On the Road Again

Marvel at the natural beauty of the Western United States

Explore the Midwest through your tastebuds

Experience the history of the South through the storied mueseums

Travel through the

wilderness of the East Coast

“Not all those who wander are lost.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

photo courtesy of Alex Grichenko

photo by Ella Williams

Dear Reader,

We had a really fun semester making this for you! In this magazine, we explore the United States and its many fascinating cultures. After reading this magazine, we hope that you gain a better understanding of the numerous different lifestyles within our country.

Our team is connected through a love of travel and the culture of the places we travel to. In the making of On the Road Again, we had a great time, and became good friends.

We loved talking to people that live differently than we do, even though we’re all in the same country. Thanks for supporting our team by reading this magazine. We hope you enjoy On the Road Again!

Love, The On the Road Again Team

Lakshmi Surada Lakshmi was born and has lived in Austin her whole life. She is optimistic and she loves to see new places and meet new people! Lakshmi has a little sister in 7th grade who is great. Lakshmi loves to travel, and strives to visit every state in the US one day. She wants to go into a profession that has to do with science. Her favorite food is basically anything with cheese on it. Although, she is vegetarian so her options are limited. Anyway, she hopes you like On the Road Again, and she thanks you for reading it!

Catie Graves Catie was born and lives in Austin, Texas. She enjoys eating lots of chocolate while reading books or watching The Office. Her favorite animal(s) are probably sheep. She also likes camping, being outside, and swimming. When Catie grows up, she wants to study something to do with the environment. Maybe the weather.

Possibly journalism. Or a combination of all three. Anyway, she hopes you enjoy On the Road Again!

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Kendra Smith Kendra Smith has lived in Austin, Texas, since she was 5 years old. She loves to explore and is always open to discovering something new.

Kendra enjoys reading and writing. She has played the bassoon for 4 years and has been in Colorguard for 1. She would love to travel around the world one day. Kendra would like to study in Psychology, Culture or Languages in college. One of her goals in life is to learn how to socialize properly and survive in the real world. She is honored that you chose to read On the Road Again!

Olivia Ashy Olivia was born and raised in Austin, Texas. She has played the piano for 10 years and the flute for 4. Olivia is in the LBJ Marching Band (the one the only) with all of her friends and loves it. Her favorite show is Parks and Recreation and her favorite food is cheese. She has a little brother in 4th grade who is sometimes loud and annoying but mostly cool. Olivia has been to many different states throughout the U.S. and has been out of the country once. When she grows up, she has no idea what she wants to be. She says thank you for reading our magazine!

graphics by Lakshmi Surada and Olivia Ashy page by Lakshmi Surada

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photo courtesy of Flicka

photo courtesy of NPS

The West

Table of Contents

Wild West

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Tourist Traps

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The South Traveling Through History 14

Table of contents by Catie Graves From left to right: Arches National Park, Biscayne National Park, Gateway Arch, and Amicolola Falls

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Haunted Menger Hotel

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photo courtesy of Daniel Schwen

photo courtesy of Andrew Graham

The Midwest

Road Trip Essentials

Tastes of the Midwest

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Top Five Midwest Places

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The North Thru the Trek

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Maple Fudge

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Road Trip Snacks

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Road Trip Games

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Road Trip Movies

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Road Trip Playlist

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photos by Olivia Ashy

photo courtesy of Grand Canyon National Park. photo by Michael Quinn

The culture surrounding the nature of the western United States

by Olivia Ashy he stars shine down on the land underneath the trees, cicadas chirping and a breeze blowing.

This is what nature is like in the western United States.

The National Park Service (NPS) is an organization that manages the hundreds of national parks, monuments, forests, and trails in the western U.S. and other U.S. territory. The US Forest Service

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(USFS) manages federal forests for land use and public enjoyment.

About 47 percent of all western land is owned by the US government, and the rest of the land is privately owned. The wide open spaces of the west are visited by millions of Americans each year.

I am captivated by high alpines, mountains, and deep forests, and the deep woods of southeast Texas, rivers, mountains, you name it,” Bond said.

Bond worked as a Public Affairs Specialist for the USFS for 30 years.

As a tourist, she enjoys visiting parks, monuments, and forests.

“On my own time, I have visited many sites, including monuments and parks that were managed by the National Parks Service, and enjoyed that immensely,” Bond said.

Her favorite natural site to visit is a small national monument near the Four Corners Monument, which is at the intersection of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. She likes the small, out of the way parks, as the larger parks are becoming Ann Bond, retired USFS employee, more and more crowded. In 2018 still spends a lot of her time in and alone, Yellowstone National Park around the natural world. attracted 4,114,999 visitors, rising 25.48 percent since 2008. Bond said “I adore those red rocks, high, that many of the smaller monuments sage plain deserts, just as much as are overlooked, offering more

solitude.

