Thor's 50 State Travel
Thor Flanagan, a.k.a. Gary Flanagan's
Travel Site & Blog
Thor’s World.
Centrally Located: Who am I?
Who am I?
Interesting question that one must ponder when asked to write a biography. Some people could go on for days describing themselves and their philosophies on life. Given a good cup of coffee, the right location and unlimited time, I could be that person. More often, I’m the quiet person, perfectly happy observing the world around me. Many times, I believe people don't even realize I’m there.
This biography question requires more than the ability to be invisible. I’ll start with just the facts. I entered this world on November 1st, 1958. I am the first son of Edmund Paul Flanagan and Noella Carol Levasseur Flanagan. The hospital was in New Hartford, NY, just over the city line from Utica, NY in Central Upstate New York. At age 6, the now family of five moved to Pawtucket, RI. This is very close to Central Falls, RI. Do you see a trend developing here? Fun fact about Central Falls; it is the smallest and most densely populated city in the smallest state in the nation. 20,000 people live in an area of 1.29 square miles.
We moved south to East Providence, RI for eight years. I attended Sacred Heart Catholic school through the late sixties and early seventies. It was here that I started reading newspapers, listening to the radio, and keeping statistics on index cards of my favorite sports teams. They were the Boston Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, Bruins. as well as Providence College Friars in college basketball. Entering high school, we moved further south to the central part of the state in the town of Exeter, RI.
This is where jobs came into the picture. My first job was digging graves in a pet cemetery. The only good thing about that one was the money it allowed me to spend on my first and only girlfriend, Marie Cotnoir. We met in 1975, became high school sweethearts, married in 1980 and had three terrific children. Now we have three grandchildren. They call me THOR. Why? Because an Irish grandfather is called Seanathair, which is difficult to pronounce. So we shortened it to an easier THOR. Who am I? I am a very blessed man.
My second job in high school would define my entire working life. It was a newspaper route for the Providence Sunday Journal, which quickly led to a second newspaper route for the Providence Evening Bulletin. I would pick up my 440 papers after school and deliver them to my 440 customers over a 70 mile path that would take 4 hours to finish. While that may seem extreme to some, I was making money, driving and I was hooked.
Ten years passed quickly. I had a brief stint in 2 local colleges, University of Rhode Island and Bryant College, then a full time job as a driver/shipper at Gulton Industries. My wife and I already had two children with a third on the way. I needed another job! Hello newspaper delivery! This time it was with the National newspapers; New York Times, Wall Street Journal and the new kid in the arena, USA Today. I contracted with each one in succession, getting up at 3am to deliver papers, then working a full shift at Gulton. Then USA Today had an opening for a full time district manager and I jumped at the opportunity.
USA Today in 1988 was still a novelty in the newspaper world. I combined my growing experience at delivery with the mentorship of some truly exceptional managers. We broke records, failed with new ideas, adjusted, and broke more records. I moved up to zone manager, then left to be a distribution manager with a large newspaper wholesaler, Fall River News, only to be recruited back to be the Circulation Manager for USA Today over Southeastern New England. It was thrilling and exhausting at the same time.
Working for a growing National newspaper exposed me to many new possibilities. My children were now preparing for college and my wanderlust gene was really kicking in. I could create and plan family trips knowing it was possible to be both fun and frugal at the same time. Instead of waiting for our music favorites to come to town, the internet allowed us to track them across the country. We would go as a family to each other’s favorite performers: Peter Frampton, Rod Stewart, Weird Al Yankovic, Primus, No Authority, etc. My eldest son Peter, developed our family motto. Live music is a Flanagan family value. We expanded our road trips beyond Rhode Island to the Northeast, Midwest, Florida, and even Canada.
