We travel through America's heartland, as Jessica Laughlin, creator of The 50 States Bucket List, shares her pen and ink explorations of fascinating locales. A sampling: tales of land grabs and resilience in Oklahoma, surprises of Arizona, the architectural splendors of Indiana, and the cinematic landscapes of Utah's national parks. Places and experiences that define the American spirit.
Uncover the whimsy of Nebraska's Car Henge, and marvel at Nevada's scenic mountain and desert. Learn about the monumental Crazy Horse project in South Dakota and the prehistoric wonders there, while Florida's historic St. Augustine and driveable Daytona Beach offer a taste of the Sunshine State's eclectic charm. Kentucky has the Derby. New Mexico, the desert. And we end with a special memory, as always.
Whether you're hitting the road or simply indulging your curiosity, our journey across many of the 50 states promises inspiration and revelations. _____ Jessica Laughlin is an artist, graphic designer, photographer -- and illustrator and author of The 50 States Bucket List: The Ultimate Journal for a Journey Across America.She enjoys road trips, exploring the country, and creating art. _____ Podcast host Lea Lanehas traveled to over 100 countries, and has written nine books, including the award-winning Places I Remember (Kirkus Reviews star rating, and 'one of the top 100 Indie books of the year'). She has contributed to many guidebooks and has written thousands of travel articles. _____ Our award-winning travel podcast, Places I Remember with Lea Lane, has dropped over 100 travel episodes! New podcast episodes drop on the first Tuesday of the month, on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you listen.
We travel through America's heartland, as Jessica Laughlin, creator of The 50 States Bucket List, shares her pen and ink explorations of fascinating locales. A sampling: tales of land grabs and resilience in Oklahoma, surprises of Arizona, the architectural splendors of Indiana, and the cinematic landscapes of Utah's national parks. Places and experiences that define the American spirit.
Uncover the whimsy of Nebraska's Car Henge, and marvel at Nevada's scenic mountain and desert. Learn about the monumental Crazy Horse project in South Dakota and the prehistoric wonders there, while Florida's historic St. Augustine and driveable Daytona Beach offer a taste of the Sunshine State's eclectic charm. Kentucky has the Derby. New Mexico, the desert. And we end with a special memory, as always.
Whether you're hitting the road or simply indulging your curiosity, our journey across many of the 50 states promises inspiration and revelations. _____ Jessica Laughlin is an artist, graphic designer, photographer -- and illustrator and author of The 50 States Bucket List: The Ultimate Journal for a Journey Across America.She enjoys road trips, exploring the country, and creating art. _____ Podcast host Lea Lanehas traveled to over 100 countries, and has written nine books, including the award-winning Places I Remember (Kirkus Reviews star rating, and 'one of the top 100 Indie books of the year'). She has contributed to many guidebooks and has written thousands of travel articles. _____ Our award-winning travel podcast, Places I Remember with Lea Lane, has dropped over 100 travel episodes! New podcast episodes drop on the first Tuesday of the month, on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you listen.
Each of the 50 states of the United States offers unique delights for travelers. In this episode, we'll be highlighting some of them with Jessica Laughlin, author and illustrator of the 50 States Bucket List, The Ultimate Journal for a Journey Across America. Welcome, Jessica, to Places I Remember.
Jessica Laughlin:
Good morning, Lea. Thanks for having me on.
Lea Lane:
A delight. So tell us, how did your book originate?
Jessica Laughlin:
Well, you know, it's actually i been a process. That's been several years ago. I started illustrating the maps of the United States and it started with one. It led to another. I've actually always been a pen and ink artist, so it kind of came naturally to me. But once I started doing one, it just all of a sudden I was drawing my way across the country and in the meantime, while doing that, I actually learned a lot about each state in the process. I love to travel, I love road trips, so it was a really fun project for me. And then I of course ended up with this book deal. And so here we have the book that is a collection of all of the state maps interesting historical places, culture and landmarks as well.
Lea Lane:
It's a lot of fun and you can tell there's love in there. You can feel it in the illustrations. Your book is set up in a journal form with charming graphics. What are some of the features of the organization?
