I seem to have some patriotic fervor left over from the Fourth of July holiday (baking in the sun and blowing up stuff does that to me). So, I couldn’t help think about traveling the United States when I read this from the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries:

The overall U.S. outbound market totaled 61.5 million in 2009, down three percent compared to 2008. Travel to overseas regions declined two percent, while travel to Mexico and Canada declined four percent and seven percent, respectively.

Folks in the United States haven’t been traveling overseas, but since Americans consider travel a right, I’d like to think that they’re traveling in the country. No, not staycations, discovering America again (or for the first time).

I know some people who think it’s boring to travel in the United States, but they have no idea what they can experience here. It’s pretty evident on their faces after I tell them some of the things I’ve done (swimming with manatees, herding buffalo, hauling lobster pots, etc.).

And I’ve done all these things, and more, in a group.

How are you tapping into the U.S. travelers staying at home? E-mail me at matt@spmags.com, or you can share a thought or two by using the “Post Your Comment” option below.