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Hey there, I’m Scott, former Pittsburgher and current Chicagoan. I started Quirky Travel Guy as a way to document the cool things I see and do on the road, throughout all 50 states and with the occasional international journey, and to inspire others to move beyond their comfort zone, get out there and see the world!
About Me
In 2009, I left my 9-to-5 office job and set off on a four-month solo van trip through 46 states. I blogged daily about my journey as I slept in my van in small towns across America, enjoyed big-city life from Hollywood to New York City, camped outside with coyotes in Death Valley and spent quality time with friends, old and new.
I provide the perspective of the young(ish) indie hipster type who loves urban life but also enjoys small-town America and national parks. In the past three years, I’ve visited 49 states – all of the continental U.S. plus Alaska (check out my post about the unforgettable experience of flightseeing on a glacier.) And I’m coming for Hawaii just as soon as I can!
Budget travel within North America is my primary niche, with a special emphasis on the quirky, offbeat sights that make a destination unique. Besides travel, I’m way into popular music, nature & wildlife, sports, LGBT issues, and history, so you’ll see elements of those topics sprinkled into my travel writing.
I’m proud of the fact that every photo and video that appears on this site is mine, and I only write about places I’ve visited first-hand. Even if I never capture any photography awards, I feel strongly about avoiding creative commons and borrowed Flickr images and sticking with my 100% original pictures. Hopefully the personal touch comes through!
I’m a founding member of the Professional Travel Bloggers Association, and I’ve been published on Matador Travel, AOL Travel and a few other places you’ve probably heard of, but for now most my travel-related content is going to appear right here. My current life goal is to continue to move beyond my comfort zone. For more about me and my past travels, check out the Interview with Myself.
For inquiries regarding advertising, press trips or other random correspondence, I can be reached at scott (at) quirkytravelguy.com. Happy travels!
hey scott! happy to find your blog through fellow pals @amzkiz #FF tweet! great especially because i just bought the tiniest rv ever made and plan to take off soon. can’t wait to dig in to your van-dwelling road trip posts!
Lorna – the roamantics recently posted..The Best Gift EVER- A Friend Gives Me the World
Cool, thanks for following! Living in a tiny RV sounds fun… I’ll be following you as well.
We share your love of the national Parks. We are planning our annual trip to Glacier national Park as I write this.
Look forward to following your journey.
The NVR Guys recently posted..Travelogue – feeding our guilt in Boston
Hey Scott! Just saw you on the Google doc of travelers and thought I’d say hi since we are both in Chicago! Nice site. Where are you now? We should meet up for coffee sometime!
Lisa
Hey Lisa, thanks for the kind words. I’m in Chicago and would love to get together… will send you an email!
Hey, Have you ever been to centralia pa?
Not that I recall but I may have passed through when visiting State College or Harrisburg.
I was born and raised in the Rox…”The Bottoms” actually! Thanks for #62 in you list of 66 more things you love about Pittsburgh. It was a great place when I grew up there…sadly it’s not the same place it used to be. I wonder if I knew your cousins…everybody knows everybody else in the Rox.
Hi Scott,
I have been keen to try route66 for sometime now, but take it real slow and venture off into side towns etc along the way..
Would this be something you could recommend?
Thanks!
Duncan
That could be a good trip, but large parts of it are empty with little to see. If I did a route 66 road trip, I would be sure to schedule some side trips, like the Grand Canyon, maybe Roswell, Dallas or San Diego. I think it would be a lot of fun!
My sister and I just finished a road trip…we started in Salt Lake City then headed to Craters of the Moon. Before Craters of the Moon we stayed the night in Pocatello, ID and happened upon The Clean Museum!!! We even had our own person tour with Mr. Aslett. I think you should definitely visit Pocatello and Don Aslett’s Clean Museum.
That sounds like a cool place to check out. I will keep it in mind. Thanks for the tip!
Hi Scott….I read about your trips on Accuweather. The picture shown is of what looks like temples in rustic red, like bricks. Would you please tell me the name of this place and where it is. Below the picture, it reads, Top Travel News Stories of 2012. I am now reading all you stories.
Thamk you
Hi, I am not sure what that temple is. The photo was placed into the article by someone else. Sorry I can’t help on that one!
Hey Scott,
Stumbled onto your blog- really awesome stuff! My girlfriend and I are on a journey in our van and I look forward to following you!
We blog too- pretty informally, check us out at http://www.followyes.com!
- Kat
Cool, thanks for the comment. Have fun on the trip!