Jessica Laughlin:
Well, it's actually organized by region, so by region you can easily go to each state and see the states that are in there, some unusual things to see in each state, along with some of the more iconic landmarks as well. So it is a book that is easy to navigate through. It reads somewhat like a road trip, I would say. You just go from region to region across the United States and it's also easy to come back to and pinpoint okay, I'm going here, what are some of the great places to see, what are some of the unusual things?
Lea Lane:
Absolutely. I think it whets your appetite to go and then, once you go, it gives you little ideas of what to see when you're there. And there are, as I said, lots of fun. I think between us we've been to all of the states, so let's discuss some surprising bucket list. Excuse me, we'll say that again Some surprising bucket list attractions, the landmarks, the scenery and the cultural references, and include attractions in some states that maybe travelers wouldn't otherwise visit. I'll begin. Let's start with Oklahoma. Begin, let's start with Oklahoma. It's called the Sooner State. That's the nickname for it.
Jessica Laughlin:
It was established in 1907. Why was it called the Sooner State? Well, it was actually called the Sooner State because during that time there was a land grab and people were coming to Oklahoma taking land before it became available to purchase. So that is why the state received that nickname, which is a strange nickname, and I don't think a lot of people exactly know why why Sooner but that is why they were called the Sooners.
Lea Lane:
Yeah, and I think in 1830, the Indian Removal Act granted the government authority to remove the indigenous peoples, and the Trail of Tears refers to the long and brutal journey they made, that the Native Americans made. Thousands did not survive. That's a part of the history of Oklahoma and there's a lot of evidence of that when you travel there. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum is there. It has nearly 30,000 artifacts, paintings, sculptures and photographs. That's a lot of fun to visit. The historical accounts of cattlemen, rodeos and Native Americans. It gives the complexity of how the West was forged. And then there's the Dust Bowl, when in the 1930s many people from Oklahoma and other parts of the area had to leave because of tremendous damage there and they headed west to California. And there's a lot of documents there of photographer Dorothea Lange and the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, which features a rare collection of his belongings. Anything about that you'd like to say?
Jessica Laughlin:
Well, you know, it was such a strange natural occurrence to have happened with the Dust Bowl and how it also coincided with the Great Depression as well. So that time period was an interesting time period in that it spawned a huge migration to California and to the West as well, and of course, you had songwriter like Woody Guthrie, you know, and I think that that would be an interesting place for people to visit as well, absolutely.
Lea Lane:
It's not on everybody's yeah.
Jessica Laughlin:
And you know. And then also Dorothea Lange and those beautiful photos that she took. They were beautiful, but they were so captivating because of the feeling behind them, and I think that that's the sort of thing too that when you travel and when you are visiting these sites, you know to also have that historical, a brief historical connection with what you're seeing. It makes it more interesting as well.
Lea Lane:
Anywhere in the world, it's always good to know about the place you're going. It gives depth to the travels and adds to the fun as well. Okay, Jessica, how about Arizona? Let's talk a little bit about.
Jessica Laughlin:
Oh, I love Arizona. Arizona is one of my favorite states. I've been there a lot because I have lived, obviously, in Henderson and Las Vegas, so it's very easy to get to Arizona and I love visiting Arizona. As far as some of the best places that I've been in the state, I would, of course, have to say number one, of course, the Grand Canyon. It's just remarkable and actually there's a town called Williams that is near the Grand Canyon. It's called the Gateway to the Grand Canyon and you can hop on a train from Williams and go directly into the Grand Canyon and they have cowboys on the train I've been on that train, have you?
Lea Lane:
Oh good, I've been on that train, have you? It's a very surprising thing. You sit there and there's a hold up that the people come on board and they rob you. Quote unquote you don't expect it. It's great fun.
Jessica Laughlin:
I know it's such a surprise and sorry for anybody who we've ruined the surprise for, but it is so much fun on that train and I love that whole Western theme and how much fun that is and it makes going to the Grand Canyon, because otherwise when you are driving there from the major turnoffs on the highway it is, you know, about an hour into the park, you know. So making that trip by train is a lot more fun. That's interesting that you went on it as well, did you say Williams?
