The last few days have been a little different from the first part of this road trip. Instead of chasing National Park units, I spent much of the weekend with people who understand the urge to keep traveling!

Friday started with some Philadelphia sightseeing. One highlight was visiting the famous Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Rocky Balboa made that climb famous in the original Rocky. The movie premiered in 1976, making this year its 50th anniversary.

My tour also included two places with considerably more history behind them. I saw the Liberty Bell and visited Congress Hall, where Congress met during the 1790s.

Then it was time for the All Fifty Club Conference.

This was the club’s third annual convention, held in the King of Prussia/Philadelphia area. The timing couldn’t have worked much better. America celebrates its 250th birthday this year. Route 66 celebrates its 100th anniversary. The All Fifty Club celebrates its 20th.

The club brings together people who have visited all 50 states, along with those still working toward that goal. You can imagine the travel stories when you put that many travelers in one room!

Attendees set up displays highlighting their travels and experiences. The conference also featured a series of 20- and 30-minute presentations covering different travel topics.

One came from Charles Dean, who talked about his travels to National Park units and many other destinations. Charles has become well known through broadcast and streaming appearances featuring his travels. And, of course, he’s a 50-stater too.

I also had a chance to contribute.

I served as a panelist for a discussion about Route 66, which seemed especially appropriate during its centennial year. We talked about traveling the Mother Road, different ways to approach it, and how much time travelers should allow.

My advice on that last question is pretty simple: as much time as you can!

There’s always another town, roadside attraction, historic site, restaurant, or unexpected stop worth exploring. Rushing Route 66 means missing much of what makes it Route 66.

Today was supposed to bring an outdoor picnic and another chance to visit with fellow travelers.

Mother Nature had other plans.

Rain scrubbed the picnic, so the All Fifty Club improvised. We moved our gathering indoors to a food court at King of Prussia Mall.

And if you have to move a picnic to a mall, this is certainly quite a mall! King of Prussia ranks among the largest shopping malls in the country, with hundreds of stores and restaurants.

However, this Minnesotan needs to point something out.

Mall of America in Minnesota is still the largest mall in the United States by total area!

One other person became part of my Philadelphia experience without appearing on the conference schedule.

Elwood works at the lobby bar at the Hyatt, and I talked with him every day I was here.

He’s interrupting a corporate career to finish his MBA while handling a job filled with unknowns. Working a hotel bar means constantly adjusting as an evening unfolds.

Maybe food arrives late from the kitchen. Maybe the patio stays open, or maybe conditions force it to close. Customers can arrive in a sudden surge and then disappear just as quickly.

Elwood handled it all while still finding time to talk with a traveler from Minnesota. We covered plenty of ground during those conversations.

However, I discovered one flaw.

He’s a Philadelphia Eagles fan!

I suppose I can overlook that.

Thanks, Elwood. People you meet along the way often become as memorable as the places themselves.

That really sums up the last few days. There was history, Route 66, fellow 50-staters, a rained-out picnic, one enormous mall, and some good conversations.

Travel rarely goes exactly as planned.

Sometimes the park is closed. Sometimes it rains. Sometimes your picnic ends up inside one of America’s biggest malls.

And sometimes somebody working behind a hotel bar becomes part of the story.

Now it’s time for The Driveby Tourist to get back on the road!

🎵 Weekend Road Song: “I’ve Been Everywhere” — Johnny Cash

Thanks for following along.

Here's an appropriate post for this weekend. https://www.the-driveby-tourist.com/50-states-to-love-visit-all-of-em/​