Traveler’s Show & Tell – Where Have You Been All Your Life?

…which musical instrument was once thought to cause insanity.

…how hitchhiking can be a philosophical journey.

…whether you know how many states in the USA you have visited.

…and more:

This Week’s Photo

1. “Check Engine” by Pamela Jorrick

Pamela Jorrick presents Check Engine posted at Blah, Blah, Blog. Engine trouble is never fun on a road trip, but it’s even worse when it strikes in the middle of nowhere and your kids are getting cranky. As Pamela writes:

“It was only when I stopped that the engine started sounding like a smokers cough, and doing a little shake. Did I mention that it was getting dark? These are the kinds of moments when people start whipping out prayers, and I am no exception. ”

Pamela’s travelogue includes photos of beautiful rugged landscapes – pretty to look at, but definitely not places you would want your car to break down.

Boy Child again wanted to sleep right there in the car. I wanted to cry. Instead, we drove. We had no idea where we were going.

2. “Interview: Derelict Days & Practical Tips” by Andarin

Andarin presents Interview with Seasoned Hitchhiker Irv Thomas: Part 2 “Derelict Days & Practical Tips” posted at Byteful Travel. In case you missed Part 1, Andarin sums it up:

“When we last left off, Irv was telling the story of how he was picked up by a man who he soon realized was a car thief. This man then asked Irv if they should try to bypass the California border patrol. Irv told him that he couldn’t give any suggestions, so the man buzzed past the California border with Irv still in the car!

Part 1 of Andarin’s interview with this fascinating traveler appears in the 24th edition of Traveler’s Show & Tell.

“For part two, we get down to the fundamentals of how hitchhiking can forever change your perspective of how we live in this world, as well as some ideas on the surprising things you can be capable of when you assume full responsibility for your life.”

3. ” Fifty Nifty United States: How Many Have You Been To?” by Mary Jo Manzanares

Mary Jo Manzanares offers a challenge to readers with her post Fifty Nifty United States: How Many Have You Been To? posted at Traveling with MJ, asking:

“How many states and territories have you been to? What do you remember about your first visit? I invite you to make a list and leave the link in the comments.”

I like how Mary Jo shares memories from her visits to each of the states (and US Territories – she is thorough!)

Texas – As a product of the 60’s, visiting the “grassy knoll” in Dallas’ Dealey Plaza was a very big deal. A very BIG deal. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it’s just a small plot of grass, but the world changed forever because of what happened here.

It’s gonna take some head-scratching and a phone call to my folks to get my tally up. It is certainly a testament to how large the USA is. How about you? How many states have you visited in your life?

4. “Playing Around at Arizona’s Musical Instrument Museum” by Tui Cameron

Tui Cameron, yes it’s me. Thought I would toss something into the hat this week, too, so I am sharing Playing Around at Arizona’s Musical Instrument Museum posted at Mental Mosaic: Even Home is a Travel Destination (as if you didn’t know where you were!)

“Arizona’s Musical Instrument Museum does a great job of putting the instruments in a cultural context and explaining the many roles music plays (no pun intended) around the world, from shamanistic healing rituals, to courting, to sheer entertainment.”

I even had a moment of synchronicity:

A funny thing happened as I checked out the Theremin exhibit; my phone rang. It was a wrong number, but what made it humorous is that my ringtone is a Theremin sample! I have been wanting to learn how to play the Theremin for years, so there is my sign, right?

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