Happy Thanksgiving!

In this post, I discuss what I’m thankful for on this Thanksgiving holiday, as well as why we eat that giant, delicious bird.

 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! (or at least to our friends in the US. 😁)

Tomorrow is Turkey Day!  I think this is such a great holiday because no gifts are expected.  We can just focus on good food, a day of celebrating the blessings in our lives, and getting to spend time with people we care about.

Did I mention the food? 😉  If you love to eat, how can you not delight in this holiday? 🤤

I think it’s spectacular to have an entire day (or even an entire weekend) geared toward giving thanks for the blessings that surround us.  We would do well to engage in this practice many times throughout the year, but at least we’re on the right track…

With how crappy the last few years have been: COVID, political and social unrest, wars, and the awful economy, I think it’s especially important to be aware of and thankful for the blessings that are present in our lives. 

How Thanksgiving Became a Holiday…

Harvest celebrations have occurred throughout the world since the first people successfully gathered crops in the fall, from seeds they planted in the spring.  The tradition is officially recognized as coming to the US with the Pilgrims.

Growing up, we were always taught that the Pilgrims had it rough that first year in the “New World”.  They didn’t know much about what the local climate was like, how long the growing seasons were, or what plants grew well in these soils.  Had it not been for people from the local tribes, who knew this land well as they had come to it LONG before, who saved the colonists’ sorry butts, they may not have survived at all.  That definitely seems like something worth celebrating!

Of course, history tells us that for centuries thereafter, the newcomers went on to repay the kindness of their saviors by violently evicting, and in many cases trying to eradicate them, but I digress…😔

I also find it interesting that this is not just a special day in the US.  Many other countries celebrate a similar holiday (though at different times of the year) including Canada and various places throughout Europe, the Caribbean, and Africa.  Obviously, Americans aren’t the only ones who see a Day of Thanks as being worth commemorating.

Why Does the US Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving?

There doesn’t appear to be any evidence that a large, roasted bird was served that first Thanksgiving in the “New World”.  It’s possible, as the fowl were present in the US at the time, but other critters, such as geese and deer, were more commonly hunted.

It seems the tradition of eating turkey arose more from the fact that, because of their size, turkeys can feed many mouths.  They also didn’t offer much additional worth, aside from food (people didn’t harvest their eggs or feathers) so they weren’t considered a loss.  Also, the bird is readily available in the wild and has since proven fairly easy (and relatively cheap) to mass produce for food.  Therefore, it made economic and logistical sense to use it for celebrations where large amounts of people needed to be served.

The turkey has become so well connected with this holiday that in the US, we have one particularly odd tradition where the President gives an official pardon to a few turkeys! 😮

What I am thankful for…

On this coming day of thanks, I have much to be thankful for:

…a loving and supportive spouse..
…caring family and friends…
…we are blessed with healthy bodies (I’m especially thankful for health this year after having major surgery in January–to which I am 99% fully recovered!)
…I have a steady job, with decent pay, that allows me to help provide for my family…
…there is food on my table…
…there is a roof over my head…
…I have clothes on my back…

…and, perhaps most importantly of all, we live in a country that relishes personal freedoms (there are SO MANY people the world over who can’t say that).

Also a shout-out to all the companies who choose to put profits aside and allow their employees to spend the entire holiday with their families.  Good on you!

What else does one need, really?

I know it’s probably wishful thinking (especially after a tense, presidential election in the US) but I also hope that on this day, maybe we can put some of our many differences aside, and just enjoy being with others…crazy idea, I know. 😝

Now, go enjoy some turkey and mashed potatoes! 🦃🍗…forget shopping on Black Friday, #OptOutside instead, enjoy some nature, exercise and wear off all those holiday calories…and get excited because after tomorrow…we can FINALLY enjoy Christmas!

What are your Thanksgiving traditions?  Tell me about them in the comments!

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Picture of a table set with food such as potatoes, carrots, rolls, turkey and stuffing spread over it. Pin reads, "Happy Thanksgiving from the Tranquil Trekker!"

