I grew up in suburban Phoenix, Arizona. Throughout my childhood, my parents owned and ran a store, which meant vacations were rare. The few vacations we took to California and Sedona were beautiful getaways. The beaches of California and red rocks of Sedona were the seven wonders of my world. Travelling was my favorite thing in the entire world, even if I did not do much of it. Travelling is learning and meeting new people.
SEMI-FINALIST 2015 FTF TEEN TRAVEL WRITING SCHOLARSHIP
When I received an invitation to attend a week-long summer leadership conference in Washington D.C this summer, I nearly kept it from my dad and did not accept the invitation in fear of not having enough money to buy my airfare and expenses. My dad cracked me, though, and we created a plan. For the next five months I hand-painted and sold flower pots to my classmates and family members. A month before the conference, my dad proposed we drive to D.C., and with a mouthful of Corn Flakes, told me “We’ll stop by NYC too”. The next month consisted of me crying my eyes out almost everyday and dreaming of all the people and mountains and forests and gas stations.
Car rides have always fascinated me. I love the blurs of trees and buildings created on the window, the feeling of being chased by the moon, and the way rain drops hustle together when it rains. As a kid, I fell asleep to the sound of the motor, my sisters’ horrible jokes and my parents’ cheesy old school songs. I always felt most relaxed in the car. However, one can only spend so much time in a car with seven other people without seriously considering walking to D.C. as the better option.
We crossed New Mexico, where everything was flat and brown with patches of green and tumbleweed; Texas, where colorful barn houses lit up the infinite fields of whatever is grown in Texas; Oklahoma, where I cried at the Oklahoma City National Memorial under the 9:03 gate; Missouri, where my dad cried at the St. Louis Cathedral; Illinois, which I unfortunately slept through; Indiana, where I strolled through the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s greenhouses, and fought the urge to completely ditch my family and live there forever; Ohio, where I discovered their McDonald’s do not sell Hot n Spicy’s, indeed a very depressing moment for me, a Mexican 16 year old; Pennsylvania, where I literally blasted “I’m Proud To Be An American” by Lee Greenwood for the entire 6 hours I spent there; New York, where I relived every movie I have watched; New Jersey, where I met the Atlantic for the first time; Delaware, where I saw 5 Bambis; Maryland, where I visited a historical slave plantation from the 1800s; The District, where I took a selfie with a very miniscule and blurry Secret Service agent; Virginia; where I cried because it was time to go home.
This trip gave me the opportunity to realize how awesome this country is and how beautiful all the the people in it are, including myself. And as predictable as it is, New York City is the greatest city I have ever seen. I visited the Museum of Modern Art and befriended Frida Kahlo and her monkey, Fulang-Chang. At the 9/11 Memorial, I gave “Michael E. Roberts” a white rose and prayed and cried. I have no idea who Michael E. Roberts is. I don’t know what it is about me and memorials and foreign cities and people.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “2630 Miles and Michael’s Rose”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
It sounds like a statement that emphasizes the importance of adults having access to things that are valuable. It could be interpreted as a reminder that adults should not be denied the opportunity to enjoy things that are considered precious or valuable. It’s a good reminder that everyone deserves to have access to things that bring them joy and happiness, regardless of their age.
Summer is a great time to plan a family vacation. There are many options to choose from, such as visiting national parks, theme parks, water parks, cruises, all-inclusive resorts, group trips, or staycations. Happy travels!
Greek island cruises are a great way to explore the most alluring Greek islands, such as Santorini, Rhodes, Mykonos, Corfu, Crete and Paros. You can witness world-famous sights, charming seaside tavernas, and crystal-clear waters while island-hopping.
Renting a houseboat on Lake Powell is a great way to enjoy scenic beauty and water adventures. You can explore the 1.25 million-acre geologic playground of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which straddles northern Arizona and southern Utah, while unwinding amid the comforts of home. Book your trip now and discover the ultimate vacation experience!