At the turn of the century, my mind turned it up a notch. How about 50 states in 50 days? Is it possible? Could it be done? I asked my boss if it was possible to take a leave of absence to do 50 states in 50 days. He was intrigued and gave me the go ahead if the group I managed could keep the business running. I was working with a great team; they said “We can handle it, go for it”. Marie crunched the household budget numbers and on June 24, 2001, four of the five family members headed out to travel to all 50 states in our 1995 conversion van. Peter was in college, so he had to pass on the opportunity, for the moment. He must have known that the trip of a lifetime would be repeated two years later with him aboard. We finished the trip in 43 days, 15 hours and 15 minutes. October, 2001 I recapped the entire trip with a nine paragraph article in Circulation Quarterly, A Boston office newsletter for USA Today wholesalers.
Two years later, a local tragedy propelled my son Peter and I to attempt a 50 state travel excursion in one week as a fundraiser. February 20th, 2003 brought a deadly fire that consumed the Station nightclub during a Great White concert in West Warwick, RI. 100 people perished, and hundreds more were injured. Happening in such a small state meant the ramifications touched everyone in some way. Peter and I had both read a book called “Against the Clock” by Ron Ayers. It was about a solo motorcyclist who travelled to 49 states in one week. We decided to try the same, only 50 states, in our conversion van while raising funds for the fire victims. A local radio station who lost a DJ in the fire helped us and we blitzed through all 50 from Alaska to Rhode Island in just 8 days and 20 minutes. We raised awareness and $4000 for the victims and their families. Researching after the trip I discovered that it was the fastest anyone had ever visited all 50 states.
Even though all three children finished college, I felt that their 50 state education was just as valuable. I set my long term sights on a bigger challenge, all the state capitals. Why? The puzzle was more complex because many of our state capitals are Centrally Located within their borders and therefore more difficult to efficiently route as a road trip. I had no idea when I would actually tackle such a trip, but a two time 50 stater could certainly dream of being a three time 50 stater.
Another ten year stretch saw a big change. I accepted a job transfer to Tennessee in 2004 and learned how to adjust my route skills to a southern culture. During this time I was also able to see the political spectrum from a new angle. The political leanings of Rhode Island and Tennessee are vastly different. Travelling the country and living in different areas of the country opened my already observant eyes even wider. My presidential voting record indicated a strong independent streak with detours to both sides. Religion was also another eye opener. Everything in retrospect showed me that this was setting me up for my next phase.
January 2013 the hammer dropped as a big reduction of managers at USA Today swept me up with them. I was given a separation package to compensate for my 22 years of service. What now? A month later I woke up with the thought of researching the meaning behind the separation of church and state. Two names jumped to the top of a google search. Thomas Jefferson and Roger Williams. Roger Williams founded Rhode Island. I pictured the state Capitol and the first Baptist church in America which he also founded. His words “...a gap in the hedge or wall of separation...”, the picture in my head, and the dream of connecting all the state capitals merged into my next travel project. A 51 city Capitol trip to investigate the physical and symbolic separation between the Capitol buildings and the closest churches to them. The research was completed from March 8th to June 8th, 2013. Now What?
The past seven years have developed into the writing phase of my career. My experiences on the church and state trip led to a frequent question. When are you going to write a book? I’m not there yet, but a generous man named Mike Gullion gave me an opportunity to write a weekly column in the Tennessee Star Journal newspaper called “Capitols and churches”. I’ve stayed active in the newspaper distribution field with multiple contracts and assignments. In 2019,I tackled a Fourth 50 state tour, raising funds for three groups in a 9 day solo tour through all of the United States.
2021 has launched 50 state tour # 5, all 101 State Capitals, and tour # 6, Leave a Legacy in each state.
So here we are now in the present moment; Centrally Located between the past and the future, the left and the right, church and the state. Come along for the ride as I need your participation to drive through the middle of our opinions. Will we meet and visit in person somewhere off the interstate network of America? I certainly hope so. When our paths cross, we will be able to say that you have traveled in Thor’s World,Centrally Located...In Your Visited City.
