10 Things I Love About the United States
I’ve lived in the United States longer then any other country. Sadly, I have only been to 34 out of the 50 States, but it is a goal of mine to visit all US States and Territories. Many people don’t understand how large and diverse America truly is. It still surprises me sometimes during road trips, driving for several hours and still being in the same state. Because of the variety of cultures, cities, people, and environment, America does not have a single identity instead it is a mix of everything and that is what makes the United States truly unique. The list below highlights the 10 things I love about the United States.
American Football, a true American Sport, a sport that begins around August time frame and like me, many Americans get excited for. It’s not just the sport itself we all look forward to, it’s the gatherings, the food, the beer, and looking forward to lazy Sunday’s. During football Sunday’s people go out to bars or attend hosting parties, it’s a great excuse to eat and drink all day and cheer on your favorite team. I myself am a New England fan and have been since at least 1995 (Yes, before the Brady era). I love catching all the games on television and watching half time shows with all the highlights from other games. Then in February comes the Superbowl. The Superbowl is so American, I think the day after should be declared a holiday. No one wants to go to work the next day, but all around the United States on Super Bowl Sunday, people are preparing to either host parties or go somewhere to watch the big game. The Superbowl is not just about the two teams facing off in the big game, it’s a lot more then that. Us fans are excited about the commercials and whos performing at the Half Time Show (It’s never my type of music), or getting to hang out with friends and family. Football to me and many others is more then just a game, it’s a tradition and kind of a seasonal way of life.
Breweries
I could write a whole post on American Breweries, I’ve written a post on beer and some of my favorite destinations, and yes, the United States is listed as one of my favorite brewery destinations. Breweries in the States have come a long way in the last ten years or so. I remember people people making fun of Budweiser and other poor beer selections that America was known for. Not anymore! The U.S. has some of the best and most diverse breweries on the planet and they are popping up everywhere. Before, there used to be a large brewery in some of the major cities, now most cities have 10+ and almost every small town has at least one brewery.
I love beer, but it’s not just the about the beer as to why I love breweries. It’s a combination of the beer, atmosphere, food, people, and activities/events. In Kansas City, during the week, I would meet friends at a brewery for dinner and trivia night. These were some of my most memorable moments in the city. Breweries that do food most likely make their own food, allow customers to bring in their own food, or allow food trucks to sell food in the parking lot. Either way, you are not supporting a giant chain restaurant, it’s all going to either the brewery or other local vendors.
I love finding new breweries around the United States and trying their styles of beer. It’s fun to try West Coast IPA’s while in California or Oyster Stouts in the Boston area. To me, tasting beers and visiting breweries around America is just as exciting as seeing famous landmarks or trying well known foods. Even if you are not a beer drinker, many breweries offer other assortments of beverages, but it is still fun to hang out, play corn hole, and be with friends all day.
Coast to Coast Differences
America is big, it is the third largest country in the world right after Russia and Canada. Most people are familiar with California, New York, and maybe Florida, but there is so much more to the US outside these popular states. The US seems to have it all when it comes to nature from gorgeous coastlines, flat prairie, to towering mountains. But there are city and cultural differences all through the United States. The East Coast is much different then the West Coast, the South is almost an entirely different country, and then you have states like Hawaii and Alaska that are night and day different from other states in the continental US. You have cities like Boston and Las Angeles that are both in the same country but are so different when it comes to history, food, people, culture, nature, etc. and this is a small comparison of two popular cities. Since the US is so large and different, I feel no traveler can simply fly into New York City, spend a day or two here and say they’ve seen America! In order to really see the States, one must visit both coasts, spend time in the South, see what the Midwest has to offer, and visit the Southwest. I haven’t even began to talk about the differences in food. Obviously, you can find great seafood on either coast, you can get your New England Style Clam Chowder in New England while California has their own style that is much different. The seafood in New Orleans is drastically different then seafood you would find in a city like Seattle. There is New York and Chicago style pizza, which people constantly argue over which is better. Plain and simply, when visiting America, don’t limit yourself to one city or state, spend time in multiple areas to truly get a feel of the country.
Diners
The American Diner, generally a small local restaurant that serves up breakfast and American classics. Diners are known for their relaxed and comfy atmospheres. Customers can usually sit at booths or on stools in front of the grill. The staff is usually kind and somewhat cheesy but all this is what makes Diners unique. No American road trip or general trip to America is complete without going to a diner. Most diners are open all day and serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you come to a diner for breakfast, expect cheap coffee with your traditional breakfast items (omelets, toast, chick fried steak, etc.). The lunch and dinner menu will usually consist of sandwiches, hamburgers, steaks, salads, and so on. If you come late at night, expect to see it full of people drunk after partying eating greasy food attempting to sober up. If you come to a diner you will see all walks of life and be treated kindly and served fantastic home cooked meals.
Dog Friendly
Many countries are dog friendly in their own way, personally I think a place like Germany is more dog friendly then the US, but the US is dog friendly in their own way. This might be different for me to since I grew up with dogs and my parents still own dogs that I love dearly. My mom and all her friends are dog lovers, they meet up for hikes, talk dogs, etc.. Because of this I see the friendly side of dog owners and people who truly love their dogs. In America, especially a place like Colorado where I lived for ten years, it seems everyone has a dog. I mean if you live in one of the most outdoorsy states why not get a dog. Technically dogs are not allowed in food establishments, which is understandable, but many restaurants with outdoor seating allows for dogs, most even have water bowls for them. I’ve walked around towns and seen water bowls out for dogs. In Kansas City, in the Plaza District there is a jewelry store that has a built in water bowl outside with a camera so you can view their online website and see what cute dog is drinking water. Several stores, mainly big department stores allow dogs inside. I feel America is getting more and more dog friendly, I hope it continues.