Cruise lines are offering more immersive experiences for kids, such as go-karting, ice skating, sushi making, and wine tasting, to name a few. These experiences are designed to draw in a wider audience and create unforgettable memories for the whole family.
Travel professionals have a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to handling travel disasters. They can provide you with tips and tools to help you prepare for any kind of travel disaster, whether it’s a canceled flight, a natural disaster, or a medical emergency. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected, and travel professionals can help you do just that.
Family cruising experiences are a great way to bond with your loved ones and create unforgettable memories. They offer good value, variety, entertainment, and all-inclusive amenities, and appeal to all ages. So, why not gift everyone an unforgettable experience?
This is a great travel destination ideas, although it seems outdated. Do you have a more updated travel guides, I believe some locations are not the same due to the pandemic
Nice post. This wasn’t what I was searching for but I still enjoyed reading it.
I think this content needs updating. I am interested in looking for new winter destinations after the pandemic hits.
Planning a winter getaway is an adventure in itself. The snowy landscapes add a magical touch to the family bonding experience. You nailed it. meticulous planning is key, and being ready for unexpected twists, like a surprise blizzard, keeps the excitement alive. Any memorable winter destinations you’d recommend?
Fantastic article post.Really thank you!
Thanks for finally talking about >How To Protect Your Family Against Travel Disasters – 10 Tips To Travel Prepared – My
Family Travels <Liked it!
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say wonderful blog!
The Information your provides its very useful for making a trip.
Thanks for finally writing about >How To Protect Your Family Against Travel
Disasters – 10 Tips To Travel Prepared – My Family Travels <Liked it!
I have no doubt about that.
Hey! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with
us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m
bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Great blog and terrific style and design.
Hi there, I found ykur web site by the use of Google while searching for a similar topic, your site came up, it seems to be good. I have bookmarked it in my googpe bookmarks.
Cheers!
This post is priceless. How can I find out more?
Hello.Thiis post wwas extremely interesting, especially since I was looking for thoughts on this issue last couple of days.
Very good post! We will be linking tto this great content on our
site. Keep up the goood writing.
You got a very superb website, Glad I noticed it through yahoo.
Some really fantastc content on this site, thanks for contribution.
Thank you foor helping out, great information.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I truly appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your
next write ups thank you once again.
You reported that exceptionally well!
Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as
long as I provide credit and sources back to
your website? My blog site is in the exact same niche as yours and my visitors would truly benefit from a lot of
the information you provide here. Please let me know
if this alright with you. Appreciate it!
Does your site have a contact page? I’m having
problems locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an e-mail.
I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.
I take pleasure in, cause I discovered exactly what I used to be having a look for. You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
Good post, I certainly love this website. Keep doing good things. 224034904
Thank you for this info
It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and
it’s time to be happy.
It was a great article, thanks for sharing!
Great place for kids. My 2 and 4 year old tried every water slide, pool, and toy. They loved the beach as well with the calm, warm waters. It was far from a relaxing trip but this one was all about the kids.
I was more than happy to find this great site. I want to to thank you for ones time for this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely savored every little bit of it and i also have you bookmarked to see new things on your web site.
I live in Jacksonville and there is no longer a ‘lively waterfront’. The shops and restaurants were demolished after a mass shooting at one of the establishments. Head to the beach not downtown!! There is a lovely historic district called Avondale/Riverside area. It is absolutely beautiful with shops and restaurants and a beautiful park with a kick a** playground! The neighborhoods sit on the St John’s River. The old homes are big and beautiful. I walk that area regularly and have lived there. Stunning!!!
Howdy! I simply wish to offer you a huge thumbs up for the great information you have got right here on this post.
I am returning to your site for more soon.
I agree with every word in this blog, I tried to travel to Saudi Arabia with this topic in mind. I thought a lot about choosing a sustainable activity. So I texted Ootlah website to ask them about sustainable activities and they recommended enjoying the desert in Jeddah, which causes almost no harm to the environment. I booked and tried it and it was significant.
Thank you. We might get there, and we might not. Hope so.