American Road Trip

The American road trip is often found on people’s ‘’list of things to do before they die’ and so it has inevitably managed to find its way onto mine as well. It is something I have always wanted to do, particularly to explore more of the small-town parts of the country, to travel through the forgotten places that are nestled amongst the vast expanses of forest and mountains that are imposing but impressive.

I suppose there is a sense of romanticism tied up in my reasoning for wanting to explore these parts of America. To romanticise the wilderness is a dangerous thing – we only need to look at the numerous examples of those who have died as a result of doing the same – however, I think there is no harm in wanting to see the sublime vastness of the American landscape whilst it still exists. This romanticism was spurred, in my mind, through watching films about the American West with my dad. These films were able to spectacularly demonstrate the miniscule details about past American life, something which managed to touch my soul. These large expanses of land in America were truly something to be marvelled at.

In this country there is of course a lot of nature to enjoy and explore, however what is lacking is the monumental size of nature that America demonstrates, that it is ultimately superior in. Similarly, the large differences in the American landscapes are also impressive; the plains of desert, the mountainous ranges and the endless forests are what American nature demonstrates best. All of these things are what I have come to romanticise about America. Not necessarily the America of the 1900s that most people think about when they think of the American road trip. Particularly as a result of the idealism that surrounds the 1950s American society which can be demonstrated along the standard route 66 journey. There is also a romanticism of the hippie road trips of the 60s and 70s which led people across to the American west, in search of California. What I want to explore is this small-town America, one that feels more like the 1800s, the idea of the American cowboy and frontier spirit [this is an obligatory mention in anything to do with America’s history], think of Bill Bryson’s ‘the Lost Continent’. I suppose there are other elements of American history that play into my romanticism of the road trip but it is ultimately the simplicity of small town life paired with the sublimity of nature that draws me in.

As I am entering into my final year of University the prospect of travelling the USA is becoming much more serious in my mind. After I graduate, I will have one last long summer before I enter the ‘real world’ and so it is looking like my last chance to properly do this trip, particularly if it is going to be a lengthy one. As a result I have become more serious about saving the money up, I have worked a horrid menial job in order to raise the funds. The thought of this exploration of America (and its wilderness) is what got me through the job, what helped me to turn up every day, five days a week without fail. It is also in my mind that this nature that America still possesses will ultimately die out, particularly as a result of global warming and climate change which is rapidly changing our landscapes. Of course I am aware of the fact that nature is never going to be entirely ‘natural’ (that is ultimately a projection of humanity) or never quite how it was during the period I romanticise; it is still somewhat in tact. It still exists in its sublimity, America can still be explored (particularly when the person doing it is not from there). As a result it has become a much more serious and solid goal in my mind.

A number of people have expressed an interest in doing this journey with me. However, they have been flaky or rather a better way to put it might be ‘not as serious as I am about it’. People’s reluctance is most likely a result of inefficient funds or concerns about actually managing to do it. I, of course, understand why people might not be able to complete this journey with me. However, it would be nice to do this with somebody, a like minded soul who also wants to explore America and its nature, especially when it seems like it might be my last chance to do the journey. It is clearly something I am immensely determined to do, if it ends up being by myself then I suppose that is okay. Maybe I will learn something. However it would be nice to explore the country with another person, to not be by myself for a lengthy amount of time. So, if any of you readers out there are interested in this American road trip as well then get in contact with me! [hannahlily2012@gmail.com]