This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of U.S. Cellular. The opinions and text are all mine.
Last year, my family of seven packed up our minivan with suitcases and tents (and a bunch of other things) and set off on a road trip of epic proportions. We traveled from Maryland to Ohio to South Dakota to Utah and back again…and lots of places in between. We not only saw places and things that none of us had ever seen, but we all caught the travel bug.
We couldn’t wait to do it again, seeing new sights and visiting new places this time.
So last month, we packed up the car again and set off on an even MORE epic road trip. 27 days. 19 states. Over 6000 miles.
While I was traveling, a friend of mine posted a sad statistic on Facebook. Did you know that millions of Americans have never left their home state? Some have only traveled a short distance away from where they were born and raised. So many Americans haven’t had the chance to travel and explore this amazing, diverse country of ours.
The Value of Traveling
Here are a few reasons that I think everyone should travel:
- Educational. It’s amazing the things you can learn just by visiting another part of your own country. Whether you’re learning history or culture or economics or more, there’s value in visiting places different from home.
- Escape. Traveling is rejuvenating and uplifting. Travel forces me to slow down. Especially because I work at home, there’s no place to relax and “escape” except for when I leave. I find it incredibly healing.
- Food. There is nothing like tasting authentic regional foods cooked where they were “born.”
- People. We have made the most incredible connections when we’ve traveled – our favorite road trip stories are the ones that involve the people that we’ve met along the way. Not to mention the relationships that are strengthened and memories made when you travel with friends and family.
- Perspective. I am always humbled when I travel, and I come back home with a greater appreciation for home and family – what’s important.
- Adventure. Sometimes it takes venturing away from home to get out of our comfort zones to try new things.
- Curiosity. Travel helps us rediscover the kid inside. It not only inspires curiosity, but it feeds it, making us yearn for more!
- Sights. There are so many things to see in every state in the US. From the “big” sights like the Grand Canyon to the lesser known sights like the World’s Largest Golf Tee (yes, we saw it…), there is wonder in all of them.
- Diversity. I love seeing how different each region is – there’s even vast diversity within areas of each state. From the red rock canyons to the green forests to the sandy beaches. I love that we have so much diversity here (in things to see AND in the people we meet along the way).
- Beauty. One of the things that our road trips have done for me, more than anything else, is to help me appreciate the beauty and the wonder of this amazing country we live in.
Big Country Casting Call
Do you know someone that has not had the chance to travel and explore our great country? U.S. Cellular is looking to cast one more customer to take on a trip of a lifetime for the season finale of the show Big Country.
Check out this clip about Julius, who had always dreamed of visiting New York City and finally had the chance, thanks to U.S. Cellular, Travel Channel and Food Network?:
U.S. Cellular, Travel Channel and Food Network are empowering those who have not had the opportunity to travel to finally visit the destinations they’ve always dreamed of seeing. Where would you love to visit that you haven’t had the chance to see yet? Do you know someone who would be a perfect candidate to nominate for Big Country?
Backed by U.S. Cellular’s national coverage and along with TV personality Andrew Zimmern on the show Big Country, a few lucky people will set out on eye-opening trips of a lifetime across the country. They’ll experience amazing sights and tastes…and if they’re anything like me, they’ll stay connected with the family and friends back home through texts and pictures and phone calls.
U.S. Cellular specializes in “smaller” cities and rural communities, and their wireless coverage works from coast to coast, to the middle of anywhere – where people live, work, play. And travel.
What are some of the benefits you’ve noticed from traveling?
U.S. Cellular is looking to cast one more special customer to take on a trip of a lifetime for the season finale of Big Country! Please visit the link to apply for the opportunity to find yourself in the middle of anywhere with national coverage from U.S. Cellular and TV host Andrew Zimmern on the show Big Country.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of US Cellular. The opinions and text are all mine.
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