UB Around the Nation

Category: WebExtras

Around the States in 30 days

Melissa Chen, B.S. ’11, said that answering our questions about her 30-day trip around the United States in July 2011 “really [made] me remember how much fun my trip was.” She kept a photo-oriented blog during her month on the move, cataloging 10,000 miles of American adventure, but wanted us to know more about her ultimate road trip.

Destinations:

Departure: New Jersey
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Detroit, Mich.
Chicago, Ill.
Des Moines, Iowa
Boulder, Colo.
Casper, Wyo.
Yellowstone National Park
Missoula, Mont.
Kennewick, Wash.
Seattle, Wash.
Portland, Ore.
Port Orford, Ore.
Ukaih, Calif.

San Francisco, Calif.
Los Angeles, Calif.
Phoenix, Ariz.
Santa Fe, N.M.
Pecos, Texas
Austin, Texas
Houston, Texas
New Orleans, La.
Pensacola, Fla.
Macon, Ga.
Atlanta, Ga.
Raleigh, N.C.
Alexandria, Va.
Arrival: New Jersey

Inspiration:

“My cousin Sean Chen won the Dale Sophomore Summer Award from Princeton University. His award included a stipend to complete [a] proposed road trip and photography project: Sean wanted to recreate The Americans by Robert Frank, but in color to add a modern twist. It was a great theme to follow because Robert Frank received a Guggenheim grant in order to complete his project of photographing Americans while driving around the [United States].

“My cousin didn’t have a driver’s license at the time, so essentially I was asked to come along as the chauffeur as well as good company.”

Lasting impression:

“Yellowstone National Park. It was my first ever backcountry backpacking experience. We camped out by Grebe Lake, where the bugs were ruthless. It was a relief to get away from technology, which gave me clarity. Backpacking makes you realize what little you actually need to survive. It was ironic to realize that as we were traveling around the country with a fully-packed minivan. Wyoming and Montana are beautiful states, and being there makes you realize how the [rest of the] planet is dangerously polluted in comparison.”

Couch surfing:

“We contacted Princeton alumni who were gracious enough to let us stay with them. Most of them at least fed us, some even took us out in their city and one girl gave us her apartment without even meeting us. It was very strange and scary to stay with people we didn’t know, but it was part of the adventure.”

Advice:

“Don’t look at this type of trip like it’s a vacation. It’s not; it’s a physical and emotional challenge.

“In order to get the most out of this trip, plan as much as possible. Be sure to include leeway in case you have to drive three hours out of the way to see a giant crater made by a fallen meteorite. Planning is tedious yet vital in making your trip inexpensive, stress free and enjoyable.”

Wanderlust:

“My cousin and I continue to go on road trips together. He finally got his driver’s license, so this summer we drove to Toronto (Canada), Niagara Falls, Ithaca, Syracuse and the Finger Lakes (N.Y.).

“My cousin and I made a goal to visit all 50 states in the next two years. I have 17 states left.”