Interesting question that one must ponder when asked to write a biography. Some people could go on for days describing themselves and their philosophies on life. Given a good cup of coffee, the right location and unlimited time, I could be that person. More often, I’m the quiet person, perfectly happy observing the world around me. Many times, I believe people don't even realize I’m there.
This biography question requires more than the ability to be invisible. I’ll start with just the facts. I entered this world on November 1st, 1958. I am the first son of Edmund Paul Flanagan and Noella Carol Levasseur Flanagan. The hospital was in New Hartford, NY, just over the city line from Utica, NY in Central Upstate New York. At age 6, the now family of five moved to Pawtucket, RI. This is very close to Central Falls, RI. Do you see a trend developing here? Fun fact about Central Falls; it is the smallest and most densely populated city in the smallest state in the nation. 20,000 people live in an area of 1.29 square miles.
We moved south to East Providence, RI for eight years. I attended Sacred Heart Catholic school through the late sixties and early seventies. It was here that I started reading newspapers, listening to the radio, and keeping statistics on index cards of my favorite sports teams. They were the Boston Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, Bruins. as well as Providence College Friars in college basketball. Entering high school, we moved further south to the central part of the state in the town of Exeter, RI.
This is where jobs came into the picture. My first job was digging graves in a pet cemetery. The only good thing about that one was the money it allowed me to spend on my first and only girlfriend, Marie Cotnoir. We met in 1975, became high school sweethearts, married in 1980 and had three terrific children. Now we have three grandchildren. They call me THOR. Why? Because an Irish grandfather is called Seanathair, which is difficult to pronounce. So we shortened it to an easier THOR. Who am I? I am a very blessed man.
My second job in high school would define my entire working life. It was a newspaper route for the Providence Sunday Journal, which quickly led to a second newspaper route for the Providence Evening Bulletin. I would pick up my 440 papers after school and deliver them to my 440 customers over a 70 mile path that would take 4 hours to finish. While that may seem extreme to some, I was making money, driving and I was hooked.
Ten years passed quickly. I had a brief stint in 2 local colleges, University of Rhode Island and Bryant College, then a full time job as a driver/shipper at Gulton Industries. My wife and I already had two children with a third on the way. I needed another job! Hello newspaper delivery! This time it was with the National newspapers; New York Times, Wall Street Journal and the new kid in the arena, USA Today. I contracted with each one in succession, getting up at 3am to deliver papers, then working a full shift at Gulton. Then USA Today had an opening for a full time district manager and I jumped at the opportunity.
USA Today in 1988 was still a novelty in the newspaper world. I combined my growing experience at delivery with the mentorship of some truly exceptional managers. We broke records, failed with new ideas, adjusted, and broke more records. I moved up to zone manager, then left to be a distribution manager with a large newspaper wholesaler, Fall River News, only to be recruited back to be the Circulation Manager for USA Today over Southeastern New England. It was thrilling and exhausting at the same time.
Working for a growing National newspaper exposed me to many new possibilities. My children were now preparing for college and my wanderlust gene was really kicking in. I could create and plan family trips knowing it was possible to be both fun and frugal at the same time. Instead of waiting for our music favorites to come to town, the internet allowed us to track them across the country. We would go as a family to each other’s favorite performers: Peter Frampton, Rod Stewart, Weird Al Yankovic, Primus, No Authority, etc. My eldest son Peter, developed our family motto. Live music is a Flanagan family value. We expanded our road trips beyond Rhode Island to the Northeast, Midwest, Florida, and even Canada.
At the turn of the century, my mind turned it up a notch. How about 50 states in 50 days? Is it possible? Could it be done? I asked my boss if it was possible to take a leave of absence to do 50 states in 50 days. He was intrigued and gave me the go ahead if the group I managed could keep the business running. I was working with a great team; they said “We can handle it, go for it”. Marie crunched the household budget numbers and on June 24, 2001, four of the five family members headed out to travel to all 50 states in our 1995 conversion van. Peter was in college, so he had to pass on the opportunity, for the moment. He must have known that the trip of a lifetime would be repeated two years later with him aboard. We finished the trip in 43 days, 15 hours and 15 minutes. October, 2001 I recapped the entire trip with a nine paragraph article in Circulation Quarterly, A Boston office newsletter for USA Today wholesalers.