“You can go out there, and you can see all the stars, and the Parks Service has campground talks where they show you what constellations you’re looking at,” Bond said. “It’s quiet and it’s dark, and you’re just immersed in what things used to be like, and what people a thousand or more years ago, what life was like for them.”

A view of the Grand Canyon from the North Rim. The Grand Canyon is located in Arizona and is a famous western landmark. photo courtesy of Diliff

natural sites is the seclusion and peace.

“I hike to appreciate the nature and the beauty of the nature that we have, and I appreciate that you can go out there completely by yourself,” Himbert said.

Carroll said. “They are ours, ours as American citizens, and the reason that I think that’s the most important thing about my job is that I feel very privileged to be to help be a steward for these places that we all call special.”

Carroll works at White Sands Park ranger Kelly Carroll is National Monument in New Mexico, passionate about the national parks and has been an employee with NPS since he finished his career in research.

Caroline Himbert, a passionate long distance hiker, has hiked almost all “I hike to appreciate the nature and the of the major trails in the “Protecting and telling beauty of the nature that we have.”

U.S., including the Pacific the stories of these places, Caroline Himbert, long distance hiker Crest Trail in California, not only for us, but for the Colorado Trail, and the when you grow up and Trans-America Trail. She you have kids, and your also has visited many national parks. and their purpose. The first national kids get to come to White Sands and park, Yellowstone, was founded have a similar experience,” Carroll “The views are just-- sunset, sunrise, in 1872, and the NPS has been in said. in general, all the views are amazing existence since 1916, serving the in the national parks,” Himbert said, American public with its hundreds In 2017, Statista estimated that 331 “It’s just gorgeous.” of parks, monuments, and other million people made a trip to one areas of land. of the many national parks. There One of the things Himbert enjoys are around 28,000 park rangers and most about hiking and visiting the “The national parks are not mine,” more than 2 million volunteers.

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The national parks have a special place in many people’s hearts.

Park rangers make sure the park is operated smoothly, especially with the number of visitors increasing every year.

“I do think you make a difference,” Carroll said. “I do think your job [as a park ranger] has a larger impact on our country and on people.”

For many people, being surrounded by nature can be a lifelong hobby.

Himbert grew up in Germany, and hiking has always been a key component to her life.

“I started hiking when I started walking, I think,” Himbert said.

Ann Bond also spent a lot of time in Both NPS and USFS take care of nature during her childhood. public land, but they have different priorities and histories. The NPS is “I grew up on the Gulf Coast of a part of the U.S. Department of the Texas, and I grew up in the country Interior, and the USFS is a part of with horses and lots of other animals, the U.S. Department of Agriculture. and from a very early age, getting National parks are barely modified, out in nature was what I wanted to and preserving them as time goes do for fun,” Bond said. “I would on is a priority for NPS. The forests go out into the woods and spread in USFS have many uses, including a blanket down, and I would write timber, recreation, grazing, wildlife, and I would read, and my dog would fishing and more. sniff around and enjoy everything that was around us.”

“The national parks’ mission is more to preserve cultural and natural These childhood experiences led resources for the enjoyment of Bond to enjoy nature as an adult. the American public,” Bond said, “National forests are definitely “I love anything that the natural enjoyed by the American public but world will offer,” Bond said. they produce all these goods and services also.”

Ann Bond explores nature with her burro on Lizard Head Pass in the San Juan Mountains. Colorado is home to many geological features such as these. photo courtesy of Ann Bond

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Bond feels that her 30-year career with the USFS was a very valuable period of her life. The job that she

worked at involved interacting with the public as well as interacting with the park. She handled everything from research to animal grazing to fire fighting.

“Working for an agency that touched communities and people in so many different ways was very very rich and fulfilling,” Bond said.

After Carroll left college, he fell in love with working at the national parks. He left his career in research to become a member of the NPS Park Ranger Team, and traveled to places as far as Guam to places as close as New Mexico.

“When I was in graduate school, I had a summer where I wasn’t doing any research so I decided to be a

Caroline “Earthcake” Himbert enjoys herself at Arches National Park. Arches National Park is located in Utah and attracts nearly 1.5 million visitors per year. photo courtesy of Caroline Himbert

park ranger for the summer, and I will operate in the future.” absolutely loved it,” Carroll said. “I loved the life of the things I got to do Nature serves many purposes. It as a park ranger.” offers solitude, lessons, and much more.

While the majority of the job of a park ranger is protecting designated “What I also learned [from hiking] outdoor areas, there are other for just in general for life is that components as well. society usually expects you to go a certain way,” Himbert said.

