Im making my way to the USA.

[jonn r]

Thanks all, i love the ideas so far.

I love the hot weather so July and august would be perfect.

I don't know yet weather i will be there for 2 or 3 weeks depending on college, so i want to fit everything in, which is going to be so difficult because i want to see EVERYTHING!

Would love to hear more ideas ...!

ok....here i go...what MAINE  has to offer ..........LOBSTER.....hmmmm.......MORE LOBSTER.......spme of the best coastline anywere......and oh yeah did i say LOBSTER.......

[charee]

OMG Amanda Thats fantastic Your mum and dad are awesome people

[tamara]

Congratulations Amanda ! Be thinkin of you livin it up in the U.S of A when I'm bein a lil busy bee at work !

[boxman55]

Wow this is very cool. I don't know how you can do it in just one 3-week trip. You would almost have to split the country in 1/4ths and come 4 times to cover everything in each quadrant. But if I was going to pick my first section it would be the southwest. Southern California north to Yosemite, or Northern Ca south to Yosemite, then Arizona-New Mexico-Vegas (Nevada)-Utah and Southern Colorado (Telluride, CO a must see) All the national parks in this part of the country are a must see...Boxman

[CW]

Yes...I do tricks...I fly off the handle and Jump to conclusions.

OMG Kit  

OK... OK... I am back  Thats great Amanda, because most of my family is from the east I have to do San Francisco tours every few months, Frisco has a lot to offer. The architecture, historical sites, restaurants, natural sites, pacific ocean and much more all packed into such a small area that you can do a lot in one day! I also suggest Socal (southern ca) that seems to be the heart of IHD and a great destination. And of course my hometown NY.  Wherever you go I am sure you will have a blast!

[Wattle]

   Yeah Amanda!!

The hardest part now will be where to go! So many great ideas. I am sure you will have a fantastic time.

[kidney4traci]

Too bad you weren't coming today!  We had the prettiest day today.  The kids went swimming at the neighbors, they heated the pool up.  It was sunny and about 80.  Oh yea, and the rodea is coming in town.  Lots of fun there! 

[kidney4traci]

Bill, I noticed you forgot to mention a ride on your boat as an attraction!   

[Amanda From OZ]

Wow thanks everyone these ideas are great... and yes my parents are the best.

Bill the road trip sounds great but it depends on who I'm going with, if Rick can take time off work i will be going with him (and he can drive) but if not i will be coming with my cousin Daniella and there is no way anyone would want either one of us driving.   

These ideas have helped me a lot, but i won't know how to pick between them. 

[Sluff]

It would be a scary thing to see you guys driving in the US.   

[Joe Paul]

Wow thanks everyone these ideas are great... and yes my parents are the best.

Bill the road trip sounds great but it depends on who I'm going with, if Rick can take time off work i will be going with him (and he can drive) but if not i will be coming with my cousin Daniella and there is no way anyone would want either one of us driving.   

These ideas have helped me a lot, but i won't know how to pick between them. 

IMHO, since you live on an island, anything to do with a beach should be on the back-burner   OK, OK us people here on the North- Eastern side of the United States haven't had any type of get together, I'm digging for a chance to meet  

[Romona]

No matter where you choose, you will have a wonderful time. And like someone else said, there will be people to meet up with. This will give people a reason to get together. 

[Bill Peckham]

Bill, I noticed you forgot to mention a ride on your boat as an attraction!   

I do wish I had a boat again. I charter these days - in fact I have a make good week coming up on May 21st - but it's pretty easy to get on the water here in Seattle. I have friends with sailboats. And ther eis always the Washington State ferry system which can get you into the San Juans, the San Juan Islands are one of my favorite places. Another of my favorite places are the Oregon beaches but like Joe Paul said - seeing beaches might not be at the top of the list. In Seattle you can see snow too - Mt Rainier has glaciers year around (see them while they're still here).

