Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

This country is big. HUGE. And while there are many differences across the states, we are also all ridiculously, similarly human. I present a handful outrageously over-simplified findings from over three weeks on the road:

1. People are bad drivers everywhere. I repeat, everywhere.
2. Mexican is the go-to cheap, yummy food that you have when visitors are in town.
3. There are kind, generous people everywhere – they let you stay in their houses and feed you and show you around their town.
4. Using turn signals has gone out of style.
5. Using the left lane for passing only has also gone out of style.
   

   Straddling the Texas-New Mexico state line

6. People are fiercely proud of the place they live; regardless of whether they moved there and never regretted it, or whether they feel ambivalent and/or mildly trapped there, it is home and is something to be loved.
7. Having visitors is a good excuse to revisit your favorite places.
   

   Inside the Texas state capitol building

8. People have very strong opinions about where you park.
9. Outside of New Mexico, a New Mexico license plate is an oddity to be stared at.
10. Anywhere, a car that is packed full to the gills is an oddity to be stared at.