Hi folks,
my name is Horst, I live in Germany, exactly in Bavaria. Though I love the region I´m living, my favourite country are USA. Meantime I traveled three times there and, excepting the two stays in NYC (the greatest town in world), I made trips through the Northeast in 2005 and the Southwest in 2008.
Both journeys were amazing, although the regions are as different as you can imagine.
The trip around the northeast states started in NYC, next stop was Mystic with a visit of the nice Mystic Seaport Museum. Along the coast we went to Boston. After visiting NYC it was a totally different experience. Here in Germany we say, time goes as half as fast in Boston as in NYC. You know, what I mean? One of the highlights there was the visit to John J.Kennedy´s birthplace.
Afterwards we went over Pemaquid Point, one of the most photographed light house on east coast, and Camden (with a hike to Mt.Battle and Mt.Megunticook) to Acadia N.P. The view from Cadillac mountain over sea and the region is simply great. After a short stop in Farmington we traveled to the White Mountains with a trip up to the top of Mt.Washington. We did it by our own car, not by the steamway. Our luck was a absolutely cloudless sky with fine temparatures. I forgot to say, that we traveled in Octobre. A feeling like in our homeland, we live near the Alps, the famous mountains in Europe.
Then we went through the Green Mountains to Lake Schroon in the Adirondacks. The way there was not worth to tell about, except the short passage over Lake George with a little ferry and a visit to Fort Ticonderoga.
From there we went to Lake Placid, Watertown and finally to Lockport. This was our location for two visits of Niagara Falls, one in Canada and the other in USA. Both were absolutely undescribable.
Final destination was Buffalo, from where we went back to Germany.
The trip last year started in Frisco International Airport. By rental car we went to Monterey and then Highway N° 1 south to San Diego. Especially the trip through the 17-Miles-Drive, sea lions near Malibu and much more are a must. In San Diego we visited Seaworld, Gaslamp Quarter and Seaport.
After that we traveled with a stop in Kingman and a detour over Route 66 to Grand Canyon (south rim). What should I say, it´s undescribable, no words, no pictures can give back, how great this region is. But that was not the only highlight of our journey. After three days we went to Page near Lake Powell. You should take time to ride a motor boat over the sea. But a absolutely must is a visit to Upper Antelope Canyon. Though it´s not a true Canyon this place is a miracle. Through Monument Valley we went to Moab near Arches N.P. All the arches, small and big, all the rocks like Balanced Rock and so on, you won´t stop to be astonished.
Not less amazing than this region was our next stop, Bryce Canyon. The difference to Grand Canyon is you can hike without any danger through this Canyon. And by this way you experience it much more. From there we traveled through Zion N.P. to Las Vegas. For the first it was shocking. After scenery just lights, loudness, many people. But although a must. We lived in the Sahara and walked the Strip or went by taxi to see all the hotels and casino.
Form Las Vegas we went across Death Vally to Olancha, Bakersfield and finally to Visalia. From there we went to Sequoia N.P. I´ve never seen such great trees. Afterwards we traveled to a little village called Meriposa. About 30 miles far away from Yosemite N.P., where we spent two days to visit Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, Yosemite and Bridalvail Falls and to have a look at The Nose (El Captian). For short time two climbers held the speed record, who lives near us, the so called Huber Brothers.
Leavin Yosemite we went against to coast, had a one night stop in Half Moon Bay and arrivied our final destination, San Francisco. Our stay lasted five days, we lived at The Westin St Francis at Union Square. Naturely we visited all the famous locations, Golden Gate Bridge, China Town, Pier 39, Alcatraz Island and so on. It´s a nearly never ending list, but there´s one highlight, you should take time for to do. Have a ride with a bicycle across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and Tiburon and back by ferry.
I hope, you can imagine, what great locations, we´ve seen and if you have any questions, let me know. If it´s possible I will help you.
Horst