RACHEL BETTERS, CONEY ISLAND, NY
courage from
As a Midwest-born-and-raised girl from Wisconsin, I can appreciate vast stretches of farmland, quiet lakes and quaint, bite-sized downtowns. But most Americans and tourists would agree that some of the best spots in the U.S. lie on the east and west coasts. How can you resist sprawling mountain ranges, bustling cities and ocean views? Because my mom likes to torture our family with 20+ hour road trips, I’ve travelled up and down both coasts, collecting some of my favorite cities—Boston, Portland, Seattle and New York—along the way. But the question is...which coast is best? I’ll cop out of that debate right now and tell you that there is no universal, or even beneficial, answer to that question. Both coasts are worth a dedicated road trip no matter your preference. So, I guess you’ll just have to decide for yourself! But, in the meantime, here are a few of the differences I’ve noticed, plus a few ways I was inspired by these places to be courageous!
1. You can’t beat the beach. Of course, the greatest draw of both the east and west coasts are the coasts themselves! In my opinion, there
38
SOUVENIRS
EAST
is no better way to take advantage of the coastline than to take the scenic route along the coastal highways. The vast stretch of ocean will keep you company as you meander through the cliffs, stopping more often than your itinerary allows to dip your feet in the cool water. The rocky shores of the east coast will stir up daydreams of sipping coffee on the balcony of your private lighthouse, eyes tracking sailboats across the horizon while the salty breeze mists your face. In the west, California sunshine reflects off the sand like glitter and the warm breeze plays with your hair, inviting you to sit and stay awhile to watch the crashing waves. I remember hiking along the shores of Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine when my brother started climbing down the rocky cliffs. My desire to follow him down and see what lie out of sight went head to head with my practical, worrisome nature. What if I drop my phone? What if I slip? Is this trespassing? There’s no path here! Thankfully, an adventurous spirit came out of nowhere and took over, luring me down—and wow was it worth it. We ended up coming across a huge natural cave littered with pools of water invaded by tiny crabs and colorful seaweed. I could have sat in there, staring out at the ocean for hours.