“I think some of the misconceptions “You finish high school, you go to are that park rangers are always college, you go to grad school, you outside, always doing things, and a work, you have children, you have a lot of times it’s a lot of office work,” family, and that’s that. But there’s so Carroll said. “It’s a lot of research, many different paths and ways that it’s a lot of planning, it’s lot of you can take, and they all bring you managing and really trying to kind to the same point.” of looking at our parks and how they

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photo courtesy of Rich Torres

by Olivia Ashy

Tourists often use Yelp to determine which places they want to travel.

These reviews might be used by tourists looking for advice on what activities are worth their time.

Four Corners Monument

The Four Corners Monument is located at the intersection of the borders of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Its main draw is that you can physically be in all four states at one time.

One visitor said she “was very unimpressed with this monument.”

-Sheila C.

photo courtesy of Frank Pierson

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is in Los Angeles, California, and is composed of thousands of terrazo and brass stars with the names of accomplished entertainers on them. Visitors describe it as a “disappointment and [you] won’t be able to enjoy your time because you’ll always be on your feet and suspicious of your surroundings.” -Angela D.

Grand Canyon Skywalk

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is an attraction at the Grand Canyon. It allows visitors to stand on a glass bridge and see the bottom of the canyon right beneath them. However, many tourists felt that they wasted their money, and that “the greed felt here trumps the joy and excitement, and you will leave disappointed.” -Nick J.

The Oregon Undersea Garden is located in Newport, Oregon.

It was created to allow the visitors to be able to see the marine life while underwater. One visitor described it as “just dirty and sad. Murky water, dirty glass and dead animals.” -Heather S.

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photo courtesy of ArtBrom

Oregon Undersea Gardens

photo courtesy of Ken Lund

Hollywood Walk of Fame

photo courtesy of brewbooks

by Kendra Smith photo courtesy of Paul Lloyd

photo courtesy of Arthur T. LaBar

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photo courtesy of Sgt. Robert Knapp

photo courtesy of Magda Ehlers

eeling the ancient air that surrounds t h e residences of the names that grace the pages of American history books helps to bring the tales of America’s past to life.

“I’ve always found museums to be places that are interesting to me, where I can grow as a person, and where I get to meet a lot of other interesting people.” Jacqueline Langholtz, manager of school and group programs at Monticello.

The Alamo: The Alamo in San Antonio is an icon for Texas, it is a representation of the sacrifices people made for their beliefs. The history of the Alamo is over 300 years. It was a church originally but then it turned into a fort for purposes of the Texas revolution.

Michael said their visit to the Alamo was a Christmas present to his wife, which Kimberly appreciated. “ I thought it was a fort, I didn’t know that it was a church originally, and then turned into a fort for purposes of the war,” Kimberly said Sherri Driscoll is the head of the educational depart at the Alamo, and decided to pursue her love for history she got a job at the Alamo as a docent, spending a couple days a week talking to visitors about the history of the Alamo, and eventually they asked her to work for the education department to teach kids about the Alamo.

Preservation of historic sites in the US didn’t begin until the end of the 19th century after the Civil War. The nation was finding its identity and decided to protect sites and objects that were deemed significant to the nation’s history by creating the the Historic Sites Act of 1935, Tourists Kimberly and Michael “I was able to marry my love of especially sites in the south such as Bennet just moved to Texas and history,” Driscoll said. the Monticello and the Alamo. were experiencing more of the state.

Sam Houston impersonator (far right) acts out writing the final letter asking for back up at the Alamo. The Alamo is an important historical landmark in the the south. photo by Kendra Smith

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There are many activities “Museums provide similar hope and inspiration for their visitors for the future,” to do at monticello.

- Jaqueline Langholtz, manager of school and group programs at Monticello

Surrounding the Alamo is a carved path that shows you exactly where the palisade stood. This palisade was made of trees that were cut down and sharpened to keep the Mexican army out. At the Alamo there are two historic buildings that still stand: the church itself and the long barrack. The long barrack was used as the quarters for the Mexican army.

“There are guided tours, and there are experiences, you can have what we in museums call self guided which Monticello: means on your own. Guided tours Monticello is in Charlottesville, change depending on the season and Virginia, and was a plantation owned the year” Langholtz said. by founding father Thomas Jefferson in 1770 until his death. Monticello’s At Monticello visitors are able to education director Jacqueline view Sally Hemings’ house, where Langholtz said visitors who love she mothered six of Jefferson’s politics, architecture, botany, music children. or art will all find something to love at the site.

“There’s also a tour for people who love Hamilton the musical and we “I thought it would be a great call that a Hamilton musical tour… opportunity to continue that process So that’s the tour that allowed us to do of growing and move to a place something a little bit more creative that had a real strong mission of and have fun with something that is both education and preservation,” relevant today in pop culture, and Langholtz said. “It was an easy to younger audiences, but also to a decision.” the Alamo, and what it has done for the state.

