Fog • Weekends in NapaCal-Mex food • America’s Cup

Bi-Rite Creamery • YosemiteMuir Woods • Outside LandsLate-night runs to taquerias

Fishing out home-run ballsTech startups in coffee shops

Foods from all over the worldUC Monterey Bay Aquarium

Philz Coffee • Mission burritosPeople watching at Venice Beach

Annual passes to every theme parkViews from the Griffith Observatory80 and sunny all year •  Beach camping

Anchor Steam • Coffee Bean & Tea LeafFish tacos • Salvation Mountain • Big Bear

Surfing competitions for humans and dogsPicking avacados from your neighbors’ yards

Highways that start with “The” • 0% humiditySnowboard, skateboard and surf all in one day

Ordering from In-N-Out’s secret menuCoachella • Death Valley • Roscoe’s

Beach bonfires • Joshua TreeSan Diego Zoo • SDCC

World-class museumsGoing to TJ for tacos

Colorado | 11

Rocky Mountain National Park • Skiing at plenty of resortsSeeing the Rockies while watching the Rockies • FlatironsGarden of the Gods • The mountains double as a compassRocky Mountain Showdown • Bojo’s • Summer wildflowersA ton of microbreweries • Great American Beer FestivalLeft Hand beer • Chili verde • Mesa Verde • Grand MesaSubaru Outbacks • Continental Divide • Bolder Boulder53 Fourteeners • Coffin races and Frozen Dead Guy DaysCelestial Seasoning • NWSS • 16th and Pearl Street MallsAspens in autumn • Concerts at Red Rocks AmpitheatreSports teams with relevant nicknames • Palisade peachesBlack Canyon of the Gunnison • Olympic Training CenterColorado-Texas Tomato War • Telluride Bluegrass FestivalSnowboarding Vail • Sandboarding the Great Sand Dunes

Connecticut | 12

Beach clubs • Beach camping • Beach bashes • BonfiresWild Bill’s Nostalgia Center • Frog Bridge • Toad’s PlaceClimbing the Sleepy Giant • Hiking the Appalachian Trail Tubing down Farmington River • Steamed cheeseburgersYale • Pick-up hockey games • Seeing the seasons changeGathering of the Vibes • UConn • Connecticut Wine TrailDinosaur State Park and Arboretum • The Dinosaur PlaceSmelling the ocean • Sailing around the Long Island SoundApple picking •  Lighthouses • Lake Compounce • Kent FallsRemembering the Hartford Whalers • Huskies basketballMystic Aquarium • Gillette Castle Louis’

White clam pizzaDuchess

GrindersApizza

Delaware | 13

QuietTax-free

FireflyCrabYoUDeeClamsHistorySeafoodBoardwalkReturn DayGrotto PizzaJazz FestivalDewey BeachApple ScrapplePunkin ChunkinDogfish Head beerHelen’s sausagesFisher’s PopcornSalt and vinegar fries

Arizona | 14

Fresh orange juice and limeade Running the Seven Mile Bridge SurfingEmpanadas stuffed with various things for any meal Seafood

Plenty of water parks • 663 miles of beaches • No state taxShellfish fresh from the sea • Fruits fresh off the tree

Publix subs Annual passes to theme parksPublix Fanboating through swamps

Daytona 500 • 9 pro teamsFried fish • Conch fritters

Sunrises from the oceanSunsets into the gulfScuba diving the reefsSwamp Cabbage Fest

Disney World fireworksSuper Boat InternationalCape Canaveral launches

Hurricane parties • The CanesCigar City beer • Mardi Gras

Calle Ocho • Pollo TropicalBoggy Bayou Mullet Festival

Alaskan Tacos • Fish tacosPalm trees • Cypress trees

Cubans • Cuban coffeeAlligators • The Gators

No snow • The ‘NolesUltra Music Festival

Annual Mug RaceFlorida ReefKey lime pieEvergladesBiscayne

Golf

Georgia | 15

Wild Hog Festival • Fried piesThe Tree That Owns ItselfJittery Joe’s • Hurricane–freeHawks • Falcons • Big ChickenSouthern belles and gentlemenCornbread • Vidalia onion season The Varsity’s chili cheese slaw dogsFreestone peaches • Stone MountainButtermilk biscuits with grits and gravyZaxby’s • Shooting the Hooch • Six FlagsSweet tea • Dragon Con Parade • Soul foodFatt Matt’s Rib Shack • A dinner full of sides

Antebellum houses • Peachtree Road Race Peach cider • Brunswick Stew • The MastersMLK Jr. • Fried green tomatoes • Toccoa Falls

Providence Canyon State Park • Savannah’s ghostsSpanish moss • Azaleas • Magnolias • Chick-fil-AClean, Old-Fashioned Hate after ThanksgivingCherry Blossom Festival • SweetWater beerChess pie • Flying Biscuit • Georgian accentsGladys Knight Chicken and Waffles • A3C

Ordering a coke then specifying, “Coke”Home of the Braves

R.E.M.

Arizona | 16

HulaBlack sand

Portuguese sausageShave ice • Plate lunch

Huli-Huli chicken • MochiKona Coffee • Lei Day • Poke

Pacific swimming year-roundRainforests • Coral reefsKama‘aina discount“Hawai‘i Pono‘ī”Malasada

Stars

TaroMaui Style chips

Cream puffsPlumerias

LaulauPidgin

Rubbah slippahsKalua Pork

POGTriple Crown

Rainbows everydayNo billboards

Loco moco

OhanaAloha spiritAloha shirts

MangosPoi

Spam

HulaBlack sand

Portuguese sausageShave ice • Plate lunch

Huli-Huli chicken • MochiKona Coffee • Lei Day • Poke

Pacific swimming year-roundRainforests • Coral reefsKama‘aina discount“Hawai‘i Pono‘ī”Malasada