Seattle has a lot to offer a visitor, from Volcanoes, 70 miles (about 115 KM) of wilderness ocean beach, temperate rain forests, to a busy city (reminds me a bit of Sydney only smaller), with the Paul Allen Experience Music Project, Museum of flight and a six week SeaFair celebration July to August culminating in a visit from the Blue Angeles during the hydroplane races. Seattle is great in the Summer.

Amanda if you were going to visit Australia for three weeks, knowing what you know, what would be your itinerary? From that we might be able to offer the "up top" version.

[Slywalker]

I vote for the northeast - you can start in Portland, Maine and drive down to Boston then New York and then Washington, D.C.  Road trip???!!!!  Yes, Road trip should be fun.  And hot is relative, it is not that hot in the northeast.  Hot for Maine might be 75 to 80 degrees.  Wind off Atlantic Ocean keeps things reasonable.

Can't wait to hear your plans.

Sandyb

[Meinuk]

Time to represent NYC – and I’ll do it via two things that I love, food and movies…

DAY ONE
Pack lightly, and have one suitcase on wheels.  You can do it - no one will know that you are wearing the same outfits over and over.  First, you fly into NYC – if it is via JFK, you’ll be reminded of Kennedy's Camelot and you’ll be in one of the world's largest and busiest airports – Don’t take a cab, take the subway and be introduced to NYC’s greatest asset, it’s people.  (It is a schlep, but treat it as an adventure – this is the trip of a lifetime) While at the airport, pick up a copy of New York Magazine, you’ll have something to read on the train, if you don’t feel like people watching.  JFK Air Train takes you to the E or A train (E is shorter) and you’ll have around an hour on the subway.  Then depending where your hotel is, you’ll be in the Big Apple. 

Let’s pretend that you have arrived in the early afternoon, and you are staying at a midtown tourist grade hotel on 34th street.  The E train would drop you off at Penn Station, Madison Sqaure Garden, when you get off the train, you’ll see people people, people, shopping, commuting, begging, busking and sight seeing – crowded and dirty, fast paced and unforgettable.  Are you hungry?  Stop at a Penn Station Pizzaria and grab a slice and a drink.  Not the best pizza ever, but still an iconic moment -  your first slice at Penn Station.

The city can be overwhelming and the city can be beautiful.  Check into your hotel, drop off your bags, turn on the TV to a local station as you putter around your hotel room – American TV is crumbling societies all over the world, and it is right there in your hotel room.  Take a shower and wash off the travel grime, and you are ready to hit the pavement.

Where to?  Well, hit the highlights – if it is after dark, then check out Times Square – after the natural sun goes down, the Neon rises.  Times Square is a monument to capitalism.  Check out 42nd Street – once a seedy porn filled part of town, now sanitized and flashing for your dollars – chain shops galore.  Look at the trinkets but don’t spend your money (unless you really want post cards)  If you saw Enchanted, you’ll see where the prince popped into the city.  If you loved Midnight Cowboy you’ll be where Joe Buck chased his dream and met Ratso Rizzo.

You could see a Broadway play or even an off off Broadway play (cheaper and more accessible) off Broadway is the Petri dish for talent development.  ( You can arrange tickets before hand via the internet) There is a group, the Labyrinth Theatre Company a multi racial, multi talented group of individuals who are keeping theatre an art form.  If you want to laugh, there is always the Upright Citizen’s Brigade, and improve group who are on the cutting edge of comedy.  Now is the chance to see stars before they hit the stratosphere, you’ll see the artists behind the phrase "starving artist".  If you are tired, call it an early night and get a good night’s sleep.  If your are jet lagged, hit one of our 24 hour diners. Or grab a Recession Special at Grey's Papaya.


DAY TWO
Early in morning, before the crowds hit, you should trek to the top of the Empire State Building.  The K2 of NYC skyscrapers.  Do it because it is there, and you can say that you did it.  But skip the crowds, it is not worth waiting in line.  The Empire State Building it is one of the Seven Wonders of NYC.  After you’ve come down from the top, stop at a deli and have a NYC breakfast, an egg, cheese and bacon roll with coffee.  Find a city bench on Fifth Avenue, eat your breakfast and people watch.  People in thousand dollar suits commuting to their offices, Bronx secretaries with the most amazing teased hair and painted talons in their professional “work” suits.  Pay attention to these people, their diversity makes America a melting pot.  You’ll see walking skeleton models sharing the sidewalk with blousy NJ housewives.  Everyone will ask about your accent.

