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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Whither the North American Tourist?
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An die Freude
Shipmate
# 14794
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Posted
Hi all,
As some of you may remember, a year and a half ago I asked for help in deciding to what North American universities I should apply for exchange studies. My application was successful and I am now a happy exchange student at McGill University in Montreal. One with a reading week coming up, and no major obligations other than trying to experience as much of this continent as possible.
Thus I ask ye all for advice on what places in North America I should try to visit!
The few unfortunate restrictions are that I attempt to stay largely sober and that I sadly do not have a driver's licence. On the upside, I am very interested in seeing as much as I can, and I am not afraid of long bus journeys to take me there. I have done 48 hour bus rides before, and I see no reason to limit myself further than that I am on a student budget. I think my goals could be more in seeing awe-inspiring culture and nature (including city atmospheres) rather than hip events. Therefore, if you can recommend what we in Sweden call "a place of wild strawberries", i.e. a lesser known treasure, I am very interested in hearing about it.
My reading week begins this upcoming Friday (planning ahead is for the unimaginative) but I have also got plenty of time to explore the continent at the end of April and early May, so feel free to give suggestions that might fit better with more time or planning!
Also, on a last note, something different than Montreal slush would indeed be nice - but I'm also looking at the Canadian Rockies, so it doesn't just go in one direction!
Thanks!
// JFH
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"I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable."
Walt Whitman
Formerly JFH
Posts: 851 | From: Proud Socialist Monarchy of Sweden | Registered: May 2009
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Sober Preacher's Kid
Presbymethegationalist
# 12699
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Posted
Y'come to Montreal and y'didn't tell me!?!
Oh well, you can make up for it sometime between April 12 and 14 when I am in Montreal for the NDP Convention.
I have my own proud socialist monarchy to keep up. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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NDP Federal Convention Ottawa 2018: A random assortment of Prots and Trots.
Posts: 7646 | From: Peterborough, Upper Canada | Registered: Jun 2007
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Moo
Ship's tough old bird
# 107
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Posted
If you want to travel cheaply by bus, Megabus is the way to go. It doesn't cover the entire country, but it keeps expanding. The buses are very comfortable.
If you want to see the Virginia mountains, the Megabus from Washington stops in Christiansburg. Let me know if you're coming this way.
Moo
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Kerygmania host
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See you later, alligator.
Posts: 20365 | From: Alleghany Mountains of Virginia | Registered: May 2001
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Zach82
Shipmate
# 3208
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Posted
That depends on what you like and how much money you have. If you like museums and culture, Boston, New York City, and Washington DC are all worth a visit. If you are more of a nature lover, the Grand Canyon, Arizona is the largest canyon in the world, and Mammoth Caves in Kentucky live up to their name as the longest cave system in the world.
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Don't give up yet, no, don't ever quit/ There's always a chance of a critical hit. Ghost Mice
Posts: 9148 | From: Boston, MA | Registered: Aug 2002
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
Lesser known treasure? Here is one: The House on the Rock.
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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kingsfold
Shipmate
# 1726
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Posted
Make sure you take a trip over to Ottawa. It's only a couple of hours or so away by bus, and the shipmates there will be very pleased to meet you, I'm sure - they're a great bunch of people.
Posts: 4473 | From: land of the wee midgie | Registered: Nov 2001
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jbohn
Shipmate
# 8753
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Posted
The American Southwest. This is a decent time of year for it, too- not terribly hot yet (summers are very hot and dry, generally). The scenery is incredible.
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We are punished by our sins, not for them.
--Elbert Hubbard
Posts: 989 | From: East of Eden, west of St. Paul | Registered: Nov 2004
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Sober Preacher's Kid
Presbymethegationalist
# 12699
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Posted
The Outer Banks of North Carolina.
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NDP Federal Convention Ottawa 2018: A random assortment of Prots and Trots.
Posts: 7646 | From: Peterborough, Upper Canada | Registered: Jun 2007
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Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by jbohn:
The American Southwest. This is a decent time of year for it, too- not terribly hot yet (summers are very hot and dry, generally). The scenery is incredible.
And there are lovely Shipmates in the Phoenix and Santa Fe areas.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
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An die Freude
Shipmate
# 14794
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Posted
General replies:
@Sober Preacher's Kid:
I think I might have mentioned it in the other thread, but I suppose I should've made it more clear - I'll make it up as best as I can on said time, although it'll be just before finals! Also, what is the outer banks of North Carolina (Roanoke?) and what can you recommend in particular about it?