Stars

TaroMaui Style chips

Cream puffsPlumerias

LaulauPidgin

Rubbah slippahsKalua Pork

POGTriple Crown

Rainbows everydayNo billboards

Loco moco

OhanaAloha spiritAloha shirts

MangosPoi

Spam

Idaho | 17

Spud DayFry saucePowwowsFry breadBlue fieldSilverwoodNot crowdedIronport • PintxosPaul Bunyan DaysA floating golf courseTreefort Music FestivalHomemade, wild game jerkySweet Willy • JackalopesFloating the Boise River

Laughing Dog beerBoarding Bogus Basin

3,100 miles of rivers to paddle26,000 miles of streams to fish

Broncos • Vandals • Governor’s CupPotato ice cream • Frozen Idaho Spuds

Western Idaho Fair • Winter Carnival • Eastern Idaho State FairBalanced Rock • Castle Rocks • Rock climbing City of RocksHiking Shoshone Falls or going into the Shoshone Ice Caves

Soda Springs Geyser • Fly fishing for trout in the Salmon RiverPicking wild huckleberries to make jam, jelly, pie and pancakesMud bogging • Snake River Stampede Rodeo • Idaho RegattaYou don’t have to travel too far to be in 1 of 10 national forestsCamping and caving in the Craters of the Moon • Smoked fishFinger steaks • National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest & FestivalBASE jumping off Perrine Bridge whenever the mood strikesHells Canyon’s Seven Devils and the view from Heaven’s Gate

Illinois | 18

Movies in the Park • Forest PreserveTaste of Chicago • Ravinia Festival

Chicago dogs, hold the ketchupFree concerts at Millenium Park

Jewel • Lollapalooza • Second CityBroadway shows • CIFF • Blues Festival

Bulls • Bears • Cubs • Sox • Blackhawks • FireCake Shake • Walking distance from any parkGoing down Lake Shore Drive • Pulaski Day

Hot dipped combo • Harold’s Chicken ShackGarrett Popcorn • Free museum days for locals

The Chicago River on St. Patrick’s Day • Pierogies Expressways with names • Six Flags Great AmericaComing in and seeing the Sears Tower in the skylineCrosstown Classic • 29 miles of beaches in the city

Getting to use internet on the El • 16-inch softballGiordano’s • Dominick’s • Al’s Beef • Hot Doug’s

Pizza with some depth • Chicago MarathonHiking through Shawnee National ForestHorseshoe sandwich • Confluence Tower

Route 66 • Modest MidwesternersLincoln on a totem • Lincoln statuesBroomball • Knights Action Park

Goose Island Beer • Sweet cornPicnics on Grandview Drive

Trail of Tears State ForestGarden of the Gods

Lincoln HighwayJoe Rogers’ chili

Illinois CavernsU of I NU

Indiana | 19

“There’s more than just corn”Lake Michigan • Birth of recorded jazzPopcorn-eating contests at the festivalThe Shillelaghs & Megaphone trophiesHoosier Hysteria • Tubing TippecanoeJames Dean Festival and Ducktail RunIndiana Dunes • Elephant ears • MarshThe Noodle • Cornhole • Holiday WorldReferring to green peppers as mangosThree Floyds beer • The Gasoline RallyPork tenderloin sandwiches • Shapiro’sTurkey Run • Square Donuts • Pizza KingKurt Vonnegut • Triple XXX Root BeerIvanhoes’ 100 shakes and 100 sundaes A basketball team named after racing

Hoosier sugar cream pie • Sun King beerWatching the Indy 500 from the standsPartying in the middle of the Indy 500Oaken Bucket • Thunder on the Ohio

West Side Nut Club Fall FestivalThe Brickyard 400 • Colts • Ice

Concerts at Boot City OpryBreadsticks in cheese sauce

The state bird

Iowa | 20

Taking a whiff while driving and saying, “Smells like money!”Midwestern manners • Tavern sandwich • Peace Tree beer

Cheese sauce • K&K Tiny But Mighty Popcorn • MettwurstThe World’s Largest Truckstop and the Trucker’s Jamboree“Uff da” • All-you-can-eat sweet corn at the Sweet Corn Festival

Iowa State Fair • Morel mushroom hunting • Thursday Taco RideDeep-fried foods • Foods on a stick • Deep-fried foods on a stickCanteen Lunch in the Alley • “You betcha!” • 80/35 • Literary WalkRAGBRAI • Raygun shirts • Rhubarb wine • No car inspectionsUsing skywalks in the winter • Buffalo Bill • Lincoln HighwayLidtke Mill • The caucus • Pappajohn Sculpture ParkSupreme is cheaper than unleaded • AdventurelandCyclones, Hawkeyes and the Cy-Hawk Trophy • ISUGreat Lakes • Craft Beer Festival • “Is this heaven?”

UI

Kansas | 21

Keeper of the Plains • Tallgrass Prairie • Tallgrass beerNu Way’s crumbly hamburgers and homemade root beerBierocks • The beautiful sunflower fields on the rolling hillsSun tea • Sunflower seed cookies • Spangles • Oklahoma Joe’sRock City • Chalk Pyramids • Flatlands Country Music FestivalFishing in the Arkansas River (and pronouncing it ar-Kansas)Flint Hills • Oktoberfest Wiener Dog Race • Braum’s ice creamFree State beer • The Donut Whole • Burnt ends • Rock ChalkCountry Stampede • Sporting Kansas City • Kansas SpeedwayJohnny Kaw • The Big Pool • The World’s Largest Ball of TwineWSU • KU Jayhawks • KSU Wildcats • Sunflower Showdown

Kentucky | 22

21cGoetta

Cumberland GapMammoth Cave • Natural Bridge

“My Old Kentucky Home” • Ale-8-OneHot Brown • Scenic drives by horse farms

Kentucky Derby and the derby hats, cakes and pies Mint juleps • Getting your passports stamped on the Bourbon Trails

Bourbon Chocolate • Southern hospitality mixed with Midwestern mannersLebowski Fest • Governor’s Cup • Battle for the Bluegrass • Big Blue Madness

