I'm about as close as I'll get to the geographical heart of the USA on this trip around the States. In a few hours, I will check out another icon of the USA - the headquarters for Wal Mart in Bentonville, AR (Not AK - That's Alaska!!). I thought I heard somewhere that Wal Mart accounts for 2%+ of the US economy as measured by GDP.
After nearly 70 days on the road so far I'm in the home stretch. I am definitely tired of driving. I have largely accomplished what I set out to do - that is to understand the diverse tapestry of the US (Beyond popular culture) and get a better connection in my mind about its history, its future, as well as to discover more about myself as an American.
I haven't posted too much on the website the last few weeks. I've been writing and taking many notes, but I have been too drained from driving, meeting people, and seeing things to process those writings and post them. Of course, I have taken a ton of pictures too. I'll have a week in Orange County, CA and then 6 weeks in Washington State before I head to Australia, to complete and post as much as I can. Once again, I have a lot of ideas I want to ponder and write about. I also have more pre-trip chores I need to accomplish before I head out on the biggest part of my round the world travels in late September.
It has only been 2.5 months of driving in the US but I feel like it's been several years of living. (I don't look it hopefully!) I suspect there have been few, if any, people, stupid enough to have driven and seen as much as I have in so short a time of the US. (Essentially all 4 corners of the continental US- save Florida; Seattle, Boston, Savannah, San Diego area, as far south as Laredo,TX too! Plus I stopped to see things!) But, the things I do in pursuit of ideas and knowledge! I've been compiling some basic trip statistics and will post them soon. Call me an idiot or a fool - but the fruits of this endeavor will bear themselves out soon enough....
Cheers,
Wayne
Drivers Retrace First Cross-US Trip (National Geographic)
Where is geographical center of United States? (Ask Yahoo!)
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It's a Wal Mart World and Boeing Isn't Immune (Seattle Times)
Wal Mart Nation (Article on another website from NY Post Business Section - 2002)
How Wal-Mart is Remaking Our World (AlterNet.org)
Boycott Wal-Mart (Indyweek.com)
Note: I have not completely read all the websites nor have I cross-checked data. These are simply a few that came up on my search at Yahoo!. The better question to ask once again is what the impact of Wal Mart says about humans (It ain't flattering). For the record - I personally have never bought anything at Wal-Mart. I've walked in sure, but I don't think I've ever spent a dime. The stores are just too big for me. Target and Home Depot are big enough for me. Even those latter two I seldom patronized in the last couple of years - even less so now that I don't own a home! The discussion of Wal Mart and superstores requires a whole separate research effort on my part to do at least a half-assed job. If I write about it I'll do it as part of a larger effort later.
