Making New Friends at the LA Times Travel Show

The Explore All 50 Project was an exhibitor at the Los Angeles Times Travel Show at the LA Convention Center last weekend January 18-19th and was totally overwhelmed meeting so many wonderful folks who are interested in traveling throughout the US and are on a quest to see all 50 states. It was great fun to introduce our website to so many new fans who were really enthusiastic about planning their next trip using … [Read more...]

Road Trip Travel: Giving Your Kids a 3D Education

Destination #5: North and South Dakota

About 10 years ago when I took my kids on our first summer road trip, I could not have imagined how much these trips would impact their lives, not just by connecting us together, but by yielding huge educational dividends. These trips have given them what I like to call a “3D” education-engaging their senses in a way that connects them through first hand experiences.  History, science, and economics are just … [Read more...]

Soundtrack for Trip #3: Idaho, Wyoming and Montana

Soundtrack #3

There is nothing quite like the beautiful natural wonder of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. Yellowstone in Wyoming is America's first National Park. It's home not only to lots of animals like bison, bears, elk, and wolves but it's the center of enormous volcanic activity thats the source of geysers, colorful steaming pools of acid, and smoking steam vents. We all know Idaho is famous for it's potatoes, but did you know … [Read more...]

Soundtrack for Trip #14: New England

New England

New England is such a beautiful and very historical place. It's where the spirit of freedom gave birth to our nation and you can feel it everywhere you go from Minuteman Park in Massachusetts to the Touro Synagogue in Rhode Island. Besides the Revolutionary War that was sparked here, New England is also home to a rebellious spirit from the hippie dairy farms in Vermont-home of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, to Mark Twain … [Read more...]

Soundtrack for Trip #2: Nevada, Utah and Arizona

Soundtrack for Trip #2: Nevada, Utah and Arizona

I don't know about you, but I can't drive though Vegas without Elvis' "Viva Las Vegas" blaring out of my car speakers. Vegas has it's own iconic music made famous by legendary artists like Elvis and Frank Sinatra, just to name a few. Once you head out of town, the barren landscape awash with desert colors takes on a whole other feel. If you find yourself on the road through these states (Trip #2: Nevada, Utah and … [Read more...]

Making Those Memories Last

How to preserve and display your family travels to keep memories alive, spark conversations and give everyone in the family a chance to brag (just a little) In as much as I’ve tried to create a family history by traveling to all 50 states, it’s really hard to keep those memories alive as they must compete with the day to day chaos that makes up our lives.  I felt it was really important for my children to … [Read more...]

Soundtrack for Trip #1: Washington, Oregon

Soundtrack for Trip #1: Washington, Oregon

Here's a terrific list of songs to go along the amazing scenery of the Pacific Northwest on Trip #1: Washington, Oregon. Many artists and bands on the list have their roots here like Jimi Hendrix, Heart, The Kingsman, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam-in fact Nirvana and Pearl Jam pioneered a new style of music that emerged out of the Seattle scene which came to be known as Grunge. Other songs are just feel good road songs … [Read more...]

Reader Profile: Mark Davidson Explored and Tasted his way through all 50!

Mark Davidson

We love finding people like ourselves who are on a quest to see all 50 states and sharing their story. Most folks haven’t seen them all, but occasionally we meet someone who has been to all 50 like Mark Davidson who we had the pleasure of meeting at the LA Times Travel Show. Mark first became fascinated with the idea of seeing all 50 states at age nine when he played with a puzzle of the 50 states - the same … [Read more...]

Soundtrack for Trip #11: Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky

Did you know that Cleveland, Ohio is the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Or did you know that Motown is slang for the Motor City also known as Detroit? Kentucky is home to bluegrass music, and Gary, Indiana was the birthplace of the Jackson 5. There are so many musical connections and it was fun and creative putting this eclectic mix together trying to find songs to tie in to not only to the musical history, … [Read more...]

Soundtrack For Trip #7: Texas

Everything in Texas is big and bold and has stars on it. That's the first impression we got as soon as we set off exploring in The Lone Star State. After seeing The Alamo early on, everything else fell into place and we understood the passion that Texans feel for their home state. From the Spanish influence in the southern regions like San Antonio and Laredo to the cowboy culture in the north in places like Fort … [Read more...]