@moo:
Thanks for the advice! I've been looking at Megabus and Greyhound generally. I'll be sure to let you know if I'm coming that way! However, I'm afraid you overestimate my knowledge - what is particular about the Virginia Mountains? Bring the sales pitch on! ![[Biased]](wink.gif)
@Zach82:
I've been to NYC frequently, but I think I'll give Washington and Boston a chance sometime during the spring. However, my main focus is to see the supposed real America, that I don't think I'll have a good chance of seeing later on. I'm considering the Grand Canyon. I hadn't heard of the Mammoth Caves, but it sounds like the kind of thing I might be up for. I've seen some people mention the Bryce Canyon - does anyone know anything about that?
@lilBuddha:
Thanks, checking it out!
@kingsfold:
I'd be up for a shipmeet in Ottawa, definitely. However, all these Montreal people have told me there's not much to see - care to rectify this possible mistake of theirs?
@jbohn:
Thanks! If I have only a few days to swing by, what in the American SW should I not miss?
@Pigwidgeon:
I'll be sure to keep that in mind!
Thank you all for your great suggestions! Please keep them coming!
[ 25. February 2013, 20:32: Message edited by: JFH ]
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"I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable."
Walt Whitman
Formerly JFH
Posts: 851 | From: Proud Socialist Monarchy of Sweden | Registered: May 2009
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comet
Snowball in Hell
# 10353
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Posted
it's a long way and hard to get here, but if you can make a sojourn to Alaska before you leave, you'll love it. The southeast of the state is probably a lot like home for you (forested fjords and lots of sealife and no roads and a cheap ferry to take you everywhere with locals) my part has north America's biggest mountain and it's corresponding amazing national park. and a train to take you there.
This time of year is dog mushing season, which is a crazy blast. summer is beautiful - again, probably a lot like home only bigger with a lot less civilization. and BIG wild life.
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Evil Dragon Lady, Breaker of Men's Constitutions
"It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.” -Calvin
Posts: 17024 | From: halfway between Seduction and Peril | Registered: Sep 2005
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kingsfold
Shipmate
# 1726
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Posted
quote:
posted by JFH:
@kingsfold:
I'd be up for a shipmeet in Ottawa, definitely. However, all these Montreal people have told me there's not much to see - care to rectify this possible mistake of theirs?
Ah, see, Montreal to Ottawa is not far so we're not talking about an extended trip. I guess you could do it in a day if you wanted. Whilst the Museum in Ottawa is well worth a visit, and you can spend a good period of time in there, the real reason to go to Ottawa is to meet PeteC, John Holding, Augustine the Aleut and Henry Troupe and maybe one or two others. It's the shipmates in Ottawa, you see. And all these Montreal People just wouldn't know about this side of Ottawa
[In the interests of some kind of balance, I should say I also spent some time in Montreal when I was out in Canada, and I liked it very much. I'm still not entirely sure climbing the hill up to the cross at the top was terribly sensible, but...]
[ 25. February 2013, 21:19: Message edited by: kingsfold ]
Posts: 4473 | From: land of the wee midgie | Registered: Nov 2001
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Martha
Shipmate
# 185
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Posted
The Outer Banks are islands off the coast of North Carolina. I've never been but my brother loves camping there whenever he can. If you like beaches and sea and solitude I think that's the place to go.
The mountains in Virginia are just beautiful. Picture toasting marshmallows over a campfire and gazing up at more stars than you ever imagined there could be.
If you make it to Boston be sure to take the ferry out to the Harbor Islands. They are uninhabited so it's only you and whoever else is on the boat - which when I went was about 6 other people. One island has a deserted army camp for added interest / spookiness.
Posts: 388 | From: in the kitchen | Registered: May 2001
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no prophet's flag is set so...
Proceed to see sea
# 15560
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Posted
Seeing as you're in Montreal, and a student, some of the long travels suggested may be a little difficult and expensive. It is closer to go back to Europe that some of the west and south travels. I'd suggest spending some time in the Maritime provinces if you venture our of Quebec. But there's so much in Quebec. Quebec City is a must. New Brunswick is within reach for sure, with Nova Scotia, PEI and the most Nordic of our provinces Newfoundland maybe little distant. It is often cheaper to fly to Europe than there.
