Visit to the US of A

[Ron]

Greetings from a very warm Melbourne, Australia, 42 C for New Years Eve but thankfully today was 28C and rain.
My wife and I will be visiting Sth Carolina round about July this year to visit my second cousin at Myrtle Beach. This will be our first visit to your country. We will probably fly into LA from Oz, after that I am looking for suggestions as to how to get across to the east coast. A friend here has told me that we should take a train across country, that way we see something of America instead of just flying over. Car hire is not out of the question, depending on cost of course.
I would be pleased to hear any suggestions from fellow board members.

Regards,

Ron

FESTINA LENTE

[Oldfeller]

Ron,

I live in the general area you are visiting. Myrtle Beach South Carolina is a pretty much commercialized city, built just for beach fun in other words. It verges on being a tourist trap. It's really good if you are into golf, however.

If you were going to "tour" the US and see some of the country, I'd occasionally rent a car and drive some of the time, spending part of the time intentionally staying off the big interstate highways (they all look the same everywhere, all them big interstate highways). How ambitious are your plans -- how much time do you plan to spend on this exploration?

It's a big country, I couldn't do it in a week or two weeks or three. When my father retired he outfitted a car to do long distance touring/camping and he spent 3 months at a lick making long looping driving runs around the US, Canada, Alaska. He made 10 of these passes and he still felt he had only scratched the surface.

He also felt the US Park Service had really fallen down on the job compared to the 60's when we were young and he took us "car camping" to the major US attractions. "KoA campgrounds do a better job of taking care of campers than the park service does now, and it's a lot cheaper too".

If you want to see the sights nationwide -- that job is likely too large to do in any reasonable time frame.

If you are going to see South Carolina - North Carolina - Georgia (a doable thing in one week of steady driving) then go see either Charleston SC or Atlanta Ga as major cities of significance (lots to do of interest inside the cities) and as go go around stop and get the little local interest maps that are in the lobbies of the eateries and gas stations to spot the areas you might want to stop at.

If you want to see some mountains, go to the North Carolina mountains (7-8 hours driving to get there)

What are you interested in, anyway?

Oldfeller

[Buckshot]

................Via rail would be a great way to see a lot of the country. At least a straight line portion from So. Calif to So. Carolina. I'm sure a travel agent would know about a 'Rail Pass' type deal. If you'd like I could check into such a thing for you. That way you could get off the train, rent a car and take in some interesting sights then get back on the train later. July is summer here so it's gonna be hot.

I don't know how much time you have to spend on your travels so a fitting itinerary would be tough. Driving would give you the most freedom of where you wanted to go and how long you wanted to stay. We'd be glad to host you if you wanted to spend a couple days in So. California. We're about 60 miles east of LA. There is Calico Ghost town, Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Universal Studios, Hollywood, Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and a few other places ready and willing to seperate you from your money!

From LA you could hit Las Vegas (sin city) and be "Oohed and aahed" by all the glitz, chintz, and BS. Then head over to the Grand Canyon. From there further on down the state of Arizona you could visit Tombstone, Az and the old frontier Fort Huachuca, home of the Buffalo Soldiers of the 8th US Cavalry with it's 3 museums. My folks would be tickled to put you up for a couple days. They live right between the 2 places, have a big house with central air and everything 8).

From there I suppose over in Texas there is the Alamo to be seen. Of course as you travel further east there are the Civil War battlefields and stuff. I'm sure you'd want to check out Colonial Charleston. You'd be right in the thick of the Revolutionary war area and July the 4th would be the right time to be there!

...................Buckshot

[StarMetal]

So Buckshot, when are you and Maven going to start a train tour for this and of course forum members would get a healthy discount...right? Sign me up.