When walking into the Alamo to the left is the storage room, and two rooms down is the room where most of the activities took place, such as praying. Activities used to take place in the main room but the roof was never able to be fully built so they prayed in the small room with a roof. At the end of the room is a map of the original Alamo and the places of the Mexican Army and the Texas Langholtz feels that Thomas Jefferson’s grave is located at Monticello. His grave is a commonly visited spot when tourists visit Army. museums inform Monticello. photo courtesy of bob194156 her understanding General William B Travis ended his of the present, give letter for back up with the famous her hope and goals for last words “Victory or Death.” her future, and believes that Monticello provides In the end it was death that ended the an excellent educational battle for the Texans at the alamo, but experience and an their lose was a success in descise as insight on life through the words “Remember the Alamo!” its historic items and echoed through the air until the end spirit. of the Texas revolution.

“I’ve always found Sherry Driscoll said that hopefully museums to be places in the near future the alamo will start that are interesting to looking how it did back in 1836, and me, where I can grow they are in the process of getting as a person, and where I a museum built across the street get to meet a lot of other so that visitors will walk into the interesting people.”

Alamo knowing the significance of Langholtz said.

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wide range of ages.”

own house.

At Monticello the 57th annual Independence Day celebration with “I really love giving as a gift “It feels like I’m participating in that the Monticello is taking place. The for other people are seeds from ongoing experiment with Jefferson,” first floor of Monticello is free to Monticello garden, because I think Langholtz said. tour. it’s both symbolic of growing a piece of Monticello, wherever you At the end of the trail the visitors can “Museums provide similar hope are, right? So you can say you sort of go into the mansion and view historic and inspiration for their visitors for participate in that act of growing and art scattered all over the walls of the the future,” Langholtz said. “I think experimentation like Jefferson did. mansion. They can take a self guided the message that we can give is a And it’s also a nice connection to tour to learn about Thomas Jefferson message of hope, about equality, a Jefferson’s interest in what he called at their own pace, and are able to message of hope, about encouraging shared knowledge,” Langholtz said. pay their respects to the person who people to define the meaning of fought for freedom for the United the word in the Declaration of Visitors can also walk along the States at his grave that sits on the Independence for themselves. And paths of the grounds and enjoy the grounds. Visitors could take a look for our country.” scenery. They can walk to the 1,000 at the artifacts that are scattered all foot long garden,, and pick up some around the plantation. seeds to take home and plant at their Monticello reflects off of the pond on a beautiful morning. It is a key part of the culture in the United States. photo courtesy of Tony Fischer

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Ghosts at the Haunted Menger Hotel Menger Hotel is one of the most haunted hotels in the southern United States. Visitors have seen many ghosts such as Sally and Captain Richard King.

Sally Sally was a chambermaid in the Menger Hotel. She and her husband, Henry Wheeler, would get into heated arguments that often escalated to Sally fleeing for her life. One day it was so heated that as Sally ran away, he shot her in the back once and in the stomach twice. She manged to get up once again and ran to the Menger Hotel. She died 2 days later at the hotel.

Her ghost is seen bring towels into guest rooms in the middle of the night, as well as in the hallway on the 2nd floor.

FUN FACTS: There are 36 known ghosts haunting the Menger Hotel. It’s the finest hotel west of the Mississippi.

Captain Richard King Captin King was a very wealthy man. He sold blockades during the Mexican-American war.

After the war he decided to become a cattle rancher, he bought parcel land south of San Antonio, and pocket laid it with cattle. He stayed at the Menger Hotel in a room that is now called King’s Suite. He died from stomach cancer in the very same bed that is in there now. This room is considered to be the most haunted room in the Menger Hotel. The room and the bed haven’t been changed, but the mattress was. You can even sleep in the same room and in the same bed if you would like.

photos by Kendra Smith

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photo courtesy of USFWS. photo by Bobbie Halchishak

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by Lakshmi Surada Freshly baked r o l l s come out of the oven and fill the air with a delightful smell. Hot, cheesy, saucy pizza arrives at the

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table, cut up into squares waiting to melt in someone’s mouth. The smell of the delicious sandwiches being made in the kitchen fills the room. That is a brief description of how one would feel at a restaurant in the midwest.

such as Colorado, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri and many more. Each state has its own culture, but all of them also tie in midwest’s overall food culture. midwest’s food culture includes its unique restaurants, such as Lambert’s Cafe, unique The midwest includes states foods such as Lutefisk, and foods

The owners of Lambert’s Cafe create a vintage feel right at the entrance by filling the space with antiques. Vintage style is very popular among restaurants in the Midwest. photo courtesy of Lambert’s Cafe

This is outside of Lambert’s Cafe in Foley, Alabama. Lambert’s is constantly busy with hungry visitors and tourists. graphic by Lakshmi Surada from photo courtesy of Infrogmation

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that originated from the midwest such as Chicago hot dogs and Detroit pizza. Overall the midwest has about 12 states, and many more foods.