 

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An Amazing Southeastern US Road Trip

I review a road trip to Florida, and discuss thoughts I often have on the open road, and why I enjoy lengthy road trips so much!

On an amazing, southeastern road trip one Thanksgiving, the Trekkers experienced 9 days, 13 states, 4,433 miles, 1 snowstorm, 3 seasons and numerous ecosystems.  We were invited to spend the holiday in Florida, with family.  Neither Mr. Trekker, nor I, had been there in at least a decade, and we realized we’d never visited together.  

We also figured out a route that allowed us, both, to check off another item on both of our “bucket lists”…after this trip, both Mr. Trekker and I have visited all 48 of the continental US states!  {Note: the Trekkers are currently accepting donations to fund trips to States #49 and #50… 😉–Based on my above statement, you should be able to guess which two states these are. 😉} 

Oil Refineries, Route 66 and the Ozarks!

We enjoyed some unique experiences on this trip:

–We saw oil refineries that twinkle across the bays as they hug the coast.  I prefer green energy, but, there’s a certain beauty connected with these structures (at least at night).

They remind me of the old, steel factories you see in Gary, Indiana, near where I grew up.  There, an eerie, orange glow emanates from them and the reflection glitters on nearby Lake Michigan.  In Louisiana, the bays of the Gulf of Mexico proffer a similar effect.

Bright lights shine and are reflected across a bay of water at night.

View from a car on a bridge: bright lights shine and are reflected across a bay of water at night
Some of the refineries are HUGE!

View from a car on a bridge: bright lights shine and are reflected across a bay of water at night


–We drove another portion of Route 66!  I had forgotten it runs through Missouri until we stumbled on it while surveying the map.  We had last seen that route on a trip through New Mexico in 2017.

A blue and white road sign reads, "Historic Byway, Missouri US 66"

A mural on the side of an old, cement building shows a picture of an old car driving past a large road sign which reads, "Joplin Missouri, You're in Historic Route 66"; along with a Route 66 road sign. Below this is painted a road map across the US with Route 66 signs.


–I was also able to experience the beauty of the Ozarks for the first time (Mr. Trekker had been there before.)  I had no idea how lovely the majority of Missouri and western Arkansas are with their rolling farmlands and forested hills.  Fall also runs a little later in those states, so we got to enjoy the late, remaining foliage as well! (Note to the Missouri Department of Transportation, your snow management on your highways could use some work. 😝)

–We experienced multiple seasons on this trip.  When we left South Dakota it was 15 degrees out!  We enjoyed fall colors in the Ozarks and through beautiful, northern Georgia.  Then, at the end of the weekend, we fast-tracked it back to South Dakota to outrun the impending, winter storm that was bearing down on the lower Midwest. 😳

THIS is why we drive rather than fly (this, the TSA and the fact that I hate those cramped machines! 😉)–I’m not afraid of flying, per se, it’s the crashing-to-a-fiery-death-in-a-cramped-metal-tube-from-30,000-feet-up that scares me. 😝

Cross-country travel in a car also allows you to truly experience the varying landscapes and cultures that are present throughout our wonderful country. In addition to the US being a “melting-pot” of various people and religious identities, it showcases a cornucopia of landscapes as well.  On every road trip we take I’m always amazed at the various scenes and inhabitants we encounter.  

Things you’ll notice when you visit the “Lower 48”: 

The South

This region is characterized by cotton fields, salt marshes and flat, coastal plains.  Comprising a portion of the “Bible Belt”, folks here are friendly, though they’re often quick to spot that, “ya’ll ain’t from around here are ya?” 😉

The Northeast/New England

Highlighted by rolling, hilly, farmland, heavily-forested mountains and flat, coastal plain; many think of this region as sporting “city-folk” with fast-paced lifestyles.  There’s plenty of “country folk” outside the urban centers who may disagree with that assessment, though.

