JeZeBeL to visit America next summer (2002)

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 05:51 PM

Thankzs for all the ideas folks...keep em coming....

i still haven't imnvesrted in a map of america yet, but I will.

JOHN J are you coming aswell?

Emma xxx

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 02:58 PM

Um Hollowfox, As I noted in the second to last sentence:

"...given your time constraints, when you leave you will have a relatively good idea about America (and a portion of Canada). While some very nice places have been left out, you have to make choices."

I have done the Route 87/90 bit several times, and have friends in Kingston, Hudson, Seneca Falls and Batavia, but I tried to balance Niagara Falls with Buffalo, and they lost out (in my mind) to Bridle Veil Falls in Yosemite after traveling through the California wine (and the '49er Gold Rush) country. And some knowledge of Canada is good if only to balance the picture.

I purposely left out the upper Potomac/Shennadoah River area of Harpers Ferry where I live, though it is notable for its wines, very historical, and the spot where Thomas Jefferson called "In my opinion, the most beautiful in the whole world".

JeZeBel will make her own choices, but in my mind the five American cities to make are Boston, San Fransisco, Washington DC, New Orleans and New York, and the three parks areas to see are the Yellowstone/Rocky Mountain region, the Yosemite/Sierra/Death Valley area, and the Grand Canyon/Hoover Dam/Petrified Forest/Meteor Crater areas. In my opinion, the northern California Route 1 above San Fransisco is the most beautiful stretch of highway in the US, followed by the descent into Yosemite, the Pali Highway in Hawaii, and the Skyline Drive in Virginia in the fall. I picked the natural areas as the type of place where you must stop your car, you get out with weak knees, and you wonder what you had done to deserve this.

The three worst cities in my opinion are Gary IN, Reading PA, and Tucumcari NM, with the three most overated natural areas are Put-in-Bay in Lake Erie, Key West Fla, and Nebraska. But hey, make your own list... then duck!

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 01:22 PM

Wow, this all sounds so great. A lot of planning to do. I really want to go to Montreal and toronto!! MOntreal because I am bilingual, french and english. (english being my mother tongue though). So many places I want to go to and so many people I want to visit...hell I think I better just move over to the states permanently...

....no I'd miss everyone back here too much.....

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Hollowfox
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 11:56 AM

Um, Claymore, I'm glad you liked your trip to the USA, but the folks in the bit between Montreal and Windsor (that's the town just outside Detroit) seem to insist that they're in a different country. Seriously, the next time you come through, take a look at upstate New York (cross route 87 instead of turning right). The Finger Lakes, wine country, Niagara Falls; you'd like it.

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 06:14 PM

While I agree with much of what Bart had to say, I will take a somewhat different tack. If the idea is to see the United States in a fashion that would allow you to be able to gain some insight into its breath and character, I suggest the following order and places to visit (though the actual time you spend in each location is, of course, up to you):

1. Land in Washington DC, spend a couple of days there, and then take the Route 95 corridor up through Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston.

2. From Boston take any combination of Routes 93, 89, 91 or 87 north to Montreal, Canada.

3. From Montreal take Route 401 along the St. Lawrence River through Ottawa, Toronto, and finishing in Detroit.

4. In Detroit you have several choices; take a wonderful ferry ride up through Lake Huron and Lake Superior to Duluth, Minnesota, or drop down Route 94 and pick up the toll road Route 80 west to Chicago.

5. From either location (Duluth or Chicago) get to Route 90 west and head for Rapid City, South Dakota, Mount Rushmore, the Badlands and the Black Hills.

6. Continue on Route 90 (drop south for a day to Yellowstone National Park), then, as you enter the Rocky Mountain Range, continue through Montana (Little Bighorn) and Idaho (Bitterroot Range of the Northern Rockies).

7. Route 90 will take you through the Cascades to Seattle. From Seattle south you have a continual choice of Route 5 (for speed), which runs along the interior portions of Oregon and California, or Route 101, which runs along the West Coast all the way to the San Francisco Bay area.

8. From San Francisco, take Route 120 to Yosemite Park then across the Sierra Nevada's to Route 395, then west on Route 190 through Death Valley to Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, etc.

