There’s no denying the US is one of the most staggeringly diverse places on Earth — in both landscape and ideology. From the mountain peaks to cities that never sleep, and everything in between, it kind of feels like ten countries stitched into one. And, maybe because of that diversity, it’s complicated.

I’ve camped beneath the pines of the Adirondacks, explored the wildness of NYC on multiple trips (three? four?), devoured juicy burgers on a desert Texan road, and chased childhood nostalgia through the magic of Disney.. The West Coast? Still calling my name.

But if I’m being honest, and I always try to be, it’s not a country I can wholeheartedly recommend right now. The political climate is heavy, the divisions sharp, and as a generally liberal-minded (and basic human rights loving) traveller, it often leaves me uneasy. That said, the natural beauty is undeniable, and for those choosing to explore it, there’s still so much wonder to be found.