While I would normally change the title of the initial post WordPress adds when you create a blog, honestly, this title felt right for the very first post. I’ll give a little background info, trying not to completely repeat myself from the bio page.

I feel like I need to start this with an admission. I am a Disney adult. When Anniston was younger, we went to Disney more often than we do now. If we didn’t love Disney, we’d probably be further along than we are on the state list. But I can’t help it. “It calls me / And no one knows, how far it goes…” Okay, I’ll stop now.

Growing up, we travelled and, most of the time, on a budget. We typically went on a larger trip every other year and would take smaller trips in-between. We visited Branson or camped at the lake on the off years. I’ll tell you about my relationship with Branson in another post. It’s one of those things that should probably be discussed in therapy.

When my daughter, Anniston, was born, I wanted to do something unique with her. I had a friend in my early twenties who had a goal to visit all 50 states by the time she turned 30. We adapted that goal to fit our family, all 50 states before she graduates college.

We have a couple of rules:

• We have to make a stop of any kind in the state.
• Airports don’t count.

Since we’re 30 states in, a lot of the content will be recapping older trips. Since we didn’t start a blog and then develop this idea, we weren’t thinking about what would be good for a blog while traveling. I may or may not have pictures of each thing. The pictures will definitely be candid. And food images will be sparse. You’ll be lucky if I remember the restaurant name. Yeah, I know. Not your typically blog.

Here’s a fun photo from a trip to San Antonio when I was in junior high. Don’t worry, I won’t be recapping trips this old.

I do need you to make me a promise, and I’ll make one back in return. I promise to be honest about each state, about each trip if you promise you won’t get mad at me if I didn’t like your state or favorite city.

I have one more thing to be honest about. Since 2020, I’ve lost both of my parents. My dad most recently in August 2025. We recently listed our house and plan to buy out my brother to purchase my parents’ house. We’re going to be renovating beginning in early 2026. I can’t promise a consistent posting schedule. These posts may come in a flurry and then few and far between. I may actually be the worst blogger ever. But at least I’m telling you up front?

Stay curious, stay caffeinated, and stay a little LindSwept.