Travel Goal Getter Travel Blog

Nearly all Fifty States represented at Sochi Olympic and paralympic Games

2/5/2014

On the eve of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, we took a quick look at the home states of the athletes. Can your state claim an Olympian? Nearly all fifty states can claim a home-state athlete with 40 states represented. The 2014 Sochi Winter Games have athletes claiming hometowns in 38 states and the 2014 Sochi Paralympic Winter Games add another two states. Those states without home-state athletes are; South Dakota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Delaware.

Map created using the Travel Goal Getter iPad App.

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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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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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Track States Visited!

David Miller Crisscrosses USA Three Times!

Larry Kirk Disc Golfs All Fifty States Twice!

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Visit All Fifty States Scratch-Off Travel Map

5/20/2013

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Here's a neat way to track your visits to all fifty states; this clever USA scratch-off wall map! This is from the same company that created the popular world scratch-off map. The foil top layer features a subtle Stars and Stripes design and when you scratch-off the places you've visited, a vibrant world of geographical detail is revealed beneath. The result is a totally unique and authentic record of your journeys to hang on the wall (frame not included). Scratch Map U.S.A. Edition comes packaged in a beautifully designed card tube and measures 33.1 x 23.4 inches when flat. Get yours today from the Travel Goal Getter Store - we have them in stock! They also make a great gift! $30 each or 2 for $50 - includes priority shipping.

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Track States Visited!

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VISITING AMERICA'S LARGEST - CREATING MEMORIES

2/11/2013

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Author: Alicia

World's Largest Jackrabbit in Odessa, TX.

Across the world and the United States, there is a competition to be the largest. The largest of anything and everything. We have compiled a list of claims of the largest items - from the largest boll weevil to the largest rocking chair. Plan your trip as a “Largest Adventure” or, just stop and see a "largest" along the way. How many largest things have you seen?

Most people would admit that you can’t compare these sights with – let’s say – the raw beauty of the Grand Canyon or the history of Plymouth Rock. However, the sights can add a little excitement to an otherwise long drive. My favorite “largest” memory is driving across Texas on I-20 on New Year’s Eve. This was not how we wanted to spend New Year’s Eve, but we needed to make up some time on the road. Most things to visit along the road were closed. That is, until we found the giant jackrabbit in Odessa, Texas in one of our tour books. It took us a little while to find this giant jackrabbit – as the directions to these sights aren't always so precise.

As it turns out, the giant 25 foot rabbit we imagined ended up being 8 feet tall. We all got out of the car, posed with the rabbit for a picture, made some New Year’s racket, and got back in. We saw many other things on that trip – some incredible things – but one of our favorite memories is <groan> ”I can’t believe we went and saw that Jackrabbit!” Travel is about creating memories that last well beyond the end of the trip.

Travel Goal Getter takes no responsibility for your satisfaction in visiting such sites as they aren't for everyone. But for a certain type of person it can add humor– and sometimes awe – that other sites on your trip can’t give you. Add a “largest” to your trip today by checking out our World’s Largest List. If you have visited a “largest” in each state, please let us know so we can add you to our Record Holders. Thanks to member Garry Arndt for giving us a great start on places to include on this list.

Jackrabbit used under creative commons by drewesque.

COUPLE VISITS ALL FIFTY STATES TWICE!

2/1/2013

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Author: Eric

About the photo: Don and Vanda Edington pose in front of the sheriffs office on the set of the A&E TV Series Longmire, set in the fictitious Absaroka County, Wyoming and filmed in the real town of Las Vegas, New Mexico. They write trip reports and submit travel photos to the Denver Post as part of the Post's Paper Trails travel feature.

I had the chance to sit down with Travel Goal Getter members Don and Vanda Edington who graciously welcomed me into their home a couple of weekends ago. Don, a retired member of the Navy Reserve and Vanda, an aspiring painter, are Travel Goal Getter Record Holders, having visited all fifty states twice.

Beginning in 1998 and finishing in 2003, their first goal was to visit the state capitols. Despite tireless trip planning, speed bumps came up such as the time in Rhode Island when the state capitol was unexpectedly closed. This created a problem because their self-imposed qualification for a visit required them to set foot in the capitol building itself. Luckily, a guard patrolling the capitol corridors heard their desperate knocking and let them set foot in the building, even though a foot was all that the guard would allow. Their second visit to all fifty states from 2005 to 2009 was fueled by their newly discovered hobby of geocaching (see geocaching.org), a treasure hunting game in which you use GPS technology to hide and seek containers in thousands of locations across the world. The Edington's are contemplating a third visit to all fifty states but are still deciding on a goal. They have considered visiting the smallest cities in each state or visiting the geographic center of each state as their next goal to accomplish.

