Courage from East to West

RACHEL BETTERS, CONEY ISLAND, NY

courage from

EAST

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 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.

WEST to

BY LILI SARAJIAN

RACHEL BETTERS, SAN FRANCISCO, CA

2. Funky and fresh or historical charm?

The beaches and natural landscapes of the coasts leave plenty to explore, but if cities are more your speed, look no further than Portland or Seattle for youth and vibrance, dipped in the laid back personality of the west coast. Don’t miss Powell’s Books, Voodoo Doughnut, Pike Place Market and the Museum of Pop Culture—some of my favorite destinations in these two cities!

If you’re a sucker for brick townhouses and historical landmarks, eastern cities like Boston and Charleston are as charming as they are trendy. My top places to visit would be Newbury Street, the Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall Marketplace and The Angel Oak on Johns Island.

If you’re taking a break from natural scenery to head into town, then you’d better check out the local restaurants! Trying new foods is another fantastic way to be courageous during your travels. Personally, I handle spicy food about as well as I handle finals week...which is to say, pretty poorly. But, when we found an amazing Korean restaurant in Seattle that we couldn’t pass up, I forced myself to push my boundaries. While Chimaek and Jjambbong won’t make my weekly meal prep plan anytime soon, that dining experience remains one of my favorites.

3. Los Angeles and New York are worlds of their own.

Speaking of cities... I saved the biggest—but not necessarily best—for last. It seems that L.A. and New York are worlds of their own, set apart from their respective landscapes. These cities are well-loved and prominent centers of culture and the arts, but they are also far more crowded and congested than their competition. I would reserve your judgement about the rest of the west and east coasts if you’ve only made it to these cities. In fact, these destinations would better make for dedicated trips, with places like Disneyland, Universal Studios and Hollywood Boulevard in L.A., and Broadway, Central Park and Liberty Island in New York being worthy of full day trips on their own.

For me, everything about New York tested my anxieties, from figuring out how to take the subway to being shepherded in the wrong direction by a hoard of people to facing sensory overload from all of the loud, flashy distractions. That being said, New York is definitely the most engaging, exciting city of all the ones I’ve visited on the coasts. The adjustment period of forcing myself to slow down and take it all in was worth it to be able to appreciate one of the world’s most iconic cities in its full glory.