Washington

I spent one week in Seattle in May 1997. It was a work trip, but I did fun stuff too. From "the book:"

Pike Place Market

Not in "the book" but I did have brunch at the revolving restaurant in the Space Needle. I'm glad I'm not afraid of heights, because this was really awesome.

Vermont

This is another state I drove to just to say I was there. I was visiting friends near Lake George in upstate NY and they suggested we drive to Vermont to eat at a McDonald's - just so I can check this state off of my list. I don't like McDonald's, but that is exactly what we did.

I like to drive. Someday I would like to drive all around New England since that is the part of the country where I have spent the least amount of time.

Utah

I've been to Salt Lake City twice. The most recent trip was September 2002. I remember this because I flew home on 9/11/02.

Park City is in "the book" and I did spend a day there. Beautiful!

In Park City I took a gondola ride up the mountain - that was really cool. I am so glad I'm not afraid of heights. I also watched some young kids ski jump into a swimming pool. That seemed weird to me, but I guess that is how they train when there isn't any snow.

Utah has lots of other places in "the book" so I really need to go back there.

Texas

I spent several days in Austin a few years ago. Austin is a great town. My friend Michelle lives there now. She transferred from St. Paul 3M to Austin 3M.

I'd really like to go back and visit.

Tennessee

We spent a long weekend in Memphis with the kids during spring break 2006. We even brought the dog. It was her first road trip and she did very well.

From "the book":

Graceland - wow! a snapshot in time from the 70's - shag carpet and all.
Memphis's Rib Joints - I don't really like BBQ, but I went any way. (Note: don't order a Greek salad at a rib joint. It wasn't good.)

Not in the book, but excellent - their zoo. Memphis has a really awesome zoo. I was able to get >this close< to a panda.

South Dakota

We visited SD and Mount Rushmore when I was a child. Places from "the book" that I visited.

The Badlands
The Black Hills

South Carolina

I love to travel, but - sadly - not every trip is a good one. Here is an example of a good trip gone bad.

I spent a horrible weekend in Charleston and Isle of Palm over Thanksgiving 1993. It was with an ex and his friend's family.

His friend invited us and our two large dogs to spend the weekend with them in their townhouse. The friend's (now ex-) wife told us upon our arrival (after driving down from VA) that we could not stay with them. She expected us, if we decided to stay, to sleep in our vehicle and use the gas station down the street for potty breaks. It was horrible, and we should have turned around and went home.

We did stay in the townhouse, but were subjected to an entire weekend of fighting between that couple. Thank goodness they were right on the beach so I spent lots of time there with my dogs.

I managed to get in a little sightseeing and can check this place from "the book" off of my list."
The Heart of Charleston