Two years later, a local tragedy propelled my son Peter and I to attempt a 50 state travel excursion in one week as a fundraiser. February 20th, 2003 brought a deadly fire that consumed the Station nightclub during a Great White concert in West Warwick, RI. 100 people perished, and hundreds more were injured. Happening in such a small state meant the ramifications touched everyone in some way. Peter and I had both read a book called “Against the Clock” by Ron Ayers. It was about a solo motorcyclist who travelled to 49 states in one week. We decided to try the same, only 50 states, in our conversion van while raising funds for the fire victims. A local radio station who lost a DJ in the fire helped us and we blitzed through all 50 from Alaska to Rhode Island in just 8 days and 20 minutes. We raised awareness and $4000 for the victims and their families. Researching after the trip I discovered that it was the fastest anyone had ever visited all 50 states.
Even though all three children finished college, I felt that their 50 state education was just as valuable. I set my long term sights on a bigger challenge, all the state capitals. Why? The puzzle was more complex because many of our state capitals are Centrally Located within their borders and therefore more difficult to efficiently route as a road trip. I had no idea when I would actually tackle such a trip, but a two time 50 stater could certainly dream of being a three time 50 stater.
Another ten year stretch saw a big change. I accepted a job transfer to Tennessee in 2004 and learned how to adjust my route skills to a southern culture. During this time I was also able to see the political spectrum from a new angle. The political leanings of Rhode Island and Tennessee are vastly different. Travelling the country and living in different areas of the country opened my already observant eyes even wider. My presidential voting record indicated a strong independent streak with detours to both sides. Religion was also another eye opener. Everything in retrospect showed me that this was setting me up for my next phase.
January 2013 the hammer dropped as a big reduction of managers at USA Today swept me up with them. I was given a separation package to compensate for my 22 years of service. What now? A month later I woke up with the thought of researching the meaning behind the separation of church and state. Two names jumped to the top of a google search. Thomas Jefferson and Roger Williams. Roger Williams founded Rhode Island. I pictured the state Capitol and the first Baptist church in America which he also founded. His words “...a gap in the hedge or wall of separation...”, the picture in my head, and the dream of connecting all the state capitals merged into my next travel project. A 51 city Capitol trip to investigate the physical and symbolic separation between the Capitol buildings and the closest churches to them. The research was completed from March 8th to June 8th, 2013. Now What?
The past seven years have developed into the writing phase of my career. My experiences on the church and state trip led to a frequent question. When are you going to write a book? I’m not there yet, but a generous man named Mike Gullion gave me an opportunity to write a weekly column in the Tennessee Star Journal newspaper called “Capitols and churches”. I’ve stayed active in the newspaper distribution field with multiple contracts and assignments. In 2019,I tackled a Fourth 50 state tour, raising funds for three groups in a 9 day solo tour through all of the United States.
2021 has launched 50 state tour # 5, all 101 State Capitals, and tour # 6, Leave a Legacy in each state.
So here we are now in the present moment; Centrally Located between the past and the future, the left and the right, church and the state. Come along for the ride as I need your participation to drive through the middle of our opinions. Will we meet and visit in person somewhere off the interstate network of America? I certainly hope so. When our paths cross, we will be able to say that you have traveled in Thor’s World,Centrally Located...In Your Visited City.
An Irish Grandfathor
A first grandson under my Flanagan name. A fifty state obsession. Trying to be worthy of the power of Thor.
A first grandson under my Flanagan name. A fifty state obsession. Trying to be worthy of the power of Thor.
Four of them. Working on #5 and #6
In 2001, my wife, daughter, and youngest son traveled with me to all 50 states in 43 days.