Walk up Fifth Avenue from 34th street to Central Park.  Fifth Avenue divides the city; as you walk north, anything on the left is WEST side and anything on the right is EAST side.  While strolling up Fifth Ave, you’ll walk past the Lions that guard the NY Public Library – also the steps where Uncle Ben died in Spider Man.  You’ll pass high end boutiques (check out the window displays), You’ll see millionaires shopping and you’ll see homeless people looking for change.  We all co-exist in NYC.

Note Tiffany’s and Trump Tower, paragons of the ever depreciating dollar, gold and platinum respectively.  Stop in some of the shops, even with the weak dollar, you’ll be shocked at the prices.  You’ve just walked down the 24 carat boulevard of Fifth Avenue, and at the intersection with 59th Street just as you get to Central Park - on the right, you’ll see a glass box,a  monument to silicone -  The Apple Store (right next to FAO Schwartz (the worlds biggest Toy store "Big")).

Now you are at Central Park – you should be able to smell the horses.  Walk down Central Park South to Columbus Circle.  Look at the hotels, notice the limousines dropping people off.  Look at the Plaza, imagine Eloise looking out of those windows at the people below.  Go to the shops at Columbus Circle, go downstairs and buy a picnic at Whole Foods Supermarket.  Pack it up, and then walk back to the park and splurge the $35.00 and take a half hour carriage ride, have a picnic and enjoy the scenery.

Lunch is over, you’ve taken a picture with your horse and driver, and then you can hop on the subway downtown.  You need to go to ground zero.  It is a construction site now, but there are memories there, and it will evoke a familiar sadness.  Take some pictures for back home, shake it off and do some retail therapy.  Check out Century 21, inexpensive designer goods.  It’ll be crowded, but you may find something, the key is, dig.  After you’ve left Century 21, make your way to Battery Park.  It is time for a sunset cruise on the Staten Island Ferry.  Time it, it is free - and you'll see the Statue of Liberty along the way (another of the Seven Wonders of NYC).  Plan your trip so that your during your trip back from Staten Island, you can drink a beer and see the Manhattan skyline.  Think "Working Girl" – If you have an I-pod, you could even make a NYC sound track – but that is for another person…

Now it is time for dinner in Little Italy.  Make your way to Mulberry Street and pick a restaurant.  Eat too much, drink too much and enjoy your evening.  After you finish your meal, walk around and enjoy the neighborhood.  When you are exhausted, splurge on a yellow taxi and head back to your hotel.  Don't worry, Travis B. is no longer a NYC Taxi Driver, you are more likely to have an Israeli/Pakistani or African driver.  Make sure that you know the cross streets for your hotel (that is pretty easy, remember, NYC is mostly a grid of Streets (side to side) and Avenues (up & down)).

DAY THREE
Museum day – head back to the Lower East Side and see the Tenement Museum.  Think of the movie Crossing Delancy and stop at the Pickle Guys on Essex Street.  Check out the Essex Street Market, and the shops all around the Lower East side.  Then make your way to Chinatown for lunch.  You have many options – from dollar dumplings at Fried Dumplings to Dim Sum at Ping’s on Mott Street.  There is a lot of shopping, and you’ll never forget the sights and smells.

