Big trip...

[Ally]

...it's a trip we've often said we'd love to do so now it's being planned!

I quite fancied doing it this coming Spring but feel it's a bit rushed so next summer it is.

We're off to the big old USA.

New York, Washington, North Carolina, Memphis, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Although I keep looking and listing other places but trying to keep it sensible.

Lots of reasons (personal as well as fun) to visit the above and it's great looking up the logistics transport wise of travelling about. Apart from the flights over and returning we're going to try and use the train as much as possible.

I'm going to Glasgow next July as I've got tickets to see Guns n Roses on the 5th.
I'm looking to then spend time in Scotland visiting family and friends, make my way down to Nottingham then Birmingham (Brum meet anyone?) then Don flies over and we start our trip from there.

Hence me sitting with notepad, pen and Google.

[JanB]

Sounds a brilliant trip Ally

[meriad]

sounds absolutely amazing, esp the train bit.... you get to see so much more of a countryside.

just remember to come home again

[Osc]

Sounds fantastic - we’ve been to quite a few of those places and travelled by train too, happy to help with info xx

[saundra]

Just brilliant ally don't forgot Niagara falls xx

[Ally]

Just brilliant ally don't forgot Niagara falls xx

On the itenary Saundra.

It would be so easy to just jump on flights between States but being aware of carbon footprint etc, and the fact I adore train journeys, makes it a no brainer which method of transport is our first choice. Plus neither of us fancies spending hours driving.

I've looked at NY to the Falls and the bus is approx 8 hours, the train 9.5. Both I would imagine have beautiful scenery and both at reasonable costs.

As opposed to the subway to la guardia to fly to Buffalo then get a bus. That would take 5 hours.

My smallish notepad has been replaced with a huge one.

And thanks Osc...I may very well need some help. X

[saundra]

I would love to go by train to Nigeria in the autumn to places like Vermont it sounds magical we flew Manchester to Toronto now Toronto is lovely are you going for a year or two

[Kaz]

Ally that sounds amazing!

I think taking the train as much as possible is a great idea,you’ll see far more of the country that way

Oh and count me in for Brum xx

[JoM]

That’ll be amazing Al!

Niagara Falls is breathtaking. John’s got a lot of family within walking distance on the US side so we’ve had some amazing holidays there. His Dad’s brother and sister both emigrated to there with their families from Glasgow in the 1960s.

We’ve done the train from NY to Washington, it takes around 3 hours and is a lovely journey and it also stopped in Philadelphia. I love Washington, the Smithsonian Museums are excellent and everything is easily walkable from the station.

A tip for San Fran….if you want to go to Alcatraz make sure you book well in advance.

[Ally]

Thanks Jo....and anyone else who wants to give advice or recommendations please feel free.

When Jacob finished in Mexico earlier this year Jo he flew to Raleigh in North Carolina as it was the easiest place to gain entry to the US.

As he hasn't met that side of my family he didn't want to impose himself but how funny he went not knowing I'd be planning to visit so soon.

He did NY to Washington on the train and said it was lovely.

As I've visited the Vietnam wall (just before I met Don) and now Jacob's been, Don is keener than ever to get there.
Jacob did bring an etching of Eddie's name but obviously it will be different seeing it for himself.