In 2003, my oldest son and I drove to 49 states and flew to the 50th in 8 days and 20 minutes.
In 2013, I visited 51 Capitols and their closest churches in 33 days from March to June.
In 2019, I traveled to all 50 states in 9 days and 2 hours for less than $3000
in 2021, currently traveling to all 101 State Capitals. Former and current.
In 2021 and 2022, Leaving a legacy in each state.
In 2001, my wife, daughter, and youngest son traveled with me to all 50 states in 43 days.
In 2003, my oldest son and I drove to 49 states and flew to the 50th in 8 days and 20 minutes.
In 2013, I visited 51 Capitols and their closest churches in 33 days from March to June.
In 2019, I traveled to all 50 states in 9 days and 2 hours for less than $3000
in 2021, currently traveling to all 101 State Capitals. Former and current.
In 2021 and 2022, Leaving a legacy in each state.
The Traveling Salesman problem.
What is the most efficient path to visit our 50 United States?
How many states have you been to?
Do you know of anyone who has?
Any discussion of this type of geography puzzle will likely lead to solving the Traveling Salesman Problem. A problem that has baffled many an individual, company, and computer.
Allow me to take you on a few cross-country journeys to map routing nirvana. To begin we must take on the persona of a Salesperson selling their wares across multiple locations in different cities. This Salesperson happens to call on a computer scientist to sell a vacuum cleaner, and after declining the offer, the scientist asks about the miles traveled in the course of a day. The scientist soon discovers that there must be a better, more efficient way of routing the salespersons path.
Decades later, mega computers and the almighty Google Maps struggle to provide realistic solutions to similar challenges. Go ahead and Google search the Traveling Salesman Problem and how to visit the 48 continental states in one trip. A single answer does not lie in the multitude of results. Practice, practice, practice. Study the road maps. Try different scenarios. So I have, and I will share my results in my blog.
Four different 50 state trips were completed since the turn of the century. A family trip in 43 days in 2001, a Father/Son trip in 8 days and 20 minutes in 2003, a Capitals and Church tour to our 51 Capitols in 2013, and a 9 day solo tour to all 50 in 2019. All unique and challenging trips trying to solve the Traveling Salesman Problem.
So please attempt to answer the 3 questions at the beginning of this article. Google research to your hearts content. Then, as I take you on my personal journey, we can compare results and find that Nirvana of map routing and the best TSP solution.
What is the most efficient path to visit our 50 United States?
How many states have you been to?
Do you know of anyone who has?
Any discussion of this type of geography puzzle will likely lead to solving the Traveling Salesman Problem. A problem that has baffled many an individual, company, and computer.
Allow me to take you on a few cross-country journeys to map routing nirvana. To begin we must take on the persona of a Salesperson selling their wares across multiple locations in different cities. This Salesperson happens to call on a computer scientist to sell a vacuum cleaner, and after declining the offer, the scientist asks about the miles traveled in the course of a day. The scientist soon discovers that there must be a better, more efficient way of routing the salespersons path.
Decades later, mega computers and the almighty Google Maps struggle to provide realistic solutions to similar challenges. Go ahead and Google search the Traveling Salesman Problem and how to visit the 48 continental states in one trip. A single answer does not lie in the multitude of results. Practice, practice, practice. Study the road maps. Try different scenarios. So I have, and I will share my results in my blog.
Four different 50 state trips were completed since the turn of the century. A family trip in 43 days in 2001, a Father/Son trip in 8 days and 20 minutes in 2003, a Capitals and Church tour to our 51 Capitols in 2013, and a 9 day solo tour to all 50 in 2019. All unique and challenging trips trying to solve the Traveling Salesman Problem.
So please attempt to answer the 3 questions at the beginning of this article. Google research to your hearts content. Then, as I take you on my personal journey, we can compare results and find that Nirvana of map routing and the best TSP solution.
C Thor Flanagan All Rights Reserved.