# Seeing the "real America"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeing-the-real-america/550493>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [August 17, 2010, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeing-the-real-america/550493 "2010-08-17T02:52:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 5

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeing-the-real-america/550493/81 "2010-08-23T11:11:48Z")

</div>

> [@Muffin](#):
>
> I’ve had some terrific road trips throughout the USA by avoiding interstates, and keeping to dirt roads when possible.
> 
> The USA is a wonderful place with a lot of wonderful people. The nice thing about traveling off the beaten path is that often you have more opportunity to speak with them.

This X 2

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeing-the-real-america/550493/82 "2010-08-23T13:28:08Z")

</div>

This thread has me hankering to take another road trip myself.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeing-the-real-america/550493/83 "2010-08-23T16:00:36Z")

</div>

And if a real America road trip does not satiate you, let Roadside America guide you through a more surreal America road trip. [http://www.roadsideamerica.com/](http://www.roadsideamerica.com/)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeing-the-real-america/550493/84 "2010-08-23T16:12:21Z")

</div>

> [@Athena](#):
>
> […] let’s face it, the whole concept of the “Real” America or “Real” France or whatever is stupid. Is New York City less America than Des Moines, IA?

As someone who’s spent time both places, yes and no.  
In Des Moines you’re so surrounded by America you can’t really perceive it.  
In New York all you see is New York, but you _feel_ America - its power and attraction to the rest of the world.

I think you _feel_ the real America more often than you _see_ it. Go someplace in midsummer when it’s hot and sunny, where there’s grass and people gather in groups. Game, picnic, fair, whatever - there have to be people in numbers doing things. Stand - don’t sit - directly in the sun. Get hot and a little uncomfortable. Watch, feel, smell, and listen.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeing-the-real-america/550493.md?page=4)