The Endless Adventure of Exploring All 50 States

I have to be honest with you: at first, I thought I was the one embarking on this adventure. But then your emails started pouring in, and I realized that this journey has already been unfolding in living rooms, minivans, RVs, cruise ships, and even aboard a sunken expedition ship in the Drake Passage—long before I packed my bags. Ever since I announced my plan to visit all 50 states before America’s 250th birthday on July 4th this year, I’ve received hundreds of emails from you, and it’s been incredibly moving. You are travel enthusiasts, expats writing from Sweden, Jesuit priests from Omaha, proud folks from Fairbanks, 87-year-old grandparents still dreaming of the five Northwestern states, and three-generation families who have made visiting all 50 states a legacy.

A Wonderful Community

You are the very people I’ve always believed to be part of the Atlas Obscura community: those who think that being somewhere—truly being there, opening your eyes, and exploring the backroads—is incredibly important. Some of you have fascinating systems. For instance, Anthony Castora and his wife draw a state coin every New Year’s Eve, just before the ball drops in Times Square. They’ve been doing this for 16 years, and every January, his students and colleagues eagerly await to see where Castora will head next. I love this idea so much that I want to “steal” it for myself!

Surprising Stories

Then there’s David Raum, who told me he wasn’t particularly excited about visiting Hawaii—until the expedition ship he had booked to Antarctica collided with an iceberg and sank. Everyone survived, needed to use flight vouchers, and Hawaii became his 50th state purely by chance. Now 81 years old, he just returned from two months in Mexico and continues his journey. I want to be like David Raum when I grow up!

Journey Updates

My journey is still ongoing, and after walking part of the Trail of Tears, I’ve written a guide about it in case you want to experience it too. After fantastic days in Arkansas, I’ll be sharing my experiences from Oklahoma, Kansas, and then Wisconsin. These trips will be so much more exciting with tips from you.

Valuable Suggestions

You’ve sent me information about covered bridges, meteorite impact fields, a stunning wave observatory at a nuclear site in Washington, a funicular railway in Dubuque, a grain silo shaped like a teapot, and—not just once, but from multiple friends—the sandhill cranes along the Platte River in Nebraska in March, which I now know I can’t miss. (I wonder if the cranes will still be there in early April?) Please keep sending me your tips. I’m jotting them all down.

Your Story

If you’re on a journey to explore all 50 states—or if you’ve already completed it—please share your story with me! And let’s fill up your map! We’re launching a platform and podcast to share stories of journeys across all 50 states, and I’d love to hear yours. You can reach me at ceo@atlasobscura.com.

The Endless Adventure of Exploring All 50 States