9. After the Grand Canyon you want to work towards Route 40 east, going through the Petrified Forest, then Albuquerque. Spend a day up to Santa Fe and Taos, and then pound through Texas and Oklahoma, Little Rock, Arkansas to Memphis, Tennessee.

10. Drop south on Route 55 to New Orleans, and when you're done, take Route 10 along the Gulf of Mexico to Florida.

I have been to every one of these places, as well as most of the United States. I took the time to pass this list to several of my colleges at work, who regularly travel all over the US, and they agreed that, given your time constraints, when you leave you will have a relatively good idea about America (and a portion of Canada). While some very nice places have been left out, you have to make choices. I've done these routes in various configurations over the years, and plan to take them again. I wish you Good Luck!

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 05:48 PM

We'd all love to come with you Em. Ah one day when Im grown up!!!!!!

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 01:30 PM

44 states in 7 weeks is pretty impressive. Don't think I could manage that many though.

Keep the ideas coming thick and fast. I'm trying to get hold of a map of america to see where everywhere is geographically.

Emma xxx

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 03 Jun 01 - 03:46 PM

Wise words. Thank you very much.

I aren't going to drive as I have realised I will not even be old enough at 21!! So the train and bus sounds like a great idea.

Hopefully too, I will have one viking and one JohnJ for protection!!

Do u guys seriously want to come with me? I really would enjoy ur company and music!!

Emma :)

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: GUEST,Static Chaos
Date: 03 Jun 01 - 03:35 PM

I did your trip last summer at the exact same time. 44 states in 7 weeks, 13000 miles, staying with friends and family in San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Indiana, Baltimore and Charleston. It was great fun and I want to do it again soon. Here's some advice.

Being a life-long desert dweller (Phoenix, Arizona) I suggest avoiding my town at all costs in the summer. Also, stay away from Texas entirely. Don't even drive thru--it takes forever. The heat and humidity in the south is brutal so I'd avoid Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi too except, of course, to drive thru with the air conditioner on. The French Quarter of New Orleans is fabulous, especially for music lovers. If you like the outdoors, nothing beats Northern California. If you like Americana Kitsch, go to the Black Hills of South Dakota and bring your camcorder to film the buffalo herd. New York City is a great place to visit for many reasons. Stay away from Las Vegas unless you have a lot of money to burn. Charleston, South Carolina is a neat town and the beaches there are much less crowded than in Florida.

Don't drive a car in Boston, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles or San Francisco ever, or in any other major city during week day rush hour. The driving "problem" is not so much getting from city to city as it is getting to someplace inside the city. You should have no difficulty at all, for example, driving from Denver to Chicago. It's once you get to Chicago that the problems arise. I would avoid large cities entirely unless you plan to stay a couple of days and you can meet someone there who will drive you around.

Plan your trip around places you can stay with friends. There are many, many sights to see in America but the joy is greater seeing a lesser one with a friend than a great one alone.

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 03 Jun 01 - 02:54 PM

ERIC AND JOHNJ.....PLEASEEEEEE COME WITH ME, IT WOULD BE GREAT. i WOULDN'T BE ALONE.....HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE.

SINSULL - it's 2002 I'll be coming over, sorreeeee. I'll still try and visit you though.

Think this is mainly going to be a mudcat visiting adventure methinks.

GARY - I go canoeing every week, I LOVE it!! Something like that would be great

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 03:33 PM

Emma, if you want to see the "real" America, once you leave Boston, take the train to Springfield, Mass., then north to Brattleboro, Vermont, where I will pick you up and show you the lovely southwestern New Hampshire region- and get you to some music, too!
Except, oops- your schedule more or less coincides with my planned trip to the UK!!

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 02:37 PM

Most major car rental agencies will rent to under 25 year olds, but charge a daily excess premium of around $20.00 a day. That said, rules vary from location to location, even within the same car rental agency. I have a feeling Emma has checked this out already.

Murray

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Gary T
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 02:27 PM

You may find that American car rental agencies require that drivers be at least 25 years old. Worth checking out.

If you're inclined for a canoe and camping trip (setting up base camp in the canoe outfitters campground, spending most of the day canoeing and playing on the river, music around the campfire after dinner) in southern Missouri, let me know. We can probably get that arranged.

