I was on the East Coast during the shutdown and our holiday was hardly impaired at all. However, it was intersting to note the number of Americans who apologised to us for the behaviour of US politicians.
A friend who was on the West Coast flew into Seattle intending to spend three weeks visiting some of the great national parks. After five days of frustration he gave up and drove into Canada where he discovered what a great city Vancouver is and had an equally good time on Vancouver Island. Next time he goes to North America he tells me he will head north of the border. So it goes....