Visiting America’s big cities and small towns

I have been traveling for about four years now, and up until now I have mostly visited national parks and other wonders of nature.  I have visited comparatively few of America’s cities and towns, which is kinda odd for me because I am a retired city planner and you would think that I’d want to do that. Also, there are special considerations that arise for registered people when visiting cities. One that I have reported on is Chicago, where because of Illinois’ disgusting presence and residency laws we aren’t allowed to be in Millenium Park or see it’s beautiful waterfront.

Well actually I do want to visit cities. Starting this year I have a plan for doing so, and I will report on what I could do and couldn’t do in those cities due to my registry status.  That way you can have a better idea of what you can do if you go there.  I don’t know about you, but I have reached a point in my life’s journey where if there is a thing nobody can stop me from doing or a place they can’t keep me from going, these are things I definitely will do and places I will go. 

I have also decided to stop ignoring America’s small towns.  They are after all another place nobody can stop me from going while traveling.  I prefer to get off interstate highways and see the countryside when I travel. Of course that means I pass through a lot of small towns, but until now I’ve been just zooming through and completely ignoring them.  

Starting this year I will randomly pick some small towns to take a look at as I go along.  Generally speaking I’m talking about towns with a population of less than 1000.  I will drive their Main Street and see their town square.  Then I will drive a few blocks into a residential area or two.  I have actually done this on my first trip of the year which was South Central US with the most time spent in Texas.  Each small town takes no more than 10-15 minutes, and yet you can see quite a lot in that short time.  

Is the town prosperous or poor?  Is the town square empty and falling into the ground or filled with local businesses?  Are most of the residential streets paved? If so how well?  Are the homes occupied or rotting? What kind of homes are they and how old?  What kind of people live in the town?  Do they have a public park or is it a VFW park? That could make a difference if you want to stop at the farmers market being held there on a Saturday morning.  

If you are inclined to say hey Zee, 10-15 minutes is nothing, all I can say is that’s 10-15 more minutes than any other traveler is giving that town, and it’s short enough that you can do it and still stay on your travel schedule.  I found these little towns fascinating and yes I’ll definitely be reporting on them.  I’m hooked!