Travel Goal Getter Travel Blog

youngest to visit all 50

9/17/2014

Max age 14, Bowen age 11, Mazie age 9, Sadie age 7

Ben and Heidi Heidger

Oh what those little eyes have seen! American the Beautiful! Congratulations to Sadie Heidger who is currently our youngest All 50 Club member. She completed all 50 at the young age of 7 along with her family of six. The Heidger family cruised to Alaska, flew to Hawaii, and traversed the country in a motor home in just 11 months and 15 days. With children ages 14, 12, 9, and 7 they surely created a never-ending supply of "Remember when......." On their journey they went to more than 60 national parks and monuments, attended the Masters in Augusta, Georgia, and watched the Kentucky Derby and the New York Marathon.
Favorite Place: Bryce Canyon, Utah
Final State: Nebraska, May 2014

Travel Goal Getter - All Fifty Club Record Holders

Author: Alicia

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Sports Related All Fifty State Member Quests

9/3/2014

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The closest seat I've ever had! Photo courtesy Travel Goal Getter.

On the eve of the start of the National Football League's 95th season, we are reminded of the numerous sports related All Fifty State quests our members have completed. Some of them are listed below. What's your sports related travel goal? Have you completed a sports related All Fifty States goal? Share now by leaving a comment below or send us an email.

Harry Scott - Golfed All 50 States in 50 Days! Read about it
Gus Churchill - Golfed All Fifty States!
Nicole Smith - Skydived in All Fifty States! Read more
Doug Ward - Skydived in All Fifty States!
Larry Kirk - Disc Golfed in All Fifty States - Twice! Read his story
David Miller - Biked All Fifty States! - Read about it
Beth Hendricks - Participated in a Formal Walk in Each State!
Homar & Suzanne Brantley - Ran in All Fifty States!
Mary & Tom Rehm - Played 2 Golf Courses in All Fifty States!
Liz & Jeff Goldstein - Played Golf in All 50 States Before Age 50!

Get The Travel Goal Getter iPad App!
by Eric

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Naming All Fifty States - In 18 Seconds - Without Taking a Breath!

7/10/2014

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NORTH DAKOTA - The State That is Often Left for Last

2/18/2014

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What are the final states that most people travel to on a 50 state quest? By far the most common “last” states that our members visit are either Alaska or Hawaii, likely because both typically requires a separate trip and can be costly endeavors. Despite this, many members mark traveling to Hawaii and Alaska as favorite states to visit and a great way to wrap-up the 50 state adventure.

The state located in the contiguous United States that is by far most often visited last is North Dakota. Plain and simple, North Dakota isn't on the way to most places. Like Hawaii and Alaska, a trip to North Dakota often requires special planning.

Our best advice? If you are within a half day's driving distance, spend the extra time and go the extra miles to visit North Dakota. Many of us kick ourselves for not going the additional miles when visiting nearby Mt. Rushmore. The North Dakota border is just a little over 2 hours drive from Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills area. There isn't really anything specific to see on that two hour trek north except the beautiful South Dakota countryside. Cross the border, put your feet down, breathe the crisp North Dakota air and check ND off your list. For those who require some sightseeing to qualify as a state visit, there are some other options.

Another option is to drive from Minneapolis to Fargo, ND, which is about a 3 hour 45 minute drive via I-94. While you don't get deep into the state, you have rightly been to North Dakota when you have been to Fargo. Have you seen the 1996 movie Fargo? It's guaranteed you will make a poor attempt to talk like Marge. A great picture opportunity is the Fargo sign in front of the theater on Broadway, the main drag of town. Additionally, several All Fifty Club members have mentioned visiting the Roger Maris Museum while in Fargo. Roger Maris was a professional baseball player best known for hitting 61 home runs in 1961 which broke Babe Ruth's record. The small museum is free and is located in a mall so even if you are not a baseball fan it might be worth a look. Maris grew up in Fargo and is buried in the city at Holy Cross Cemetery. Also, the Fargo Air Museum has a nice collection of vintage warplanes and other artifacts.

Our favorite sight in the area was actually across the border in Moorhead, MN but it is the same quasi-metropolitan area. The Hjemkomst Center houses a huge Viking Ship replica that actually sailed from Minnesota to Norway. The workmanship is truly incredible. On the grounds there is also a beautiful, detailed replica of a Scandanavian church. The Hopperstad Stave Church is unique from any other church we have visited in the USA.

