How my USA roadtrip came to be

Early 2021, I was living my very normal life. I went into the office a few days per week, worked from home the rest. I took my dog on walks, and I hung out with friends on nights and weekends.

Then one day, I went into the office for a work event, and to my surprise at the end, my boss asked if she could speak to me in her office.

I GOT FIRED.

I had no idea it was coming. But it turned out being the best thing that could have happened to me. With unlimited free time, I realized I had an opportunity to travel.

And so the roadtrip planning begun. I found a route that hit many of the national parks, and I modified it to remove much of the East coast, because I've traveled there a lot.

I took my dog Copper to my parents' house, because they were willing to keep him while I traveled, and then I embarked on the roadtrip of a lifetime.

Where Did I Stop on My Roadtrip?

TENNESSEE

Nashville

One night in music city, where a Monday night felt like a Saturday night

Tennessee

Memphis

One night in the soul-filled city. It was even cooler to see Beale Street lit up at night. That's when the city really comes alive.

Arkansas

Little Rock

As I made my way from Memphis to Dallas, I stopped in Little Rock to explore the downtown area.

Texas

Dallas

One night in this major Texas city.

New Mexico

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

New Mexico

Albuquerque

One night in this Spanish-inspired town. This is where I picked up my first friend joining me on the roadtrip, Austin.

Utah

Arches National Park

Utah

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Going to my very first slot canyon! It was so cool to see!

Utah

Bryce Canyon National Park

One night camping, a long hike, and many insane overlooks

Utah

Zion National Park

Two nights in Zion National Park, where one day Austin and I rode e-bikes through the park, then the next morning, we hiked the Narrows, a famous water hiking trail

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Nevada

Las Vegas

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!

But this is where we picked up Erica to join in on the roadtrip!

California

Los Angeles

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California

San Francisco

California

Napa Valley

California

Lassen Volcanic National Park

California

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park

Oregon

Crater Lake National Park

Oregon

Portland

One night in this Pacific Northwest city. This was my last stop with Erica.

Washington

Mount Rainier National Park

Washington

Spokane

Idaho

As I passed through Idaho, I stopped at some lake to get out the car for a bit, mostly just to be able to say I stopped in Idaho.

Montana

Glacier National Park

Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park

I almost didn't go here, but my mom convinced me I should. This ended up being my favorite national park of the trip because of this moment where bison passed by my car.

South Dakota

Mount Rushmore

South Dakota

Badlands National Park

South Dakota

Sioux Falls

Nebraska

Omaha

I really only stopped briefly in Omaha while I was on my way down to Kansas City, but I stopped there!

Kansas

Kansas City

As I was passing through, I made my way to Kansas City to visit my dad's side of the family, which had lived there for at least 15 years or more.

Missouri

St. Louis

Tennessee

Knoxville

Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains

My final stop before heading home. I spent one night here, and in the morning before the drive, I went on a short hike to a waterfall.

Virginia

Home

This is a moment I will cherish forever. When I arrived back at my parents's house, my mom let Copper come running over to me. I sat on the ground to give him lots of lovin' and he sat in my lap. It was his grumpy grandpa way of saying "you aren't leaving me again."