A is for Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, and Arkansas

Alabama

If there are no photos, did it even happen?

I realize it’s kind of a letdown that the story of my visit to Alabama doesn’t have any accompanying pictures, but to be honest, my experience in the state is hardly something to write about, and yet, I’m going to anyway, because it happened.

It was July 2009 when I entered Alabama for the first and only time. I was on a 6-week long road trip with my partner-at-the-time. The road trip, initially, was with the intention that I would drive around the United States until I decided to stay somewhere for awhile, but after some negotiations, it transformed into an adventure with a beginning and end to see more of the United States and work on my mission to sleep-in-every-state.

On this particular day, we were en route from his grandparents’ house in Louisiana to his family in Florida. We drove through Mississippi (one of the six states I have left to sleep in as of the date of this writing!) and stopped at a Motel 6 in Mobile, Alabama.

We were traveling with his dog, Aloe, and this is the day we discovered that Motel 6 not only allows pets, but they don’t even have a pet fee. 

I remember the bed had a blue blanket and the floor was tile. The staff was friendly enough and I remember being confused as to why it looked like people were living at the hotel (because people do that). I also remember waking up in the morning to the sound of laughing gulls.

We had breakfast at The Waffle House (the one and only time I have eaten there) and then continued on our way.

Alaska

The first time I visited Alaska was on a cruise ship in late June of 2003. My mom brought me as a graduation-from-high-school gift. It was just the two of us and it was the second time in my life I was ever on an airplane.

We saw whales, glaciers, mountains, and bald eagles. While we were kayaking, a salmon jumped up out of the water next to us and then a huge seal followed right behind! How exciting for two “kids” from New Jersey!

 

Exactly 10 years later, I returned to Alaska, but this time for a work trip, because I am an adult now! I was working as an environmental consultant and my boss offered to send me to Alaska, if I wanted to go!

Um, yes and thank you!

Even though my accommodations would be covered, I think it's much more enjoyable to stay with humans rather than a lonely, hotel, so I reached out to a friend I knew from when I first moved to Colorado in 2008. He was from Alaska and moved back a few years earlier. He told me he was living with his girlfriend and I was welcome to stay with them.

If I remember correctly, my flight arrived around 10pm and the sun was still shining. When I went to sleep this night in Anchorage, I could officially count Alaska as “slept in” for my life-goal records. 

I attempted to walk on some trails to take pretty photos during my visit, but the “Beware of Moose and Bears” signs were enough to keep me close to the car since I could not stop picturing myself being murdered by wildlife.

Both times I visited Alaska were at the end of June/beginning of July so the days were long. I love extreme hours of daylight, but I still long to experience the winters of the far north. That being said, Alaska earns itself a spot near the top of my list for places I’d consider living.

Returning to Alaska ten years later.

Arizona

Traveling in an RV with my partner-at-the-time, my parents, and their dog, we drove to Arizona with the Grand Canyon on our radar. It was October 2011 and we were coming from Utah.

Naturally, we stopped at the state sign for pictures.

The day we arrived, we were greeted with the first snowfall of the season, and the next day, it was hot again.

Somewhat deterred by all of the signs warning of imminent death if we attempted to go hiking into the canyon, my partner and I hiked a few miles, but I could not stop imagining how my body would look after overheating and dehydrating.

The lesson? Every state is trying to kill you in its own way. Prevail, my friends. Prevail!

Arkansas 

I did not see the “Welcome to Arkansas” sign, but that may have been due to the construction zone I drove through. I didn’t even realize I had crossed the state line from Oklahoma until I saw a sign for the Arkansas Visitor’s Center.

I could not contain my excitement that I had just touched ground in my 50th state. I walked in to share the news with the lady at the front desk. Luckily, she was just as excited as me!

“Oh! That’s so exciting! Let me see if we have some things for you!” and then she disappeared into a back room. A few minutes later she emerged carrying a large book of Arkansas photography and a few other things. 

I asked them to take my picture in front of the Arkansas sign outside, but they were more excited about the state seal inside the building.

When I travel to a new place where I don’t know anyone yet, I will always go to CouchSurfing to find a place to stay, or at least someone local who is willing to show me around, and this is just what I did.

I met up with a local photographer who showed me around. He brought me to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and told me about his hometown, Fayetteville. We took our time admiring original pieces of art and then ended our adventure at a local brewery.

For my one and only overnight in Arkansas, I stayed with a woman I found via CouchSurfing who works resettling refugees. We shared a bottle of wine while she told me about her work, and I told her about my adventures. 

The following day, before continuing onto Missouri, the photographer and I met up again to go for a hike out to Hawksbill Crag.

It was these experiences that made my visit to Arkansas one of the best places I’ve been in the United States. Fayetteville is a really great place and I’d love to return again someday!

If you look closely, you can see me standing there!