Lea Lane:
Yeah, excuse me, Did you stay in Williams? No, I didn't stay in Williams, we just went in. I've been there several times, but that one was a special press trip where they took us and didn't tell us about the surprise, so that's why I'm still remembering it. I would also say there's a surprise there. At Lake Havasu there's an 1830s London Bridge which was purchased in 1968, shipped brick by brick from England to the United States, and it was rebuilt on Lake Havasu, on the Colorado River. Again, something you don't expect.
Jessica Laughlin:
I know completely and you don't expect something like that. Now, that's the thing about Arizona is there's a lot of unexpected places and it's such a state that has so much to offer. You do have Lake Havasu and all of that down at the lake, but you also have and that's a fascinating, definitely a really fascinating part about Lake Havasu and I can't imagine bringing that brick by brick over rebuilding that bridge. But yeah, if you want to see the London Bridge, there you go.
Lea Lane:
Okay, so I'm going to now talk about Indiana. There's going to be a pause right here because I have to find it Now. When we talk about these, if I say something, try to say you know, let's not say it twice, because I see you're doing that a little bit. So if I say something and you see something else, we'll edit. Don't worry, we're doing fine. I just can't find Indiana. Greg, this is going to be one of the weirdest. Okay, I just found it. Okay Now, indiana is called the Hoosier State. It's located in the center of America's heartland. Do we know why it's called the Hoosier State?
Jessica Laughlin:
Well, there's really no definitive answer as to why it's called the Hoosier State. Of course you have Hoosier as the legend of Indiana and it's always kind of been there, but there's not really a whole definition of it as well. But the film Hoosiers that was a big that also, you know, furthered the nickname there. We'll have to Google that one. Yeah, you know what I've looked and there's different theories about it and everything.
Lea Lane:
But yeah, I just always wondered about that one, but I'm still trying to find out. I know that it's the racing capital of the world, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Actually, I've been on that, I think. I don't know if everyone can do it, but as a journalist I was able to go around it in a car. I don't know if that's available again as a thing to do, but when you're there you look up and you see there's room to seat over 250,000 people in the stands and you really get to feel what it's like to be down there. I know they have a tremendous number of race cars there, even if you don't go on the track, and lots of interesting things. The thing I like about Indiana the most was the architecture of all things. I know there are towns along the Ohio River where shipbuilding was the industry and there's some beautiful old historic districts. Tell us a little about that.
Jessica Laughlin:
That's interesting that you bring up New Albany and that area, because my family, my grandparents, were from that area and so I have a deeper connection there to that part of Indiana. It's a beautiful location on the river Paddle boats are still going on the river. I think that's part of the charm along New Albany and in Madison area that area is a beautiful national historic landmark district and it does encompass 133 blocks of history.
Lea Lane:
It's a town called Columbus that has modern architecture. Some of the greatest architects in the world came to Columbus. It's not that far from Indianapolis, maybe an hour away and that's exceptional if you enjoy architecture. It's one of the great cities of the country for modern architecture, so that's a surprise Utah. Tell us what you feel about that state.
Jessica Laughlin:
Also been to Utah many times and you do have the mighty five national parks there, and so you have that beauty. Especially the southern portion of Utah has Zion National Park. You've got Canyonlands, you have Moab, so you have a lot, and the north is beautiful as well, you know. Of course you get a little bit more pine trees and things towards Salt Lake City when you're down in the southern region. You have some amazing sandstone rock. That's what makes that region really spectacular. I've been to Zion You're down in this canyon with a river flowing through and it's just spectacular. So for some things I didn't do there that I would say would be bucket list items as well would be the Narrows, or Angels Landing for those who aren't afraid of heights. Yeah, the Narrows and all of that.
Lea Lane:
And, I think, Bryce Canyon, of course, with the hoodoos. They're rock formations of really unusual shape. They were created from erosion and they're amazing. So everyone loves Bryce to see the hoodoos. The whole area is gorgeous. There are five national parks. They're called the Mighty Five Canyonlands, Arches, Bryce, Capitol, Reef and Zion. It's one of the greatest places in America for scenic beauty, without question Nebraska. It's called the Cornhusker State. There's lots of corn there. It's the great plains.