For super road trippers who intend to fully
see the state, drive I-94 and visit the beautiful Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the state capitol city of Bismarck. You can also take a detour and drive on what has been claimed the "straightest stretch of highway in the US" as you approach Fargo from the west. State highway 46 runs 123 miles from Streeter, ND to Hickson (south of Fargo). You will have no problem balancing that 64-ounce soda between your legs on this straight stretch!

For that special trip to North Dakota (especially as the last state) most travelers fly into Fargo which is serviced by Allegiant Air, Delta, Frontier, American, and United Airlines. Or, in order to visit North Dakota's state capitol you can fly directly to Bismarck on all the same airlines, except for American. Other airports are located in Grand Forks, Minot, and Willison, although, as expected, there is considerably less flight selection. One unique reason to fly to Grand Forks is to attend Potato Bowl events at the University of North Dakota. The week-long festival includes an annual French Fry Feed. A world record was set last year of the most french fries served at a single event - 5,010 lbs! For those looking to run in every state there is a Potato Bowl 10K and a Tater Tot Trot. And you thought potatoes were only in Idaho!

North Dakota is full of many other unique places to visit and many times its isolation and sparse population is palpable. Perhaps this is what makes the state even more special to visit, even if you save it for last.

More at www.ndtourism.com

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Religious Sites of the USA
US Presidential Sites
Factory Tours
Track Your Travels on the Travel Goal Getter iPad App

Fargo Theatre used under creative commons license by Mulad.
Hopperstad Stave Church used under creative commons license by Zach Heller Photography
Theodore Roosevelt National Park used under creative commons license by neighborhoods.org

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All aboard - 7 state visit on amtrak southwest chief

2/5/2014

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You are taking the train across the country? Are you crazy? How romantic.... How long will it take? Is there food on the train? When we began making plans to take the train across the country this December, people were curious because most had never spoken with anyone who had taken a cross-country trip via the train. Our friends were anxious for us to be the guinea pigs! Well we did it - 32 hours on the train there and 32 hours back. Watching the landscape of America continuously pass before our eyes was an unforgettable experience that is difficult to portray with words - you just need to do it.
Here are the nitty-gritty details that may help set your expectations - train travel has a way of its own.

planning

Our trip was mostly about getting from Point A to Point B, but for someone who loves to sight-see, getting the most out of the middle was important. I quickly learned that traveling by train is not the best way to do this. Most of Amtrak's cross country routes run just one train a day. Stops along the route are quick - no time to get off and sight-see. If you want to stay longer to visit a tourist site you will have to get off, spend the night and get on the train the next day. To make it more difficult, train stops are often not located in tourist areas so you have to arrange for transportation for you and your luggage and it may not be an ideal time of day. You will have to book separate legs on your itinerary when you purchase your ticket, which may or may not cost you more money but will definitely take you more time. Amtrak's website is fairly easy to use to look up routes, schedules, etc. Train fares vary as do airfares - but generally train fares are only just slightly less than flying with airlines. So with meals, the train is not necessarily a cost-saving adventure. Sleeper cars can be expensive, adding another $1,500 to the trip each direction. Children 15 and under ride for half price. AAA members receive a 10% discount so it might be worth joining if you are not a member already.

That all being said, we couldn't wait to ride the train. The anticipation of boarding the train was way more exciting than just hopping in our mini-van. The allure of traveling a different method made the planning of the trip well worth it. Besides - we didn't have to be concerned about the weather or directions!

Our train adventure was aboard the Southwest Chief which originates in Chicago and traverses through seven states (Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, California) and ends in Los Angeles. After taking a connecting train - The Missouri Runner from St.Louis to Kansas City, our family boarded the Southwest Chief train at the Kansas City Union Station in Missouri and got off in Kingman, Arizona.

eating on the train?

If you ride the length of the trip from Chicago to Los Angeles you will have 5 meals on the train - Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Breakfast again. The train has a dining car and a café car or you can bring food with you. If you have a sleeper car your meals are included in your train fare.

