My family has gone on two cross-country road trips, and they have both been amazing experiences. The second trip we went on, we drove from Washington State to New York City and back. It was a trip that lasted 34 days, 25 states, and 8800 miles, and it was a life changer. I learned a lot about myself, my family, and road trips in general during that month, and I want to share with you the top 10 things I learned on that long road trip back in 2013.

1. Car sing-a-longs are inevitable

My family had me burn several CDs before our trip, and they had everything from Disney to 80s Rock to the State songs of the states we were going to pass through. We fell in love with the Newsies soundtrack (and later got to see the show on Broadway!), but I can also now sing the entire state song of Maryland (which is called "Maryland, My Maryland") from heart. You just have to embrace the music and sing and dance your heart out the best you can while squished between two other people in the backseat.

2. At times it will be boring, but that's okay

There were times when we were driving through parts of the Midwest when we would look outside and say, "Hey look, there's some corn... and there are some soy beans... oh my, more corn. And now more soy beans... Ooo, some wheat, that's new!" Other times, it would be night and there wouldn't be anything to do, so I would plug headphones into my iPod and just zone out listening to music. But, these breaks from hectic-ness were nice because they gave me a chance to re-energize before heading off on some new adventure the next day.

3. There are SO many cool sights in the U.S.

From the Empire State Building to the Gateway Arch to the sunflower fields in Kansas, there are so many amazing sights across the country to see and so many different cultures to experience. And these sights range for more than just the classic landmarks like Mt. Rushmore and the Statue of Liberty, but also the open fields of Wyoming and the beauty of the northern Kentucky back-country.

4. Inside jokes with your family are the best

My family and I have so many inside jokes now from our trips that I'm sure will make great dinner conversation at Christmas ten years down the road. (I recommend always checking that your roof-rack is locked and secure every morning before you set off down the highway.)

5. Spending that much time with people... you will get annoyed at some points

I had to sit between my 11 year old brother and 8 year old sister for the majority of the trip, and yes, we fought. If you spend that much time around the same people in a small space, then you are definitely going to get annoyed with them.

6. Headphones are a life saver

Whenever I got angry at my siblings or bored by the drive or even just needed a pick-me-up, I would plug into my own music rather than listening to what the rest of my family was listening to. It was a great way to have some time to myself, and they saved me from many arguments, especially in regards to what CD we should listen to next.

7. Sweat is also inevitable

In certain parts of the country... you can't avoid sweat. Try as you might to avoid being drenched in your own sweat, as soon as you step outside anywhere in the Midwest, South, or even the East Coast... *BOOM* you are taking a shower in your sweat. It is gross and I'm still not sure how I feel about it, but it's reality.

8. Keep a camera on you at all times when you go on a road trip

Sometimes, you look back into the backseat, and you see your dad playing with your stuffed Dory while sitting between your two younger siblings. These are the moments when you need to make sure you have a camera handy at all times. I have some priceless pictures that have some priceless memories attached to them, and I wouldn't trade those moments for the world.

9. I love to travel

Michael Palin once said: "Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life." My family has always gone on mini trips around Washington and Oregon during the summers, but our two major road trips have made me realize how much I love experiencing different cultures and meeting people from around the country and around the world. My parents helped inspire my love to travel, and for that I am forever grateful.

10. I love my family

This picture is from right before my family left on the first part of the cross-country road trip that we like to call "The Great American Road Trip of 2013." I spent a lot of time with them that summer... and yes we fought, yes we got annoyed with each other, but we also had an amazing trip and have hundreds of stories to tell. I love my family, and I know that going on this adventure together definitely brought us closer than we ever were before.