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Friendly People
Throughout my travels, I would say that the United States has some of the friendliest most down to earth people. Many countries I’ve traveled to, people tend to stick to themselves and only open up once you get to know them, which I totally understand. But in the States, it seems like you can strike up a friendly conversation with almost anyone. For the most part, if I make eye contact with someone, I’ll acknowledge their presence and say hi or nod and for the most part I get a response back or a simple “How’s it going.” Sometimes people in the US can seem a little to friendly to the point it feels fake, mainly restaurant employees and car salesmen, but I get it, it’s their job. There have been times, I’ve waited in line or sat at a bar and have had really down to earth and interesting conversations with strangers. I especially see the friendliness in people while out in nature, when hiking, camping, off-roading, etc. it’s like a natural reaction to wave to each other or discuss the events of the day. The friendliness in Americans is definitely a positive experience when traveling around the country.
History
Most people don’t really think of history when the US comes to mind. I mean Europe had expanding and thriving metropolitan cities at the same time America was reached by colonials. There were no cities here, outside of the newcomers during the colonial area instead there were nomadic tribes all throughout North America. I am fascinated by the American Revolutionary War which began in 1775 but I am also interested in finding out who first discovered America? Obviously Vikings were in North America before Columbus, but where there other explorers who discovered America prior to this? And how did people get here in the first place? Evidence usually suggests the land bridge between Asia and North America known as the Bering Strait. Evidence suggests that North America has been inhabited for at least 16,500 years. Archaeologists have found evidence of prehistoric humans in the United States. Take the Kennewick Man for example. His remains were found in Kennewick, Washington. His bones were not of Native America origins and are well over 9,000 years old, so where did he come from? If he made it all the way to Washington how long did it take for these people to get there and are there more? These nomadic prehistoric people may have lived near the coasts so any evidence of their lives is most likely lost in the ocean somewhere. For being such a new country, America does have an interesting historical background.
Mexican Food
Outside of Mexico, the United States has pretty good Mexican food. I’ve found both authentic Mexican food and Tex-Mex in almost every state and it’s good! You can’t really find good Mexican food in other parts of the world. Obviously, you will find better Mexican food in the Southwest as opposed to the New England area, but it is there! My favorite places in America for Mexican food are the small taco shops that serve breakfast burritos (I know not really authentic but they are delicious) and then the supermarkets that have a grocery store and small restaurant. In Olathe, KS, Jill and I frequented a market called Bonito Michoacan and it was fabulous! They had a bakery with traditional Mexican pastries, their cheesecake was excellent. Their grocery store had a lot of authentic cheap items. They even had Lizano, which is a Costa Rican hot sauce that I love. But the main reason we came here was for their taco restaurant. The restaurant had other items like Menudo, tortas, and combination dishes, but their tacos were to die for. These were traditional tacos, no cheese or hard shells here, nope! The tacos consisted of tortillas a meat of your choosing, and Pico de Gallo. There was a little sauce cart to decorate the tacos and place to sit. Tacos at markets like this are some of the most enjoyable foods I’ve ever had.
National Parks
I would say, America’s claim to fame is their National Parks. Nowhere else in the world can you find the diversity of National Parks like in the States. In all, there are 421 National Park Sites in the US and they range from gigantic open natural spaces like Yellowstone to manmade structures like the St. Louis Arch. Yellowstone National Park was America’s first National Park. Other notable National Parks include, The Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Glacier, Zion, Arches, Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verda, The Everglades, and Hawaii Volcanos National Park. Most National Parks can be accessed by vehicle, activities and attractions vary greatly by park. Most the ones I’ve been to offer phenomenal hiking, wildlife viewing, and amazing scenery. Most National Parks have an entrance fee that is usually good for seven days. Most parks will have campgrounds and other amenities and souvenir shops. No matter which park you go to, always respect the nature and wildlife.
Road Trips
No vacation to the States is complete without some sort of road trip. Road tripping in America is one of our favorite past times and ways of exploring the massive country. America is huge and diverse, road trips are a great way to see both cities and countryside espesically in the mid-west where you can drive for hours and not see anything but nature. Road Trips are definitely more about the journey then the destination. It’s the diners, the small towns, the off the beaten path type of attractions, and freedom that makes road trips so much fun. When a destination is chosen and perhaps a few must stops along the route, it’s all the unknowns that make the road trip such a thrill. When packing for a road trip, there never really is a plan or strategy. It’s your car, so pile everything up and don’t forget all the fun snacks.
I’ve taken road trips all around the United States. Here are some of my most memorable ones.
I drove with my buddy Jimmy from Colorado Springs, Colorado to Vancouver, Canada. I’ll write a whole post on this road trip, but we were both in college and took three weeks off to drive to Vancouver and made stops in Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Calgary, Canada, Banff, Canada, Vancouver, Canada, Seattle, Washington, some towns in Oregon, Salt Lake City, Utah, and back to Colorado Springs. We slept in my 1998 Ford Explorer every night, except one night in Banff, where we finally showered and slept on an actual bed. But to this day, we both talk about how we got some of the best and most peaceful sleep of our lives. It was truly an incredible experience.
Jill and I have had a few fun road trips. We drove from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, Miami to the Florida Keys, Kansas City to Nashville, TN, and countless trips between Kansas and Colorado and Kansas and Nebraska to visit family.
3 Comments
Gary
Thanks for posting your amazing trips and lives….Living it to the fullest….that is the way to go! Thanks again for sharing!
zimminaround
That is all we can do! We have a great time no matter where we are. What are some of your favorite things about the States?
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