Since returning from my solo mega Odyssey, driving 29,000 kilometres (18,000 miles), through all the continental USA states, people ask me what was my favourite place. Throughout my trip people would say "you are so brave", "you have a lot of courage", and a lot of it not only that I am female, but because I am over 50 (much closer to 60 though). Never do I think that I am courageous or brave, just that I want to see this world and I am too impatient to wait for someone to "keep me company". I ask these people if they would drive to the next city or the next state and they all say "yes". That's all I am doing, driving to the next town and next state. All the people I met were amazed at an "Aussie" seeing more of their country than Americans themselves. An unexpected bonus of my solo travel is that I have met people who say I have inspired them to do more, so this is very gratifying. All asked "what is your favourite place". I find it difficult to answer because every place has something special.
However, this last trip to the USA I bumped into the majestic Mississippi River many times. As a child, even in Australia, we learned the rhyme to spell M-I double S-I, double S-I, double P-I and knew it went through the state of Mississippi. Then I discovered the Great River Road, a series of roads which run along the Mississippi River through 10 states. Below are photos of some of the towns I passed through on the Mississippi as well as a photo or 2 of state highlights. I captured a lot more on this trip than I have on any trip to the USA. However, this is such a minuscule part of this great country. I can’t wait to share the rest of what I have explored.
Wisconsin - Pucketville
Enjoying some fishing. And no, I didn’t catch anything this time.
Fishing on the Mississippi Wisconsin
Wisconsin - La Crosse
Captured this beautiful sunset after a free concert in the park.
La Crosse Wisconsin
Wisconsin - Hager City
Quirky sculptures with the Mississippi backdrop.
Sculptures on the MIssissippi Wisconsin
Minnesota - Wabasha
National Eagle Centre on the Mississippi.
Minnesota National Eagle Center
Iowa - Dubuque
Iowa - Guttenburg
Kentucky - Augusta
The place George Clooney spent a lot of his childhood with his aunt Rosemary Clooney.
Tennessee - Memphis
Mississippi - Vicksburg
Arkansas
Crossing the Mississippi
Louisiana - New Orleans
Louisiana - Bedwick
Not on the Mississippi River but the bridges in this state are incomparable
Louisiana bridges
Minnesota - Red Wing
The home of the famous Red Wing shoes
Red Wing Famous boot
Illinois - Arcola
The birth place of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy
Home of the only hippie memorial
Missouri - Hannibal
The home of Mark Twain and the “Unsinkable Molly Brown
Meet Mark Twain through this must see show at the Historic Planters Barn Theater.
Mark Twain
The birthplace of the Unsinkable Molly Brown
This is just a taste of the amazing places I have visited in the USA.
Thank you Triptipedia