Seeing as you're in Quebec, spending some time in the northern lakes and forests is always worthwhile, both in Ontario and Quebec. Que over Ontario IMHO, just because of the number of people. One of the things about Canada is that unless you're in that southern-eastern Ontario-Quebec area (or the lower mainland of B.C. and the Calgary-Edmonton corridor), there are almost no people. You may be able to get a cheap flight to large city USA, say on Porter, but on student budgets perhaps you'll be on the road. The New England states probably are more reasonable in that case. I do find the border crossings in populated areas to the USA unpredictable. Been across in 25 minutes, and not in 4 hours.
Given you're a student and where you are, I'd recommend finding out who knows someone who has a cabin, probably at a lake, and get there. If you're a skier, you're in luck, and when things melt, you're in luck again. A lot of the countryside will look like Sweden, but no one is there. As my German cousins like to call Canada, "kein na da" (no one there).
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Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety.
\_(ツ)_/
Posts: 11498 | From: Treaty 6 territory in the nonexistant Province of Buffalo, Canada ↄ⃝' | Registered: Mar 2010
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Moo
Ship's tough old bird
# 107
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by JFH:
@moo:
Thanks for the advice! I've been looking at Megabus and Greyhound generally. I'll be sure to let you know if I'm coming that way! However, I'm afraid you overestimate my knowledge - what is particular about the Virginia Mountains? Bring the sales pitch on!
We have nice waterfalls. My avatar shows Sharp Top mountain and Abbott Lake. We have the Natural Bridge. The difference between our mountains and the western mountains is that most of ours are covered with trees.
We also have mountain music.
Moo
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Kerygmania host
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See you later, alligator.
Posts: 20365 | From: Alleghany Mountains of Virginia | Registered: May 2001
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Augustine the Aleut
Shipmate
# 1472
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Posted
Vermont and New Hampshire are within shouting distance of Mtl, easily busable, and should be experienced to get an understanding of a very important part of the US psyche. One of these months, the snow will start melting and so Quebec's eastern townships, with Lennoxville and Sherbrooke and Memphremagog, will soon be emerging-- they're also quite remarkable with the snow, and don't miss them.
Should you make it to Ottawa, do not fear that the only thing worth doing is a shipmeet. Both the National Gallery and the Parliament buildings are worth the look. Ít's only 2 hours in a bus from Mtl.
Posts: 6236 | From: Ottawa, Canada | Registered: Oct 2001
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orfeo
Ship's Musical Counterpoint
# 13878
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Posted
Golly. This is all reading like an echo of my own questions in All Saints to the Americans and Canadians. Complete with my reluctance to drive (on account of the fact that I'll try to drive on the left hand side of the road and kill us all)
I'm close to finalising the cities on my Grand Tour, by the way, but as to what excursions I try from those bases, it's still a bit up in the air.
Oh yeah... Montreal is on the list.
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Technology has brought us all closer together. Turns out a lot of the people you meet as a result are complete idiots.
Posts: 18173 | From: Under | Registered: Jul 2008
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HenryT
Canadian Anglican
# 3722
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Posted
I trust you've extensively samples the wonderful city of Montreal itself! And neighboring places like Saint-Lambert, now doing a sort of gastro-village.
This time of year's a bit tricky, as the winter festivals are pretty much over, both Ottawa and Quebec City. Ottawa has lots of museums, one of the less well-known is the Canadian Air and Space Museum, if you like old planes.
Kingston is worth a visit, and accessible by train or bus. Fort Henry and the nearby military history is worth a day trip.
Pay close attention to long-range weather, of course. That to me makes both Boston and Chicago iffy, this year.
From Mtl, you can get either a bus or Amtrak train to New York City, which would probably be my choice for the car-less traveler right now.
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"Perhaps an invincible attachment to the dearest rights of man may, in these refined, enlightened days, be deemed old-fashioned" P. Henry, 1788
Posts: 7231 | From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 2002
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HenryT
Canadian Anglican
# 3722
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Posted
Orfeo, switching sides I found pretty easy when I visited the UK. Remember, the car is built other side round. Driver's side toward other traffic.