Heine Brothers’ Coffee • Louisville chili • Burgoo • The Pope Lick Monster“Louisville” pronunciations • Dainty • Bourbon • Bardstown and the Bambi WalkBluegrass Fest • No yearly car inspections • Highland Coffee • Beer cheese

The Colonel

Louisiana | 23

Boudain • Bourbon Street • Beads Blue Bayou • Brass bands • BeignetsFestival International • Voodoo FestRed beans and rice on Monday nightsPo’ boys • Plantations • Spanish mossSpelling “go” with an E, A, U and X

Catching crawfish in the bayouCatching blue crab by the bayFinding the king cake baby

Mudfest • Bacon pralinesSpelling “that” with a DCrawfish boils that uses the entire thing of spice

Seafood gumbo • Crawfish étoufée • JambalayaEvery table has Tabasco so you don’t have to askMardi Gras and the parade • Snoballs on the stoopTony Chachere’s goes with everythingWhen the Saints go marching in • Cabbage ball

Abita   Hurricanes and Hand Grenades • Remoulade Andouille Hot sauce • Zapp’s chips

The Pelicans JazzMuffulettas Blues

LSU

Maine | 24

UM Dirigo Ayuh

As Maine goes • ChowderIce fishing on Moosehead Lake

The lights over Moosehead LakeShipyard beer • Amato’s • Fort Knox

Snowshoeing • Snowmobiling • SkiingShucking shellfish • Lobster trapping

Autumn leaves on Mount Desert Island60 lighthouses along 3,478 miles of coastSeeing Mt. Katahdin and then climbing it

Moxie • Main streets named Maine Street  A 24-hour L.L.Bean store and their free bus

Navigating Allagash Wilderness Waterway by canoeAllagash beer • Views atop Penobscot Narrows Bridge

Acadia National Park • Old Orchard Beach • Cap’n Nemo’sWhoopie pie • Maple syrup • Picking blueberries • Patriot’s DayLobster rolls • Exploring 3,000 islands by boat • Casco Bay FerryClambakes • Baked beans • Belfast Bears • Sailing Somes SoundThe only fjords on the east coast • Humpty Dumpty chipsDisc golfing in the Desert of Maine Gulf HagasSunrises on Cadillac MountainBlueberry pie • Lobster bisqueReggae parties on Peak IslandGifford’s Ice CreamNo billboardsRed SnapperFried clamsKahBangHockey

Maryland | 25

Going down to the ocean • Crab cakes • Smith Island CakePreakness Yelling “OH!” in the anthem O’sUMD Sliding the Giant Slide Hon

Berger Cookies Old BayBaltimore Bill WMSR

Sailing The BayLacrosse Ravens

Soft clams JHUCrab feasts Six Flags

Lake Trout National BohemianCoddies Terrapins

Pit beef

Massachusetts | 26

Frappes Cumbies

Fried clams • Lobster rolls • Clam chowder • Legal SeafoodPats • Bruins • Celts • Sox • Fenway Park • Green Monster

Apple picking • Autumn • Freedom Trail • Street hockeyCandlepin bowling • Cranberry bogs • Dunkin’ Donuts

Parades for St. Patrick, Patriots’ Day and championshipsBoston in July • Salem in October • The Cape in the summer

Fluffernutter • First Night MITBoston Common BUBoston cream pie 6A

Boston Strong • Whale watchingHarvard Rotaries

UMassBC

Michigan | 27

TrollsRed Wings

Electric ForestHeidelberg Project • Meijer

UM Dally in the Alley • MotownMSU Bay City Fireworks Festival

Paul Bunyan Trophy • Founders beer Driving the Tunnel of Trees in autumn

Michigan Adventure • Michigan leftsWatching the Lions on Thanksgiving

Running the bases at Tiger Stadium PączkisThe Navin Field Grounds Crew Pierogies

Sand dunes along Lake Michigan Spatz’s breadLegend of the Octopus • Halo Burger • Coney dogsFaygo • State Street • Zehnder’s chicken dinners

Uncle Ray’s Potato Chips • The Pistons • Belle IsleJalapeño pickled eggs • Lake cabins • Lake HuronCherry coffee • Cherry wine • Vernors Ginger AleDearborn Sausages • Blue Moon Ice CreamLake Erie • Getting lost in John K. King Books Or getting lost in Michigan Central Station

Art deco in Detroit • Pick-up hockey gamesAmbassador Bridge • Detroit–Windsor Tunnel

NisuSkiing

Fish fryIce fishing

Lake Superior • Iron Mountain Yoopers The brown waters of Tahquamenon Falls The Superior Dome

Pasties with some hot sauce • Camping at Pictured Rocks • The Sault LocksCar-less, fudge-filled Mackinac Island • Fudge ice cream • Biggby

Sight of snow quickly piling up on trees Mackinac BridgeUpper Hand beer

Ice climbingTrout

NMU

Minnesota | 28

UM“Pop”

Minnesota goodbyesLake cabins • Lutefisk • LefseMississippi Headwaters • Northern LightsThe all-you-can drink milk stand • Fried walleye • Camp SnoopyPaul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox • Paul Bunyan’s AxePolar Plunge • Nut Goodies • Iron Range PorkettaLake Wobegone • Lake Superior • 10,000 lakesHotdishes • Caribou Coffee • Jello saladConvenience of skywalks in the winterWild rice • Saint Paul Winter CarnivalRoadside assistance from neighborsJucy Lucy • 1919 Draft Root Beer

Fairchild • “Oh, ya sure, you betcha!”Surly beer • No car inspectionsBooya • “Uuf da!” • Pond hockeyMinneapolis Sculpture GardenVoyageurs National Park • The WildVikings and the Purple People EatersTwins, Timberwolves and Minnesota NiceThe Biggest Ball of Twine (made by one man)

Mississippi | 29

Magnolia trees in bloomNatchez Trace • Blues TrailMud pie • Top of the Hops

B.B. King • Low cost of livingLazy Magnolia beer • Bumpers

Mud bogging • Swamp boatingCasseroles • Cracklin cornbreadTrucks • Atwood Music Festival