While we certainly covered the extent of their two all fifty state trips, I was left with something greater and more powerful than the notion that travel is just about checking off places visited. For the Edington's, travel is something more; for them, it's about making connections, meeting new people, and giving back to the travel community. You could say that Don and Vanda caught the travel bug on their first overseas trip (the Edington's are also world travelers and have visited 52 countries to date). Their two-week trip to England, which happened to cost $250 at the time, placed them with a host family, much like Couch Surfing (see couchsurfing.org) connects travelers today. It's no coincidence that the Edington's utilize couch surfing and are now travel hosts themselves; in the past few years they have hosted 16 fellow travelers. The Edington's have one trip planned in the near future: an Alaskan inside passage cruise to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary.

Beyond their Alaskan trip and whatever their future travel plans may hold, you can be certain that Don and Vanda will savor their time on the road and relish in the opportunities of enjoying new travel experiences and meeting new people from around the world.

WELCOME NEW MEMBER LARRY KIRK, DISC-GOLFED ALL 50 STATES TWICE!

1/22/2013

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Author: Alicia

UPDATE 8/4/13: Larry is attempting his third All Fifty States tour, playing 50 rounds of disc golf in 50 days. His first stops are in Alaska & Hawaii starting August 12th and his trip will end September 30th. He'd love your support! Visit soldieringonfordiscgolf.com for more information and ways to get involved. Larry's schedule is at the bottom of the post.

Larry Kirk on Wakiki Beach, Hawaii.

Welcome and congratulations to new member and disc-golfer Larry Kirk from Atwater,CA! He has been to all 50 states not once – but twice – and is preparing to visit them all a third time! Larry’s true passion is disc-golf and in an effort to spread his love of the game,decided to play disc-golf in each state. His first trip to all 50 took almost 9 years to complete, finishing up in 2010. Larry's trip began with family trips and continued with some work-related travel in his career as a technical sergeant with the Air Force National Guard. To conclude his first visit to all 50, he did a victory walk up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum….just like Rocky. see Rocky Statue and Steps.

Larry was soon ready for his second U.S. tour which he completed in 2012 in just 10 months. On one eleven-day trip from California to Tennessee and back, he visited twenty-three states. Larry said he has enjoyed meeting so many people along the way that “he never would have met” from high-ranking Air Force officials, National Disc Golf Champions,local news reporters, to people on the disc-golf courses. His last state the second time around was Hawaii (as pictured).

Best of luck to Larry as he secures sponsorships so he may begin his next quest to disc-golf in 50 states in 50 days. This third tour would make him the first All Fifty Club member to complete a third visit to each state. More about Larry’s travels and plans can be found on his Facebook page as Disc Golf Flyer.

REST STOP IDEA - Looking for a way to break up a long day of traveling? Disc golf might be a perfect way to get out of the car. It is like traditional golf, but instead of a ball and clubs, players use a flying disc or Frisbee. The disc is thrown at an elevated metal basket. The object of the game is to complete each basket in the fewest number of throws. A nine “hole” game takes approximately 45 minutes. There are special discs especially made for the sport but some try it out with a regular Frisbee. Disc Golf Course Review is an easy way to locate a course near you or along the road on your next trip.

INTERVIEW - MAN CRISSCROSSES USA ON BIKE THREE TIMES!

1/6/2013

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Author: Eric
We first introduced you to David Miller on 11/18/12 after he just completed his quest to visit all 50 US States by bicycle. Last month I had the chance to catch up with David to fill in some of the questions we had about his incredible achievement. See below for the full interview...

Travel Goal Getter Man Crisscrosses All 50 States Three Times

Photo used under creative commons from m.eckelberg.

When and why did you decide to travel around the US by Bike?
Just around my 49th birthday I started thinking about the adventure I wanted to take to celebrate my 50th

Was the trip a combination of driving/biking or just biking?
The trek was mostly land-based, but there was also a bit of air (a flight back from Anchorage to Seattle as well as the flights from DC to Honolulu and back again) as well sea (ferries across the Mississippi, from San Fran to Marin, across Lake Champlain in Vermont) travel. With regard to the land travel, about 85%was by bicycle towing two trailers (one for the dog and the other for my equipment) and the other 15% was hitchhiking to avoid rain, snow and wind.

