LOUISIANA

Here begins the official eastern part of my trip. I will have gone through all the states either directly north/south of Nebraska and all the states to the west! I've also gone through all the BIG states, so maybe it'll seem like the trip is moving faster if I'm constantly entering a new state.
SO, Louisiana. I think of swamps and alligators and of course, Mardi Gras when LA pops into my head. I think I've managed to cover all of those basis in my search too. I would love to be in Louisiana during Mardi Gras, but that will only happen if I change my route and leave a little earlier than planned. (Mardi Gras in 2011 is Tuesday, March 8th). We'll see. That could be a very good idea. I'm going to be thinking about that one.
Well, anyway. Let's see what I got to check out in LA:

Jungle Gardens
Oak Valley Plantation
Audubon Zoo
Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras Museum
Audubon Aquarium
The Cabildo
St. Louis Cathedral
The Presbytere
French Quarter
French Market
Voodoo Museum
Canal Street
Bourbon Street
Germaine Wells' Mardi Gras Museum
Myrtle Grove Plantation
Baton Rouge
Bayou Pierre Alligator Park

Yes, I have two Mardi Gras Museums on my list. Which is better? Any opinions on either of them? I want to go to Baton Rouge, but I didn't find anything specific that caught my eye to see there. I would also like to go to Shreveport if I find a few things to visit there too. Allright, so here is my Question again: What do I ABSOLUTELY MUST SEE in Louisiana?!?!

www.louisianaTravel.com

KANSAS

So close yet so far away...
Kansas is going to be my "Non-stop spot". haha
Kansas is the closest I'm going to be to home during my road trip and I have a feeling that if I feel bored and exhausted that I'm going to give up and head home when I get to this point. It would be so easy to drive just a couple more hours north instead of traveling south and making my way back through Oklahoma and Texas. I SO HOPE THAT I DO NOT GIVE IN TO THIS TEMPTATION IF IT ARISES!!!
Any amount of traveling anywhere would be fantastic. But I know that if I set out to do this and do make it all the way through, I'm never going to have the opportunity to do it again. Grab life by the horns and Just Do It. (Thank you, Nike).
Just keep telling me "you have to hit them all!" and "Don't give up yet!"
So, while I may be fighting the urges to turn north and head for the hills, while I'm in KS, I'm going to be checking out

Liberty Memorial
Airline History Museum
T-Rex (restaurant)
C.W. Parker Carousel Museum
Fort Leavenworth
Truckhenge
Topeka Harley Davidson
Oz Museum
Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum
Geographic Center of the 48 states (maybe, its OUT of the way)
Garden of Eden (also a maybe)
Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Museum
Museum of World Treasures
Kansas Aviation Museum

so, there you have it. Kansas has got to be good and bring me all they have so I'm excited to continue on my voyage around the USA! What do you know of in Kansas that I should stop and take a peak at?

www.TravelKS.com

MISSOURI

Missouri is the show me state. SHOW ME what you got! :) I live so close, yet haven't really been much of anywhere in Missouri. Though, how many people in the world can say that about a neighboring state? Doing all of this research has made me realize how much there is out there that I am completely oblivious of and that I have no recollection of ever having heard of it. I think that highschools should really buff up their history/geography classes. Yes, American history spans over a long time, it just seems that I didn't learn anything if I can't remember any of it.
Anyways, this blog isn't about our school systems. So MO, SHOW ME what you have out there. So far, I've found

Silver Dollar City
Precious Moments Inspirational Park
Liberty Memorial
The Airline History Museum
Big Oak Tree State Park
Gateway Arch
Missouri Botanical Garden
Mastodon State Historic Park
Onandaga Cave State Park
Lake of the Ozarks
Berlin Wall Breakthrough Sculpture
Mark Twain Cave

What do you like about Missouri? Yes, I know about Worlds of Fun. If I hit ALL of the amusement parks in the US, this trip would be completely about roller coasters...

www.visitMO.com

OKLAHOMA!

No, not the musical...
As I was searching for places to stop in Oklahoma, more and more were straying away from my original route which was making me frustrated until I saw where they could lead me. So NOW, I get to travel a major distance on Route 66! I've been wondering if I could squeeze Route 66 into my road trip, and now I think its possible. I'll start on 66 in Texas, take it all the way through Oklahoma, and into Missouri. But then I'm going to circle up through Missouri into Kansas, and back down into Oklahoma crossing my original path which I DO NOT particulary like, but I'll take it for the chance to get 'My Kicks on Route 66'. :)
So, along the way in OK, I'm going to stop and see:

Route 66 Museum - Clinton
Lucille's Roadhouse
Round Barn & POPS - Arcadia
Motorcycle Museum - Warwick
Chandler Route 66 Interpretive Center
The Healing Rock
The Blue Whale
Totem Pole Park - home of the world's largest totem pole
Ribbon Road
Lake Overholser Truss Bridge
Route 66 Mural Wall
Tornado Museum in Wakita
Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum
GW Exotic Animal Park
Mt Olivet Cemetary - a cowboy cemetary and where Lane Frost was buried

Most of these places are on or near Route 66 but that was most of what I was finding, so I went with it. Is there anything else in OK that you have found interesting and worth stopping at and seeing?

http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2489/itinerary/79581
www.travelok.com

TEXAS

It's the Lone Star State. Remember the Alamo and call Cordell Walker, Texas Ranger. Texas is a big state with a lot of ground to cover. Maybe I'll even find myself a cowboy to take home with me. hahaha
My travels are going to take me to some great places in TX. Check 'em out:

El Paso Museum of Art
Stonehenge & Easter Island replicas
Cave Without a Name
Alamo
Padre Island
Bishop's Place
Houston Space Center
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Reunion Tower
Dealey Plaza
JFK Memorial
Nasher Sculpture Center
Fair Park
Love Civic Center
and if I find out a way to go there without traveling too far out of my way:
Cadillac Ranch
Slugbug Ranch
Route 66 Museum

So what else should I stop and see while in Texas?

www.traveltex.com

NEW MEXICO

A state full of history, but I don't have a long 'to see' list. I don't know much about New Mexico and didn't find much more in my searching. :( Can you help me find stuff to see in NM? All I've got right now:

Four Corners Monument
Loretto Chapel's Mysterious Staircase
Sandia Peak Tramway
NM Museum of Natural History
Salinas Pueblo Mission National Monument
Smokey Bear Historic Park
White Sands National Monument
Carlsbad Caverns National Park

I told you it was short.

www.newmexico.org

12 down 36 to go...

So I am 25% done with the main planning of my route. Or at least, I have gone through 12 states fairly well. I will always be adding places and removing stops. I just thought it would be interesting to post a couple statistics about my plan right now my trip is 29726.2 which will supposedly take 44 days 8 hours and 58 minutes. (I love my road planning software) But you can edit how much time you plan on stopping at every place and all that which I have yet to do. That kinda scares me to see how much time it could ACTUALLY take. hahaha
I should probably do that so I have a better idea of timing....

COLORADO

Now, being that I only grew up a state away from Colorado, I have actually been there and seen a few things. BUT, they have always been on family vacations, and none since I was in highschool. You know how you are in highschool on a family vacation. You don't want to do what your parents want to do. Also, I don't remember a lot of it. I kinda remember where we went, but not a lot about it, so I'm pretending I haven't seen any of it at all. haha SO, my CO list is as follows: (so far)

Colorado National Monument
Echo Lake
Colorado Railroad Museum
US Mint
Kit Carson County Carousel
Wonder Tower
Garden of the Gods
Monument Valley Park
Seven Falls
Royal Gorge
Mesa Verde

I know there is more to see. I'm also thinking about removing the Carousel and Tower from my route as they are both out of the way and only slighty peaked my interest. Anyways, any more suggestions?

www.cobeautiful.com

UTAH

I have never been to Utah, nor have I ever thought that it would be a place I would get to. I don't know a lot about the state and really never thought that there was much to see there. After doing a bit of research, some of the places I found look kinda cool. I'm excited about the Arches. Take a look at my UT list:

Rainbow Bridge National Monument
Bryce Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
Arches National Park
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
Temple Square
Golden Spike National Historic Site
Bear Lake Overlook

It's not a long list. And honestly, before I found Arches National Park I was looking forward to just driving right through the middle and making Utah a quick trip state. But as always, I am always open for suggestions on what to see!

www.utah.com

Wondering

I'm new to this whole blog thing. I've never been into spending a lot of time on my computer other than mindless games. It just makes me wonder if this is the right road for me and my idea. I think my idea would be completely fabulous if I actually get the opportunity to follow through. I have had a lot of crazy ideas in my days, but this doesn't seem that crazy or unrealistic. It just needs... an angle or something. Anyways, just a little thought. Onto Utah...

ARIZONA

I'm gonna get me some ocean front property in Arizona. :)
So everyone knows the rhyme "London Bridge" but most people (at least all of us who DON'T live in AZ) probably don't know that there have actually been three London Bridges. The first had to be replace, the second was expanded and then taken down to be replaced by the third. Well, the 2nd bridge was SOLD to a man who had it shipped to AZ. I had no idea! But there it is at Lake Havasu City! It looks like a fun place to visit, among many others. Check out what AZ is gonna bring me:

London Bridge
Desert Botanical Gardens
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Sunset Crater
Meteor Crater
Petrified Desert National Park
Painted Desert
Wupatki National Monument
Grand Canyon

I also know that Route 66 goes through AZ, so I'm hoping to be able to follow that road a little while on my travels. So, is there anything else great that I should be checking out while in Arizona?

www.arizonaguide.com

NEVADA

I think everyone in my family that is over 21 has been to Vegas. Not fair. I know its just a city in a big state, but it just makes me want to go there even more because so many people have been there. Nevada is bigger than just Reno and Vegas, but I haven't discovered anything outside those two areas that peaked my interest enough to go see. So, right now here's all that I'm visiting in NV:

Reno: Wilbur Day May Center
Carson City
Lake Tahoe: Vikingsholm Castle
Area 51
Bonnie Springs Old Nevada
Las Vegas
Atomic Testing Museum
Hoover Dam

Having everything in these two little areas of the state will help with drive time, but what else does Nevada have to offer? Anyone have anymore suggestions?
www.travelnevada.com

CALIFORNIA

I'm very excited and completely dreading California. There is SO MUCH to do and see in Cali that I'm afraid its all gonna run together and I'm gonna get lost. I can't spend all the time in the world on this road trip and I have to leave a lot of things off of my list. Then, there are so many things that are so close together that there is no need to think twice about being able to go there. As I get more places on my list that I really REALLY don't want to miss, then I may have the chance to put the others back on my list because I'm already going to be nearby. Anyways, after a lot of research and digging, my CA sites are:

Redwood National Park
Folsom Prison Museum
Old Faithful
Calistoga Balloons (I have always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon! It could be really cool to do it over Napa Valley!!)
Napa Valley
Jelly Belly Factory
Golden Gate Bridge
Alcatraz
Haunted Bay (Alameda)
Point Montara Lighthouse
17 Mile Drive
Thousand Island Lake
Mammoth Lakes
Sequioa National Park
Death Valley
Joshua Tree National Park
Airplane Graveyard (Mojave)
Hollywood Sign
Hollywood:
Guiness Museum
Wax Museum
Chinese Theater
Kodak Theater
El Capitan Theater
Ripley's Museum
Hollywood & Highland Center
Forever Memorial Park
Museum of Death
Coronado Beach with Grunion Running

I'm already going to be spending a lot of time in California, but are there any more places that I SHOULD NOT miss?!?!

www.visitcalifornia.com

OREGON

I have found that there is not a lot to see in Oregon. Or atleast, nothing sounded very interesting. Help me, OR....
So far, I'm gonna check out

The Wallowa Lake Tramway
The Candy Basket with the world's largest chocolate fountain :)
Japanese Garden
The Bomber Restaurant
Heceta Lighthouse
Oregon Vortex

Not a very long list, huh? Help me! haha
www.traveloregon.com

WASHINGTON

I can't get any further Northwest than Washington. My first corner of the U.S. :) I hear its rainy up there, but that won't stop me from seeing what I want to see. So far in WA:

Grand Coulee Dam
Space Needle
Olympic National Park
Forks (yep, I'm a Twi-hard) :)
Northwest Trek
Mount Rainier
Mount St. Helens
Stonehenge & Maryhill Museum

It's not a long list, but I am very excited for a couple of these places. Any special places that have hit your heart in Washington?
www.experiencewa.com

IDAHO

Idaho has more than just potatoes, folks! I didn't think I would find much in Idaho, but I proved myself wrong. Did you know that the World's Largest Potato sits in the back of a pickup truck outside a drive-in movie theater. Well, it does. You can see at movie for $6 from April to October starting at dusk (every night except for Sunday). I had to stop myself from doing any more searching because I was gonna end up spending too much time in Idaho. If you have seen anything on my list, or think that I should include another location, let me know! So far in Idaho, I'm gonna go....

Spud Drive In - Driggs
Custer Motorway Adventure Road
Challis Earthquake Faultline/Mount Borah
Craters of the Moon
Evel Kneivel jumping site
Balanced Rock
Hells Canyon
Elk River Back Country Byway

Any more must-sees in ID?
www.visitidaho.org

MONTANA

I've got a big state ahead of me, with not too many places to see (that I've found). Looks like it may be a faster trip unless someone knows some must-see sites. Here is where I'm heading in MT:

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
Custer Last Stand Monument
Custer Battlefield Museum
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Crow Indian Reservation
Berkeley Pit
Our Lady of the Rocks
Glacier National Park
Road-to-the-Sun Highway
Mission State Park

www.visitmt.com

NORTH DAKOTA

After I travel through South Dakota, there is no better place to head towards than North Dakota. However, I am having problems finding noteworthy places to visit in ND. So far, I only have five locations:

Jamestown Buffalo Museum and the World's Largest Buffalo
Geographic Center of North America
International Peace Garden
Enchanted Highway
Fairview Life Bridge

Anyone out there from North Dakota or has visited North Dakota and knows some good sites to see and places to go. I don't want to miss anything special out there!

www.ndtourism.com

SOUTH DAKOTA

After Nebraksa, I'm heading just north to South Dakota. I have lived so close and yet have never been there at all. Here is where I'm heading to see in SD:
1. Custer State Park
2. Flinstones Bedrock City - Custer
3. Chief Crazy Horse Memorial
4. Mount Rushmore
5. Black Hills National Forest
6. Presidents Park - Lead
7. Black Hills National Cemetary - Sturgis
8. Dinosaur Park - Rapid City
9. Badlands National Park
10. The Corn Palace - Mitchell
11. Devils Gulch - Garrison
12. Fort Sisseton Historical Site - Lake City
13. The Dacotah Prairie Museum - Aberdeen
Any opinions on these places, or what else is there to see in South Dakota? Are there any must-eat at restaurants that you know about?
www.travelsd.com

NEBRASKA

I'm starting my trip in good ole Nebraska. I think I've got every place planned out. Here's a list of what I'm planning to see in the big NE:
1. World's Largest Time Capsule - Seward
2. Hastings Museum
3. Great Platte River Road Archway - Kearney
4. Chevyland USA Auto Museum - Elm Creek
5. Fort Cody - North Platte
6. Ole's Big Game Steakhouse & Lounge - Paxton
7. Mansion on the Hill/Boot Hill - Ogallala
8. Chimney Rock
9. Scottsbluff
10. Carhenge - Alliance
11. Snake River Falls - Valentine

Am I missing anything that is a must-see in Nebraska?
www.visitnebraska.gov