Over the last 12 months I have traveled ALMOST that far and never got to the Mississippi river. But made about the same observations. Saw a lot from West Palm Beach FL to Northern PA. I was disappointed with the tower at the 911 memorial in PA. The wind was blowing hard but the chimes were barely making any noise. Saw lots of covered bridges up there also. Annapolis MD and the Naval Academy were a treat along with the water front there. Froze in a mountain top camp ground near Morgantown WV. Saw the bridge where they jump off every year, very impressive. Went to Pigeon Forge TN twice, another trip to Bristol Tn (going back there tomorrow) Western NC mountains 2 or 3 times, Asheville, Hendersonville areas. Went to Fl twice, once for a week in west palm beach and another time a week on the gulf side and a week near Daytona, loved Tarpon springs. spent 10 days in Charleston and surrounding areas. We just go, stop, then pick another spot and go once more. Seeing our country.