On the road again.
Most of us have traveled. Some more than others. These days, a lot of people complain about traveling. Gas prices are too high. Flying has become pretty insane because of outlandish, unmannered people, and big boats are risky due to rampant illness spreads.
Nonetheless. At the core of things, traveling can still be exciting for many people.
But. The truth is that it is a lot easier than it used to be. For instance, going from New York to California in the early 1800s would have taken months. And many people who set out didn’t even survive the trip.
History tells us that things used to be a lot harder where travel is concerned.
Jumping back to the early 19th century, settlers could travel from 15 to 20 miles per day by covered wagon. So, if we consider the distance between New York and California is around 2,445 miles, the journey would take approximately 122 to 162 days. Pack your bags. We’ll be on the road anywhere from four to six months.
Here are some more.
By Horse: 4-6 Months.
These folks were known as riding “ocean to ocean.” They had to allow for rest, both of themselves and their horses. There may also be delays for tasks like changing horseshoes or for bad weather.
By Boat in the 1850s: 43 Days
By the mid-1800s, traveling to California from New York was possible by boat via the Isthmus of Panama or by sailing around the tip of South America. Taking the Isthmus of Panama route reportedly took approximately 43 days, while sailing around South America took about 198 days.
By Train in 1860: Four Weeks
Technology for rail travel advanced considerably by the mid-1800s. By the late 1850s, it was possible to travel from New York to California in four weeks – the only states you couldn’t reach in one month from New York were in the Pacific Northwest.
And these days, by train in modern day would take about four days.
By a bus, then? Currently, according to Greyhound, taking a bus from New York to California is a three-day trip. On the journey, you’ll travel through 12 states.
And finally, by car in the modern-day takes about 41 hours. Depending on the driver.
But as we know, most people who travel from NYC to the West Coast will hop on a plane, which generally takes about six hours.
If we had high-speed trains like so many other developed countries do, it would take less than 20 hours.
So pack your bags, if that is your thing. Travel has come a long way.
For me? I have always been a bit of a homebody, but now, moreso than ever. Traveling seems like a great big hassle to me. My curiosities are fulfilled through virtual exploration, even though I realize it is not the same as “being there.” But. The cons outweigh the pros for me.
So, to my adventurous friends? I wish you Godspeed. (Which is kind of a weird word if you ask me, but it means “well wishes on your endeavor.”)
Mostly? There’s no place like home.
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“Adventure is worthwhile in itself.” – Amelia Earhart
(Whoops.)
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“The journey not the arrival matters.” – T.S. Eliot
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“To travel is to take a journey into yourself.” – Danny Kaye
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Hitch your wagon, or fly your plane.