Andrew Mills, manager of the Lambert’s Cafe chain in the midwest and expert at midwestern food, described the taste of midwestern food.

mashed potatoes.

“Our food is basically good quality, home-cooked food, like a home-cooked meal,” Mills said.

not seem that special, but this restaurant has their rolls rolling out of the oven from 9:15 a.m to 9:30 p.m almost completely without stopping. Last year they baked an average of 520 dozen, or around 6,240 rolls per day, making a total of 2,246,400 rolls per year.

Mills lives in Ozark, Missouri, but Lambert’s Cafe has restaurants in Sikeston, Missouri and Foley, Alabama as well. Mills explained how popular Lambert’s is in the Rolls are found all throughout the midwest, and how it makes up a United States. On the contrary, a “Just good quality food, a lot of big part of midwest’s food culture. food that isn’t found locally all home cooked food, stuff that your over the United States is chicago’s Grandma …. made when I was a “Our average is around 2,500 hot dogs. Glenn Wineland lived kid, stuff like that, good, hearty, people a day,” Mills said. “We in the midwest for sandwich style,” Mills said. have people travel for hundreds 20 years before of miles to eat at our restaurant, In Lambert’s Cafe, home of it’s just a thing to do. Lamberts, “throwed rolls,” waiters throw it’s very unique food, you can rolls to customers instead of only find them in the serving them on a platter. Things midwest, and they weren’t always like that in make a big part Lambert’s though. in midwestern culture.”

“Our restaurant started out as a ada Sur i hm small cafe, and it had like seven Mills explained aks L y b booths and like six foods,” Mills how rolls may hic grap said, “and the owner at the time, he was trying to serve throwed rolls, get some rolls across the Lutefisk served with traditional sides of potatoes, pea stew and bacon. graphic restaurant to a customer, and the

by Lakshmi Surada from image courtesy of Jarvin Jarle Vines customer said to throw the rolls to him, and that’s how it started.”

Mills described other food at Lambert’s as well such as their hog jowl, and Chicken Fried Round Steak. The chicken fried roundsteak, according to Mills, is their number one selling item. It is a round steak, smothered with white gravy, and served with

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“Our food is basically good quality, home-cooked food, like a home cooked meal.”

Andrew Mills, manager of Lambert’s in Ozark, Missouri moving to Austin, said Chicago’s hot dogs are particularly unique.

shmi Surada

phic by Lak “Chicago has a very different gra type of hot dog where it has things like fries and vegetables,” Wineland said. It has even like hot peppers and things that go along with it.”

Other foods that are only found in the midwest are lutefisk and lefse. Lutefisk is a white, gelatinous dish made of aged stockfish or dried and salted whitefish. Lefse is a Norwegian food that is usually a flat bread stuffed with potato.

Both meals are usually eaten in the holidays. Bruce Nicetrom is a home-cook who loves making and trying foods.

“Well Lutefisk, I’ve cooked it many times.” Nicetrom said, “It’s very popular and available here.

Lutefisk and Lefse are typically holiday, Thanksgiving and Christmas primarily, type foods, especially the Lutefisk. I think Lefse is probably more available year round because it’s made here in Wisconsin and Minnesota.”

Lutefisk and Lefse are two foods that are not found in many other places, other than if ordered online.

Nicetrom explained the history behind Lutefisk in the midwest.

“Minnesota was settled primarily

by Scandinavians, Germans and Irish,” Nicetrom said. “They were the predominant immigrants in the 19th century, and Lutefisk is a Scandinavian food.”

Though the midwest has many new foods like the ones above, it also has foods that are more universal,

but make the Midwest what it is.

Raj Frederick lives in Detroit, Michigan, and loves trying new foods, but prefers what he calls “Detroit Food Culture.”

“Unique to Detroit, well I would say the Detroit-Style Pizza. Of course it’s all around, but it’s found a lot here, and we have it at least once in a week or two.

The Detroit-style pizza is definitely a big thing here,” Frederick said. “Another big thing here is fish. Michigan is very close to water, so we get a lot of great fish, so we eat a lot of fish and chips and things like that when it comes to fast food.”

According to Frederick,midwest’s food culture can definitely tell someone a lot about the midwest.

The restaurants and food all have their own unique style and taste.