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 01:47 PM

EMma, as somebody who has done the trip and never returned, I concur with all the advice about going by bus and train rather than hiring a car (or "renting" as they say over here. ) I had twenty-five years driving experience under my belt including driving on the wrong side of the road on the Continent before I came to the USA, and let me tell you something, driving in Boston scared me shitless. I was less scared driving in NYC during rush hour.

Don't even think about driving on your own in any major USA city.

It took me at a conservative estimate, six weeks just to become comfortable, and another six before it became second nature.

That said, I hope you make the trip and that you enjoy it. Being in (very) South Florida, I probably am not much use to your itinerary, but if you do want to come down here, you will have plenty opportunities to play your music.

Murray

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Peg
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 11:31 AM

Good suggestion on Kuralt's book. I was working for the local PBS affiliate several years ago and I actually got to talk to Mr. Kuralt on the phone a couple of weeks before he died...

He has always been someone I admired a great deal and his writings are wonderful.

That sort of travelling is not so popular anymore; what a great way to get to know a place!

When I trek to England I much prefer spending several days in one place, instead of trying to see a different town every say...

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: mytoycar
Date: 02 Jun 01 - 07:33 AM

Hello jez, good luck with the compensation but wot exactly is it for? call me think if youve already said but im not a very good reader or listener! And I hope to see you again some time its a shame we didnt get to talk much the other weekend
prew

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 03:22 PM

Hey dope- you could have asked me-I'd go with yer, but there's no chance of that!!!!!!! >:-(0

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: DougR
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 01:19 PM

Wow, Emma, Bart developed a super trip for you. I'd suggest that you consider his itenerary.

DougR

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 01:13 PM

Emma as a parent I would definitely favour trains and buses over hire and drive. You are with other people and there is less chance of getting too tired to drive. Once you decide on your itinery post it here so that mudcatters who know the areas can advise you of anything you need to know vis a vis places to stay or safety features. If you can get someone to go with you even better.

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Hollowfox
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 12:23 PM

When my mother and step-father visited England, they hired a car. Big mistake. She more or less got used to driving on the "wrong" side of the road, but the right hand turns at an intersection drove her nuts. She's a good driver, but it's a wonder nobody was killed. Besides, if you're concentrating on traffic patterns, finding your way, lunatic drivers, etc., you can't enjoy the sights.
I'd also recommend trains over busses. The bathrooms are cleaner, the seats are more comfortable, you can get up and walk around, and some trains still have dining cars.
A map is good, but a travel book would be better for most of your planning. The one time I travelled abroad, I found the Lonely Planet series ot have the most useful guidebook, but it's fun browsing in the bookshops to see what works best for you.
Again, Norht America is Big! British visitors to the USA have pointed out that the island of Great Britain is about the size of New York State. And my father once told me that the distance coast-to-coast from New York City to Los Angeles is about the same distance as from London to Capetown South Africa. Mapquest could probably verify this for me, but I haven't checked yet.
One thing to think about, if you plan this trip around visiting Mudcatters, it could help reassure your parents. Obvious joking aside, we can be presented as a pretty respectable lot; teachers, librarians, clergy, etc. Those of us offering our homes and hospitality are financially able to do so. A parent can feel better if they know their no-longer-a-child is going to meet someone, not land in an unknown city with no one to help them out, if needed.

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 11:46 AM

Jez,
Do you mean August 2001 or 2002? If 2001, plan on staying with me. By then, I will have moved the squatters out and disinfected their room. I am 20 minutes from Manhattan by train; 45 by bus with a great view across the 59th Street bridge. I have theater contacts who should be able to produce tickets. Just let me know when
Mary

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 11:33 AM

Probably something to decide early-on is whether you want to do a place trip, a people trip, or some combination of the 2. For a place trip, I'd strongly recommend visiting some of the national parks in the western states. They are absolutely gorgeous! Jot us down as an hour north of NYC, if you need a place to stay.

best,

bbc

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 11:19 AM

The name of the book is Charles Kuralt's America. You can probably check it out from any library. As a matter of fact, anything by Charles Kuralt would be outstanding. He used to give short travel guide segments on CBS television, and they were outstanding. I'll always remember his description of the wild flowers in Colorado.