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"Perhaps an invincible attachment to the dearest rights of man may, in these refined, enlightened days, be deemed old-fashioned" P. Henry, 1788
Posts: 7231 | From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 2002
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ToujoursDan
Ship's prole
# 10578
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Posted
Amtrak from Montreal to NYC is not recommended. Between Montreal and Albany, NY (the state capital - but very rustbelt-ish), the terrain is rugged so the train is very slow and makes a lot of stops. The bus is much faster. (8-10 hrs by train vs. 6-7 by bus).
Once you get to NYC, it's easy to get to Philadelphia, Baltimore or Washington DC. If you're very cheap and/or adventurous, go to Chinatown and pick up one of the Chinese buses, otherwise take a bus from Port Authority.
Philadelphia was the capital of the entire U.S. for a brief period of time and there is quite a bit of history there.
The Hudson Valley should be past the muddy season and green by April and May. It's pretty spectacular.
Being a Calgarian for a time, I have to recommend visiting the Canadian Rockies. There is nothing like them. Banff is a tourist trap, but once you get out of town, the scenery is amazing.
(I've driven in the UK and New Zealand. After 5 minutes of feeling a bit odd, you adjust pretty quickly. I wouldn't recommend driving with a stick-shift though.)
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"Many people say I embarrass them with my humility" - Archbishop Peter Akinola
Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/toujoursdan
Posts: 3734 | From: NYC | Registered: Oct 2005
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cliffdweller
Shipmate
# 13338
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Posted
You can take the Coast Starlight express down the entire west coast of Washington, Oregon, and California-- seeing some of the most amazingly beautiful parts of all three states. And it's a pretty cool ride, too-- a throwback to the days of elegant adventurous train travel.
Side trips should include a bus excursion to Yosemite-- the jewel of the US nat'l parks. And/or take the ferry out to any of the San Juan (US/Wash) or Gulf islands (Canada/BC), including Victoria on Vancouver Island.
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"Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid." -Frederick Buechner
Posts: 11242 | From: a small canyon overlooking the city | Registered: Jan 2008
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Ariston
Insane Unicorn
# 10894
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by JFH:
@Zach82:
I've been to NYC frequently, but I think I'll give Washington and Boston a chance sometime during the spring. However, my main focus is to see the supposed real America, that I don't think I'll have a good chance of seeing later on. I'm considering the Grand Canyon. I hadn't heard of the Mammoth Caves, but it sounds like the kind of thing I might be up for. I've seen some people mention the Bryce Canyon - does anyone know anything about that?
Hate to say it, but you can pretty much forget Bryce/Zion/Arches/Monument Valley if you're not willing to fly or drive. It can be done if you're determined, but those parts of Utah are really friggin' remote and spaced out—you'd spend all your time traveling, not enough experiencing.
Remember, the US and Canada are big. I think this map gets the point across nicely. Unless you're willing to spend your whole trip driving—which, while there is a certain mystique to the Great American Road Trip, it involves driving yourself and your friends in your own car—you should probably stay east.
Which isn't to say there's not a lot of Real America™ out east, or even just northeast. Also remember that a fair bit of RA™ is urban, especially nowadays; think about day trips/getting off the bus runarounds for at least a few hours in Baltimore or Philly. Both those cities have a certain character (or, in Bawlmer, it's "charm," hon) that's not to be found elsewhere. There's also something to be said for, say, upstate New York, but you'd be there at entirely the wrong time to experience fall foliage in the mountains. However, if rural is what you're looking for, try anywhere in the Appalachian Mountains or the subranges (Green Mountains, Adirondacks, Catskills, Shenandoah Valley, etc)—maybe even do a day hike on the Appalachian Trail. Of course, I've heard great things about Mille du Lacs in Quebec as well, so you might want to think about that.
I'd recommend staying closer to New England/New York myself, unless you want to make a beeline for DC and work your way back up. That part of the world has its own distinct culture, topography, etc., and some spectacular scenery to boot. Much as I adore the American Southwest, you just don't have time to make it out there and back, much less see anything once you're there.
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“Therefore, let it be explained that nowhere are the proprieties quite so strictly enforced as in men’s colleges that invite young women guests, especially over-night visitors in the fraternity houses.” Emily Post, 1937.