The Midwest and Great Plains

This area is comprised mostly of flat farmland.  Many think of it as boring, flyover country.  It may not be as exciting as other regions, but this area has a unique beauty of its own.  Being that I grew up there, its charmingly simple way of life will always hold a piece of my heart.  And you can’t beat their sunsets over the “amber waves of grain” (and cornfields). 😉  The folks who live here, residing fully in the ‘Bible Belt”, are known for their friendliness (and tornadoes!  It’s THE place to be, in the country, for storm chasing! 🌪) 

The West

I would define the borders of this area as the country west of the Missouri River (excluding the West Coast) and north of the Desert Southwest.  In my personal opinion, you can’t beat the beauty of the craggy mountains that are found here.  They don’t call this area “God’s Country” for nothing.  

In my experience, some of the friendliest people I’ve encountered live in the rural West.  This is an interesting contrast to, what can be, a difficult life.  Living in the West is a whole other ballgame.  The land is rugged, the weather is harsh, and its residents have to be tough.  It’s a place that, even in the 21st Century, has to be survived.  Maybe this fosters kinship among those who choose to brave its challenges?  Here, the weather and nature–both flora and fauna, can, quite literally, kill you.  But the people who call this, immensely beautiful and often desolate place, “home”, won’t make you regret a visit.

The West Coast (ie: the western halves of the West Coast states)

It’s amazing how different the various sides of these states can be!  The eastern halves of Washington, Oregon, and California are comprised of more rural, scrub and farmland, and the people trend toward a more conservative ideology. 

**The two halves are split but rugged mountains!**

The western halves of these states are flatter, far wetter, coastal plains; sometimes ranging to a temperate, rainforest climate.  The people who reside there are usually categorized as metropolitan.  I was, pleasantly surprised, though, by the light-hearted lifestyle of the LA area.  

Texas/the Desert Southwest

Texas is one area I can’t speak much to, as we haven’t spent enough time there for me to get a feel of it (a problem we’re hoping to correct). 🤞  I do know it’s hot and dry, though.  😅  The rest of the Desert Southwest shares characteristics with the West! 

The statements above are just generalizations, of course.  As we’ve traveled around the country, I’m always amazed how cultures vary within these local regions, as well.  

As you traverse the states, rural areas are usually more conservative, and the larger cities tend to trend more liberal.  The change from urban to rural can be stark and often occurs quite quickly.  Many living in the rural areas of Illinois, Virginia or New York may not feel they have much in common with their counterparts living in the DC suburbs, Chicago or New York City.

 “Transplants”, people who move from places like NYC to more conservative states, like North Carolina (and others), make those places a melting pot of cultures and ideologies within their own right.  One place we visited several years ago was the small town of Willits, in northern California.  It was one of the first places we’d visited in the state, and I was surprised how charming and “Midwestern” it felt.  

Let’s embrace our similarities!

What am I trying to get at here?  The bottom line is, none of that sh*t really matters.  I think we often forget that we’re all in this together.  We all vary, but we all share similarities as well.  Often times, those similarities aren’t categorized by skin color, religion, politics, etc.  Regardless of where we live, what church–or synagogue, or mosque, or temple–we attend (or don’t); who we vote for, or who our favorite sports team is, we’re all human.

We all live in the same, magnificent country.  I firmly believe, we’re all, for the most part, good people (one generalization we all share).  As our country remains divided on numerous issues politically, religiously, racially, culturally, I think it’s important to keep this fact in mind.   THIS is what makes road trips so enjoyable!  I LOVE traveling the country, and experiencing how much we all have in common!

The late chef and world-traveler, Anthony Bordain, felt food bonded us, that our connection with it could bridge divides between cultures, religions, politics, etc.  I think we need to seek out other “bridges” like this, as well.   Whether that be a common love (or hatred? 😳) for a specific sports team, a love of the outdoors, whatever.  I don’t care who you voted for in the last election (or if you voted at all); if you cheer for the Yankees or Red Sox; if you say “pop” or “soda”.  