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 11:14 AM

Another thought...I recommend Charles Kuralt's book America. I'll always remember his descriptions of Alaska, New Orleans, Key West and of course, my favorite, Charleston, South Carolina. He had the luxury of staying a month in each city and having friends who showed him around, but it really gives you something of the flavor of each city.

Once again, having someone to share a city with was always more important to me than just sightseeing. My sister-in-law took Hubby and me to Breakfast at Brennon's in New Orleans, my best friend showed me Charleston, SC, a friend who had lived in Chicago years ago showed me (and a bunch of teenagers) many wonderful places in Chicago including a Monet exhibit at the Art Institute, a little Italian retaurant in Little Italy and the Botanical Gardens. I remember these things for the times we shared more than the sightseeing.

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Matt_R
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 10:11 AM

Don't forget about Eastern North Carolina!

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 09:37 AM

Sounds like a grand adventure, JeZ, and well worth the effort. Amtrak is a great way to go; maybe you can use the train as your main routing tool and use the occasional rent a car to get to some of the places that the train doesn't serve.

If I were doing it, it would look something like this: Boston, New York, Toronto, Philadelphia, Chicago, Minneapolis.

From there I would definitely take the train across the country to Seattle - it is a spectacular ride. From Seattle I'd go down the coast - San Francisco, Los Angeles. At this point you start back east: through New Mexico & Arizona to Austin, Texas.

Austin to New Orleans, up the Mississippi to Memphis, due east to Nashville. From Nashville you can wander Southeast through Atlanta, Valdosta (Georgia) and into Florida.

If you wanted to go east from New Orleans to Florida, through Charleston, that would be worth it, too.

There is soooooo much to see; this is the whirlwind tour and you will get no more than a taste of each place. Another way to do it is to pick a handful of places and spend some time in each. Any way you choose to do it, you win!

Have a great trip! Bon Voyage

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: annamill
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 09:31 AM

Emma, if you get around New Jersey, please feel free to come and stay with us. I'll try to set up a gathering for you to meet neighboring Mudcatters.

Love, Annamill

PS Allan, I miss you...

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Mountain Dog
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 09:29 AM

You might consider hosteling as an inexpensive lodging alternative during your travels (for those occasions when there are no local Mudcatters to put you up). There's variability in the level of comfort and beauty from one location to another, to be sure, but we recently stayed in a hostel in San Francisco that overlooked the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay for just $22.50 apiece per night - and that included linens, towels and a continental breakfast, plus a two-minute walk to the water's edge!

It's certainly worth a visit to the Hosteling International website here to check things out before you travel. And by all means, do make the investment in a good travel atlas of the States. It will help immensely in your planning!

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: MMario
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 09:19 AM

I can reccomend Texas...

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 09:12 AM

Off the top of my head, a few ideas...

I think Amtrak (the train) is preferable to the bus system.

I went to Europe when I was 17 and came to the precocious conclusion that (for me) Paris was "nothing" if I didn't have someone to share it with. (My best friend was with me.) So, I would strongly urge that you meet up with friends/mudcatters along the way.

If you're interested in geography, think about mountains and rivers. You can see the Mighty Mississippi, etc. Once again, when you narrow it down, a local Mudcatter can give some tips. I was always interested in the history of places I visited. The web can make your research a lot of fun.

I could get you from Nashville to Louisville (about 4 hours), but this is in the central part of the country, quite beautiful, but not hardly on the way to anywhere else. My guest room is hot in the summer, but available.

You can't see it all, but the planning sure is exciting. Let us hear more as time goes on.

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: John J
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 07:10 AM

You can only go if you take me with you!! I went a couple of years ago, visiting my Dad who lives in Clearwater in the winter. Hope it goes well, we'll enjoy ourselves *BG*! John

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Allan C.
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 07:02 AM

Actually, it was more like 9,000 miles, Mick. *G*

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Big Mick
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 06:27 AM

The same offer holds as for the lads. If you come to Michigan, you have a place to stay. The lake is lovely at that time of the year. I would talk to Bill and Allan a great deal. They did the whole nine yards. Keep us posted.

Mick

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Amergin
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 02:44 AM

Well, if you do head on over to Vancouver, BC, let me know...it is only a hop skip and a jump from here.....

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: DougR
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 01:37 AM

Good idea, Emma. A month won't be a lot of time if you plan to see much of the country. I'm sure, though, that mudcatters will be glad to see you along the way!