Posts: 6849 | From: The People's Republic of Balcones | Registered: Jan 2006
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Sober Preacher's Kid
Presbymethegationalist
# 12699
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Posted
Montreal would say that about Ottawa.
Ottawa has the Parliament Buildings (very beautiful), lots of national museums (more collectively than Montreal & Toronto) and some gems like the Diefenbunker, formerly the government's national nuclear survival bunker and now a private museum. A volunteer foundation operates it, it's not a government operation.
Ottawa is a company town and always has been. The Government of Canada is the company. Montreal is a metropolis with a diversified economy, Ottawa really only has one purpose, albeit a very large one. Ottawa doesn't have the nightlife Montreal has and never did. It's smaller, the Company Town means public servants often go elsewhere to go wild rather than start a scandal that will hurt them at the office and Ottawa still clings to its Victorian English Protestant propriety.
Montreal has the best food and the best nightlife in Canada and always has. It's French, it's Catholic and it's always let people get away with more. Ottawa is where Ontario Rural Protestantism begins, four sauces and a thousand religions. Well, five religions but that's four more than Quebeckers generally comprehend aside from the Habs.
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NDP Federal Convention Ottawa 2018: A random assortment of Prots and Trots.
Posts: 7646 | From: Peterborough, Upper Canada | Registered: Jun 2007
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orfeo
Ship's Musical Counterpoint
# 13878
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by HenryT:
Orfeo, switching sides I found pretty easy when I visited the UK. Remember, the car is built other side round. Driver's side toward other traffic.
Well, my last trip to the US demonstrated that the first challenge is to enter the car on the correct side...
(NB On that trip I was trying to be a passenger. I just spent the first few days constantly walking to get in on the driver's side. ![[Hot and Hormonal]](icon_redface.gif) )
EDIT: I'm also possibly working off fear brought on by a famous family anecdote about my father trying to kill everybody in around 1972 as he drove off the car ferry in the UK, having spent long enough living in Belgium to have gone right-hand-side-native.
[ 26. February 2013, 03:26: Message edited by: orfeo ]
Posts: 18173 | From: Under | Registered: Jul 2008
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orfeo
Ship's Musical Counterpoint
# 13878
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by cliffdweller:
You can take the Coast Starlight express down the entire west coast of Washington, Oregon, and California-- seeing some of the most amazingly beautiful parts of all three states. And it's a pretty cool ride, too-- a throwback to the days of elegant adventurous train travel.
Side trips should include a bus excursion to Yosemite-- the jewel of the US nat'l parks. And/or take the ferry out to any of the San Juan (US/Wash) or Gulf islands (Canada/BC), including Victoria on Vancouver Island.
I'm basically bookmarking this one. I plan on using the Coast Starlight for probably Vancouver-Seattle and definitely Seattle-Portland. If I don't use it Vancouver-Seattle it'll be because I'm trying the ferry instead.
And Yosemite as a 1 or 2 day trip from San Francisco is on the cards I think.
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Technology has brought us all closer together. Turns out a lot of the people you meet as a result are complete idiots.
Posts: 18173 | From: Under | Registered: Jul 2008
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
You'll likely not make it here if you're no willing to drive, but the Grand Tetons are my favourite American mountains.
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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Gramps49
Shipmate
# 16378
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Posted
Instead of Bus Tours, I would recommend a USA Rail Pass. Much like Euro Rail passes, If I am not mistaken you can include Canadian Rail routs on the same pass. Someone mentioned the Tetons, Glacier National Park has rail service. Take the Rail into Seattle then down to Portland, San Francisco, Los Angles, through Phoenix and New Mexico To the Deep South and up along the East Coast into Washington DC and New York.
Now that is a trip!
Posts: 2193 | From: Pullman WA | Registered: Apr 2011
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orfeo
Ship's Musical Counterpoint
# 13878
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Posted
(oh dear, I'm taking over the thread...)
I do enjoy rail a great deal, I've used it in Europe a bit and years back I had a month-long rail pass in the UK. A fine way to travel. So I highly recommend it to my fellow-traveller.
In North America, though, you've got to be really conscious of the sheer distance. There are legs of that kind of trip that will take days. Which is great if that's what you want to do, but it's a choice to just sit back and watch the world roll by.
For the places I'm going, I'm essentially planning to use rail on shorter legs (except if it isn't present, eg there's an inconvenient rail gap between Montreal and New England), but fly the longer ones.