Since we boarded after dinner, our first meal on the train was breakfast. We were so glad we packed some juice, fruit, and pastries so everyone could just easily eat when we woke up. We didn't have to make sure the Cafe Car was open (which was oddly closed during some meal time hours) or wait in line.

Next was lunch in the Dining Car. An attendant had come through each car that morning asking passengers to make lunch or dinner reservations if they were interested. They made an announcement about 5 minutes before the reservation time telling the passengers to come to the Dining Car. When we arrived (a short walk of 2 train cars), the dining car was a welcome sight because it was so different from the other cars - it had its own special ambiance. The tables were set with tablecloths and the servers were in uniform and had the hustle and bustle of a busy restaurant. Our hamburgers, chili and chips were pretty good and the servers were nice, but mainly it was just the fresh change in scenery. Breakfast prices range from $7.50 (scrambled eggs) to $11.25 (made to order omelet) Lunch selections range between $9 and $13 (hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches). Dinner meals options are $16.50 (chicken/vegetables) to $25.75 (steak). The children’s menu is the same for lunch and dinner. $7.00 for a pizza, hot dog , chicken tenders, or macaroni and cheese. Lunch is less expensive, but I think the ambiance would have even been better at night - there is something romantic about eating in the dining car. Alcoholic beverages are available.

We had dinner in the Cafe Car. The Café Car offers a large variety of snack bar type food such as chips, snacks, burgers, and hotdogs. There is no kitchen so any heated items are just warmed up in a microwave. My daughter ordered spaghetti so we watched the attendant grab the Bertoulli frozen dinner from the freezer, nuke it in the microwave, then hand it to her. So set your expectations ahead of time - calling it a "Cafe Car" may be a little misleading. Prices are $3-6. No ambiance here but you can curb your appetite.

Most people bring some food on the train - for meals or snacks. Amtrak regulations state that you can bring a cooler as long as it is smaller than 12 x 12, however, we saw several people carrying small coolers that were larger. Each seat has a pull down tray and a each car has a garbage receptacle. There is a water spigot and disposable cone cups in each car as well. The refillable water bottles we brought along were to hard to use with the spigot without spilling - so next time I would bring some 8 oz cups that we could fill and keep at our seats.

On our trip eastbound, the Chief stopped in Albuquerque at 4:00 p.m. for about 45 minutes for a crew change. This gave us enough time to get off and have an early dinner in the train station which is located right next to the platform. We enjoyed some great burgers straight off the grill with french fries. Some regulars had recommended this to us since the food is a little less expensive, tastes better, and again a change in scenery!

can you get off the train at the stations?

Stops are like subway stops ….. the doors open…people get off… people get on… off the train goes. On some stops the conductor will announce that it is a smoking stop – so you can get off the train and stand on the platform. There were some smokers, but many others who were just getting a breath of fresh air. There are only two stops that you might be able to go beyond the train platform - Albuquerque and Kansas City. In Albuquerque vendors set up along the train platform selling Indian and Southwest goods. I purchased a Navajo blanket and a sand painting but was also tempted by all the silver and turquoise jewelry. The vendors are right next to the train so you can hop back on when it is time.

The Kansas City stop is not quite as convenient. It typically stops there around 10:00 p.m.westbound and 7:30 a.m. eastbound and the station is at least a 5 minute walk from the platform. You must take the stairs or the elevator up to the station and brave the elements -- OOH in January it was COLD! If the conductor allows you and you are up to it, it is well worth it to take a quick trip to the station to experience the beauty of the station's architecture and step back into history. We traveled at Christmas. The interior was impressive -almost magical with hanging lights, a Christmas tree, and music playing on a player piano. The bathrooms off the big hall are the high ceiling large bathrooms you see in the movies. Look for the bullet holes from the 1933 Union Station Massacre outside the front entrance of the train station. The shoot out between mobsters, FBI agents and police officers allegedly left the marks. All of the stations have an interesting history - but the preservation of the Kansas City station lends you to think about the past - imagine it full of of World War II soldiers on their way home. In 1945 more than 678,363 passengers went through the station. Train was the way to travel back then! Now unless there is an event going on, the station will seem empty.

could you get any sleep? how were the seats?