The Sonic Boom of the SouthCarnival on the Coast • Sin dip

Chess pie • Kool-Aid picklesThe Battle for the Golden Egg

Fishing for catfish • Fish friesCauseyville General Store

The brown waters of the gulfFoods cooked in Hoover sauce

Foods dipped in Comeback sauceTailgating early Saturday mornings

Eating in Mammy’s Cupboard’s skirtGeyser Falls

Crawfish boilsMeat-and-two

MSU

Missouri | 30

Liberty Memorial • Flood Wall graffiti muralMiddle of the Map Fest • Thurtene Carnival

Jello salad • Toasted ravioli from The HillBlues bars • Blues Cruise • The Blues

Worlds of Fun • Six Flags • City Museum6,000 caves, one of which is a restaurant

Chiefs • Watching Tigers at the Zou • RamsBoulevard Beer • Burnt ends • Pork steaksRoyals • Cardinals • Neighborhood corkball gamesMissouri Fox Trotters • Budweiser ClydesdalesForest Park • Great Forest Park Balloon RaceStroud’s for fried chicken • Fitz’s for root beerGates for bar–b-q • Imo’s for St. Louis-style pizzaWinstead’s for burgers • Lambert’s for throwed rollsTed Drewes Frozen Custard • St. Paul sandwich • ProvelFloat trips down Huzzah River • Summers at Party CoveCrossing the border just to eat barbecue in a gas stationCamping at Ozark Scenic Riverways • Cabins at Big SpringSeeing the Arch across the river and knowing you’re home

Rte 66MSU

UM

Montana | 31

A 147,046 square-mile town with really long streets and not a lot of people crowding it • Wide open spacesNever having to calculate sales tax • Cutting down your own Christmas tree • Migrating eagles on Rogers PassNever taking cars in for inspections • Driving reasonably and prudently • Driving past amber waves of grainThe warmth and security the snow-capped Rockies provide • Plenty of huckleberry treats anywhere you go

Rafting the Gallatin River • Canoeing the Missouri River • Looking at the Roe River (because it’s so short)Driving through the Crown of the Continent on the Going-to-the-Sun road • Hiking the Continental Divide

Keeping it wild • Pictograph Cave State Park • Big Horn Canyon • Reenactments of Custer’s Last StandHoar frost after a snowstorm • Hiking out to hot springs in the dead of winter • Bozeman Ice Festival

Hearing the meadowlarks sing in the spring season •  Seeing the spring trees turn emerald greenTaking the scenic Beartooth to get into America’s first national park • Buffalo-related traffic jamBig Dipper Ice Cream regardless of season • Hunting morel mushrooms after a summer fire

T-bone steaks • Pickle Barrel • Rock climbing • Fly fishing • Ice climbing • Ice fishing • Ice boatingBig Sky Rodeo Roundup • Rockin’ the Rivers • Fried Rocky Mountain oysters at the Testy Festy

Lewis and Clark Caverns • Lewis and Clark Trail • Lewis and Clark beer • Pompey’s PillarUniversity of Montana • Montana State • Brawl of the Wild for the Great Divide trophy

Big skies • Big Sky beerBig gentle mountains

Treasure

Nebraska | 32

Arbor Day Farm • AppleJack Festival • Harvest of HarmonyCollege World Series • Kolaches • Kolach Days • The world’s largest kolacheOmaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the largest indoor rainforestTaste of Omaha • Omaha steaks • Cheese Frenchees • Runzas • Popcorn ballsFree all-you-can-eat popcorn at Popcorn Days • Ted & Wally’s Ice Cream ShopThe Sandhill Crane migration congregating at the Sandhills • Crane Watch FestivalDorothy Lynch • Crossing the river every Thursday on a bicycle to grab some tacosAshfall Fossil Beds • Ogallala Aquifer • Chimney Rock • Toadstool Park • Scotts BluffTaking the Cornhusker Highway to see the Cornhuskers on Saturdays • Heroes Trophy

Carhenge • The world’s largest ball of stamps and porch swingDundee Dell • Goodrich Ice Cream • Eileen’s Colossal CookiesIsland Oasis • 12,370 miles of rivers • Canoeing the Niobrara RiverUnicameral legislature • Modest millionares • Humble billionaires

Nevada | 33

Big blue skies • Big bright stars • Bush partiesTrips to Lake Tahoe and the Sierra NevadasGreat Basin National Park • Great Basin beerAwful Awful Burger • Grand Adventure LandOne week at Black Rock City • Nevada DaySmelling freshly-cut fields of alfalfa sproutsKings Canyon Falls • Katie’s Country KitchenBasque cake • Sandboarding Sand MountainCarson Valley Days • Fry bread • Indian tacosFree parking • Wet ‘n’ Wild • Buffet of Buffets

Lake Mead • 24-hour access to everything2 eggs, 2 pancakes, 2 sausages for $2.22

Rebels • Wolf pack • Battle for NevadaTime traveling on the Hoover Dam

Cathedral Gorge • Valley of FireBest shows, clubs and DJs

Late nights at PeppermillNo state income tax

Red Rock CanyonNeon Museum

Dry airEDC

51

New Hampshire | 34

BinxShaw’s

PoutineBirches

Fall leavesPorcFest

BobhousesFranconia Notch

White MountainsAn hour from skiing

Hour from swimmingPond Hockey Classic

No seat belts requiredNeither state nor sales taxNo car insurance neededSugar on snow • Fried clams