DougR

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 01:01 AM

Cheers dougR. Will do just that.

Think I need to start thinking about investing in a map of america.

Emma xxx

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: DougR
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 12:52 AM

Sounds like a great adventure, Emma, and I hope you enjoy your visit. You'll be a bit far from Arizona, the land of Wyatt Earp, and Geronimo, but if you decidide to head out this way, let me know.

DougR

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 12:47 AM

Don't worry ddw I wouldn't even dream of hitchiking. I am a very sensible person.

Hmmm, I could deal with sleeping on a bus. That wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

Everyone is being so helpful, this is great.

Thanks,

Emma xxx

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: ddw
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 12:44 AM

Jez — just a follow-up thought on the bus/rail passes.

The conveyances can also serve as a place to sleep — which could save you a lot of money. Plus you don't have to spend all day watching traffic instead of the scenery.

In my day, we hitchhiked, but that is NOT recommended now.

cheers,

david

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Devilmaster
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 12:39 AM

just to give an idea, Boston to Chicago would probably be near 16-20 hours straight drive. Assuming you go through Canada to do it(shortcut). but you could go to Niagara Falls/Buffalo on the way.

Philadelphia would be a good stop too. Lots of sightseeing there. (Liberty Bell, Declaration of Independence etc.) Get a traditional Philly CheeseSteak.

If you go through Ontario, Canada, you could visit Point Pelee, most southern point in Canada. There's a few catters' in this area, being Detroit/Windsor. Myself and ClintonHammond, ddw to name a few.

Hope that helps a little too.

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 12:38 AM

I will. I am the lind of person, who, once I get a twitch for going somewhere, I'll do stupid things like stop the car, turn round and just go.

I am very much a free spirit and so I have to go off on adventures like this to get it out of my system for a while.

My parents have given up on trying to tie me down, because it is impossible.

I go where my heart takes me, not my head, and if I want something enough I'll do it. That's why this trip is going to be such a success.

I will seriously look into the amtrak pass.

Thank you

Emma xxx

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Mountain Dog
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 12:33 AM

Dear Jez,

I'd second ddw's suggestion about the Amtrak pass. An old friend and his daughter have just finished up a two- and-a-half-week stint doing just that. They covered about 4000 miles during their sojourn. Their itinerary took them from the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota area to Seattle, Washington - not far from Vancouver, BC, by the way - Portland, Oregon; San Francisco and Los Angeles, California; Phoenix, Arizona; Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri, then back to Minnesota. My buddy is a stone blues and R&B fanatic, his daughter is more taken by modern sounds, but they both appreciate each others' musical taste - and they found plenty of live music to satisfy them in each place they stopped.

Wherever you go and in whatever manner you travel, remember this: Always leave room for the magic. If you feel your heart calling you in a particular direction, it nearly always pays to heed the call. "Follow your heart and keep your eyes open" is the advice I would give anyone setting out on an adventure such as yours. It's advice my wife and I have lived by all our married life and the rewards have been beyond price or description.

All the best on your journey!

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 12:23 AM

Wow, allan, I had no idea it was the one year anniversary of your trip. That's really freaky. I like ddw's idea of the bus pass I think it'll be a great way of getting round, I know my parents won't be happy about me going by myself. But if this turns into a mudcat adventure then I'm sure I may be able to persuade someone to come with me.

The thing is, I want to see america, but I really want to meet mudcatters too. I hate not being able to put names to faces, if only to find out who is taking the mick out of me all the time, so I can get my own back.

Would I be the youngest mudcatter to do something like this then at 20, well 21 by then?

Emma xxx

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Allan C.
Date: 01 Jun 01 - 12:16 AM

Sounds like a good idea to me. I think it is great that you are starting to think about it now instead of much later. There is a lot to consider.

Brother Bill can certainly help you with some ideas. I would be pleased to help in any way I can. If you need to get an idea of distances, you can take a look at mapquest.com where you can enter the names of any two cities and receive computer generated driving directions as well as estimated travel time totals. Try pluggin in a trip from Detroit to Memphis to see about how long such a trip would take.

