Destination Numero Ocho: Ruta 40, Argentina

Roadtrips have always been something I've enjoyed.  My family used to annually take a road trip West to visit my family in Montana when I was in middle and high school and I've been thinking about those trips a lot lately and I really miss them.  I think there's something incredibly special about road trips.  There's something about just sleeping in a car and brushing your teeth in gas stations that makes me really happy.  I'm always trying to convince my friends to go on spur of the moment road trips with me, but it seldom works out.


One trip I plan to make happen however, is this one...

http://www.turismo.gov.ar/eng/atra/ruta/mruta.htm


I need to make a visit to South America and I would love the chance to travel the length of Argentina and see what the Andes Mountains have in store for me.  According to National Geographic, Route 40 "runs parallel to the mountains, crossing 236 bridges and countless rivers, lakes, national parks, and mountain passes." 


The most important part of any road trip is the passengers.  I would love to take a car full of (semi) strangers and spend the entire trip getting to know each other...Or maybe, Route 40 would be an interesting anniversary vacation for Newlyweds or something.  Regardless of who goes, I'm sure an Argentinian road trip would be one I would never forget.








Quote of the day:“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” – Jack Kerouac

Destination Numero Siete: Simply Southern

I've always wanted to experience he south, and Gatlinburg TN has been something on my list for a long time now.  I'm not saying Gatlinburg would be a ideal for a week long vacation or anything, but I think it would be great for a weekend trip.

The Smoky Mountains are definitely a US destination that everyone should visit and I've always wanted to go in the spring, when the mountains are full of blooming flowers, flowing white water, and green grass covering the rolling hills.  Gatlinburg is nestled right on the edge of the Smoky Mountain National Park and would be a perfect outlet into the wilderness.

According to the Gatlinburg Visitor Center, travelers are able to horseback ride, witewater raft, hike, cycle through the mountains, camp, fish, or even golf.

Along with The Smoky Mountain National Park I would love to visit the Parkway, which is one of the main streets in Gaitlinburg and home to the space needle, which is 342 feet in the air and provides amazing views of the landscape and mountain peaks.

In the morning, I'd love the chance to eat at Tennessee's firs pancake house--The Pancake Panty for some home-cooked breakfast and short stacks with a side of Tennessee blueberries.     And I likely wouldn't leave town before stopping at a little sweets cafe called Desserts & More.  According to The New York Times, "for 11 years, Ruth and Gerry Childress have been making everything on the menu, from thick chicken-salad sandwiches to fluffy coconut pie and creamy chocolate-chip cheesecake, from scratch. Homemade lemonade and different flavored iced teas (if you're lucky, there'll be mango) come by the carafe."

Destination Numero Seis: The Unconventional Spring Break

So, it is that time of year again...the time of year when the weather turns nice, the windows come open, classes start to take a back seat and spring break looms over every college student's head.  While many of my friends are living it up in Panama City Beach or while my sisters travel to the Bahamas without me, I'll actually be at home in my tiny, little, rural town of Clifton Illinois.  While this may pale in comparison to some of my peer's travel destinations, I'm actually really excited about being home.  No matter how much you travel around the world, no place will ever make you feel quite like the familiarity of your home and community and the people inside of both.

Even though I am unable to go on a typical college spring break trip, I'm okay with it.  I'm saving up for my adventure across the country this summer, and in addition, I'm selling nearly all of my possessions so I can take this trip.  But, trading in your old prom dresses for a new bike  helmet and cycling shoes is way cooler anyway, right?

I think so.

Can't wait to get back to these uncrowded roads lined with the open-flat familiar country soil that I'm so used to.

Quote of the day:

“People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home.” – Dagobert D. Runes

While I'm at it, I'd like to take time to reflect on my Spring Break experience of last year.  My travel plans were inspired by the fact that as a 19 year-old college student, I still had never seen the ocean.  So, I researched some different volunteer organizations on campus, and applied to go on an Alternative Spring Break Trip to Arcata California where I would be able to experience the ocean for the first time. Not to mention, I would make my way to California and the West Coast for the very first time, take a road trip with people other than family members, see San Fransisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, and tour Redwood Forests.  All of which were things I was able to cross off my travel bucket list.  The trip was centered around dune restoration, which required working on the sand literally alongside the Pacific Ocean every day for a week.  I will never forget that trip or the amazing friends I made on it.  I went into it unsure of what I was doing, and unfamiliar with anyone, but it's these experiences that push me to want to explore more.  

Seeing the ocean for the first time!

Working on Restoration--not a bad work environment, eh?

Can't think of anyone I'd rather travel with than these randoms

Golden Gate Bridge!

Destination Numero Cinco: A blend of Natural and Urban

Last year, 2 international students from Malaysia were in my speech class.  I remember each of them going on and on about how much they missed their homeland.  They talked about the beauty of the land and the natural beaches along the coast.  They missed the perfect weather, and often talked about the unique culture and tradition that Malaysia's known for.


According to another blog, "ethnically and culturally, Malaysia is a fundamentally Malay country overlaid with Chinese, Indian and British influences, and possessing several indigenous tribal peoples such as the Iban, Penan and Negrito. Yet it preserves many traditional cultural aspects—dress, religion, food and architecture."  


The interesting part of Malaysia is that it is so diverse.  While it hosts a wide variety of natural landscapes that can be used for white-water rafting, cave exploration, mountain biking, snorkeling, hiking, jungle-treking and more...it is also extremely urban and modern, as you can see from the photo above.


It sounds like Malaysia has so much to offer, and after talking with people from the country it's hard not to want to go there.  The place sounds beautiful, and the people seem nice as well.  The only negative (which might be a big one) are the expenses of the trip.  My friends from class said it's extremely expensive there, and even plane tickets to the country are often out of everyone's price range.  Maybe when I win the lottery this will be my first destination, but until then, I'll keep dreaming about it.