American Spirit

Americans are a clever group. It wasn’t long after Henry Ford invented mass production of the automobile that we were converting them into moveable homes.

In fact, both Ford and Thomas Edison were avid “campers.” At the Edison Museum in Fort Myers, FL, an actual 1900s touring car is on display, complete with pull-down sides to hold supplies, chairs, dishes, pots and pans. As you can see from the RV pictorial beginning on page 16, Americans have conjured up every sort of modification and design, from the svelte Roadliner to the efficient Sports King. When we hit the road, we hit the road in style.

Also in this issue, I had the opportunity to visit New Orleans. The trip, my first since Hurricane Katrina, left me completely surprised. I expected to find the city in shambles, still knee-deep in floodwaters. What I did find was that New Orleans proper, including the French Quarter, Garden District, Museum Street and other areas, has almost completely recovered from any damage it sustained during the storm. I was thrilled to see that visitors are returning to one of the most fascinating cities in the country.

Check out some of America’s favorite dishes and the cities that made them famous in Great Destinations, Great Food. Our food timeline gives you a glimpse into some of the foods, condiments and drinks that have been developed over the years. Spam light?
Yep, the makers of Spam released this airy version in 1992. Bon Appétit!

Editor-in-chief, AAA Going Places

letters@aaagoingplaces.com

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