Jessica Laughlin:
We know we're about that nickname, yeah that one I know.
Lea Lane:
Omaha, of course, is known for its steak. It's called the steak capital of the world. You can walk along the street after having a good steak meal to the corner of 16th and Dodge. You'll find a collection of striking statues of Nebraska's pioneer days. But there's something that I've always wanted to see. I have never seen it. It's called Carhenge.
Jessica Laughlin:
Tell me about it, it was constructed in the 80s and he began using the cars like a Stonehenge, and how he did this. It was definitely a labor of love to have those cars upright and he painted them gray. So it's one of those unusual roadside attractions that I think when you're driving across the country you might want to stop off at a few of these interesting places that otherwise you might overlook, or you might see it in the distance and say what is that?
Lea Lane:
Absolutely. Nebraska is one of those places.
Jessica Laughlin:
Interesting thing to see along the long stretch of flat land.
Lea Lane:
How about Nevada? That's your home.
Jessica Laughlin:
Yes, well, it's very different in the southern region versus the northern region. You get into the Sierras up in the north and down here. Of course it's desert In between. You really don't have too much, except for some very small towns which, if you're ever driving through Nevada, you happen to go from Las Vegas to Reno. There are some interesting towns along the way, such as Tonopah, which has a rich mining history. There's ghost towns. There's ghost towns. They're interesting Just to be in ghost towns Very interesting. Yeah, I love that kind of stuff. I find it really interesting. As far as the northern area, one of my favorites is Zephyr Cove. I've always loved Lake Tahoe. Crystal blue water, surrounded by pine trees. You have cabins and boats just right out there on the lake, the beautiful shores of Lake Tahoe. Everybody should take a trip up there, absolutely.
Lea Lane:
South Dakota. Now, that's a state you don't hear about all the time. You do hear about Mount Rushmore, of course, but there's also another statue. Tell us about that, one that's still being built, the largest sculpture in the world.
Jessica Laughlin:
A crazy horse and you can walk along, you can see it and you can visit the monument. It's not yet complete. It's been years in the making. They started it shortly after Mount Rushmore, but it's going to be the tallest monument in the world.
Lea Lane:
There's also prehistoric South Dakota and if you go into the museums you'll see the original fossils. If you go along the road, you'll see cement dinosaurs around, which is lots of fun for families as you drive along.
Jessica Laughlin:
It is, and I was actually very surprised about that. Fossils and museums there for kids love that.
Lea Lane:
Tell us about your favorite thing in Florida.
Jessica Laughlin:
Well, I have an aunt who lives in Orlando, so I've had the opportunity to visit Florida a few times. I thought that St Augustine was very interesting historical, beautiful architecture. I thought that was a really fun place as well as also with all the history. So also Daytona Beach is really fun. You can drive on the beach.
Lea Lane:
Yeah, you can drive on the racing. I remember when I was in college you could drive right on the hardpack sands and the water's right there, and there you are going fast along the beach. It's lots of fun and St Augustine is considered the oldest city in America. It has a lot of character different from much of the rest of Florida, which is brand new. Let's go on to another state that interests me and not always on everyone's list Kentucky. It's sort of one of those in-between states. Here it is.
Lea Lane:
It's called the bluegrass state because the grass is actually a little bit tinted blue because of the limestone and the horses love to chew on that. It's a culture, it's part of the ecosystem. Of course bluegrass music originated in these hills as well. The Kentucky Derby, of course, is something on everyone's bucket list. If you like horses and history, you've got the Run for the Roses in May. Churchill Downs is the most acclaimed racetrack in America. If you like to wear elaborate hats and toast with mint juleps and sing my old Kentucky home, it's great Americana and the Belle of Louisville. It's the longest operating steamboat in America and it still is paddling along there since 1914. Tell us about moonbows. What is a moonbow? You can find one in Kentucky, in the Cumberland Falls, and one in Yosemite. What is it?