Vancouver to Seattle by rail: 3 or 4 hours (once I understand those weird Amtrak timetables...). Seattle to Portland by rail: 3 or 4 hours.
Portland to San Francisco by rail: appears to be something like 18 hours, which is a pretty major time investment even if I'm (attempting to) sleep through a significant chunk of northern California. Methinks I'll be flying and enjoying a comfortable bed instead.
Seattle to Los Angeles on the Coast Starlight takes 35 hours in total.
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Technology has brought us all closer together. Turns out a lot of the people you meet as a result are complete idiots.
Posts: 18173 | From: Under | Registered: Jul 2008
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Why not come to San Diego? I can tell you where the good districts are and where you can pick up bad girls: I lived in San Diego for parts of ten years and graduated from San Diego State University. A handful of Shipmates live in or near the area. Weather is wonderful and beaches are good for surfing, scuba diving and sand volleyball. PM me for details. Avoid "Hotel Circle" - it is a dreary place far from the sea and chock a block with inland tourists in minivans who don't know any better!
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Amanda B. Reckondwythe
Dressed for Church
# 5521
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Posted
I gather that JFH will be landing in eastern Canada and will be subsisting on a student's budget. How would San Diego fit into this? I might be wrong, but I somehow get the impression that "bad girls" is not what JFH meant by "wild strawberries".
Besides -- take it from me -- San Diego is not what it was 30 years ago. It had a certain sleazy attraction to it then, but nowadays it only attracts tourists' money.
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"I take prayer too seriously to use it as an excuse for avoiding work and responsibility." -- The Revd Martin Luther King Jr.
Posts: 10542 | From: The Great Southwest | Registered: Feb 2004
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jbohn
Shipmate
# 8753
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by JFH:
@jbohn:
Thanks! If I have only a few days to swing by, what in the American SW should I not miss?
For sheer "wow" - the Grand Canyon. That said, it's well-touristed, so could be full of people.
Taos, NM is pretty, and Albuquerque is also full of history. As is the Cimmarron, NM area.
The mountains and deserts outside of Las Vegas, NV are beautiful. And Las Vegas can be fun for a short visit; there's a lot to see and do.
---
For a shorter trip sometime, I'd recommend coming here to MInnesota - though the summer is much nicer than now, which is the snow/slush/ice season...
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We are punished by our sins, not for them.
--Elbert Hubbard
Posts: 989 | From: East of Eden, west of St. Paul | Registered: Nov 2004
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
The problem with large countries is the "wild strawberry" patches tend to be more difficult to find. Public transport is simply not conducive to your efforts and most anything one can easily commercialize has been. This leaves off the beaten path destinations, which means driving.
If you truly wish the unique, you may wish to peruse this guide.
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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lilBuddha
Shipmate
# 14333
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Posted
This was intended as an ETA, but I took too much time.
At times there are patches within, or adjacent to, large tourist destinations. Example would be Yosemite. Crowded as can be, in the valley main, but a short hike leaves most of the tourists behind.
A short distance outside Albuquerque, is Tinkertown.
In search of the old west? Eschew Tombstone, Arizona for nearby, and more authentic, Bisbee.
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I put on my rockin' shoes in the morning
Hallellou, hallellou
Posts: 17627 | From: the round earth's imagined corners | Registered: Dec 2008
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jbohn
Shipmate
# 8753
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Posted
Nice adds, lilBuhdda.
For a long trip, I've always wanted to drive old Route 66, at least as much as is still extant, from Chicago to LA.
[ 26. February 2013, 17:37: Message edited by: jbohn ]
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We are punished by our sins, not for them.
--Elbert Hubbard
Posts: 989 | From: East of Eden, west of St. Paul | Registered: Nov 2004
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georgiaboy
Shipmate
# 11294
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Posted
I love the NC Outer Banks and the VA mountains, but Feb/March is perhaps not the ideal time to visit -- May or June would be more pleasant.
As a native Kentuckian I can heartily second the recommendation of Mammoth Cave. There are many options offered for the tours, my favorite being the 'all day' which covers most of the easily passable stretches. There is also a 'wild cave' option (which can involve some significant belly-crawling). My son is partial to that one; me, not so much. I haven't checked the public transport options, but my recollection is that there aren't any, although Greyhound may get you quite near. There are accomodations nearby. Check the USNational Parks web-site, which for some reason I can't get to toay.
