United States of America 2008
All the way across!
Introduction
I knew that this would, most likely, be our last long trip to the USA, so I spent months trying to perfect it. Of course, nothing is ever perfect - and a long trip which does not include getting lost, some disappointing weather and sore feet, would not be a very interesting trip, or much of an adventure - so, I suppose, with those criteria in mind, this trip was perfect!
We had planned to drive right across the USA, from New York City to Los Angeles. However, we decided that the bit between New York City and Chicago was incredibly boring (those who live happily in Pennsylvania and Ohio would, no doubt, disagree!) and we decided that flying between the two cities would make more sense, both time-wise and financially. We did drive the rest of the way across, but I can't help feeling that we cheated just a little bit ...
As with our previous trips to the States, we didn't have enough money to travel, stay and eat three full restaurant meals per day - nor, because of the distances involved and, therefore, our short time in each place, did we have enough time to do everything that we would have liked - therefore, restaurant and hiking reports are lacking from this write-up (because they largely didn't exist!).
Onwards, to the adventure!
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Day 1: To Heathrow
Day 2: Off to New York City!
Day 3: Across the water and high, high places
Day 4: Meeting William!
Day 5: To the Windy City
Day 6: My kind of town!
Day 7: Jasmine and the Mississippi
Day 8: Arby's, Dairy Queen, the Jolly Green Giant and pink quarzite! (Where's the SPAM?)
Day 9: Badlands and jackalope
Day 10: Indians, buffalo and granite faces
Day 11: Storms, winnings and bears through the rain
Day 12: The Rockies
Day 13: Down by the Rio Grande
Day 14: Los Alamos and Santa Fe
Day 15: The long way to 4 Corners and Monument Valley
Day 16: John Wayne, Valley of the Gods, Moki Dugway, Arches and a craving for fruit
Day 17: The Sun shines on Bryce Canyon
Day 18: Oh Zion. Oh Vegas.
Day 19: London Bridge and Palm Springs
Day 20: Loafing in the Sun Day 1
Day 21: Loafing in the Sun Day 2
Day 22: To San Diego
Day 23: Viva Espana; Viva Mariners; Viva Target!
Day 24: We went to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo ...
Day 25: Laguna Beach and lost in Marina Del Rey
Day 26: Home again
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