Joe

[sundog]

Yea, Joe, I'm thinking a special run with a mamouth old steamer and sleeper cars, dining car, a fancy double decker with lots of glass for seein' everthang, a gallery car for shooting cast loads while we travel, a REAL caboose, and of course..., the CLUB CAR. Maybe add a flatbed so's we can stop along the way and shoot outside without even disembarking. sundog

[grumble]

If I were to visit the land of Oz, I'd want to see some country, not cities, and vist "real" people, not tourist shills. If it were me, I'd get away from the airport as fast as possible and head to the places where the map shows little dots and circles for inhabited places, not big yellow targets and blotches.

With that in mind, you might want to consider going up the east side of the Sierras and across the upper Rockies. Beautiful country and fantastic people. I'd fly across the Great Plains -- it looks the same from the air as from the ground. <GGG> Wonderful people live there, but the terrain sure is boring. As soon as you cross the Mississippi, it really doesn't much matter where you go, it's all crowded, lots of trees, and unsufferable humidity in the summer.

I agree with Buckshot wholeheartedly -- don't miss the Grand Canyon. If there's one tourist attraction that never disappoints, that's the one.

Give us an idea of what you want to see and do and you'll get more suggestions than you can keep track of. And you're in luck on another point too; Americans love Aussies. You'll get all sorts of friendly people talking to you just so they can hear your accent. Pour it on as thick as you can!

[StarMetal]

Corky,

Yeah, be like English Bob going outside and shooting those birds offhand with his Colts in Clint Eastwood's movie "Unforgiven".

Joe

[castalott]

Hi Ron!

Grumble had it nearly right:
"Americans love Aussies. "

I think it is ;" Americans desperately love Aussies!!"

I don't know what your interests are....

About anything you like you can find here...WW2 ships( including a uboat in Chicago) and planes...( Hmmm...when is the Dayton airshow??)

..or museums......or parks .....


I welcome you with open arms and wish you a pleasant and fun stay....


Dale

[trooperdan]

Ron. I'm only a couple of hours away from Mrytle beach. I'm at Ft. Bragg NC. If if you are interested in visiting the post I'll be glad to assist you. It is purely a matter of luck but there are frequently parachute jumps that you could witness and there are a couple of 1st class museums here on base as well.

I like to travel via Amtrak, the rail system. I'll do some research for you and forward something on.

[KCSO]

Hey
If everyone on the board put you up for 1 night you could go cross country for free. Come to Nebraska and I'll show you the amazing? The amazing? Have you ever seen a cornfield?
We use to have sheep, but we shipped them to Montana as import brides.

[waksupi]

Hey
If everyone on the board put you up for 1 night you could go cross country for free. Come to Nebraska and I'll show you the amazing? The amazing? Have you ever seen a cornfield?
We use to have sheep, but we shipped them to Montana as import brides.

...which were then marketed as mail order brides, the main market being Texas. I'd make fun of Nebraska, but all things considered, it would just be too cruel.

[wills]

They said they escaped.

http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~af380/JamiesHooker.jpg

[Frank46]

That was one heckuva picture. Better not let carpetman see it, will get him all wound up and we's don't need that. 'Sides the poor aussie will really think he's fallen into a den of wierdo's. Ron, regardless what you think, these are nice normal people. Most of the time. Greetings from sunny Loosiana. Frank

[versifier]

You know, you could even head noth up the east coast, too. Pennsylvania, upstate NY, New England. The White Montains are beautiful anytime of the year, but especially in the summer and fall. The only problem is that you might not want to leave. I wouldn't object to a few days playing tour guide either. Though we're a bit short on guest room where I'm living at the moment, there's plenty of camping spots and everything from rustic cabins to cozy little inns to luxury hotels and lots to see and enjoy from history to hiking, biking, fishing, dining, shopping, music, shooting, boatrides, mountain roads, or just getting out in the middle of nowhere where there's nothing but a view of the mountains, the trees, a few birds, and the wind. The attached shot was taken in June.