Don’t worry – train seats are not like airline seats! There is plenty of room between your seat and the seat in front of you. No bumping your knees. A foot rest is attached to the seat in front of you so you can stretch your legs out. The seats recline a little farther than an airline seat and you can pull out a leg portion to rest your legs on too. Now – I don't want to mislead you --- sleeping in coach is not like sleeping in a hotel room. You are sleeping sitting up in a room full of people. It can only be so comfortable. However, the train noise drains out all but the loudest of snores and the gentle vibrating of the train helps lull you to sleep. The lights don’t go entirely out – so if you are one who likes total darkness when you sleep you will want to bring an eye mask. Our neck pillows and blankets made all the difference. Amtrak offers some for purchase - but there is nothing like your own comfy blanket - it is worth lugging along for the trip. We used them throughout the day - not just for sleeping at night. Set an alarm to go off prior to your stop if you are going to be sleeping. An attendant told us that we would be woken up 20 minutes prior to our stop – but each time we were told about 5 minutes before the stop so we had to wake up and pack up in a hurry!

How were the bathrooms?

Worry – these are like airplane bathrooms. They start out clean but passenger use dirties them up in a hurry. Most are tiny - difficult to turn around in, but there are a few larger bathrooms that have a changing area and are handicap accessible. Even though we were on the train for over 24 hours, and we did pack clothes to change into, we did not change. In fact we didn't notice anyone who changed clothes. As I said the bathrooms were small and ended up not so clean – so we opted to keep our train clothes on for the duration and took nice long showers when we got to our destination.

where do you put your luggage?

There is no luggage service except at main stations so if you are getting off or on anywhere else you are responsible for your luggage. If you are riding coach when you board the train there is a luggage section directly when you step on to the train. You can store larger suitcases there. You will go upstairs to your seats in a somewhat narrow stairway. If you can carry your luggage you can bring it upstairs with you - there was plenty of overhead baggage space. There is plenty of room for typical size carry on suitcases. Regardless of where you put it you can access it at anytime. Amtrak has regulations on its website regarding weight and size, but our our trip it seemed that it was more of a "if you can carry it - you can bring it' policy. There are no regular security inspections or weight scales. According to Amtrak these are done at random.

Did you get bored on the train?

No - but we also love long road trips so I don't know if everyone would answer this question the same way. It was the ultimate lock-in. There is nowhere to go but spend time together. Sure we could each be reading a book or listening to music by ourselves - but periodically someone would would call out "Hey, look at that?" and we would all look up and talk about something or the other. Someone would eventually want to stretch their legs and ask who wanted to go walk around and visit the other cars. Although there was a nice view from our regular seats, the observation car had larger windows and the seats faced the windows so we would focus more on the scenery. We had heard the view between Trinidad, CO and Las Vegas, NM was especially scenic so we made sure we were there for that part of the trip. The Raton Pass was indeed absolutely beautiful and the attendant pointed out few things of interest as we went through. We were also fortunate to see a herd of elk on one of the hillsides. Eastbound, the section between Winslow, AZ and Gallup, NM has some colorful rock formations, with some cave dwellings and Indian teepees. Gazing at such spectacular scenery and the way the seating is arranged, encourages people to strike up a conversation with the people next to them. We met a nice woman who ended up playing a round of Old Maid with us later.

Another place to spend some time besides our regular seats was the Cafe Car. You don’t have to eat at the Café to sit at one of the booth tables. The larger tables make a great place to spread out a little more or play a group game of cards. I loved teaching my daughter how to play solitaire with real cards. When in "real-life" do we have time to do that? My kids and I used the entire table playing an Axis and Allies game they had gotten for Christmas.

The rest of the trip was spent reading books, drawing, making bracelets with Rainbow Loom, playing Tangoes & Rush Hour, taking turns playing the game of LIFE on the iPad, and daydreaming looking out the window . Every seat had an outlet so electronics could be charging throughout the trip. The Southwest Chief did not have WiFi although I imagine this might change as Amtrak offers WiFi on some of their other trains. This was slightly frustrating as well as AT&T had only off and on coverage.

How was the customer service?

No one asked about this but I'll tell you.... unless you are in first class or with a sleeper, customer service is pretty much non-existent - you are on your own, but attendants are there if you need them. I guess I have been spoiled by flight attendants. On the train no one came around asking if we were having a nice trip. No one offered us free drinks with and peanuts or pretzels. No one told any jokes over the intercom. We had one staff member in particular that was very rude to everyone by barking orders "Get on the train. Move.", but overall the attendants were nice. There just wasn't a lot of staff on board to assist all of the passengers. They had enough responsibilities focusing on making sure the trip ran smoothly and people got from Point A to B.