“Overall though, I love midwestern food, and I like trying new things everyday and learn more about where I live,” said Frederick. “I think food can say a lot about a city or a region, and for anybody new to the midwest, I would say there are so many things for them to try and love.”

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photo coutesy of Jim Bowen

photo outesy of Wikepedia Commons

by Lakshmi Surada

The Midwest has many places for tourists to visit, and the Ball of Twine is often a symbol of tourist spots in the Midwest

Paul Bunyon Statue

Biggest Ball of Twine

photo coutesy of Bowi D

photo coutesy of Mark Stevens

The largest ball of twine is located in Carker City in Kansas. As of September of 2009, the Ball of Twine weighed 19, 198 pounds and was 7, 974, 454 feet long!

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Visit this amazing national park that goes through areas in Cleaveland and Akron. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the home for many species of plants, animals. Exploring this park can offer a rare connection to nature, and provide a look into Ohio’s rich history.

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photo courtesy of Adam Schweigert

See this jawdropping statue in Bangor, Maine. Built out of fiberglass over a metal frame, this statue is 31 feet tall!

Mount Rushmore

Visit this famous 92 year old rock with the faces of 4 great U.S presidents carved on it. Did you know nearly 3 million people visit Mount Rushmore every year?

Skydeck Chicago Skydeck Chicago is located on the 103rd floor in the Willis Tower, which is currently the tallest tower in the Western Hemisphere! The amazing view from this skydeck has a range of up to four states.

photo courtesy of NPS. photo by Kristi Rugg

An Appalachian Trail hiker walks through the Smoky Mountains. Thru-hikers on the AT make memories they keep for a lifetime. photo courtesy of Andrew Graham

ith w ing heir v i l t s r n e o k es Hi v i l ir k the bac

by Catie Graves

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“People will be going out there just to improve their lives and they don’t even realize how much it’s going to improve it,” Laura Johnston, AT NOBO thru-hiker said.

The Appalachian Trail (AT) is a 2,180 mile hike that starts on Springer Mountain, Georgia, and ends on Mount Katahdin, Maine. Hikers who go from Georgia to Maine are considered northbounders, or NOBO, while those that go from Maine to Georgia are southbounders, or SOBO. This trail sees thousands of people every year, some trying to hike the whole thing, while others just hop on for a day hike.

Even if hikers start out alone, they don’t stay that way for long.

The Appalachian is known for its community, and things like “trail angels” and “trail magic” help contribute to that feeling. Johnston said these trail angels are part of what made the experience on the trail positive.

graphic by Catie Graves

There is a lot to be said about the calming effects of nature.

People spend time outside to meditate, feel in control, or just remind themselves that everything will be okay. Sometimes though, some people love being outside so much they decide to hike and live in it for 6 months. This is more commonly known as “thruhiking,” and one place to do it is on the Appalachian Trail.

Appalachian Trail Numbers approximate length of the trail 2200 miles number of states crossed 14 highest elevation of the trail 6,643 feet (clingman’s dome) approximate # of white blazes: 165,000 number of shelters along the trail 262 approximate # of hikers NOBO 2017 3,735 approximate # of hikers SOBO 2017 489 percent of completed thru-hikes 2016 20% Source: “The Latest Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike Statistics” and “21 Appalachian Trail Statistics That Will Surprise, Entertain, and Inform You”

“That is really one of the biggest parts of trail,” Johnston said. “The trail angels themselves doing things for hikers but then overall there’s just kindness, kindness, kindness as kind of the religion.”

week and have massive amounts of food and snacks and other things for the hikers passing through.

Andrew Graham, NOBO thru-hiker 2018, ran into them toward the end of his hike and said they even had postcards with stamps already on Trail angels can be anybody them, so hikers could send letters that does something nice for the back to their families. hikers or trail, from leaving a cold soda or snack in the hiker box to “There’s just a lot of experiences like performing maintenance for the that, where people are just bending trail. Sometimes, though, these trail over backwards to help out and do angels can go all out. In Maine, whatever they can,” Graham said. there is a group of guys who camp “Even the simple ones are great, but out at an AT/road crossing for a every now and then you get some

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that are just over the top.”

Along with the trail angels, another thing that happens is called “trail magic,” which is an unexpected act of kindness. Johnston said when some trail angels who had hosted her and her hiking partner overnight house burned down, she and other hikers raised money for them to rebuild and replace their house.

kindness doesn’t happen for all hikers. Tony Bonanno, SOBO thru hiker 2017, said he didn’t get to experience as much magic and kindness as the northbound did. He also said if the NOBO had a bad attitude, then a lot of the trail angels

account,” Bonanno said. “Then the angels are dependent on the attitudes of the northbounders when they go through.”