Jessica Laughlin:
It's an interesting thing that happens. It's the way that the light reflects off of the mist and the water. So you have a waterfall and you've got the mist, and at night and so there's certain conditions it can create what they call a moonbow. So it's a rainbow essentially at night.
Lea Lane:
I've never seen it, but I've heard of it. There's a falls in South America, iguazu, that has lots of moon bows, and I've been there but I never got to see it at night. It's one of those bucket list things, like the Northern Lights, that I still like it is.
Jessica Laughlin:
You have to be there at the right time to see something like that.
Lea Lane:
How about New Mexico? What do you like there? That's maybe a little bit different there.
Jessica Laughlin:
That's maybe a little bit different. We went there two years ago and it was my first time to visit Santa Fe and I just, I absolutely loved it. Not only the art, but the culture, the food. It's such a fun place to visit. It's also historical and the plaza has, you know, rich history, with trading and, along the Santa Fe Trail, the native cultures and all of the cultures combining.
Jessica Laughlin:
We went to Santerio de Chamayo, which is about 45 minutes north of Santa Fe along the high road to Taos. It's a Catholic chapel, but it also has holy dirt and it was built in the 1800s in Chamayo. It's a very interesting, authentic town. This is its centerpiece. It's a beautiful church that you're right along a creek that flows right through, so it's a very spiritual place. It's a place that many come to from all over the world, from different faiths, and for its holy dirt. There is a hole in the ground, one of the side chapels there. That is supposedly where the site of the original cross had been, and Catholic mysticism into that as well. But there's native significance too. When you walk in there you have crutches that are lining the walls from people who have said that they've been cured from putting a little of this holy dirt onto their skin and it's a very powerful place to visit.
Lea Lane:
We focused on it in episode 11. I would also say that Route 66, the mother road of America that goes through there is a wonderful relic in a way, because segments of the original road have nostalgic neon signs and you have interesting old motels and restaurants. It's a lot of fun. So there's lots to see and do in New Mexico. The idea is to go and to try to not only see the great things, like the Grand Canyon, but the fun things, like you mentioned, with the train. There's so much to enjoy If you do a little research ahead. Your book is one of the ways to do it and you get more out of your trips that way. Now, the name of the podcast is Places I Remember. So, jessica, would you please share with us a special memory of your travels in one of the states?
Jessica Laughlin:
Last year in September when we went, we took a trip up to Yellowstone and it was my first time in Wyoming. We stayed in West Yellowstone, which was a great place, a great landing place to get in and out of the park easily, and we were there for about five days. It was spectacular for me to be able to finally see it, because I had always heard about it, and we took a road trip so that we would be able to stop along the way and see everything.
Lea Lane:
What was surprising there to you?
Jessica Laughlin:
The geysers, the buffaloes. I just loved it all. I loved seeing the buffaloes crossing the street and we were perched up on the hill or in the Hayden Valley. You're looking out towards just this beautiful yellow valley with buffaloes roaming freely and the beautiful waterfalls and Artist Point and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Lea Lane:
A lot of people don't realize there's a magnificent canyon.
Jessica Laughlin:
Yeah, really, when you're standing above it you can see why they call it Artist Point, because it looks like a painting. And we also went up to the Gallatin Canyon, which was a little north of West Yellowstone. We drove up and that's in Montana and that's actually where A River Runs Through. It was filmed. That's one of my favorite movies. You're driving along and you're seeing river and fly fishermen on each side of the road in this canyon with rushing waters and a beautiful part of the country. If you're up that way and you're viewing Yellowstone and you're viewing Yellowstone and you're there for a few days, make sure to also take a trip up and see the Gallatin Canyon too.
Lea Lane:
Again a surprise, because you don't expect it so much, but it's, as you say, very special. Well, all 50 states offer special things to see and do. Wherever you travel. The key is to find attractions that are local, different and unexpected, and you can find these in Jessica Laughlin's book the 50 States Bucket List the Ultimate Journal for a Journey Across America. Thanks so much, jessica, for sharing.
Jessica Laughlin:
Thank you so much. It's been great to be here. Thank you, Lea.
