Enchantment

Only begins to describe the

Resounding

Beauty of this land.

Landscapes resemble

Shape shifters

Morphing from a glorious prairie

To a sandy desert in an instant where tumble weeds

Frolic

Into gardens of yucca, cholla, and prickly pears

For miles and miles to the eye’s delight.

Lakes and rivers fulfill the role of

Mirrors

To reflect the incredible mountain-scapes

Encompassing

This vast spread of magnificence.

The Rio Grande

Concurrently

Displays itself in many cities, so one doesn’t forget its

Splendor

To the sustenance of the land.

The hot springs of Truth or Consequences

Engulfs

Its partakers with the natural warmth

And minerals to sufficiently sooth the soul.

Basalt lava flow

Blankets

The Valley of Fire in a never-ending sea

Of the midnight hue of the witching hour visibly

Contrasting

The cascading rocks against the shrubbery

With the native desert plants.

The Land of Enchantment

Summons

All who visit to repeatedly return

To the unexpected charm of the

Southwest.

I have always wanted to travel to all 50 states.  Not just pass through, but experience the culture or see something historical.  I realized earlier this year, that I was very close.  So close, that at the end of 2018, I would only need 14 more states to reach my goal.  I have decided to make it my two year journey to travel to the rest of those 14 states to reach 50 by my 50th birthday in February 2021.  So here is to my trek for 50 by 50…

 

In 1971, a girl from Tennessee came to be

Realizing at a young age, the U. S. she wanted to see.

 

A few states she must travel through and to,

Arkansas to get to Missouri for family she knew.

 

Close by was Mississippi, reaching without fret

She would go with Mom and Dad to the Carter’s Outlet.

 

Still under 10, Alabama and Georgia were reached

When vacationing in Florida at the beach.

 

Texas was next with family moving in.

Dallas and Houston were traveled to see those kin.

 

North Carolina, Kansas, Virginia, and Illinois came next,

While Kentucky and Indiana were seen on a work trek.

 

California was always a bucket list state

By way of work, she was able to see how great.

 

Washington was visited next, the state that is.

At the top of the Space Needle leaving her in a state of dizz.

 

The bright lights of Las Vegas, Nevada shone so bright

As the desert of Sedona, Arizona with colors of might.

 

School sent her to a conference in New Orleans, Louisiana after May

Where she experienced the Cajun culture and ate Crawfish Etouffee.

 

Another state on her bucket list – Hawaii

Fulfilled her dreams of what it should be.

 

Michigan was attended in a blizzard for a bowl game,

While the landscapes of Pennsylvania put many to shame.

 

Always wanting to visit New York – a dream to see.

While there, she also went over to the state of New Jersey.

 

Seeing many beaches in her time,

She added one more in South Caroline.

 

Going out west to Colorado made her day,

But walking to the high point of Nebraska, she didn’t have much to say.

 

Mount Rushmore in South Dakota was grand

And Devil’s Tower, Ahhh, a place for aliens to land.

 

Boston, Massachusetts filled with so much colonial history to take in.

Rhode Island and New Hampshire were wonderful day trips to pin.

 

A world filled with Poe in Baltimore, Maryland

With a jaunt to Delaware – to the beach – not so bland.

 

Oklahoma, a great state for simplicity and steak,

Travelling quickly to New Mexico for green chilies and hot springs to partake.

 

Thirty-six complete, and fourteen to go,

In two years before she turns the big 5-0.