Smuttynose • Fields of LupinesWater Country • Blink’s Fry Doe

Old Man of the MountainLow-paid congress

New Jersey | 35

WawaBon Jovi

Rt 9W • PalisadesFull-service gas stationsJersey Strong • Six Flags

Taylor ham, egg, cheese“What exit?” • Devils

NY “home” gamesDiners • Down the shore

Close to the CityThe boardwalk

Close to the CityRutgers • Princeton

Soft pretzels • The BossBagels • Buttered hard rolls

Pork roll, egg, cheese, SPKJersey Devil • WindMill

Lucy the ElephantTomato pie

Cape MaySHUAC

New Mexico | 36

Land of Mañana • Red or Green? • Sandia MountainsThe Turquoise Trail • Santa Fe beer • Desert sunsetsSandia Peak Tramway • International Balloon FiestaLos Alamos and Trinity site • Rafting the Rio GrandeFrontier Restaurant’s sweet rolls • Carlsbad CavernsThe Whole Enchilada Fiesta • Marble Brewery beerRoadrunner superstitions • Pre-American structuresThe Cumbres & Toltec Railroad • Snowy River CaveSummer monsoons • The smell after a thunderstormBreakfast burritos • Piñon nut ice cream • Blue cornHatch chile • Prickly pear desserts •  Green chile stewPie-o-neer Café • Clines Corners • Adobes • ShiprockGreen chile cheeseburger • Dust devils • Chile rellenoLotaburger • Taos hum • Billy the Kid Tombstone RaceBiscochitos on Christmas • War Eagles Air MuseumChaco Canyon • Ristras • Great American Duck RaceSmokey Bear • Beautiful beaches without the oceanPutting green chile on everything • Georgia O’KeeffeSpaceport America • Ending a meal with a sopapillaSledding White SandsRte 66

New York | 37

Finger Lakes in AutumnMichigan dogs • White hots

Lake Ontario • Lake ChamplainFresh maple syrup • Frozen custard

Knowing where “Upstate” really startsSpiedies • Riggies • Wings • Garbage plate

Mozzarella sticks with raspberry sauceTrack season • Salt potatoes • Mighty Taco

Beef on weck • Wegmans • AdirondacksThousand Islands • Ausable Chasm • Erie Canal

The Bills Horse Racing Hall of Fame • Baseball Hall of FameSnow days in Niagara Falls • Appreciating that it’s not like the other side • Saranac beer

Apple picking • Apple cider • Cider donuts • Half moon cookies • The Great EscapeClimbing the Catskills and still seeing the skyline • Central Park in all four seasonsJogging through, by and on landmarks • Open 24 hours • Anything is deliverable

NYFF • Multicultural cuisines • Grand Central’s ceiling • Pizza that requires foldingTechnically free museums but throwing them a few bucks anyway because they’re great

People watching at Union Square • Greenmarket • Parades for almost anyone and anything Celebrity sightings and nobody cares • Shake Shack • Fashion Week • Walking everywhere

Jaywalking everywhereBroadway (off and on)

Bodega cats • BagelsFive Boro Bike Tour

Brooklyn beerBonchon Ray’s

Mud 5 PointzStreet meat • High Line

The Strand4am

North Carolina | 38

Grits, gravy and biscuits • Collard greens • Bojangles’ • Sweet teaA couple hours from the Atlantic or the Appalachians • Moonshine

Fried cornbread • Ingles • Late nights at Cook-Out • Coca-Cola 600Heading down south to the land of the pines • Cheerwine • Carolina burger

Jumping Jockey’s Ridge • Sliding Sliding Rock • Driving Blue Ridge Parkway in autumnPork barbecue (which is better than the other side’s barbecue) • Peanuts • The Triangle

Great Smoky Mountains • Tobacco Road • Pig pickin’s • ACC Basketball TournamentHighland beer The Panthers • Outer Banks and the Lost Colony

The “Hot Now” light • Chicken stew and biscuitsGrandfather Mountain

Bluegrass festivalsHushpuppies

Hornets

North Dakota | 39

Driving through the country’s bread basket and seeing fields of grain and sunflowersGovernor’s Walleye Cup Fishing Derby • Friendly neighbors • Space Aliens Grill & BarNational grasslands • 2,800 miles of snowmobiling trails • Rolling hills • Lake SakakaweaSalem Sue • Wally the Walleye • Wahpper • Dakota Thunder • Sandy the Sandhill CraneUnited Tribes International PowWow • Fry bread • Beer cheese soup • Knoephla • LefseLewis and Clark Trail • Freshly fallen snow on the badlands • Fields of green in the springCANDISC Bicycle Tour • Climbing Black Butte one day, conquering White Butte the nextState Fair • Hugo’s • Devil’s Lake • “Uff-da!” • Roaming buffalo and the occasional traffic jamThe break in the scenery on Enchanted Highway • Cass-Clay Creamery • Chokecherry pie Straddling the border at the International Peace Garden • Snow golfing • The Kegs Drive-InLake Metigoshe • UND hockey games at The Ralph • Raspeball • Turtle Mountain • KuchenPitchfork Steak Fondue • Fort Abraham Lincoln and the On-A-Slant Indian Village • BonspielsFleischkuekle • Snowshoeing • Chippers • Burger Time’s Bigger Burger • Big Iron Farm ShowNo car inspection sticker needed • Fishing in any season • Pond hockey • The Nickel TrophyTater tot hotdish • The petroglyphs at Writing Rock • Hornbacher’s • Norsk Høstfest • LutefiskDog sledding • Four-Headed Thunderbird • Laughing Sun beer • Mighty Og • Bonanzaville, USAGranite City beer • Medora Musical • Maah Daah Hey Trail • Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Ohio | 40

NASASwensons

Honey Hut Ice Cream Cedar PointLake Erie and the Islands Drive-thru liquor storesWest Side Market • Great Lakes beer • Barberton chickenCuyahoga Valley National Park • Trying test-market productsStadium Mustard • Lawson’s Chip Dip • Cornhole • State FairNeutral accents (and Midwestern accents) • North MarketFriendly and nice people who also happen to curse a lotHocking Hills • Headlands Dunes • Grilled cheese at MeltTall Stacks • Home to astronauts and presidents • GoettaGraeter’s • Jeni’s • Calling soft drinks “pop” • Bob EvansDan Dee Pretzel & Potato Chip • A couple halls of fameSaying “please?” instead of “excuse me?” • Sweet cornSeven professional sports teams (only one is a color)Frisch’s • Chicken bacon ranch pizza • Skyline ChiliKings Island • Jungle Jim’s • All Good Festival