After Lunch, head uptown to your museum of choice.  Pick a big one and go for it.  Spend an afternoon looking at the world’s wonders.  The go back to your hotel, take a shower and get ready to go out.  Make reservations beforehand for a nice dinner in NYC using opentable.com.  Before dinner, stop for an expensive drink at The Campbell Apartment. Then check out Grand Central Station.  Hop on the 6 train and head to Union Square/Greenwich Village.  Walk down Sixth Avenue and remember scenes from Sex and the City – The park where Miranda got married – The sidewalk from 13 Going on 30.  Go to dinner.  (I have many suggestions, but you should check out YELP.com and find your favourite)

After Dinner if you are an old fogie like me, head back to your hotel and snuggle up.  If you are really up to it – hit a dance club.  That is what Madonna did back in the 80’s when she was walking down the same sidewalks.  And Mark Twain, well, he hit up a different kind of club when he called Greenwich Village his home.

I’m going to stop now, and go outside and enjoy this city that I’ve been writing about all morning.  Make a list of what you want to see and see it, but keep your eyes open along the way because there is so much more…

[okarol]

Meinuk - that sounds like a perfect way to see NY - but you forgot one thing: Visit Meinuk and Zach too!

[Bill Peckham]

Time to represent NYC – and I’ll do it via two things that I love, food and movies…

DAY ONE
Pack lightly, and have one suitcase on wheels.  You can do it - no one will know that you are wearing the same outfits over and over. 

This cannot be over emphasized. And don't forget that your dollar will go a long way. I think a case could be made to bring a foundation of clothes/shoes and buy the rest here. Try this. Pack up your clothes and spend an hour window shopping in your own town. Pack to the point where this is still enjoyable. And as Meinuk said you must picnic in NY NY and all along through the trip - stay away from the fast food.

Meinuk's three days sound great and really there is a lot to be said for making NY NY your first stop. When you step into Penn Station you'll know you're not in Oz anymore (heh). A key advantage of the east coast over the west coast is the availability of train travel. I believe there is a train pass on Amtrak for US visitors - like the Eurail pass. With it you could connect east coast cities without having to drive. From the east coast you could start your way home by heading west. It would be a real juxtaposition to fly from the east coast Megopolis to Phoenix and then drive through Northern Arizona - here you'd be able to visit the Navajo-  to the north rim of the Grand Canyon and then on to Zion National Park. Plan to spend a couple days in wilderness de-New Yorkifying yourself on your way to Vegas - there must be a way to do this even if you aren't driving. Then on to IHD central in Lala land.

I'm getting wanderdesire.

[Joe Paul]

A key advantage of the east coast over the west coast is the availability of train travel. I believe there is a train pass on Amtrak for US visitors - like the Eurail pass. With it you could connect east coast cities without having to drive. From the east coast you could start your way home by heading west.

Thats a great idea, Amtrak stops in Pittsburgh, then you could decide where to go from here after a day or two 

[lola]

Mans MALL OF AMERICA and Sluff is not that far away so you'd beable to see both of us (hehehe)

[Amanda From OZ]

what a great load of information. Thanks everyone.

I have put together with all your advice a itinerary. I will post it tomorrow after uni. (college)

Fitting everything into a few weeks is not going to be easy.

[Romona]

Can't wait to see where you are going to have your adventure!

[MyssAnne]

Oh man.  ALl of you make yoiur part of the U.S. sound so inviting, and so much fun!!!

Amanda, Meinuk and Bill have some pretty darn good ideas. First, pack LIGHT. Buy what you can here.
Take the train/subway as much as possible, cheaper!!!

Take lots of pictures, we're gonna want to see where you've been!!!

Annie

[KR Cincy]

Amanda...while you are welcome here in the great Ohio valley, I can't say that it's a tourist's paradise.
However, depending on when you are coming, there are rumblings of a IHD reunion somewhere...so that could take care of lots of visits all at once.

I envy your adventure...there's lots here and you have nothing but free places to stay all across the country!

[bolta72]

No matter where you go, take it all in and have a great time.

[aharris2]

what a great load of information. Thanks everyone.

I have put together with all your advice a itinerary. I will post it tomorrow after uni. (college)

Fitting everything into a few weeks is not going to be easy.

But WAIT! 

We're not done!!! Rolando and I have many, many thoughts and just haven't had the time to post 'em. 

And now it seems that Chicago needs to figure prominently in your itinerary if it includes August 2nd