The Remaining States

Good day, and happy Forth of July!

Sitting in traffic is not on the agenda this weekend, but sometimes it's the price one must pay for adventure.

Hopefully you’ve got plans you’re looking forward to over this holiday weekend. Maybe you’re feeling like I do, excited to be lazy, not traveling on the busy highways and staying around home. It’s been a busy few weeks, with a few more hectic ones coming up – so sitting around, firing up the grill and enjoying a lazy summer weekend at home sounds pretty appealing. Also, I’m a lifelong firework aficionado, so this is my weekend. Northeast Minneapolis should be on the lookout for some (bright and loud) excitement. Safety first!

Most of my upcoming excitement is personal: my 10-year class reunion, a family reunion and a whitewater kayak/camping/waterfall exploration trip with friends in Wisconsin. For one day this week, I was shocked to find no work trips on my calendar. Later that afternoon, however, I found out I’ll be heading up to Olympia, Washington to ride some new iron. I’ve never been to Washington, so I’m anxious to spend some time in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and to color in another state on my map of the United States. I keep it in my office to keep track of where I’ve gone for work.

Maps are important.

So far I’ve traveled to 23 states, Quebec and Mexico on behalf of ATV Magazine. I’m surprised it’s not more, but I’ve been to states like California, Utah, Kentucky, West Virginia, Texas and the Carolinas many times over. It’s been great, and I could never pick a favorite destination, but there are several states I’m shocked I still haven’t made it to: Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Georgia – all great states for riding from what I hear. I’d also throw Alaska in there – I really want to find a way to make it up there some day. Some day…

Between those remaining states (Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Georgia), it’s hard to decide which should be at the top of my list. I’m inclined to say Colorado, for its dramatic, Rocky Mountain trails and abundant recreation choices, like rafting or camping. Tennessee is also a very beautiful place, and I’ve wanted to ride at Coal Creek. Pennsylvania is a bit of a wild card – a huge state for ATV sales, lots of rural land and ride areas, but I just don’t know a lot about the Keystone State. Any suggestions?

This dangerous little kid isn't practicing safe firework techniques.

I’ve had a wild idea for Michigan for a few years now: riding in the Upper Peninsula down to Lake Michigan, where I’d get on a ferry with my quad, cross over into the Lower Peninsula and ride on the sand at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes – the state’s most popular off-road recreation area. It might not be feasible to do it as I envision, taking the quad on the ferry, but it’s a cool idea, no?

Yes, it sure is fun to plan trips – something I am very fortunate to do with such frequency here at ATV Magazine. I love to travel, checking out new cultures, seeing and riding in different terrain – and trying to put the experience into words for our readers. My mind is always spinning with new getaway ideas.

It’s also fun to hang around home on a weekend when the rest of the country runs around like headless chickens. If you’re one of the many traveling Americans seeking independence and recreation, I’ll be thinking of you from the comfort of my lawn chair.

I suggest a rousing game of Bags for your holiday weekend, as demonstrated by my brother Bill.

Wear a helmet, respect the trails and ride (and light off rockets) safely!

- Tom Kaiser

Last 5 posts by Tom Kaiser

• Rec UTVs: We Test, You Decide - August 27th, 2010
• Load Up The Trucks! - August 20th, 2010
• Stalking Bill Gates - August 13th, 2010
• Going To Extremes - August 6th, 2010
• Ride With A Guide - Take An ATV Tour - July 27th, 2010

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