Bill and I planned our days so that we were never scheduled to drive much more than 400 miles in a single day. Usually it was less. But we made some notable exceptions. If you will be driving alone, you probably should consider a smaller daily maximum.

Our emphasis was on meeting Mudcatters. Sightseeing was kept to a minimum because of the limitations of time. However, we managed to see some wonderful things. I will be posting a memoir of the Adventure in the near future. I'll be sure to point it out to you.

I think it is perfect that your announcement comes on the one-year anniversary of the start of the Adventure Bill and I had. I wish you the very best.

Allan

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: ddw
Date: 31 May 01 - 11:54 PM

Don't know your preferences, but something you might want to consider is getting an AmeriPass or whatever they're calling it these days on either Amtrak (the rail system) or the buses. You pay one price, and can get on and off the conveyances as often as you like and travel anywhere they go.

That might be a whole lot cheaper than renting a car and you could always rent for day trips where the public carriers don't go.

Can't say for sure this far in advance, but Joyce and I are often at our cottage in western North Carolina in early July. If we are, I'm sure we could find a place for you to crash for a few days. The country is beautiful, the temperatures are cool and the music is good around there.

Stay in touch.

david

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 31 May 01 - 11:53 PM

Thanks devilmaster.

I want to go to New Orlèans because I used to be very much a goth, well I still am in a way, and I've read a lot of poppy z. brite books...I know it's not really like that, but it's still an amazing place to go to.

I've started doing my research. New York is a definate, and so is Boston, although I'm supposed to go there in February to stay with a rapper sword dance team called orion. I'm a rapper dancer u c n our team is visiting them. So I'll do research on Boston then. Chicago is another place I'd like to visit. But I'd like to get out into the real america if you know what I mean..the midwest and the rockies and things. I will do my homework I promise.

Emma xxx

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: Devilmaster
Date: 31 May 01 - 11:47 PM

Let me just say that if you want to, DEFINITELY go see New Orleans.
Its not Mardi Gras, but oh well, it'll still be a party. Bourbon Street is the party place. Fell in love with the city, so much so that I want to have a Jazz funeral when I die.
Bring some really nice clothes if you want to check out some of the more famous restaurants (Antoine's, Brennan's, Commander's Palace, etc.) Jacket and tie for supper.
Have the Crawfish (also called mudbugs). And definitely, if you can afford the restaurant, have Banana's Foster at Brennan's. Its to die for.

Best to do alot of research about where you want to go, in four weeks you will probably only get to do a quarter of the country if you're driving. And that would be pushing it.
If you wanted to stick to the south, or try going up the eastern seaboard, that's probably all you could get to. Just do a LOT of research.

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 31 May 01 - 11:20 PM

Cheers David. It will be six weeks in the usa, starting at the beginning fo july, until the 14sh of august depending on when my parents go back aswell. I am working for the next year to earn lots of money to come over with. I have already looked into hire cars and flights... I like to plan well in advance you see. I've been thinking about it for the last couple of months, and so I thought it was about time I started getting some ideas from people over the pond. I'm going to speak to bill when he gets back aswell, since him n allan did it the other year.

Emma xxx

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: ddw
Date: 31 May 01 - 11:13 PM

Jez — I do know where Selby is. My wife is from Hull and we were over there in September '99. Drove all over Yorkshire, Lancashire, Linconshire — all through that area. Also as far southwest as Penzance and Land's End and up through the Midlands and into North Wales. Beautiful country.

There's good music all over the place here, but often you have to have an "in" — i.e., somebody local who knows the scene — to find the best of it.

I'm partial to the southern Appalachians area (it's home) where there are lots of venues — bars, festivals, music camps, etc.

I think you need to wait until you have your trip a little better planned — or at least know how much time and money you'll have — and then refresh this thread. Unless I miss my guess, there will be all kinds of 'Catters offering advice and places to crash.

david

Subject: RE: JEZEBEL TO VISIT AMERICA NEXT SUMMER
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 31 May 01 - 11:03 PM

You never know though, I may well be visiting Canada as I have a friend in Vancouver I would love to visit. Hmmm, this could turn out to be a longer trip than I thought.

I won't be going straight from one side of the continent to the other, I would want to make stops along the way there and back....kind of in a big circle, well, witha few kinks anyway...you get the picture....I hope!!

Emma xxx