WEBN Fireworks • Ohio Brew WeekBuckeyes • Buckeye candy

Crosstown ShootoutTBDBITL

Oklahoma | 41

Tulsa Tough • Red Earth Native American Festival • Del Rancho Steak Sandwich SupremeJimmy’s Egg’s breakfast • Leo’s BBQ • Weber’s Superior Root Beer • Irma’s Burger Shack

J.M. Davis Gun Museum • Onion burgers • Bison burgersCowboy Hall of Fame • QuikTrip • World’s Largest PeanutWaffle chicken sandwich • Chicken-fried steak and chickenIndian tacos • Redbud trees in spring • Jazz Hall of FameNice people who’ll wave back • Calf fries • Old Round BarnGreat Salt Plains • Prairies • Big skies • Frontier City • PopsBraum’s fries and ice cream • Selmon Brother’s BBQ sauceRocklahoma • Norman Music Festival • Banjo Hall of FameCherokee National Holiday • The Thunder • Bedlam Series

Oklahoma Outlaw Prison Rodeo • Happy hours at Sonic375 miles of Route 66 • 56,00 miles of fresh water

Thunderstorms and tornado cloudsCenter of the Universe

Oregon | 42

A birdCivil War Columbia River GorgeBrunches Hiking Pacific Crest or Lewis and Clark TrailNever pumping gas (but you’re probably on a bicycle anyway)363 miles of Pacific coast, most of which, are public beachesMFNW • The weird, yet normal things you see in PortlandBurgerville • Christmas tree hunting • WNBR • BrewvanaEnchanted Forest • Voodoo’s Maple Bacon Bar • Dutch Bros.Haystack Rock • Hells Canyon • Your favorite swimming holeTillamook Cheddar • Filberts • Oregon truffles • The Timbers

Green • Fair trade coffee • Powell’s Books • Saturday Market The Cascades • Mornings on Crater Lake • Snow on Mt. Hood

Home roasts • Home breweries • Craft breweries • Rogue beerDrive-thru espressos • Stumptown • A food court of food cartsPlenty of gluten-free options and offerings • Marionberry pie The Trailblazers • No sales tax on any of the aforementioned

Pennsylvania | 43

UPennPitt • PSU

Speaking Pittsburghese and knowing anyone can be a “yinz” and anything can be a “jawn”Kennywood Park • Driving by Hershey with your windows down • Hersheypark • KnoebelsPine Creek Gorge (aka the Grand Canyon of PA) • Bushkill Falls (aka the Niagara Falls of PA)Iron City Beer • Penn State Creamery • Turkey Hill Ice Cream • Corropolese Bakery • YuenglingRoar on the Shore • Lebanon bologna • Scrapple • Gobs and whoopie pies • Shoo-fly pie • Tomato pieAny possessive, proper-name establishment that serves a good cheesesteak • Lehigh Gorge TrailAn early end to winter predicted by Punxsutawney Phil • Barn raises • Cheese sauce • StrombolisA beautiful day in the neighborhood • An early end to winter predicted by Octorara OrphiePhiladelphia Big 5 • Liberty Bell • Indepedence Mall • American history • Party on the ParkwayTaking the steps to get a good view • Taking the incline to get a great view • Mummers ParadeThree Rivers Art Fest • Lincoln Highway • Hawk migrations every autumn on Hawk MountainInternational Festival of Firsts • Chicken corn soup • Pierogies • Tastykake • Herr’s Potato ChipsThe O • Cole slaw and French fries-stuffed Primanti Bros. sandwiches • Soft pretzels with mustardChipped ham sandwich • Roast pork sandwich • Broccoli rabe • Made in America • Wawa • Mt. DavisChickie’s & Pete’s crab fries • Union • Flyers • E-A-G-L-E-S • 76ers • Phillies and the Phillie PhanaticPenguins • Pirates and the Great Pierogi Race • Steelers and all of their rings • King of PrussiaFallingwater • Laurel Highlands • Reenactments in Gettysburg • Trips to the Poconos

Rhode Island | 44

Stone-enders • Clam cakesStuffies • Iggy’s DoughboysHot wieners • Sweetbread15 Lighthouses • QuahogsChowder (red, white or clear)Zeppoles on St. Joseph’s DayAmerican history and heritageAll beaches are publicly ownedCumberland Farms • Narragansett BeerNew York System • Del’s frozen lemonadeNewport Creamery • Haven Brothers DinerBristol 4th of July Parade and celebrationCoffee milk • Awful Awful • Coffee cabinetAllie’s Donuts • The Breakers RISDBrown • Everything is closeCheese-less pizza stripsNewport Folk Festival

Duckpin bowling“Wicked”

South Carolina | 45

South of the BorderListening to stories on the porch

Deep-fried cuisine • Black Bike WeekOnly a couple hours from the Atlantic or the Appalachians

Tailgating the Carolina Cup • Shrimp boils and oyster roastsSouthern hospitality • Southern honor • Southern charm

Palmetto tree-lined streets • Shrimp and grits • Carowinds Falls Park on the Reedy • Edisto River Canoe & Kayak Trail

Revolutionary and Civil War sights • Fort Sumter • Letting it flyPeach cobbler • Boiled peanuts • Pickup trucks • Fireworks

Caesers Head • Spoleto Festival • No car inspectionsRoadside peaches • Coast beer • Rainbow Row