[trooperdan]

Ron, our national rail system, AMTRAK runs from LA to Charleston SC, about 85 miles from Mrytle Beach. There is a southern route through Texas, the gulf area, Actoss the top of Florida and up into SC. There is a special rail pass for international visitors that gives you 30 days of travel, nation wide; it is $550 during the peak season. (July is included.) One catch is you have to purchase it OUTSIDE of the states; here is the info on the OZ agent that can sell it:

Asia Pacific Travel Marketing
St. David's Hall
17 Arthur St.
Surry Hills
Sydney, Australia 2010
Telephone: (612) 93196624
Fax: (612) 93194151

Here is the web site: www.amtrak.com


The normal class of pass doesn't include a sleeping car but it can be upgraded for segments of a trip if you desire. Sleeping cars are usually expensive. How many will be in your party? If it includes the wife and kiddies you might be better off renting a car and driving it... but it is a long trip!


Dan

[waksupi]

Amtrac also has a neat northern route, that runs across Montana, going through the south edge of Glacier National Park, on into Idaho, across Washington and the Cascade Range, on to the coast.

[drinks]

Ron;
If it is just you and your wife, just over $100 a day will provide food and shelter in decent accommodations, with gas at $2+ a gallon, you can rent" motorized roller skates", as we call things such as Honda Civics and Toyota Echos and get 30+ mpg., so a 600 mile day of travel will cost $40 + gas money.
There are really good deals in more than a week long car rentals, some co. even have unlimited mileage deals.
Go online, check expedia.com, travelocity, Alamo car rental, Avis, there are bargains out there, depending on public ransport is very chancy in the US, just because almost everyone has their own car.
Come right on over, just be careful who you knock up in the morning!

[Ron]

Knowing the members of this forum, the response to my posting should not have surprised me but I am overwhelmed with all of your enthusiastic and genuine postings. Thank you all.
Jen and I are seeing our travel agent tomorrow, oops better make that today, to start arrangements for the trip. I telephoned my relatives in South Carolina and Toronto, Canada this morning and they will be putting us up for our visit.
I have a confession, I don't talk like an Aussie, I arrived in Australia from Scotland in 1966 and still talk like a Scot. The Aussies offered me a frontal labotomy early on so I would talk like them but I declined their kind offer.
A number of you suggested that we should visit the Grand Canyon if we do nothing else so with that in mind we look like have 2/3 days in L.A., might even slip over to Las Vegas for a look but will leave my money in the wallet. Our casinos are a bit of a trap for young players and I don't expect those in Las Vegas to be any different.
I checked the Amtrak site and we have decided that 63 hrs on a train from LA to Chicago to Washington DC to Charleston Sth Carolina is just NOT on. Thats the quickest route and doesn't count station stops and the possibility of track/signal failures. So its the plane for us from LA to Myrtle Beach.
From Myrtle Beach we will be driving north with my cousin to Toronto so we will see a bit of the country. Then a couple of weeks in Canada with my uncle seeing his family and the local sights like Niagra Falls etc.
For those of you who offered accomodation and or assistance during our stay, I thank you and may call upon you per email at a later date.
I will post our itinery later on the chance that we might be able to meet some of you during our visit, I would appreciate this if possible.
Any of you thinking of paying Australia a visit, let me know and I will assist where possible.

Regards to all,

Ron.

FESTINA LENTE.

[flhroy]

Ric, my parents took that Northern Rail Route in the late 70's. They said it was absolutely gorgeous. My mother said going through Western Montana was one of the best parts of their trip. I hope to make the same trip but I'd like to do it in Winter.


Later
Roy

[onceabull]

One fine time I'm taking SWMBO east on the high line, then back west with the Canucks..maybeso go all the way to the Maritimes..(and back)

[Ron]

Well we have done it at last, Jen and I have booked our holiday travel to the US of A. We hope to catch up with TrooperDan when we are in Sth Carolina.