Another community aspect of the trail is a tradition called “trail names”, where hikers on the trail are given nicknames that can reflect an aspect of their character, a mannerism they Andrew Graham, NOBO 2018 thru-hiker have, or even a funny experience they had while hiking. just stopped.

Johnston said her trail name, “Hey “That’s a really amazing example Girl,” came from how she always like the trail magic kind of wanting “A lot of the trail magic just didn’t greeted other women on the trail. to come full circle,” Johnston said. exist. You don’t see as much as a Graham’s trail name, “Peanuts,” was southbounder because most of the given to him from a father/son duo Even though trail magic and trail people who put out the magic don’t after they learned he was allergic to angels are pretty widespread, this take southbound schedules into nuts. Bonanno said he got his trail name, “Bog Angel,” after Laura “Hey Girl” Johnston and her hiking partner Ethan “Hatchet” Isoldi share coffee while he fell into a bog in an planning for the day’s hike. These trail names come from an experience one has on the trail. attempt to get to town. photo courtesty of Laura Johnston Trail names are a way to get to know someone and their experiences.

“It’s nice to just feel like everyone’s kind of a friend that you just haven’t made yet.”

“There’s something fun or funny or endearing that you always associated with them,” Johnston said.

The Appalachian Trail is physically and mentally challenging.

Hikers are away from home for months, voluntarily choosing to sleep outside every night and carry their life and livelihood on their back. Johnston said the trail taught her life lessons she still uses.

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“The trail teaches you independence and discipline, because you’re on your own out there,” Johnston said.

“You decide how far you want to go each day, you decide you want to wake up this morning and walk.”

Bonanno said the trail also helped him realize that almost nothing is impossible.

“I think the trail as a whole, taught me really that nothing is too hard,” Bonanno said. “Obviously I’m not going to learn to fly like Superman or hold molten lava in my hand but Tony “Bog Angel” Bonanno sits on the Springer Mountain plaque in Georgia the thing is that if you if you take after completing his SOBO thru-hike. photo courtesy of Tony Bonanno your time and you don’t give up almost anything is doable.”

Since the Appalachian Trail goes probably wouldn’t really come through most of the East Coast, across or run into your normal life,” Graham also said the trail taught him crossing 14 states, there are a lot of Graham said. “Everyone’s from all that he could do anything. He said he different people and communities sorts of different backgrounds and reminded himself this was different hikers come into contact with. locations, whether its domestic, challenge from anything he’s ever Johnston said while you’re on the international, and it’s nice to just done, and just to keep going. trail, you’re compelled to interact feel like everyone’s kind of a friend with people you don’t normally talk that you just haven’t made yet.”

“Stuff that does seem pretty daunting to or even meet. and challenging, just go out and keep The Appalachian Trail is a mental doing it,” Graham said. “So some “There’s really a chance to learn and physical journey that can help days, just put your head down and about what America is today,” hikers focus on themselves and the just kind of keep chugging along Johnston said. “You know, it’s not beauty of the nature around them and kind of do more than what you like being in your cocoon or where and be part of a community of hikers may have and it may be even more you’re from it’s working class, who are just as passionate about the what you realize.” white collar, blue collar, educated, outdoors as them. less educated, old, young and you Bonanno said sometimes you’re feel that in the people that you hike “It kind of is quiet existence for going to run into rough terrain, or with and the towns you go to.” a while that both encourages and bad weather, and that’s really when forces you to just kind of listen to you have to focus on yourself and Graham said hiking gives everybody your thoughts for a long time,” keep going. a thing in common, and how you can Johnston said. “Listen to who you really run into anybody on the trail. are, be with people outside and just “It’s more mentally hard than Everybody shares the same goal of kind of quiet things down in a way physically hard,” Bonanno said. “It’s hiking to Maine from Georgia, and that’s really hard to do otherwise.” not necessarily going in with a good that gives hikers something to talk attitude so much as maintaining the about. good attitude because no two days are going to be the same.”

“So it just made it nice to have this kind of connection to people you

29

by Catie Graves (with assistance from Olivia Ashy)

what you need: 2 cups granulated sugar 1 cup pure maple syrup (Grade A Light Amber) 1/2 cup light cream 2 tablespoons butter 8 inch square pan medium saucepan candy thermometer Grease the pan well and set aside. wooden spoon recipe from Maple Syrup Cookbook by Ken Haedrich

Combine all of the ingredients in the sauce pan, and cook over medium high heat until it boils. Make sure you are continually stirring.

Clip the candy thermometer to the side of the pan, and continue stirring until the syrup reaches 238 degrees Fahrenheit Remove the pan from the heat and cool until it’s 110 degrees. Do not stir or disturb the syrup during this step, which should take around one hour Once cool, remove the candy thermometer and beat the mixture with a wooden spoon until the fudge begins to set, looses its gloss, and lightens in color.