Chicken bog • Lizard Man • Frogmore stewShe-crab soup • Congaree National Park

The Palmetto Bowl • Deep sea fishingLiver pudding • Benne wafers

Mardi Gras • The PeachoidAntebellum plantations

Sweet teaBBQShagY’all

South Dakota | 46

Driving a few minutes to the middle of nowhere, hearing nothing and seeing the Milky WayCuster State Park’s Buffalo Roundup • Thunder Butte • Black Hills Wild Horse SanctuaryFly fishing • Walleyes • Days of ‘76 • Hiking Buffalo Gap National Grassland • Devil’s GulchCorn Palace • Corn on the cob • Cornbread • Bread pudding • West-Mex food • Crazy HorseJackalopes • Camping on Mars, otherwise known as the Badlands • Needles Highway • ChislicKuchen • Four national caves • Wild caving in one of the many other caves • SDSU • Hobo DayCross-country skiing the Black Hills • Jet skiing Pactola Lake • Water skiing Lake Francis CaseLake Thompson fishing derbies in the summer and winter • Porter Sculpture Park • Fry breadTater tot hotdishes • Schmeckfest • Ice fishing • The Black Hills • Oyate Trail • Mammoth SiteStanding in the geographical center of the country • Sioux Empire Fair • Wall Drug pit stopsOverlooking the state from Harney Peak • Face climbing the Needles • Crystal Springs RodeoPresidents overlooking the Black Hills • Dinosaurs overlooking Rapid City • Run Crazy HorseSturgis in August • Buffalo Chip Campground • Never bringing in your car in for an inspectionRock climbing actual rocks and bull riding actual bulls • Crappie • Yankton Riverboat DaysIngalls Homestead • Oreos, Snickers and gummi worms are acceptable ingredients for saladLefse • No state income tax • PowWows • Indian tacos • Firehouse beer • Dakota Style chips

Snowmobile trailsUSD

Tennessee | 47

Volunteers • Bonnaroo • Concerts at the Grand Ole Opry • No last callMoon pies • Lake Winnie • Clogging • Molasses • Birthplace of a couple music genres

Grits and gravy • Soup beans • Cornbread • Chow-Chow • White lightning • RC ColaCast-iron cooking • Dry-rubbed pork barbecue • Coonskin caps • Dollywood

Suffragettes • The scenic drive through Pigeon Forge • Tennessee WalkersSynchronous fireflies • Piggly Wiggly • Beale Street Music Festival

No state income tax • Tennessee Whiskey Trail • Tail of the DragonCountry Music Hall of Fame • Hot chicken • Good ole Rocky Top

Texas | 48

Fields of bluebonnetsBarbecue beef brisketTexas-edition pickupsNo income tax • ACLSix-flag Texas historySix Flags theme parksSaddle-shaped disco ballsDon’t Mess With Texas trash cansSouthern hospitality • SXSW • Come and Take ItBig Bend National Park • Shiner Beer is considered a domesticLate nights at Taco Cabana • Crawfish boils • Blue Bell Ice CreamHunkering down • Hurricane parties • Homecoming mum cultureSan Antonio’s Mission Trail • Alamo Drafthouse • Lone Star BeerSaying “hello” by saying “howdy” • Eighth Wonder of the World

Eight professional sports teams, all of whom are rivals • Reciprocated smiles from strangersTexas Renaissance Festival • Breakfast tacos • Over 300 miles of gulf coastline • Sweet tea

Cowboy hats and boots • Instinctively answering you’re from Texas instead of AmericaThursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday night lights • Fixinto • Picadilly raspa

Marfa lights • Pappas Restaurants • Second-person plural known as “y’all” • NASAThe giant statue of Sam Houston off I-45 • Big Tex • Bigger everything in generalFloating the river • A Buc-ee’s pit stop • Houston Livestock Show and RodeoWhataburger Roadside pecan pies and other pecan-based treats

Dr Pepper Tex-Mex with bottomless chips and salsa Pho Wildflowers scattered along highways

Stars at night are big and brightTexas Ruby Red grapefruits

Deep-fried anythingShipley Do-Nuts

Barton SpringsSchlitterbahnSixth StreetTexas twang

KolachesH-E-B

Utah | 49

Pioneer Day • Apple BeerMormon Tabernacle ChoirDutch ovens • Utah sconesJello salad • Frog eye saladShakespeare Festival • Bonneville Salt FlatsSteak-less stake centers • Honey • Family life Uinta beer • Arctic Circle’s fresh lime rickeysFestival of Colors • Harmons • Red CanyonVolunteering at Sundance • Mormon coffeeFuneral potatoes • Nielsen’s Frozen CustardThe Holy War • “Oh my heck!” • Lake PowellFry sauce • Dixie National Forest • BeehivesIceberg Drive Inn • The Cottonwood Canyons“Which ward are you in?” • Utah Undie RunCamping in one of the five national parks, orCamping one of the forty-three state parksSkiing at one of many world-class ski resortsRed dirt • Arches • Monuments • MountainsIronport • Pie & Beer Day • This is the place

Vermont | 50

Pancakes with fresh maple syrupCoffee with a shot of maple syrupDilly beans • Northeast KingdomThe Dog Chapel on Dog MountainNo billboards to block fall foliageCliff jumping into Dorset QuarryChurch Street MarketplaceSixth Great Lake • Champ

Apple cheddar cheese pieCheese Trail • Creemees

Apple picking • Long TrailNU Pond Hockey Classic

UVM Fresh Ben & Jerry’sGreen MountainsCrowley CheeseBonne BoucheMagic Hat beerSugar on snowGreen Up DayCamel’s Hump

Virginia | 51

VTW&M BBQ

Busch GardensFoamhenge • FloydFest

Old Bay • Ham biscuitsSummers in the James River

The Roanoke Star • Natural BridgeSmithfield ham and the laws governing it

Shenandoah National Park • Mount TrashmoreHistoric Triangle • The occasional tricorn hat

Brunswick stew • Farm Fresh • Neptune FestivalCarl’s Frozen Custard • Moonshine • Chesapeake blue crabs

The views from McAfee Knob • Mount Vernon • Monticello • MontpelierGreat Falls • Appalachian Trail • Doumar’s Cones and BBQ • Shucking oysters

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel • Blue Ridge Parkway • Richmond International Raceway

GMUJMU

UVAVCU

Washington | 52

Scenic drives through mountain passes and down the coastA skyline that includes a mountain • Sailing Puget Sound

Wild Waves • Fresh seafood at Pike Place • The Apple CupOly beer Red Hook beer • No income tax • Roadside coffee stands Doing the Puyallup Hiking lava tubes • Seafair • Walla Walla sweet onions

Razor clamming Camping in Olympic National Park • Mount St. HelensYear-round green Fresh sushi • Frango • Commutes involving a ferry rideBumbershoot The rain • The sun breaks • Paddling the Ballard Locks

Rainforests Glacier-capped mountains • Bicycle-friendly • MicrobrewsA coffee shop across from another coffee shop and neither is a Starbucks

Off-roading and general mischief on Beverly Dunes • Ice-Burg Drive-InFishing in fresh and salt water • Geoduck • Smoked Salmon • The Bite

Mariners • Seahawks • Sounders • Supersonics and the KingdomePiroshkis • Palouse Falls and hillsDick’s Deluxe • Sasquatch!

