‘Most Traveled Person of America’ visits Susanville

Author Daniel Seddiqui, known as the Most Traveled Person of American, visited Susanville yesterday, Friday, April 18. Seddiqui wanted to share his message with Lassen New readers.

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, while gazing at the map of California, I had always notice this town that was at least large enough to be a pinpoint on the Northeast region of the map, a town called Susanville.  After 43 years, I finally found an excuse to detour, and visited the heart of Lassen County, which I just learned is the size of the state of Connecticut.

Before I share my impressions of Susanville, I thought it would be necessary to share a little background. See, this was a big deal — a personal achievement because Susanville was the only city in California with more than 10,000 residents that I have not visited.  To make it more meaningful, I have been considered the Most Traveled of America, having been to 50 states well over 25 times, including every city larger than 15,000 residents.  I don’t travel for the sake of traveling. My curiosity of America has spawned an understanding of our economy, ways of life, passions, architecture and history.

America may seem like a divided place, but when you examine what holds it together, then you can see that Americans can find common ground.  That shared value is life is what you make it.  If you want to shape surfboards in San Diego or roll cigars in Tampa, there’s always something to be discovered and barriers only exist if you let them.

Now, back to Susanville.  I had no expectations of the town, not even a vision of what it might look like.  Driving from Oregon, I passed through farmlands, national forests, high desert ranches and lakes, so I was confused what kind of environment I would end up in.  I descended into this glorious valley with snowcapped peaks, quaint neighborhoods and beautiful people.

Considering that I’ve been through many towns across America, it reminded me of Livingston, Montana.  The main street, architecture and ranch influence were near identical.  Susanville’s charm is in the Victorian architecture, murals that tell its history, and how about that Uptown Cinema pressed into the mountainside.

I appreciate towns like Susanville because it’s authentic and it doesn’t mess with the outdoor beauty which it so graciously sits.

According to Wikipedia, Sedd graduated from the University of Southern California in 2005 with a degree in economics. He was also a track star at both the University of Oregon and USC.

Unable to find a job in his chosen field after college, Seddiqui envisaged the plan of working a different job in a different state each week. Not long thereafter, he fulfilled his plan, each week working a job that manifested the culture and economy of the state through which he passed.

Seddiqui completed his last job in September 2009 and now has released a book to share his experiences. He is also working on a lecture circuit and semester program for college students to help find their interests and experience the cultures and lifestyles of America.

Seddiqui is working an a tour guide of our area.