Some time ago one of my friends passed on a little information to me about a little town in Pennsylvania named Hometown. Given the name of my trip I couldn’t believe it. C’mon, I couldn’t go to all 50 states on the Hometown Invasion Tour without stopping in Hometown, PA. For a while I didn’t think I was going to make it to Hometown because of my dates and locations. Plans change for the good all the time. …

I’m a little sad about this topic and my experience of dessert across the country. Just not many families serve dessert after dinner. I’m kind of shocked. With a country that’s getting heavier and heavier I also thought it would be more likely. I miss lots of freshly baked brownies, cookies, pies, and cakes. I wouldn’t say I took it for granted growing up, but I guess I didn’t realize just how lucky I was. …

A year ago I would walk into mega bookstores like Barnes and Noble and head straight to the magazines of photography section. Today when I walk in I head straight for the travel section. Though every time I seem to be quite disappointed. There are several shelves filled of books that list every restaurant, park, club, and museum in the country. You can buy these books by city, state, country and more. …

Looking to take a road trip? Maybe a week long trip or a year long trip, maybe sponsored or not, maybe solo or with a few friends. It’s never too late. There are a million ways to road trip and there are a million ways to do something new and exciting. A lot of people have come up to me for advice on how to take trips of their own and this is what I have to offer… …

That IS the question. That’s been the question for a lot of people. Who is this kid asking to stay with us? We don’t know him. I have been the complete stranger to walk through the door and I have seen all kinds of ways hosts respond to having a guest, and one they have never met for that matter. So here are some of the reactions to a complete stranger asking to spend a couple nights. …

You know, when anyone says anything about New York state they automatically think of New York City. In fact if people say the pronoun New York most people assume the person is talking about New York City before New York the state. But I’m here to represent upstate New York. As my latest host John has said there is clearly a big difference and an environment of its own in upstate New York. …

For 10 months and now 43 states, and a whole lot of miles in my Jeep, I was looking forward to coming to Burlington, VT. It’s a place I’ve always wanted to visit. It was a long long wait, not just on this miraculous trip, but for years before. Why? Burton Snowboards. Of all the things in Vermont to do that’s what I wanted to see, the Burton Snowboards offices, the factory, see where it all began and to get a greater sense of it all. …

I can check off 43 states now. What a great stop. Burlington is truly a unique town. It’s probably one of the youngest towns I have ever been to, and it’s summer! I can’t imagine if the college’s were in full session. This town takes a big stance in the world. And do they ever love their dogs! I don’t talk political speak often, but I heard that during President Bush’s presidency this is the only state he has never been to. …

Meeting people is what I do. I meet all kinds of people and in all kinds of circumstances. Yesterday while at the Burton factory store I had on my State shirt. Something I love to do now is wear a local shirt, it always draws a comment. If I wear something from MSU and I’m this far away from Michigan it will draw a comment, gaurenteed. Same thing when I wear my “I love Belleville, Illinois” shirt. …

If there are two things I love with all my heart it’s ice cream and snowboarding. If I could fill me life with those two things I would be pretty happy. There has been a decent amount of ice cream on the trip (though not nearly as much as there would if I lived on my own), but just not enough snowboard. I never could get enough snowboarding. But for ice cream and snowboarding this is the place to be. …