Let's Take a Tour of the U.S.

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I was just daydreaming again today, and I was wondering how many people actually travel around the U.S. I would like a list of states you have been to, and things worth checking out there. Please try to limit them to 10.
Here's my list:

California
- Gaint Redwoods (Northern Cal. and Southern Cal.)
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Knotts Berry Farm
- Sea World
- Six Flags: Magic Mountain
- Long Beach/Queen Mary
- Huntington Beach
Oregon
- Nothing interested me there...
Colorado
- Downtown Denver was ok
- Six Flags: Elich Gardens (sp)
- Four Corners
Utah
- This state sucks A$$! Nothing in this state intrests me now, and probably never will!
Things that might intrest you:
- You might like the Great Salt Lake, too bad it reaks of death.
- If you like snow, and you like to ski, this crappy state has some pretty good ski resorts.
Nevada
- Vegas is tolerable in the winter, but it still sucks if you are under 21
- Valley of Fire, illegal fireworks galore!

I wish my list of states could be longer, but hey, I'm only 18, there's still time to explore the U.S.

 

I've been to 31 different states, not including those where I never left the airport. Most of my experience, however, is with the two states I've actually lived in (Pennsylvania and Oregon) and their immediate neighbors (New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware; Washington, Idaho).

Oregon: Kitrax, did you have a chance to see the Columbia River Gorge? It's one of the most spectularly beautiful sites I've ever seen. Another great thing in OR is Mt. Hood - drive up to Timberline Lodge in the summer, then you can either hike or ski!

Pennsylvania: This place is loaded with history, mostly Revolutionary War era. It's also very beautiful, but in a more genteel way (as opposed to Oregon's wildness).

New Jersey: Gotta experience the Jersey Shore. It's unique.

New York: The Big Apple - see it all.

 

I've been to most of the states in the US, including Hawaii, Flordia, and Canada. I've also lived in four of them.

Philidelphia

I can't tell you how much I freaking miss this place. I spent a summer there with my dad (who is out of town almost all of the time), and it was a great experience. I love that city. Great place to be. And the sidewalk food there - yum.

D.C.

Ah, yes, the dreaded bastion of beauracracy. The officious land of greedy, minority-raping, fattened rich white men, or so say the other bunch of rich white men who like to protest. I have to say it's a pretty nice place; it is after all, the capital of one of the most powerful nations in the world. But when you take a look in the more urban areas of the city, it's kinda sad, considering how important Washington D.C. is.

Syracuse, New York

The land of rain. Rain, rain, and more rain. I can't tell you how much I miss this place (even more than Philly). Upstate is full of wilderness and forests. The climate is great, as I love cold, wet, weather. And I have all sorts of friends there. I intend to drive back there for a nostalgia trip when I am of age.

Maryland

I really don't like this place. There's not enough precipitation, the weather always seems off, and the place just doesn't suit me. Waaay to south for me. And the fact that the sniper shootings happened there doesn't make me real comfortable either. But drop by the Johns Hopkins Univeristy if you have a chance. I spent 6 (cumulative) weeks living in the dorms there, and I had a truly great experience. It's a real beautiful place admist the gritty Baltimore inner City.

[ February 27, 2003, 03:14: Message edited by: C'Jakob ]

 

Washington - Mount St. Helens museums, especially if you're a geologist. IIRC, in Seattle they have the Space Needle, but IMHO, the CN tower in Toronto is better.

Oregon - I've been to some dumb sea lion cave THREE times (rather unimaginative family trips eh?), so I don't recommend that. But I have heard good things about Crater Lake in Oregon. Again, a wonderous vista for a geologist. It's a volcano, filled with water (hence Crater Lake). But there's more: there's an Island in the crater lake... that has a lake on it! (Think doughnuts)

Portland - Didn't see much here, but the shopping is great because there's no tax!

Montana - Same as Portland (no tax). The air there is YELLOW. Makes me appreciate Canada so much more...

California - Been here as a kid for Disneyland so I don't remember much anymore...

