#indie30 Day 17: Roadside Attractions, National Parks or Big Cities? What’s Your Favorite Part of Traveling in the USA?

Oh yes! All over! 

There is no possible way for me to choose just one. Each place has its own unique flavor and special attributes. Roadside stands in Hawaii selling coconuts, fruits and pineapples? Mt. Rainier National park with Tatoosh mountain range off in the distance – scaling just a portion of it was, in a word, awesome! New York City and its food, shopping…Broadway! Miami and its nooks and crannies that extend far beyond South Beach. San Francisco and, well, everything about it – not to mention its proximity to the wine country, Chicago and its Midwestern charm married with the air of sophistication that surrounds the city (and Chicago style pizza). So much to choose from! Why limit oneself?

A stop along the Road to Hana, Maui, Hawaii

Non-applicable. 🙂 

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park would rank way up there. I wish I would have taken more photos, but in a way I am glad I put the camera down and really enjoyed the beauty that surrounded me. 

When we were driving out of the park, a HUGE wild boar/pig ran out in front of the car. He just stopped. Then I stopped and we had a stand off. I was really afraid to open the door, but he wouldn’t move and we couldn’t go around him. Finally, I opened my door a little and he ran away.

We didn’t see much lava that day, but it was still fascinating and I look forward to taking the hubs and bonus daughters back someday.

I don’t consider San Diego “big” per se. I think it’s relative, so being from Miami, Florida I chose San Diego for a slower pace of life. Still, since we have over 1.3 million people living here, I’ll give it a pass. The weather is just about perfect. We have the mountains. We have the beach. We have the desert. People are SO friendly and laid back. You want to party on a rooftop bar with great views? Great! You want to pedal a beach cruiser until you fancy a fish taco? You got it! (Oh and the fish tacos are AMAZING). Surf all morning and snowboard all afternoon? Not a problem. Brewery tour? We have some of the best in the nation. Wine bars? Oh yes, I’ll take you! If you like history, check out Balboa Park, Castillo Monument, Old Town and our missions. Hike all day? Hang glide? Watch the green flash? Scuba dive (just wear a wet-suit since the water is cold)? The list is never-ending. I absolutely love San Diego. 

After I left Florida my parents kept asking me if I’d ever move back. When they finally visited me they exclaimed, “Now we get it.” 

If you haven’t visited, I really encourage you to make San Diego a stop. Look me up! I’m always up to  hang out with a fellow traveler!

The Unconditional Surrender (aka “The Kiss”) Statue here in San Diego has to take this one for me. A salute to our servicemen and a display of what being back home, in the USA, means to them – I think it’s great. While some may find it kitschy or cartoon-ish, the happiness that sailor felt in that moment, I get it as much as a military brat and a military wife can get it.