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You can't retire from a calling.
Posts: 1675 | From: saint meinrad, IN | Registered: Apr 2006
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Sober Preacher's Kid
Presbymethegationalist
# 12699
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Posted
Another place to go is Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. This place was a central battleground of the Civil War. John Brown was also hanged there. Since the town lost its importance after the Civil War, it has been preserved to an amazing degree.
Amtrak and MARC run trains there from Washington and Baltimore.
Besides, the scenery is incredible at the confluence of three states, the Shenandoah and the Potomac.
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NDP Federal Convention Ottawa 2018: A random assortment of Prots and Trots.
Posts: 7646 | From: Peterborough, Upper Canada | Registered: Jun 2007
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Ariston
Insane Unicorn
# 10894
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Posted
Something else I thought of while thinking about all this talk of New Mexico and the Southwest in general: until about the end of March, it's going to be ski season, which means that hotel rooms/hostel beds/campsites are going to be nigh-impossible to find at anything approaching a reasonable rate. Sure, come June, things will have thawed out a bit, the nights in the high country will be (just) above freezing, and the tourists will be . . . well, not as thick, but that's a ways away.
Oh, and jbohn, nice shoutout to Cimarron, NM. I spent a few too many summers at the nearby Scout ranch (and learning to take US 64 at 65 MPH through the twists of Cimarron Canyon—still at least 10 slower than the locals) to let that one go unappreciated.
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“Therefore, let it be explained that nowhere are the proprieties quite so strictly enforced as in men’s colleges that invite young women guests, especially over-night visitors in the fraternity houses.” Emily Post, 1937.
Posts: 6849 | From: The People's Republic of Balcones | Registered: Jan 2006
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cliffdweller
Shipmate
# 13338
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by orfeo:
Seattle to Los Angeles on the Coast Starlight takes 35 hours in total.
I've done it several times-- it's just one night, 2 days. The train is so comfy and the scenery so gorgeous, I didn't mind. The really cool thing is that as it goes over the Sierras you are at times going thru places you can't see any other way.
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"Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid." -Frederick Buechner
Posts: 11242 | From: a small canyon overlooking the city | Registered: Jan 2008
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cliffdweller
Shipmate
# 13338
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by lilBuddha:
This was intended as an ETA, but I took too much time.
At times there are patches within, or adjacent to, large tourist destinations. Example would be Yosemite. Crowded as can be, in the valley main, but a short hike leaves most of the tourists behind.
Yes-- also going off season. My favorite time to visit Yosemite is in the Spring, before the crowds (don't even think about going near the place in August) when the waterfalls are full. But fall is also quite lovely.
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"Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid." -Frederick Buechner
Posts: 11242 | From: a small canyon overlooking the city | Registered: Jan 2008
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Palimpsest
Shipmate
# 16772
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by orfeo:
(oh dear, I'm taking over the thread...)
I do enjoy rail a great deal, I've used it in Europe a bit and years back I had a month-long rail pass in the UK. A fine way to travel. So I highly recommend it to my fellow-traveller.
In North America, though, you've got to be really conscious of the sheer distance. There are legs of that kind of trip that will take days. Which is great if that's what you want to do, but it's a choice to just sit back and watch the world roll by.
For the places I'm going, I'm essentially planning to use rail on shorter legs (except if it isn't present, eg there's an inconvenient rail gap between Montreal and New England), but fly the longer ones.
Vancouver to Seattle by rail: 3 or 4 hours (once I understand those weird Amtrak timetables...). Seattle to Portland by rail: 3 or 4 hours.
Portland to San Francisco by rail: appears to be something like 18 hours, which is a pretty major time investment even if I'm (attempting to) sleep through a significant chunk of northern California. Methinks I'll be flying and enjoying a comfortable bed instead.
Seattle to Los Angeles on the Coast Starlight takes 35 hours in total.
Portland to San Francisco has some flakiness when I last tried to go by rail.
Unfortunately, there's some spectacular stuff that needs a car on that leg;
Crater Lake, the Ashland Shakespeare Festival and the Redwoods.
Posts: 2990 | From: Seattle WA. US | Registered: Nov 2011
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orfeo
Ship's Musical Counterpoint
# 13878
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Posted
? Flakiness ?
