Frighteningly, I still remember the Bicentennial celebrations back in 1976. I was 17 and graduating from high school that summer. One of my clearest memories of that time was that because my high school colors were red and white, boys wore red gowns and girls wore white gowns for the graduation ceremony; but we all got red, white, and blue tassels for our mortarboards. I’m sure our forefathers would have been bowled over by that clever display of patriotism!
Let’s face it; in many ways it’s been a hard few years for our country. Everyone is stubbornly divided in their opinions about every single issue that makes the news and it’s become almost impossible to have a civil conversation with anyone unless you’re talking about the weather. (Come to think of it, that’s likely to create tensions between a “climate change activist” and a “climate change denier’… so forget the weather…Meanwhile both our domestic and the international media never miss an opportunity to criticize anything about our country and ignore all the positive things that are part of our American way of life.
But over the last few weeks, the internet has been buzzing with video testimonials by visitors who’ve come to the United States from all over the globe to attend the World Cup. Their impressions of our country – its natural beauty, the comforts and choices we have, the plentiful and varied food options, and especially the hospitality of their American hosts – have been so enthusiastically positive and uplifting that it’s brought me close to tears a few times. I especially enjoyed the 50,000-strong Scottish Tartan Army that invaded Boston for a long weekend. They brought good-humored pranks involving the placement of orange safety cones atop any statue that looked like it was taking itself a bit too seriously, engaged in record breaking beer consumption, and filled the streets with festive bagpipe music; the perfect cure for a city that can sometimes get a bit smug or stodgy.
The Tartan Army was here…
So, as we approach the country’s 250th birthday, I thought I’d share a collection of photos from the many trips I’ve been lucky enough to take across the USA. These are either some of my favorite places, some of my favorite photos, or a combination of both. Maybe you’ll recognize a favorite place of your own, or maybe the photos will inspire you to visit a place you haven’t seen yet with your own eyes. I’m proud of my country; I love her dearly, and I hope these photos convey that.
Happy 4th to all of my fellow Americans and to everyone else who carries that American spirit in their heart.
And now, from Maine to Alaska and Hawaii… here is America through my eyes:
Nubble Lighthouse, York, MaineMooselookmeguntic Lake, Western MaineFall in New HampshireFall in New HampshireChristmastime, Old South Church from the Common, BostonSummer on the Charles River, BostonSouth End, Boston, MassachusettsCranberry Bogs, Wareham, MassachusettsDowntown Providence, Rhode IslandThe Connecticut Coastline near NianticManhattan from the Jersey side of the HudsonLady Liberty, NYCThe Big Apple, heading uptownLittle House on the Amish Prairie, PennsylvaniaGettysburg Battlefield, PennsylvaniaThe Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania SkylineCherry Blossom Time, Tidal Basin, Washington, DCCherry blossoms in Washington, DCMonticello, Charlottesville, VirginiaCollege of WIlliam &; Mary, Williamsburg, VirginiaAlmost Heaven – West VirginiaLouisville, KentuckySmoky Mountains, Tennessee/North Carolina borderCollierville, TennesseeGraceland, MemphisOuter Banks, Corolla, North CarolinaPlantation outside Charleston, South CarolinaFall comes to South CarolinaThe iconic view from Atlanta’s Jacskon Street Bridge, GeorgiaCypress Swamp, MississippiOnly in the South: Graffiti in a Mississippi Men’s Room!Panama City Beach, FloridaSunset in Pensacola Beach, FloridaBlue Springs, Central FloridaBarge on the Mississippi River near Vidalia, LouisianaGateway Arch, St. Louis, MissouriKansas, just west of Kansas City, MissouriMount Rushmore, South DakotaBadlands National Park, South DakotaThe Oklahoma PanhandleOral Roberts University, Tulsa, OklahomaOklahoma SkiesCotton Fields, TexasThe dramatic Dallas, Texas skylineGuadalupe Mountains, West TexasWhite Sands National Monument, New MexicoTaos, New MexicoCliff Palace, Mesa Verde National Park, ColoradoThe Mother Ship over ColoradoSunset east of Pagosa Springs, ColoradoGarden of the Gods, Colorado SpringsRocky Mountain National Park, ColoradoGreat Salt Lake, UtahNortheastern UtahGlistening winter morning in northern UtahJenny Lake, Grand Teton National Park, WyomingGrand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, WyomingDelicate Arch, Arches National Park, UtahArches National Park, UtahRed waterfalls near Moab, UtahSunset at the Goosenecks, UtahThe Goosenecks, Near Bluff, UtahThe Moki Dugway, UtahJust west of Hanksville, UtahCapitol Reef National Park near Torrey, UtahRedrock cliffs near Torrey, UtahA stegasaurus hiding along the Burr Trail, Utah?Singing Canyon, Central UtahVirgin River, Zion National Park, UtahCheckerboard Mesa, Zion National Park, UtahBryce Canyon National Park, UtahBryce Canyon, UtahOne more of Bryce Canyon, UtahMonument Valley, Utah-Arizona BorderAntelope Canyon, Page, ArizonaNorth Rim, Grand Canyon, ArizonaSaguaro National Park, ArizonaWild burros roam the streets of Oatman, ArizonaViva Las Vegas!Rachel, Nevada (Gateway to Area 51?)Interstate 10 Near Palm Springs, California
Yosemite National Park
Amazing volcanic landscapes of Mt. Lassen, CaliforniaThe famous Big Sur Coast of CaliforniaCalifornia Hillside in SpringBig Sur, CaliforniaSunset at Pacifica, CaliforniaSan Francisco from the Marin HeadlandsFourth of July Fireworks, San Francisco BayThe Oregon CoastGlacier Bay, AlaskaWaipio Valley, Big Island, HawaiiLani Kai Beach, Windward Oahu, HawaiiLahaina Roads, Maui, Hawaii
This is the road trip, which I would love to make. Although I live in Finland, I have made road trips in Florida few times, Nevada and California. Many years ago, I knew an American owner of a bookshop in Helsinki. He used to spent one month in every state and explore it thoroughly. My dream is to someday drive the Route 66.