The Southwest Chief was late coming into Kansas City by 3 hours. Apparently there was a mechanical delay before the train left Chicago. Since we were transferring from another train we had to wait in the station for three hours from 11:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.. Not ideal to kill time in the middle of the night. We used our neck pillows and blankets to make ourselves as comfortable as possible on the hard benches in the brightly lit passenger waiting room. It was quiet except for the playing of a movie at full volume by an inconsiderate passenger who was unaware that the entire room was trying to catch a few Zzzzzs. When we finally boarded around 2:30 a.m. I expected the Amtrak employees to show some sign of compassion. "Sorry, for the inconvenience. Sorry for the wait," but instead we were shuffled on to the train as if we were the ones that were causing the train to be behind. The impact of our delay was compounded because Amtrak does not own the tracks that it rides on, causing further delays as we wait for freight trains to pass by during other parts of our trip. Delays are bound to happen, but it would have eased the pain if Amtrak made any effort to make the situation better even with a simple "Sorry for the delay" announcement.

For as many people that were on the train, the train was kept relatively clean. The trash cans were emptied and tables were wiped down. I felt comfortable enough to wear my socks around in our coach car. The bathrooms were the only part that seemed difficult for the staff to keep up with - but I blame that on passengers who can't clean up after themselves. At the crew shift change in Albuquerque the windows were washed - so we always had a clear view out the window.

Will you ride the train again?

Definitely. Tomorrow – no. Next month - no. Next year – no. It was a unique experience that we will definitely treasure and remember forever, but we will need some time to build up our train endurance before our next train adventure. I'd like to try the Northeast Regional which will be a totally different experience because the trains run multiple times a day so there are more opportunities to get off and back on. I am also tempted to ride the the Empire Builder which runs close to the northern border of the United States - I imagine the scenery of Montana and North Dakota will be beautiful. For now my train dreams will be about the Southwest Chief, the memories of playing Old Maid in the Cafe Car, listening to the quiet click-clack on the tracks as beautiful America passes by the window.

For more about train travel, read Travel Goal Getter - Visit All 50 States by Train.

Author: Alicia and Karina
Southwest Chief picture used under creative commons by Steve Wilson roberthuffstutter.
Southwest Chief poster used under creative commons by ironypoisoning
Seats on Amtrak used under creative commons by fredcamino
Observation car used under creative commons by sheilaellen
Dining car used under creative commons by rickpawl
All other photos by Travel Goal Getter

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You've been to All 50 States - now what? The US Territories Are Calling!

1/15/2014

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You have visited All 50 States. Now what? The possibilities are endless! You could visit all 50 for a second or third time with a specific goal such as visiting each state capitol. Or you could go abroad and begin the Traveler's Country Club and Continent Club quest! Take a look at our Travel Goal Getter Record Holders and Travel Goals page for more interesting ways to see the country and the world. For now, we focus on the travel goal of visiting all the United States Territories.

You may not even need a passport! No need to exchange money either! No language barrier! Well, no language barrier if you find people who speak English and you can understand different accents! The territory islands provide great beauty, culture, and historical and military significance. Consider a future trip to the 5 inhabited American territories of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Mariana Islands, and American Samoa as your next great travel goal!

PUERTO RICO

Sightseeing opportunities: San Juan National Historic Site, Old San Juan, El Morro, Fort San Cristobal, Beaches, Rainforests (El Yunque National Forest), Biobays (Mosquito Bay), Caves (Cueva Ventana, Rio Camuy Caves Park)
Language: English and Spanish (90% speak Spanish)
Time to visit: All year, off season/hurricane season is considered late spring to late fall
How to get there: Flights from many major U.S. Cities and in Europe, Cruises with Royal Caribbean, Princess, Carnival, Disney, Norwegian

U.S. Virgin iSlands

Sightseeing opportunities: Virgin Islands National Park, Beaches, Cruzan Rum Distillery, Estate Whim Plantation Museum, Annaberg Sugar Plantation
Language: English, Spanish, French, French/Creole
Time to visit: All year, off season/hurricane season is May to November
How to get there: Flights from many major U.S. Cities and in Europe, Cruises with Royal Caribbean, Princess, Carnival, Disney, Norwegian