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Technology has brought us all closer together. Turns out a lot of the people you meet as a result are complete idiots.
Posts: 18173 | From: Under | Registered: Jul 2008
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Zach82
Shipmate
# 3208
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Posted
Look at it this way. The San Francisco City Council recently passed a ban on public nudity with just a one vote majority.
[ 27. February 2013, 12:45: Message edited by: Zach82 ]
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Don't give up yet, no, don't ever quit/ There's always a chance of a critical hit. Ghost Mice
Posts: 9148 | From: Boston, MA | Registered: Aug 2002
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orfeo
Ship's Musical Counterpoint
# 13878
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Posted
Um, Zach, it was the railway journey that was flaky in some way. Not the destination!
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Technology has brought us all closer together. Turns out a lot of the people you meet as a result are complete idiots.
Posts: 18173 | From: Under | Registered: Jul 2008
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Zach82
Shipmate
# 3208
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Posted
Ah, that. Well, freight has right-of-way on American railroads, and it is not uncommon for passenger trains to be repeatedly diverted to spur tracks for hours at a time to let freight trains pass. So, expect to be hours late to wherever you're going.
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Don't give up yet, no, don't ever quit/ There's always a chance of a critical hit. Ghost Mice
Posts: 9148 | From: Boston, MA | Registered: Aug 2002
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jbohn
Shipmate
# 8753
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Ariston:
Oh, and jbohn, nice shoutout to Cimarron, NM. I spent a few too many summers at the nearby Scout ranch (and learning to take US 64 at 65 MPH through the twists of Cimarron Canyon—still at least 10 slower than the locals) to let that one go unappreciated.
I've very fond memories of Philmont myself, Ariston. I learned things there I've carried with me for 20-odd years that can't be learned any other way.
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We are punished by our sins, not for them.
--Elbert Hubbard
Posts: 989 | From: East of Eden, west of St. Paul | Registered: Nov 2004
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Jengie jon
Semper Reformanda
# 273
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by orfeo:
EDIT: I'm also possibly working off fear brought on by a famous family anecdote about my father trying to kill everybody in around 1972 as he drove off the car ferry in the UK, having spent long enough living in Belgium to have gone right-hand-side-native.
That is a known phenomena. While in the mainland of Europe most UK drivers remember to drive on the other side of the road. The trouble normally therefore happens when they return, when they think they will automatically go back to the left hand side and don't.
Jengie
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"To violate a persons ability to distinguish fact from fantasy is the epistemological equivalent of rape." Noretta Koertge
Back to my blog
Posts: 20894 | From: city of steel, butterflies and rainbows | Registered: May 2001
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
The La Jolla district of San DIego is still one of the most desirable and gorgeous areas in North America, but there are no "bad neighbourhoods" there so it is no longer affordable from a housing standpoint.
If you have hired a car, beach parking is free. There are many entertainment venues in the area including the aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, part of the University of California at San DIego campus, aka UCSD. World-famous Wind'n'Sea surfing beach is also there and the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park is lovely.
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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comet
Snowball in Hell
# 10353
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Palimpsest:
the Ashland Shakespeare Festival.
one of my best friends is their publicist!
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Evil Dragon Lady, Breaker of Men's Constitutions
"It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.” -Calvin
Posts: 17024 | From: halfway between Seduction and Peril | Registered: Sep 2005
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Kelly Alves
Bunny with an axe
# 2522
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Zach82:
Look at it this way. The San Francisco City Council recently passed a ban on public nudity with just a one vote majority.
OMG. I actually really did think just now, "I wonder if [friend] knows that?"
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I cannot expect people to believe “
Jesus loves me, this I know” of they don’t believe “Kelly loves me, this I know.”
Kelly Alves, somewhere around 2003.
Posts: 35076 | From: Pura Californiana | Registered: Mar 2002
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no prophet's flag is set so...
Proceed to see sea
# 15560
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Zach82:
Look at it this way. The San Francisco City Council recently passed a ban on public nudity with just a one vote majority.
All in favour, raise, um, er, ... your hand, yes raise your hand.
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Out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety.
\_(ツ)_/
Posts: 11498 | From: Treaty 6 territory in the nonexistant Province of Buffalo, Canada ↄ⃝' | Registered: Mar 2010
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