What were your overnight sleeping arrangements – hotels/tent?
About 30% was covered by inexpensive motels. Another 5% was camping - strictly as a last-resort type of option (I just couldn't get a good enough night's sleep and when you're on your bike for 6 or 7 hours, the rest is imperative). 30% was with family, friends, colleagues and the network of all of their contacts (people with some relation to me however far-removed that might have been). The remaining 35% was satisfied through an amazing organization called Warm Showers. It's a network of long-distance adventure cyclists. They call it a "hospitality exchange". Most of the people on this Facebook-type website have already been on a long-distance bike trip and have been on the receiving end of limitless kindness and generosity. Now that they're back at home, they become the hosts so that they can return the favor.

In which state or states had the best riding conditions?
It's difficult to name a state as an entity. Unfortunately, cycling conditions are still not a state or federal priority. However, cities and municipalities are showing a rapidly growing interest and are becoming involved in the development of elaborate systems of trails, paths and greenways for bikes. Some of the best would be the Atlanta area, Raleigh, NC, the whole area that includes Washington, DC, Maryland and the Virginias . . . also Portland, ME and Chicago . . . but, now that I think of it, two states that probably do have a statewide plan would be California and Oregon - both states have amazing opportunities to ride your bike.

Which state or states proved to have the most difficult riding conditions?
Iowa (for the complete lack of bike lanes or even adequate shoulders on the county highways), Florida (for the increasing number of older drivers during the winter months) and Alabama (for the aggressiveness of drivers and a bizarre habit of passengers throwing things out the window at cyclists).

What were some unexpected mechanical problems that you faced?
Nothing really "unexpected" . . . . just a lot of what I was expecting: flats on the inner tubes, wear and tear on the tires, the need to change the chain every few thousand miles, structural problems with the trailers (they turned out to be extraordinary and the surprisingly lasted the whole trip although they're only designed and built to carry their loads around town; not 4 times across the country!)

What were some unexpected physical problems that you faced?
Once again, I didn't experience anything unexpected. And actually, I didn't face many physical problems at all! I had pain in my right knee after the 5th or 6th week. I put a brace on and starting favoring my left leg to give the right a rest. Within three weeks, the pain disappeared almost as miraculously as it had appeared. The sun was a problem I had foreseen. Periodically over the course of the year when the sun was the strongest, I was bothered by a sun rash. Sun block proved to be ineffective and ultimately I opted to just cover all exposed skin with long-sleeved shirts, a legionnaire-type covering for my neck and a runner's cap for my head and face.

Did you stick to the planned route or did you find yourself having to make adjustments & why?
I had crossed the country once already (from San Diego, CA to Sarasota, FL) and was heading back again to California when I realized that I was already behind schedule and that I would not be able to complete the four planned crossings in time to reach Washington state and the last ferry of the season to Alaska. Also, there was the question of weather in Alaska at the end of September. Quite often it snows then. So, I pulled out my maps and the Google mapping application for bicycles and started looking at different options. It was early March and I was just crossing Tennessee and Kentucky when I decided to adjust my route. I found a way to combine the third and fourth crossings into one: I rode out to California to finish the second leg then up to Oregon and Washington (where I left Max with friends). From there I took the ferry up to Alaska, rode from Homer to Seward to Anchorage, then flew back to Seattle. I picked up Max and we headed back east in an up and down, rollercoaster-type path across the northern and mid-northern states. We finished in Washington, DC and I flew to Hawaii to complete the 50!

What was the most memorable moment or moments of the trip?
There are so many it's almost impossible to mention just one, but if I had to pinpoint just a few, I guess they would be:
1. Arriving in Sarasota, FL to complete the first leg of the journey. I couldn't quite believe that I had actually crossed the whole country by bicycle. The end of the other crossings were also important, but the impact wasn't as great.
2. Seeing my first Bald Eagle in Alaska.
3. Seeing my first bear in Alaska.
4. Reaching Wai'ale'ale, elevation 5148 ft., the highest point on Kauai and one of the wettest spots in the world (for the amount of yearly rainfall). It's where I said to myself, "You're done, this is as far as you need to go. You've pedaled in all 50 states. You can rest now!"

Of all the places you visited on the trip, where would you like to go back to spend more
time?
I could never live there, but I would love to go back to explore more - that would be Alaska! It's beautiful, majestic, extraordinary! And of course, Hawaii. Each island is different and I only had the chance to visit
two. The tropical beauty and the endless ocean is incredible. I could definitely see living there, but finding a well-paying job isn't easy and the cost of living is relatively high.

How has your trip changed you or your outlook on life?
I think more that anything else it has taught me to be "in the moment". I see so many people who are distracted by all that's happening in their lives and all that's buzzing around them - computers, apps, smart phones and endless electronic paraphernalia...sensationalist news programs and garbage TV...and I realize that we miss so much important stuff that's right in front of us because of it. When you're riding, you have to be so aware of what's going on in the immediate vicinity that you're forced to be alert and attuned to what's happening in the here and now. Once you achieve that awareness, you start seeing all kind of things that are wonderful.