I. DON’T. CARE.  

Those things aren’t important in the long run.  What is important, and what we need to focus on, are the commonalities we all share.  We need to seek out the things that unite us, not those that divide us.  We need to realize how blessed we ALL are to live in this incredible, messy, complicated place.  

We’re all stuck on this big, beautiful, blue ball, hurtling through the dark, cold, emptiness of space.  We’re all in this together, so let’s make the most of it, be kind and try to get along, yeah?  🤠  


See below for some more pics from our cross-country adventure! (Thanks, as usual, to Mr. Trekker for some of these):

A drawbridge is raised on a road bridge in the background. The blue water in a bay flows in the foreground and under the bridge.
Drawbridge!
A white bird with black feathers sweeping from its head pecks at the sand on a beach.
Is it just me…
A white bird with black feathers sweeping from its head stands on a beach.
A white bird with black feathers sweeping from its head pecks at the sand on a beach. …or does this bird look like Bernie Sanders?  😳
A large tree (with moss clinging to it) hangs over an old rest stop building
I love the moss!
A road sign is lit by lights at night and reads, "Welcome to Mississippi, birthplace of America's music"
State #48 for the Trekkers!
A radial elevation dial held in a person's hand over water--where a foot sits in the water--reads "0 feet" (sea level)
The lowest altitude we reached on the trip. You can see my foot is in the Gulf of Mexico if you look in the lower left corner…
A radial elevation dial sits on a car consul and reads, "12,100 feet"
…contrast that with the highest altitude we reached on our road trip the previous summer, at the top of Independence Pass, in Colorado!
Multi-colored (mostly white) shells sit on the sand as a wave comes into shore
Seashells!
Two peoples bare feet stand in water to their ankles
“I got my toes in the water…”

 

Florida Beaches:

A beach in the foreground with minimal waves and the blue ocean expanding to the horizon, all under a blue sky with white, wispy clouds
A beach in the foreground with minimal, white-capped waves and the blue ocean expanding to the horizon, all under a blue sky with white, wispy clouds. Some green trees are in the far, side-background along the beach.A white beach with tall grass in the foreground, multi-story beach homes are in the background. Dark, minimal waves wash up on a dark beach as the ocean stretches to the horizon. The sun sets into the clouds causing yellow and pink colors in the clouds. Several birds are on the beachSmall gray, ocean waves wash up on the beach. Multi-story buildings stand along the beach in the far background

The shadows of two people stretch across the beach. Multi-story buildings stand along the beach in the far background
Beach Trekkers!

Rear view of a woman walking along the beach, with minimal waves washing on shore. Numerous people stand in the background with multi-story buildings standing along the beach in the far background

Goodnight Florida!

An orange and blue sunset shines in the cloudy sky over a beachDry beach grass in the foreground, a white-sand beach stretches to the horizon dotted with people and a lifeguard stand. The sky is gray-cloudy with peaks of yellow, orange and pink sunset barely shining through. Dry beach grass in the foreground, a white-sand beach stretches to the horizon dotted with people and a lifeguard stand. The sky is gray-cloudy with peaks of yellow, orange and pink sunset barely shining through. The reddish-orange setting sun is peaking through the clouds.Green beach grass in the foreground. The sky is gray-cloudy with peaks of yellow, orange and pink sunset barely shining through. The reddish-orange setting sun is peaking through the clouds in the far background.Dark beach grass in the foreground. The sky is light blue with gray-cloud wisps. The reddish-orange setting sun is peaking through the clouds.Green, palm trees with gray-pink clouds in the blue sky overhead

What have you learned from traveling around the country (or world)?  Let me know in the comments!

 

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Three pictures: 1) A blue and white road sign reads, "Historic Byway, Missouri US 66"; 2)3) A beach in the foreground with minimal, white-capped waves and the blue ocean expanding to the horizon, all under a blue sky with white, wispy clouds. Pin reads, "What I learned on a Southeastern US Road Trip"

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