West Virginia | 53

Let’sGo

Mountain

eersPumpkin Festival NRAO

Tree leaves in the fall Ribfest • ClifftopWildflowers in the spring Neighborly WVU

Being surrounded by hills and mountainsPepperoni rolls • Wilderness • Slaw dog

Bridge Day • 78% is covered by forestsFriends of Coal Bowl • Backyard Brawl

Marshall • Brook trout • Organ CaveNew River Gorge • White lightning

Buckwheat • RoadKill Cook-offTake me home, country roads

Mister Bee Potato ChipsVandalia Gathering

Hatfields

Wisconsin | 54

Old AbeCheese curds

Puppy chow • MarquetteDane County Farmer’s Market

Spicy cheese bread • Friday night fish fryButter (hold the margarine) • Bacon happy hours

Midwest Freeze Classic • Chocolate Shoppe Ice CreamLady Liberty on Lake Mendota • Mader’s Restaurant

Modesty • Being at Lambeau Field for the Lambeau Leap UWApostle Islands • Midwest accents • Camping in the fall PBRBrat Fest • Snowmobile Derby • Custard • Kettle corn Kraut

Cheeseheads • Indian mounds • Door County fish boilsIan’s Mac and Cheese Pizza • Spotted Cow beer

Green and yellow on Sunday • Battle on BagoThe Sausage Race • Superman ice cream

Racine Danish Kringles • Butter burgersState Street • Fried cheese • The Dells

Harley Davidson rallies • Real ChiliMars Cheese Castle • SummerfestBrats • Bubblers • Bucks • Brewers

Stopping by the Tyme Machine

Wyoming | 55

Driving out of one national park only to drive into anotherSteamboat • Rocky Mountains • Rocky Mountain oystersEasily accessible fireworks • Devils Tower • Downhill skiingTraffic jams caused by moose, bison or bears and it’s OK Fly fishing • Ice fishing • Angling • Fossil Butte • Taco John’sThe Continental Divide • Border War • Snake River beerPole Pedal Paddle • Chokecherry pie • Bighorn MountainsThe two weeks when the grass is green • Bucking horsesFlaming Gorge Days at the Gorge • Independence Rock Cross-country skiing • Grand Teton beer • SnowmobilingWatching the cascading avalanches from a safe distanceWild game jerkey and chili • Old Faithful and the geysersCloud Peak • Chicken-fried steak • No state income taxSteak • Cheyenne Frontier Days, “The Daddy of ‘em All”

Washington D.C. | 56

GWSecurity

Chili half-smoke4th of July Fireworks

Running routes through ZooPresidents Race • Mumbo sauce3 Stars beer • Chuck Brown • Go-go

Rita’s Ice Custard • Cherry blossomsGeorgetown • Howard • Mayor’s Cup

Monuments • Memorials • HistoryBen’s Chili Bowl • Baked & Wired

Free Smithsonian museumsNFL ChampionshipsNats • Caps • Wiz

Jumbo SliceRose’s Luxury

PotamacP&P

Roadtrippers, Inc (Ohio); Hien Do (Oregon); Renae Gregoire (Pennsylvania); Atith, Bryan, Camille Casey, Jay Dacon, Sujohn Das, Eric Le, Thomas Nguyen and Joseph Takahata (Texas); and Jay Benjamin, Cory Basso, Maggie Greene, Pam Myers and Diana Tran-Kim for making this book possible.

Thanks to all my friends who supported me even though it’s been a while since we’ve caught up. We will get that coffee soon! Thanks Caroline Docwra, for being so clutch and introducing me to art history. Thank you to Mark and Bonnie, for watering my plants while I was away, being great roommates who put up with my noise and cluttering the desk late at night and having such an awesome dog (I missed you Ego!). Thank you cousins. Thanks aunts and uncles who thought it’d be a good idea to send their nephew with a bad history of driving to zigzag across the country, especially Uncle Thao and Aunt Duyen. Thank you Anthony for always helping me out. Best brother ever. And finally, thank you Mom and Dad, for teaching me how to explore at a young age and take photographs at an older age. I love you.

Thank you everyone who told me to have fun: I did it!Thank you everyone who told me to stay safe: I did 80%!

AcknowledgementsEven though I spent a lot of time in the car alone, I know I could never have done any of this by myself.

A huge thanks goes out to everyone who generously supported me on Kickstarter and helped promote the project fundraiser in any way, whether by backing, blogging or tweeting. I will never be able to thank y’all enough. A big thank you also goes out to everyone who opened up their home, talked with me, showed me around and ate with me. There are simply too many to name but you’ll be on my blog and in my heart. Thanks Alex Bogusky (Made Movement), Adele Peters (GOOD), Katelyn Mullen (Huffington Post) and Jason Oberholtzer (I Love Charts) for promoting my project. Thanks Eva Goicochea and Everlane for providing me with a weekender bag that fit 97 days worth of clothes. Thanks Andy Erdmann and the gracious hosts of Rose’s Luxury for such a great night and fitting end to my trip. It’s something I will always remember fondly.

Thank you Steve Mueller (California); Ricky Lambert (Colorado); Wayne L (Hawai‘i); Kate (Maryland); Ken Oliver (Missouri); Alison DeVoe and The Cerias (New York); Shane Brauner (North Dakota);