GUAM

Sightseeing opportunities: Chamorro Cultural Park, Beaches, Hiking (Mount Lamlam, Two Lovers Point, Waterfalls), Snorkel, Scubadive (ship wrecks from World War I and II), War in the Pacific Museum National Park
Language: English, Chamorro, Japanese, Filipino
Time to visit: All year, but off season may be considered July through December
How to get there: Most flights are from Japan; Korea, Philippines. Cruises through Crystal Cruises and Silversea

MARIANA ISLANDS

Sightseeing opportunities: Beaches, The Grotto, American Memorial Park, Sandcastle Saipan (dinner theater and entertainment), Atomic Bomb Pits
Language: English, Chamorro, Carolinian,Japanese
Time to visit: All year, but off season may be considered July through December
How to get there: Most flights are from Japan, Korea, Philippines; Cruises through Crystal Cruises and Silversea

AMERICAN SAMOA

Sightseeing opportunities: Beaches,
Language: English, Samoan
Time to visit: All year, but off season may be considered July through December
How to get there: Most flights are from Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia; Cruises through Silversea, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Oceania Cruises, Cunard, P&O Cruises

Want to visit all United States Territories? Then you must also go to the American Minor Outlying Islands. If you are looking for a challenge - this is it. These islands are very difficult to get to especially if you don't have the right credentials and they have very few if any amenities. They are uninhabited and are used primarily by scientific researchers and the military. The islands are administered by the Department of the Interior. These islands include; Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Atoll, Navassa Island, Palmyra Atoll, and Wake Island.

Visiting the American territories entails significant island hopping. If you enjoy the beach and water activities and some history, this may the perfect way to continue your Visit the USA quest. Of course there are always another million other travel goals! We wish you happy and safe travels as you see the world!

Pictures from: Puerto Rico creativecommons fortherock, U.S. Virgin Islands creativecommons ironypoisoning, Guam by NASA Observatory, Mariana Islands creativecommons rapidtravelchai, American Samoa creativecommons eutrophication&hypoxia.

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50 states - 50 slices of pie

10/18/2013

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If you are like us, some of our fond travel memories are centered around the great meals and foods we have eaten - beignets in New Orleans, crab cakes in Maryland, and Tex-Mex in San Antonio. We often seek out new food adventures when we travel if only to say, "I've tried that!" A new member, John from New York, put his own spin on such a food travel goal by eating a slice of pie in all fifty states. When talking about his culinary travel goal John said, “ I pulled over at (mostly) mom-and-pop type places to enjoy one of life's great pleasures...a slice of "homemade" pie with an ice cold glass of milk!” What a fantastic and delicious idea!

Photo used under creative commons by cmpalmer.

John’s Most Memorable Pies
Key West, FL - Key Lime Pie
Traverse City, MI - Cherry Pie
Fairbanks, AK - Blueberry Pie (at the World's Northern-most Denny's!!!)
Burlington, VT - Apple Pie
South Sioux City, NE - Peach Pie
Smithfield, RI - Rhubarb Pie (made by John's grandmother)
Honolulu, HI - Pineapple Pie
Butte, MT - Irish Pasty
Wheeling, WV - Dutch Apple Pie
Portland, ME - Mixed Berry Pie

John has also been working on having a beer in each state - with 2 states left to revisit. Another fantastic idea! If you have a similar food-related goal let us know. Thank you John for your inspiration and welcome to the All Fifty Club!

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List of Seven Disbanded National Parks (pictures)

10/4/2013

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There are 59 National Parks in the United States. However, did you know that seven National Parks were officially disbanded? Here they are with an explanation of their demise. Don't worry, they are still beautiful and worth seeing! Also see the top 10 most visited National Parks and the 10 least visited National Parks.

1) General Grant National Park, Fresno/Tulare County, California
General Grant National Park was incorporated into Kings Canyon National Park in 1940.

Mist Falls in Kings Canyon National Park. Photo used under creative commons by MiguelVieira.

2) Hawaii National Park, Hilo/Pukalani, Hawaii
Hawaii National Park was divided into Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park in 1960.

