So, let me summarize the main takeaways from the trip here, which might be useful for those just planning their own journey.

What we did right:

• Bought a good car with A/C. The risk of breaking down during a trip is very high; it's better to overpay a little than to be stuck in Arizona for a week. Driving without A/C is bad. Very bad. We tried it))

• Developed a solid travel plan. When you're on the road, there's no time to think about where to go. And the places we visited were ones we really didn't want to miss. Or not even know about. Because they exist...))

• Sent luggage to New York. During a road trip, there's always less space in the car than when you're packing at home before leaving.

• Bought a GPS; without one, you lose precious hours of time.

What we did wrong:

• Should have allowed for more time. Always take extra time so you don't have to rush, but instead enjoy the trip and have the chance to stay longer somewhere if you like it. This was a huge mistake that significantly affected the whole trip.

• Didn't finish university assignments. Get them done at any cost; nothing gets done regarding studies in America. There's a suspicion it's magic.

• Didn't withdraw all the money from the cards. It's a huge hassle later.

• Sometimes didn't spend money where we should have. Don't be stingy; you'll have memories later. And $80 (for example) comes and goes.

Places we would visit again:

San Francisco, Monument Valley, Arches National Park, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Chicago, Grand Canyon, Florida coral reefs, shuttle launch, New York, Blue Ridge Parkway (especially in autumn), Sequoia National Park, Crater Lake, Florida Keys.

Places we would skip:

Key West (the city itself), Disney, Denver, Zion and Bryce Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Everything else is cool once, but not a second time.

Places we didn't visit but should have:

Glacier National Park, Boston (with a whale-watching trip), Washington, Niagara, Sonoran Desert in Arizona with 15-meter cacti, Mammoth Cave, Philadelphia, HAWAII, Alaska if it works out, and the US also has islands in the Caribbean (e.g., Virgin Islands) — I'd definitely go there. Maybe Seattle and Houston (not sure).

Things worth exploring deeper (off the top of my head):

Wander through the neighborhoods of Chicago and New York, hike down to the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon for an overnight stay, go horseback riding with Native Americans in Monument Valley, take a boat trip on Grand Teton Lake, climb the highest rock in Yosemite via the steep rock ladder, go rafting in the Smoky Mountains.

As you can see, it all comes down to the fact that you need to spend at least a day and a half in each place (to see it and do something cool). That's the essence of the unsolvable problem, so choose what you like best and do it. "You can't embrace the unembraceable."

All lists will be updated as more thoughts come to mind=)