Quickly press the mixture into the pan and score into squares while it is still warm.

When it is firm, fully cut into squares. Store tightly covered and enjoy!

Yields 24 pieces

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road trip essentials

by Catie Graves

from a survey sent out to 39 high school freshmen

pretzels: 51%

popcorn: 49%

goldfish: 56%

cheez-its: 44%

chex mix: 67%

trail mix: 33%

gummy bears: 51%

gummy worms: 49%

grapes: 59%

oranges: 41%

cheetos: 54%

doritos: 46%

sprite: 54%

root beer: 46%

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by Lakshmi Surada

people needed: 2 or more how to play:

Alphabet Game

goal: Be the first to find signs that start with every letter

Look ot the window! There are signs everywhere! In this game, you will be looking out for signs that start with letters of the alphabet IN ORDER. Starting with A, call out the letter and the word, and move on to the next letter, and you win if you are the first one to call out Z!

Bingo

people needed: 2 or more materials: Bingo cards (The aqquired cards can include pictures, logos, objects, or more!), Wrting Utensil

how to play:

original:

goal: Be the first to get a five in a row on your BINGO card!

people needed: 2 or more how to play:

Look out the window, and check off the boxes on yor card that you find! A five in a row can be horizontal, vertical or across.

make it harder!: For an extra challenge play blackout! If you play this way, all the rules are the same, but to win, all the boxes must be checked off!

Version 1:

goal: Find license plates with all 50 states

While driving, call out the state everytime you see a license plate from a different state. You can play the game competetively so the frst person two find all the states wins or you can pay it so it is a team goal to spot all 50 states!

Version 2: goal: Be the first to find license plates starting with every letter of the alphabet in order.

In this version, you are trying to be the first to spot the whole aphabet on lincense plates, but here’s the twist! They need to be the first letters on the plate!

License Plate Game

33

by Kendra Smith

Info from RandMcNally’s Top 10 RoadTrip Movies

Top 6 Amazing Road Trip Movies The Muppet Movie

Crossroads - This creative and

outstanding movie shows that friendship goes for miles.

The Muppet Movie - These lovable friends go on a journey and make lasting friendships along the way.

Are We There Yet? - These

kids are willing to make this roadtrip the trip of a lifetime.

RV - This family vacation takes a sharp turn into wacky-ville.

Sure Thing - When a simple

carpool turns into a nightmare, two classmates change their point of view of each other.

The Bucket List -

These

hospital buddies go on an adventure to claim the times they have lost.

d?

What better 34

a o r e h t n o e l i wh e m i t p u d e e to sp

by Olivia Ashy

On the Road Again- Willie Nelson relevant lyrics- goin’ places that I’ve never been, seein’ things that I may never see again

Take Me Home Country Roads- John Denver relevant lyrics- the radio reminds me of my home far away, and driving down the road I get a feeling

Life is a Highway- Tom Cochrane relevant lyrics- life’s like a road that you travel on, when there’s one day here and the next day gone

Send Me On My Way- Rusted Root relevant lyrics- send me on my way

On My Way- Brother Bear relevant lyrics- new friends and new places to see, with blue skies ahead

On the Open Road- A Goofy Movie relevant lyrics- just grab a friend and take a ride, together upon the open road

Wagon Wheel- Darius Rucker relevant lyrics- heading down south to the pines, i’m thumbing my way into north caroline

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Special Thanks To: Kevin Garcia

Glenn Wineland

Laura Johnston

Bruce Nicetrom

Andrew Graham

Andrew Mills

Tony Bonanno

Jacqueline Langholtz

Caroline Himbert

Kimberly Bennett

Ann Bond

Sherri Driscoll

Kelly Carroll

and you, the reader

Credits

36

Back cover- Olivia Ashy

“Road Trip� title graphic- Olivia Ashy

Credits page- Catie Graves

Road Trip Essentials- Olivia Ashy, Catie Graves,

Folio- Lakshmi Surada

Kendra Smith, Lakshmi Surada

Front cover- Olivia Ashy

Transition pages- Lakshmi Surada and Olivia Ashy

Endsign- Olivia Ashy

Thru the Trek drop cap- Olivia Ashy

Inside front cover- Lakshmi Surada

Wild West drop cap- Olivia Ashy

Inside back cover- Olivia Ashy

Traveling Through History drop cap- Kendra Smith

Letter from Editors- Lakshmi Surada

Tastes of the Midwest drop cap- Lakshmi Surada

“There’s a whole world out there, right outside your window. You’d be a fool to miss it.”

- Charlotte Eriksson

photo courtesy of Sunil Sharma

find this magazine at ontheroadagainezine.weebly.com