Volcanoes National Park. Photo used under creative commons by LaurenBacon.

3) Platt National Park, Murray County, Oklahoma
Platt National Park was re-designated as Chickasaw National Recreation Area in 1976.

Buffalo Springs in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Photo used under creative commons by BaronBrian.

4) Abraham Lincoln National Park, Hodgenville, Kentucky
Abraham Lincoln National Park was re-designated as Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park in 1939.

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park. Photo used under creative commons by Joe Shlabotnik.

5) Fort McHenry National Park, Baltimore, Maryland
Fort McHenry National Park was re-designated as the Forth McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in 1939.

Fort McHenry. Photo used under creative commons by marklarson.

6) Mackinac National Park, Mackinac Island, Michican
Mackinac National Park was transferred to Michigan in 1895 and is now Mackinac Island State Park.

Mackinac Island State Park. Photo used under creative commons by drewsaunders.

7) Sullys Hill National Park, Benson County, North Dakota
Sullys Hill National Park was transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 1931 and is now Sullys Hill National Game Preserve.

Devils Lake North Dakota from Sullys Hill National Game Preserve. Photo used under creative commons by Beatnik Photos.

Author: Eric
article reference

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10 Ways to Track Your Goal To Visit All Fifty States

9/16/2013

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Tracking your goal to visit all fifty states can be highly enjoyable. Take a look at these ten different and unique ways to track your quest, based upon maps of the United States.

1) Use a unique USA Scratch-Off Map. The USA map is poster sized and makes great wall art. Like a lottery ticket, you scratch off the top layer and a brilliant bottom layer is revealed. We have some available in the Travel Goal Getter Store on sale now for $20 or 2 for $35.

2) Melissa & Doug License Plate Game. In addition to tracking states visited, this also makes a great road trip license plate game where you flip the plates once found. You can pick one up on Amazon or Ebay for under $20. They are highly durable and we've used ours on family road trips for years!

Photo used under creative commons by mil8.

3) The classic pin map!

Photo used under creative commons by daveynin.

4) Collect them all! Relatively inexpensive and easy to find, collect fridge magnets from each state you visit and create a large colorful map on your refrigerator. Other collections may be right up your alley such as shot glasses, spoons, postcards, t-shirts, piggy banks, thimbles, quarters etc. Check our our 50 State Collections board on Pinterest for more ideas.

5) Get Crafty! Make your own map of the USA using materials around the house or with fancy cutouts like in the picture above. A visit to a scrap-booking store would likely point you in the right direction.

Photo used under creative commons by kevin dooley.

6) Rock Collection - This map would take a little more effort to find the right shape for each state but fun nonetheless, especially for rock-hounds.

Photo used under creative commons by Kevin Hutchinson.

7) You may have to visit some car junk yards but a license plate collection is definitely unique! (you may also have to take a sheet metal class to learn how to cut them into a large map of the US!) If you don't want to get dirty searching for plates, thousands are available on Ebay to complete your collection.

Photo used under creative commons by Brett L.

8) I'm not sure if they still use these napkins on Southwest flights but you get the point - just scribble in your states!

9) Tattoo your states! Better get the big states out of the way first! Ouch!
Image source

10) We're just a little biased but what list wouldn't be complete without our very own Travel Goal Getter iPad App! Track states visited and 270 countries/territories too! Also, includes tracking for bucket-lists/travel goal lists. Available in the App Store here.

Author: Eric

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Congratulations Gary Flanagan - All Fifty States Three Times!

8/14/2013

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Congratulations to member Gary Flanagan for completing his THIRD All Fifty States trip in June! Gary's first trip in 2001 took him to All Fifty States in 43 days with other family members. His second trip, with Edmund and Pete Flanagan in 2003, was a fundraising trip for victims of the Station Nightclub fire in Rhode Island and took just 8 days, 20 minutes! His last trip brought him to 50 states and 51 capitols in 33 travel days. Gary has raised funds on many of his trips helping support and bring awareness to Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, The Sgt. Dennis J Flanagan Foundation, The Women's Care Center of Sevier County, Hoops for Heroes, The Station Fire Memorial Fund, and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

We are proud to have Gary as a member and please help us congratulate him on his incredible achievement! Way to go Gary!

Author: Eric

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