As I have always dreamed of  standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, as I felt a sense of liberation wash over me. My parents had passed away, after I have put my life on hold helping and living with my dad the last 8 years of his life my mom passed when I was 26 and I had been helping take care of her since childhood, and I finally have the freedom to explore the world now.  I'd always dreamed.. I had always been fascinated by the American West, its vast open spaces, rugged landscapes, and rich history. I longed to experience it firsthand, to hike through the Grand Canyon, to see the sunset over the Rocky Mountains, and to explore the vibrant cities of the West Coast. I have a outline below. 

 

I estimated the cost of my trip to be around $8,000, which would cover transportation, accommodation, food, and activities. Here's how I broke it down:

 

Transportation: $1,600 (gas, flights, buses, and trains)

Accommodation: $2,400 (camping, budget hotels, and hostels)

Food: $1,600 (eating out, groceries, and snacks)

Activities: $2,400 (hiking, sightseeing, and entrance fees)

Total: $8,000

With my budget in place, I outlined my adventure:

Day 1-3: Grand Canyon, Arizona

*Hike the Bright Angel Trail

Watch the sunset at Hopi Point

Explore the South Rim

Camp at Mather Campground

Day 4-6: Oregon

*Drive the Columbia River Gorge

Visit Multnomah Falls

Explore Portland's food scene

Stay at the Portland International Guesthouse

Day 7-9: Washington

*Hike in Olympic National Park

Visit the Space Needle in Seattle

Explore Pike Place Market

Camp at Kalaloch Campground

Day 10-12: Glacier National Park, Montana

*Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road

Hike to Glacier Gorge

Spot wildlife like grizzlies and mountain goats

Camp at Many Glacier Campground

Day 13-15: Wyoming

*Visit Old Faithful in Yellowstone

Hike in Grand Teton National Park

Spot wildlife like bison and elk

Camp at Grant Village Campground

Day 16-18: Colorado

*Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park

Explore the scenic town of Aspen

Drive the Million Dollar Highway

Camp at Aspen Campground

Day 19-21: Texas

*Visit the Alamo in San Antonio

Explore the vibrant city of Austin

Try Texas BBQ

Stay at the Super 8 by Wyndham San Antonio

Day 22-24: Texas Gulf Coast

*Relax on the beaches of Galveston

Visit the Johnson Space Center

Explore the historic district of Galveston

Stay at the Commodore. 
Day 25-30
Make my way back home to Georgia with a life time of memories