Does Anyone Keep A Memento Of Where They Have Trucked?

When I started driving, I wanted to collect shot glasses and refrigerator magnets. My goal was to eventually get one from all the lower 48 states.

Then I started noticing that in some truck stops, they literally sell shot glasses and refrigerator magnets from every state in the union. All in one store.

That kind of took the fun out of the whole idea, so I stopped.

Now I just try to find unique gifts for my family. Like when I was passing from New Mexico to Arizona, I stopped at an Indian reservation to get them some authentic moccasins made by the locals. It was only after I got home and gave them to my wife that she noticed the words "Made in the Dominican Republic" on them.

It's like there's no fun in collecting anything anymore. Everything is mass produced and readily available just about anywhere. And there's always Amazon.com to fill in the gaps.

So now, anytime I'm in rural Wisconsin, my wife demands that I buy her some local Amish dairy products. That's about the only thing I've found that is somewhat unique and authentic.

Every state has something uniquely authentic to that state..... Tourist traps!!! If they are on my route, I want to purchase a postcard, and other momento from that specific place. I have always been a sucker for a good tourist trap. It doesn't matter if it was made in timbuktoo, it still has the name and place. I will take a selfie, and send it with the postcard, and momento to my wife☺

authentic moccasins made by the locals. It was only after I got home and gave them to my wife that she noticed the words "Made in the Dominican Republic" on them.

They were made by the locals in the dominican republic... authentically. no false advertisement there... right... haha

I have found it quite difficult to find things actually made by natives anymore... you're best bet for that is to go to a pow wow, street fair or swap meet type place.

Take a pic of the state sign the family and I have been to all 48. We have a pic of all of them

I bought a map of the world and I put a pin in each place around the world I went while in the military. Didn't have to be stationed, just went. 2 hour layover in Shanon, Ireland counted. 30 minute stop in Thailand for fuel didn't count. I love looking at it to this day and it is a pretty big conversation piece for visitors to the house.

Camper door has a map of the US and came with stickers of each State to install when we visited those States. Love putting a new sticker on each time we go somewhere new.

I have also done the shot glasses but ended up taking them down since it was just something else to collect dust.

I like the idea of picking up something that is unique to that area (like the bbq sauce). *** if you are in Wisconsin grab your cheese curds or kringle.

When I was in the Navy and got "tanked" in every port, I'd always seem to loose the "stuff" I had bought. So my Senior Chief suggested I buy a collectible spoon at each port. Right now I have almost 130, in three wall displays, of them and over half from outside the US. So, when I do get behind the wheel I plan on continuing my collection.