What advice do you have for someone who is thinking of attempting a similar goal?
You can't plan or prepare enough. Try to consider all the elements of your project. Investigate, interview others, find and request information from professional organizations and associations. With the adequate information and preparation, you can more like ensure success.

What is one thing you would change if you did the trip all over again?
I would definitely think twice about bringing the dog along. There are some many reasons why it was great to have him along (among them, companionship, protection and most importantly, socially - people would always approach us to pet Max and in that way, I met so many great folks) and at the same time, so many ways in which the trip was complicated by his presence: hotels and motels that don't allow pets ... pulling his weight in an extra trailer...contemplating, buying and carrying all the supplies needed to keep the dog
comfortable...worrying about his health and welfare (particularly his paws).

What is one thing Max would change if he did the trip all over again?
Sometimes I think that he would say that he would have liked to stay with my folks for the year! Dogs are creatures of habit and I basically took away all of his habits. I think he missed having the same old bed, the same park to run in, etc. As much as he enjoyed the adventure and being out in nature and running so
much, I also think he would have been very happy staying with what he already was accustomed to.

What travel plans/goals do you have for the future?
To be perfectly honest, it's a blank slate right now. About two months ago, I started a list of possibilities but there's still nothing that jumps off the page and says, "this is the ONE!". That's what I'll be working on over the next few weeks and months.

For the last 17 years, David has lived in Mexico City where he helped develop the country's first full-service, multi-sport health and fitness clubs. In 1999, Miller founded his own company dedicated to the growth and advancement of the club industry in Mexico and Latin America.
Since your time in Mexico, do you feel that Mexico and Latin America have made positive strides in terms of improving the growth and advancement of the health club industry and overall population health –  why/why not?
Without a doubt the industry has advanced. Not only are there more facilities for the wealthy but also for the middle class. Health and wellness, fitness and physical activity are so much more present in the everyday culture throughout the region. Still, there is a huge problem with obesity, particularly in children. Even with improvements and positive gains, you are also seeing how certain issues are worsening.

More about David Miller and this incredible adventure can be found at www.bike50at50.com. Congratulations David! Where will your next travel adventure take you? Share your 2013 travel goals!

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Photo used under creative commons from magical-world.

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Do you have amazing travel goals? Check out a simple tool to help track of states visited, countries visited, and continents visited - see our Travel Goal iPad App to learn more about tracking your unique travel goals and your travel experiences and bucket-lists on your own travel goal iPad app. See Achieving Travel Goals for some quick advice and a comprehensive guide to help you achieve travel goals. Looking for great articles to plan your next amazing adventure? See our Top Travel Blog Search Engine that searches only the top 150 most widely read and popular travel blogs in the world. Have you traveled to all 50 states, at least 6 continents, or at least 15 countries? Become a free member of our All Fifty Club, Continent Club, and/or Traveler's Country Club for FREE today or give a membership as a gift! Happy Travels!

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VISITING ALL 50 STATES BY BIKE - CONGRATULATIONS DAVID!

11/18/2012

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Author: Eric
As reported by The Garden Island in an article titled Cyclist finishes 50-state ride on Kaua‘i, one year and two months since his journey began, David Miller has completed his quest to visit all 50 states by bicycle. What's amazing is that he completed his journey not in spurts of cycling here and there but in a row. David basically set out on his bike 14 months ago and never stopped! For 46 of the 50 states David had his dog Max in tow as they traveled raising $5000 for charities including The American Heart Association and The Cancer Research Institute. To read more about his journey visit David's website Bike 50 At 50 where you'll find a Google Map of his journey and more information. Congratulations David!

Travel Goal Getter Man Visits All 50 States By Bike

Photo used under creative commons from m.eckelberg.

Do you have amazing travel goals? Check out a simple tool to help track of states visited, countries visited, and continents visited - see our Travel Goal iPad App to learn more about tracking your unique travel goals and your travel experiences and bucket-lists on your own travel goal iPad app. See Achieving Travel Goals for some quick advice and a comprehensive guide to help you achieve travel goals. Looking for great articles to plan your next amazing adventure? See our Top Travel Blog Search Engine that searches only the top 150 most widely read and popular travel blogs in the world. Have you traveled to all 50 states, at least 6 continents, or at least 15 countries? Become a free member of our All Fifty Club, Continent Club, and/or Traveler's Country Club for FREE today or give a membership as a gift! Happy Travels!

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