Growing up in California lends itself to driving. In one day you can go from snowboarding in Tahoe to catching the sunset over the Golden Gate bridge. Road-tripping from one end of the state to the other isn’t uncommon and this weekend I headed up to Bass Lake for a wedding. After three hours of driving I realized that while I wrote about road trip essentials before I left on my cross country trip last winter, I never put together a collection of all the cool places I explored.

So, without further ado:

I started in the Burgh. Pittsburgh is such an amazing little city with its East Coast grit and Mid-Western values. When I think of my time there my heart still stirs a little. I met so many solid people and life-long friends… It just is a little too cold for me!

After the burgh, I went cafe hopping in New York and traversed the city for a couple of weeks. Eventually, I found my way to Carrboro North Carolina. Carrboro is a small, eclectic town that reminds me of home.

Afterwards, I had the opportunity to peruse Miami Art Basel, before taking some much need space and time in Panama City, Florida.

After Panama City, I headed to New Orleans. I can’t wait for the day when I can spend a couple months in New Orleans! It’s one of the most riveting cultural experiences the US has to offer.

Eventually, I found myself in the wondrous and unexpected dessert, driving through Austin Texas, cave hunting in Carlsbad, New Mexico and making a quick jaunt through the Grand Canyon.

In the end, everything started to settle as I landed back in a familiar part of California I never expected to be living in. I learned so much exploring my own country and highly recommend homeland travel. Most Americans are just a quick jaunt away from diverse cities and unexplored countrysides.