Big dream trip - 1 year road trip around North America.

I read blogs, articles, and stories about people taking a year or two to travel the world. I am inspired and in awe of these people and would love to do that eventually but my hope is to really explore where I come from. Greg and I have traveled to other continents (definitely need to do more of this type of travel) but I want to show off the continent where I come from, the my home country and the country where part of my ancestry comes from!

If you read my stories you've seen us all around the east coast of Canada, New England and down to Florida. The year long trip I came up with is trying to explore the places we haven't been to or haven't spent much time in. With this trip we would traverse all of Canada, check off all the rest of the 50 states we haven't visited, and explore central Mexico.

In addition to those goals I would love to meet people from all over North America, see where they are from through their eyes, go off the beaten path, and challenge myself to get out of my comfort zone. 

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3 months touring Canada

I would love to leave Boston in February and head north to Gaspe Canada for some art inspiration. From there we would spend some time in the Quebec Region along with their European flair. Next up would be Niagara Falls (Greg has never been) and Toronto for some foodie explorations. Heading back into the United States we would visit 3 states we have yet to explore; Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota. 

Next up would be the entire region surrounding Banff National Park. I would love to do some winter hiking, see Lake Louise, and hopefully head a little north to Jasper National Park. Continuing north we would enter into Alaska hopefully in time for some thawing. I would love to explore as much of the area as possible (3 cities and hopefully some boating tours) before heading back south to Vancouver. 

3 months on the western part of the United States

Heading back into the United States I want to explore as much of the Northwest as possible. I have looked at tons of photographs of Washington and Oregon and the beauty always leaves me stunned. I especially have to visit Multnomah Falls in Oregon.

Next up would be some hiking in Glacier National Park and driving Going to the Sun Road.  We would then make our way to Yellowstone National Park. With definite stops at Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring.

Heading south I definitely want to see the Golden Gate Bridge, eat in Chinatown and hopefully visit the wine region. Next the hippie in me just has to stop at Joshua Tree for some exploration.

Continuing on our way we will head back to Arizona and New Mexico but will be stopping in cities that are new to us like Tucson and Taos. 

2 months down south in the United States

To finish checking off states on our list we will continue through Texas to Mississippi (stopping by Medgar Evers home), Georgia (Fox theater, Botatanical Garden, etc), Alabama (Civil rights museum, Rosa Park Library, and more), and Louisiana (well hell Jambalaya) before ending our tour of the United States back in Texas.

In Texas I need to get some BBQ in Austin, wander along the river-walk in San Antonio, and relax on a beach in Corpus Christi. 

4 months exploring in Mexico

Time to depart the United States and enter Mexico. My mother is Mexican, Spanish, German, French, and Scandinavian (a lot I know). I do have information about where some of my ancestors came from in Mexico so I'd love to focus on those cities.

​In addition to where my family comes from I am dying to explore the architecture of Oaxaca, the everyday life in Mexico City, be inspired by the artists in San Miguel de Allende, and hopefully spend the day of the dead celebration in a few different locations. 

Now that I came up with the idea and the game plan I just need to figure out the time and funding for such a year. Here's to having hope, sharing positivity, and finding a way!