Nevada - The casinos are eye candy, especially at night. I was still underage at the time.

Utah/Arizona/other states where the Grand Canyon cuts through.

Wyoming/other states where Yellowstone Park goes through. Nice pretty geysers and other volcanic activity here.

South Dakota - Mount Rushmore.. the one with the faces of the four presidents carved on it.

North Dakota - NOTHING.

 

I have two states under my belt for living experience:

Florida - The Sunshine State, senior citizens, college co-eds, the coolest peninsula in America.

North Carolina - The Tarheel State, rednecks, NASCAR, but the Research Triangle Park, and the Blue Ridge Parkway also.

 

You're not going to see any giant redwoods (or any trees for that matter) in southern California. Its all glasslands and desert.

San Diego is a great place to visit - the crown jewel of southern Calfornia.

If you want to see redwoods, you're best bet is to drive north from Sacramento towards Redding.

You can also take the freeway east from Sacramento towards Lake Tahoe. You'll drive right through Gold Country - where the great Gold Rush started.

 

Southern California, born and bred. Its nothing special to me because I really haven't lived anywhere else so its a bit hard to draw up comparisons. I hear we have great weather. I can't say I knew because it's all I've ever known.

To be frank I don't want to go to other states. (except for maybe Hawaii or Alaska for snorkeling/swimming with the dolphins and Eskimo Fishing )

 

You make a good point. If you want to see forests, all you have to do is drive east into the Sierra Nevada mountains.

However, the difference between Southern California - everything south of the "grapevine" (the mountain range that ends the Central Valley) and Northern California is huge. The water table has alot to do with it. Northern California has a very large water table (and a good amount of rain). Everything grows and the cities in each part of the state look very different.

Here's my 2-cents.

• San Diego
  Advantages: Very mild weather. It never snows or rains and the temperature varies little around the year. The beaches are excellent. The San Diego zoo is the biggest in the world. Very little crime.
  Disadvantages: Very few trees.
• Los Angeles
  Advantages: Very mild weather. It never snows or rains and the temperature varies little around the year. The beaches are good. There is also Disneyland and a many other fun parks.
  Disadvantages: Very few trees and alot of smog. Unfortunately, the crime is rampant (especially in the slums). Its the worst in North America.
• Bay Area - San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, etc....
  Advantages: Extremely beautiful. There is plenty of beaches and boating. The culture is also very rich. Very little crime.
  Disadvantages: Very cold. Even in the summer, the ocean breeze can chill your bones. Parking is rare.
• Sacramento Area
  Advantages: Good weather. Its hot in the summer, but never humid (you fry instead of bake ). The rain in the winter is very nice. A lot of trees. Low crime. Very historic.
  Disadvantages: Besides the downtown area, there are not many tourist attractions. No beaches (but there are two rivers).
• Redding Area - and everything north of Sacramento
  Advantages: Extremely green. Beautiful
  Disdvantages: Besides the beauty, there is not much to do.

[ March 01, 2003, 10:11: Message edited by: Blackhawk ]

 

I've only been to the states once, and I was in Minnesota. It didn't impress me at all. Just corn and soy-beans.

Could someone give me an advice for my next trip to the states?

 

@Djizzu Gizmo: What kind of thins do you like to do?

 

Yes, that would be true if you are drive through Barsto, or Baker, which are desert cities along the I-15 freeway. My family used to own a cabin in the Sequoia National Forest.

@Djizzu G'izmo: If you want amusment parks and or water parks, go the Southern California. They have Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Six Flags: Magic Mountin, Raging Waters, and Wild Rivers.

If you like nature/adventure, go on a river rafting trip down either the Kern River, or the South Fork of the American. I've been down both and they both have exelent views and they both have a few level 4 rapids.

If you like sking, I guess you could go to one of the ski resorts up here in Utah. We have: The Canyons, Brighton, Park City, Alta, Snowbasin, Powder Mountain, Snowbird, Solitude, and a bunch of others. I hear that Zion's National Park is supposed to be pretty cool too.