I love driving and especially on German motor ways where are no speed limits. Driving fast is fantastic experience among fellow car drivers. How fast I have driven and how much in my life, You can see here:
When I make a cross country trip, it depends on how much time I have and which route I decide to take, but generally I take 6 to 7 days to go from coast to coast in one direction. It’s a wonderful experience… but we DO have speed limits! 🙂
Thank You. In Finland, we have also and too strict, I think. Cars and roads are coming better and better, but speed limits stay and in some cases come slower. 🙂
I had to return here once more. Did You know that Finnish people love American cars! I have old post showing some interesting photos. In this post, I have for example photos from Shelby Cobra CSX from the year 1966 having 800 HP! What a car.
Because You are driving so much, I just wonder which car You have. Three years ago, I sold my Opel Vectra OPC and bought BWM 535 d 3.0 xDrive. Engine 230 kW and Torque net: 630 Nm / 465 ft-lb.
Incredible how diverse landscape is the US. Your photography is top notch. You have a great eye for photography. I have done my fair share of long trips but coast to coast I haven’t done. It’s the same question people ask how did you managed to stay in car for so long. But then I show the pictures. Thanks for sharing your adventure. A new follower!
I have had friends refer to me as a “road camel” because I can go for hours without a break the way camels can go without water! I really do love to drive, especially on back roads rather than Interstate highways, but I do stop a lot for short hikes and to take in the amazing scenery! Thanks for your compliments and for being a new follower! Where are you from?
I am from India, but spent 15 years in the East and west coast of US. I was a road camel too. Especially remember big 5 and state parks of Utah, did that stretch in 6 days. Thanks 😊
MATT: AT HOME IN THE WORLD 
This is the road trip, which I would love to make. Although I live in Finland, I have made road trips in Florida few times, Nevada and California. Many years ago, I knew an American owner of a bookshop in Helsinki. He used to spent one month in every state and explore it thoroughly. My dream is to someday drive the Route 66.
I love driving and especially on German motor ways where are no speed limits. Driving fast is fantastic experience among fellow car drivers. How fast I have driven and how much in my life, You can see here:
About me.
How long time it took You to make this road trip?
Happy and safe driving.
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When I make a cross country trip, it depends on how much time I have and which route I decide to take, but generally I take 6 to 7 days to go from coast to coast in one direction. It’s a wonderful experience… but we DO have speed limits! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You. In Finland, we have also and too strict, I think. Cars and roads are coming better and better, but speed limits stay and in some cases come slower. 🙂
Happy weekend.
LikeLike
I had to return here once more. Did You know that Finnish people love American cars! I have old post showing some interesting photos. In this post, I have for example photos from Shelby Cobra CSX from the year 1966 having 800 HP! What a car.
American car show.
Because You are driving so much, I just wonder which car You have. Three years ago, I sold my Opel Vectra OPC and bought BWM 535 d 3.0 xDrive. Engine 230 kW and Torque net: 630 Nm / 465 ft-lb.
Regards. Matti.
LikeLike
Incredible how diverse landscape is the US. Your photography is top notch. You have a great eye for photography. I have done my fair share of long trips but coast to coast I haven’t done. It’s the same question people ask how did you managed to stay in car for so long. But then I show the pictures. Thanks for sharing your adventure. A new follower!
LikeLike
I have had friends refer to me as a “road camel” because I can go for hours without a break the way camels can go without water! I really do love to drive, especially on back roads rather than Interstate highways, but I do stop a lot for short hikes and to take in the amazing scenery! Thanks for your compliments and for being a new follower! Where are you from?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am from India, but spent 15 years in the East and west coast of US. I was a road camel too. Especially remember big 5 and state parks of Utah, did that stretch in 6 days. Thanks 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person