Diving into 'Best American Travel Writing 2020' felt like boarding a plane with no destination—just pure exploration. The essays transported me to places I've never been, and some I might never visit, especially during the pandemic when travel was just a dream.

What struck me most was how the writers didn’t just describe locations; they dug into the soul of travel. Like in 'Rick Steves Wants You to Set You Free,' where travel isn’t just sightseeing but a way to break down prejudices. It made me rethink why I travel—not just for photos, but for connection.

Some pieces, like the one on racism in national parks, weren’t comfortable reads, but they were necessary. They shoved me out of my armchair-travel complacency and made me confront the messy, real world out there.

Sure, not every essay landed perfectly—'Such Perfection' felt oddly out of place—but the rawness of stories like the desert water drops for refugees lingered long after I closed the book. This isn’t escapism; it’s travel writing with its boots muddy and heart wide open.