Visiting USA

[Winston]

Thanks Japher!

Yes, Ford Theatre is on my rather extensive list. I believe it's located with a couple of other locations that should also be worth a visit. I went to Abraham Lincoln's tomb (and also his house) in Springfield, IL and I would very much like to see the theatre also.

[KrazyHorse]

When you figure out your schedule start a thread about a polymeet in DC. Even though you're a **** I'll buy you a beer...

[KrazyHorse]

As long as you make sure to cede all claims to Hans Island, that is.

[KrazyHorse]

Go to see the Lincoln memorial, by the way.

By far the best monument in DC. That and the Viet Nam memorial were the only things to hit me emotionally in the city.

[KrazyHorse]

Smithsonian Natural History museum was very nice when I went. A good afternoon there.

[Winston]

Hans Island!

I'm afraid the matter is entirely out of my hands.

Sounds great, KH, even if it is American beer... I arrive on a Thursday, 9 June in the afternoon, and leave again on 18 June.

Maybe a Poly-meet is the best way to go, instead of trying to hook up with people individually, sounds like an idea. It won't be more than a couple of days before I have some idea of a "schedule", but I expect it'll remain rather flexible throughout.

Meeting OT characters is one of the best things about travelling.

[Winston]

Oh, Lincoln memorial is one of the top things I'm dreaming about these days. Just the thought of standing before it..

[KrazyHorse]

Weekend is probably a good time for a polymeet.

Maybe the first saturday afternoon/evening you're there (june 11).

The parking situation is much easier for me if it's not a weekday during work hours, plus it means that I'll be able to make it without skipping out on my job (which is doable with minimal repercussions, but nice to avoid if possible)

[Winston]

Yes I would also think Saturday 11 June would be a good time for a meet. I've had a chance to "settle in" a little, but it'll still be at the start of my visit, so you guys could still be a lot of help to me on practical things if need be.

Maybe I should start the thread now to see what people think, there's only two weeks.

[DanS]

In fact, a few supreme court justices live in that area.

The only way we know that is because a Supreme Court justice was mugged in that area!

[Winston]

(literally)

[Timexwatch]

Also, what kind of food are you into? I can supply you with some restaurant recommendations if you're looking for good eats at a reasonable price.

[Winston]

That would be very nice Timexwatch, if it's not too much trouble for you. Just a few suggestions would be nice to have, but I also have the Lonely Planet guidebook to help me find good places for food.

I'm not very sophisticated when it comes to food, I like a good steak like most people, and sometimes seafood also. I'm not much interested in pizza and other fast food, if I feel like it while I'm there, they should be easy enough to locate.

If you could list a few places where ordinary Americans also go, not just tourists, for a steak etc., it'd be most welcome. But like I said, don't trouble yourself too much.

[Sikander]

Next time you visit the U.S. you might want to consider visiting some of the big empty states. The scenery is often spectacular. I live about 30 minutes from Denver which is a smallish big city with an international airport. Thirty minutes from me is Rocky Mountain National Park which is spectacular and well worth a day of your time. Even closer is the Roosevelt National Forest (which is gigantic) and a lot of world class climbing.

I visit California about once a year to see my father and a number of friends who live in Hollywood and work in the music industry. I usually drive over the continental divide to Utah and spend the night (great scenery along the way), then get up in the morning and push on. The highway goes through the Canyonlands which is spectacular in the morning. I end up in Las Vegas by the middle of the afternoon, and sometimes I spend the night there. LA is about a half days drive from there, and you can take a short side trip to Death Valley if you like.

LA / southern CA is huge and has a lot going for it, including a lot of great beaches as well as amusement parks, museums and Hollywood etc. California alone would make a fantastic trip. I enjoy driving up the coast to San Francisco, which is one of my favorite U.S. cities.

My general point is that the U.S. isn't all about cities and museums. IMO I'd usually rather be in Europe for that sort of thing, they are generally better at it than we are. But there are a lot of fantastic sights to see in the natural world here that are unnmatched almost anywhere. Anyway, I hope you have a blast on your trip.

[Winston]

Thanks Sikander!

I'm getting more excited about it with each passing day, now it's only 14 days till I arrive. Today I got my hotel in New York booked, at a very favourable price, it's on E. 57th St, close to the Southern end of Central Park.

Your point about experiencing the beauty of the open countryside, and the stunning scenery in the West is well taken. In 2000, I had a fantastic time travelling along the old Route 66 in a rented car. I was "on the road" for 14 days and travelled through Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, a little bit in Utah, and finally California. I also ended up in San Francisco and had 4 days there before flying home. It was a marvellous trip, and I would highly recommend it to others, although it can be a little exhausting and also quite expensive when you're travelling alone like I did. But you get to take in some fantastic sights which you can't really get any other way.

This time, it's about the big city sights. If I go again sometime, it will probably be a combination of the two.