Wake up early. Take lots of photos. Visit National Parks.
I visited 15 states when I turned 40. The average American visits 12 over their lifetime so I suppose I wasn’t doing too bad. Travel wasn’t a priority in my family but the family vacations we did go on are some of my favorite memories. Of course, they are. Travel stays with you forever.
I started traveling with my 2nd husband in 2019 – we took a weeklong road trip (my first ever) through New England. I took a boatload of photos. I started getting better at planning around school and work, tailoring our vacations around our blended family’s interests. I created travel itineraries filled with hours of research. And I decided this was too much fun not to share.
We call the hip and historic county of Frederick County, Maryland home which is a travel destination itself. We have an 8-year old and three teenagers. Life is good.
I am not a travel agent, nor do I want to be. But I am passionate about making the most out of life and testing the limits of how much I can fit into a day. Sometimes my agendas are too ambitious. I say, let’s try it anyway. And see where we end up.
The #50StatesBefore50 Challenge
The idea to visit all 50 states honestly never crossed my mind until I met my husband Tim. A much more seasoned traveler, his journey through all #50StatesBefore50 was getting close and he gave me a list of states he still needed to visit. We planned our honeymoon around that – a weeklong road trip through New England. The desire to learn as much as I can about the US is what motivates me to complete the challenge, too.
Why Visit All 50?
The more states I visit, the more things I appreciate. The diverse topography, the unique cultures, and the amazing history and national parks – I love it all. I especially love hearing my kids talk about the places they’ve experienced.
My Requirements for Counting 50 States
My only rule is that I have to plant two feet on the ground and airports don’t count. This means flight layovers and car travel through a state without getting out don’t count either. Ideally, I would like to have an experience in a state for it to count – but that gives me a good reason to go back to Nebraska one day.
Join the All 50 Club!
There’s a club that celebrates those who visit all 50 states, complete with a certificate when you reach the goal. My plan is to join the club by the time I turn 50!
Lucky Ladybug Travel Blog 