"Rock Star" road tripper checking in! Self-proclaimed anyway! Road trips and visits to all 50 states are my game. Find your next road trip destinations here. Fill your bucket list with fantastic US journeys. I love road trips and spare no effort in making my travels and experiences inviting for members of the road-tripping family! Pick a trip you want to take, or get inspired to plan your own. - - The Driveby Tourist (or call me Stan!)
Resending: Great American novel and travel
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Travel and novels get you into American history. While driving Route 66, some of the museums you visit along the way display scenes that may represent The Grapes of Wrath. It’s about a family in Oklahoma who lose everything. The Dust Bowl of the 1930s yielded little to no crops. They lose their land. The family reads about “the land of plenty” in California. They, along with thousands of others, go west. The book details their struggles along the way with no money, deaths, auto breakdowns, and more. Nearly half the book deals with their hardships while traveling on Route 66. Both Grandpa and Grandma died en route. A couple of family members leave the family to strike out on their own. Of course, the book is about much more than just traveling on Route 66. However, it’s a significant part of the story of Route 66, and how it became a tale of both the trials and tribulations of some and a great new beginning for others. Although the new beginning led some to a comfortable and even wealthy life, many found the same poverty they left behind, along with discrimination and more hardship. I’m currently rereading The Grapes of Wrath. I read it in high school for an assignment, but reading it as an adult gives a person a significantly different perspective on the book. Other American novels include driving the roads of America, such as Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road.” William Least Heat-Moon wrote “Blue Highways” about America’s back roads. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote “The Cruise of the Rolling Junk” and so many more. While these books may not be your “cup of tea,” they give you a different perspective on traveling across the US. And things to see along the way. ”Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason!” Classic Rock song: "On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson Please email me about your experiences traveling roads grounded in history. Here is the Premium Subscription page: You will get early views of new blog posts, one extra weekly newsletter, and views of all past published newsletters. And occasionally, I'll ask for votes on content! Stan Featured Post: Of course, the Grapes of Wrath story is intertwined with Route 66. Here’s a link to an overview of my experiences with that historic highway. |
Stan Wiebe
"Rock Star" road tripper checking in! Self-proclaimed anyway! Road trips and visits to all 50 states are my game. Find your next road trip destinations here. Fill your bucket list with fantastic US journeys. I love road trips and spare no effort in making my travels and experiences inviting for members of the road-tripping family! Pick a trip you want to take, or get inspired to plan your own. - - The Driveby Tourist (or call me Stan!)
Visiting all 50 states was a goal of mine that I reached years ago. I enjoyed it so much that I did it again starting in 2014. I've learned through several travel sources that North Dakota is, for many people, their 50th state. Several years ago, the Fargo-Moorhead Visitor Center installed a large wall plaque in the lobby to welcome those who "Saved the Best for Last!" They will give you a T-shirt and a certificate to recognize that momentous time in your life! I did research and created a...
I know, I keep talking about it!! Celebrating 100 Years of Route 66! 🚗🎉 And 250 years of America! Next year marks a major milestone—the 100th anniversary of the legendary Route 66, also known as the "Main Street of America" or the "Mother Road." Established in 1926, Route 66 originally stretched over 2,400 miles, connecting Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, and became an iconic symbol of freedom, adventure, and the American road trip spirit. 🛣️🌟 Over the last 40 years, Route 66...
A a America’s coolest towns are where the magic happens! Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, full of creative energy, and constantly changing with the people who live and visit, these spots truly showcase what makes the U.S. so unique and exciting. Whether you’re exploring or settling down, there’s something special waiting around every corner. Whether you plan to visit more states or are just on a road trip, here’s the top 10 as presented by CNN Travel Writers. I added a short phrase about...