We arrive at L.A. International at 0730 hrs 21st July and hang about the airport until we catch the 1250 US Airlines flight to Myrtle Beach via Charlotte. Thats enough time to have a meal and maybe a shower after the 14 hrs from Australia. Anyone living close to LA airport? would love to have a coffee with you

We will be staying with my cousin in Myrtle Beach and will leave for Canada on or about the 31st July. At this time I don't know whether we will hire a car and drive to Canada or fly there. If we decide to drive it might give us an opportunity to meet some of you on the way through.

Thanks again for all of your offers of accommodation etc.

Ron.

FESTINA LENTE.

[Bigjohn]

Ron,

I don't know what plans you have made but a close friend of mine made two visits to the States last century '93 &'98, I believe. He and his wife hired a car from one of the car rental companies at a fixed rate. Both of thier trips were of three month duration. First trip started in St. Paul and went the North West circle with no fixed schedule, returned car to St. Paul two and a half months later.
Second trip start L.A. and finished in L.A. did the South west circle with a one week stopover to do the Ruger Armourers Course.

Basically, they carried everything in the car they need and went were they felt like going at the time or intersection in the road. They enjoyed the trips and especially the people they met. Still correspond with and see people they met ocassionally.
(I know, I had to sit through the slide and video shows).

I can get details on which firm the dealt with if need be.

John.

[omgb]

Ron, we Yanks rent cars and hire drivers.....:mrgreen: if you do rent a car, remember we drive on the right side :-D i wish I knew for sure I could get down there. I'd love to treat you to a beer or a coffee or maybe a meal. I hope you enjoy our country. It sure has been kind to me. In spite of our public troubles, the USA is still a mighty fine place to live and raise a family.
R J Talley

[Ron]

BigJohn and OMGB, I would like to drive to Canada from Myrtle Beach but a lot depends on my cousin, we were going to N.Y. to meet other family members but this may have to be put off.

BigJohn, the details of the car company would be appreciated just in case we do decide to drive, thanks.

OMGB, Dep. Al has already been in contact with me and all going well, he and his good lady will join us at LA International on our arrival. If you can make why not join the gang.

Dep. Al, PM coming your way.

Rehards,

Ron.

FESTIA LENTE.

[Ivantherussian03]

Hey,

I hope you enjoy your visit to America. I have driven across the country many times, and taken train trips too. They both have their merits. I have always thought train travel to be the better choice, for sheer scenary value, and a very luxerious experience, especially for the would be driver. Either way, it will be a great trip for you; enjoy!

[Bigjohn]

Ron,

I've checked with my friends, Hubbies in WHYALLA for a week and she can not recall the exact company they dealt with. She did provide me with some information which may help you.

They contacted several rental companies nd had made their selection before leaving Aust. Several Companies offer this service and they chose the one which suited them. You need to ask if the company offers an "Unlimited Mileage" Rental and at what rate. Insurance is another bugbear to watch, she cautioned me that you need to know exactly what you are covered for prior to leaving the depot as some just cover the vehicle you are driving.

Sandy said that there are other options such as "Reverse delivery" e.g. returning a car from one side of the country to it's depot on the other. Apparently they charge you less for hiring the return cars (or whatever they are called) but you have a limited time period of hire. Last trip they went up into Canada and took some of the train trips on offer before resuming their drive back south then east.

For their needs they hired a mid sized car as they were prepared for camping or Hotels where ever they were each night. (Iknow both of them are well practiced at camping).

If they are forthcoming with anymore information about their trip and who they hired from I will post or pm you. Meantime an internet search may turn up a good deal.

John

[Ron]

BigJohn, thanks for the info, I didn't realise that your friends were from Oz, where are they located. I will see what I can dig up on the net.

Regards,

Ron.


FESTINA LENTE.

[Bigjohn]

Ron, Sandy and Murray live in ADELAIDE, Murray is a keen shooter and does shoot cast. He is not connected to the internet yet. Also handy a making knives and believes in a sharp! edge.

John

[Ranch Dog]

...which were then marketed as mail order brides, the main market being Texas.

Where we ravaged them and wore them out then sent them on to Nevada for the folks from California to use during their frequent visits. :drinks: