you have NOT been to the states until you've....
 

Hey all...

I've written about my trip before... !here.

Now, one last question... finish this sentence:

"You have not been to the States until you have...."

I'm not looking for big answers (aka "been to New York") but the little ones like "been to a Big Boy", "gone shopping at Target" etc.

So.... any answers?

Been shot in Compton!

-Rudey

Spent the Fourth of July on the Mall in Washington, D.C.

Attended a Super Bowl party

been on trial in salem, mass

walked the freedom trail

...Until you've had an In-N-Out Burger.

no Atlanitc Ocean:(

Drank a hurricane at Pat O's! Oh wait...that's "You've not been to Louisiana until you've..."

Your trip sounds like so much fun! What are you planning to do in the mountains -- I ask since I live in the mountains and could use some new ideas. :)

I'd say you haven't been to the states until you've had Chicago style pizza in Chicago and excellent beer from a microbrewery in Colorado.

See something on old Route 66. :)

Till you ate at a sonic!

"You have not been to the States until you have...." eaten chicken fried steak.

Could you have possibly avoided my state (Oklahoma) any more than you did?:D

Funny stuff.... I've lived in the States my whole life and I have never
been to NY City
Ate at a Sonic
Driven on Rte 66
Walked the freedom trail
been in DC during the 4th of July
or thankfully, been shot in Compton.

I would think that you haden't been to the states until you'd seen DC, but I know a lot pf people who still haven't done that. Here's a few tidbits for the cities I have been to on your trip:

Chicago- Walk down Michigan Ave, go to the Art Institute, and see Navy Peir. All of that is in walking distance.

Denver- Get out of the city and into the mountains and go to Rocky Mountian National Park or something equally as protected and full of trails. You can also go to this really cool mexican place-- I forget what it is called (Casa Rosa?) But it is bright pink, serves mexican sizzler style, and they have a themed dining room inside where you can dine in caves, mexian haciendias or next to the waterfall where they have performers. I was fond of that as a child. There is also a fun night area downtown.

Yosemite- Hike half dome!! Also, if you plan to camp, you should make reservations now. Or you can have a hike in site.

San Francisco- The city is lots of fun, enjoy your time there. I would walk around Union square and northbeach, take a quick walk around fishermans warf (because as tacky as it is, you can't really pass up Giradelli square or the sea lions). Go to Haight Ashbury (there are some great Ethoipian places there!). My favorite part about SF isn't the city though, it is whats outside the city! I love Pt. Reyes National Park (one hour north on hwy 1) and all the cities south on Hwy 1.

Driving down the California coast is something you should not miss!!! You can take Hwy 1 from the city (follow the signs from 101 to 280 to 1), and then drive down to Carmel, which is one of the most beautiful places in the world (2-3 hours). Make lots of stops. Santa Cruz is a fun place to chill, as well as Half Moon Bay. Monterey has a great aquarium right on the point. If you make it to Carmel, go into Pebble Beach and visit the Inn at Spanish Bay (on 17 mile rd). Tell the security guards that you are going to Roys, the restruant at the hotel, and they won't charge you the entrance fee. Roys is pretty expensive, but for $6-7 you can get drinks on the patio and watch the sun set over the most beautiful golf course and beach. Then, once the sun has gone down, the staff lights fires in the outdoor fire pits. As you can tell, this is one of my favortie places!

After Carmel, you continue south. There isn't much in terms of tourist attractions (except Napenthe, a restraunt overlooking the ocean just north of Julia Pipher Burns St. Park) for quite some time. I reccommend camping at one of 2 national campgrounds that are first come- first serve. They are smack dab in the middle of the desolate area of hwy 1, and are beautiful. My Mom and I camped there last year, in the middle of the week you won't have trouble finding a spot. If you want a Friday night, you will have to get there in the morning.

Well, those are my best reccommendations! I hope you have a wonderful trip!!

Vegas Baby!
 

See the Las Vegas Strip!

Some replies...

Re: NO East Coast: Since I live in Central Canada - the east coast is only 8 hours away. We figured we'll do that "later" ... its easier to get one week off to see Washington is easier than the 3 weeks needed to see drive to California and spend time there.

GPhiLlama Where in Louisiana is that? I'll be New Orleans... and pass through several other cities... (I'm staying a night in either Lafayette or Baton Rouge, can't remember which)

valkyrie In the moutains a lot of it will be the drive... the only mountains I've ever seen were the Smokies in Tennessee back one trip to Florida (the other times, I slept through the area). But we are looking to stop for some hikes in the area... and we're going to some caverns in Glenwood Springs - we'll be hitting the hot springs as well.

Kevlar281 What is chicken fried steak? We're visiting a friend of my mother's in Houston, and i'm going to ask her to make us deep fried chicken (something no one I've ever mentioned it to has ever had) - is it similar?

ktsnake Does the fact we're also avoiding Kansas and Missouri make it any better? :D

XOMichelle Thanks for all the suggestions! Are reservations really that important in Yosemite? Even if we're there on a May weekday?

Casa Bonita as featured in a recent episode of South Park (yes, it's real.) Side note - they actually serve some of the worst mexican food on earth but the novelty of it is worth it..... once.

KTSnake, everyone else: Are you aware that Sonic is an Oklahoma company? It was founded from one single drive-in, in a small Oklahoman town.

So, eating at a Sonic is a part of Oklahoma.

Re: you have NOT been to the states until you've....
 

...eaten at waffle house. I wish they had them in New England, I'd live there.

Why you gotta go make me hungry for In-N-Out? :D

Best hamburgers at a national chain. Their fries are cut on-site, using fresh potatoes, and their milkshakes are made from milk and ice cream, not that powder that places like Sonic use.

Waffle House--but only very very late at night. It attracts the funniest people ever. :D

Hey, I walked the freedom trail last year.


Anyway, my list:

See the Alamo
Hike the Grand Canyon
Walk across the Golden Gate
Watch Old Faithful
Wade in the Pacific
Wade in the Atlantic
Wade in the Gulf of Mexico (with shoes on...it's yucky)
The Strip in Vegas
Mardi Gras
Disney World

My list of stuff I still need to do, off the top of my head:

Empire State Bldg.
Statue of Liberty (it's reopening)
Washington D.C.


I'm too tired to think of anymore :)

Re: Re: you have NOT been to the states until you've....
 

Ah waffle house is at its best at 2 or 3 in the morning.

had Texas or Oklahoma barbeque! Barbeque purists from Kansas City or other places may say otherwise... :D

If Pancho's in Albuquerque, New Mexico is still around thats a good restaurant to stop at. The best Mexican food I ever had. They had unlimited sopapillas, the best bread I ever had. Plus I thought it was interesting they had a little flag at every table and when you wanted a waitress to come you just raise the flag and one would be there shortly.

New Orleans, Pat Obriens, Got to go!:D Drink in the patio on the back! Eat Oysters at an Oyster Bar with a Nice Sharp White Wine! Chard would be good!:D Take The Tram Ride, cheap but relaxing.

Forget Kansas and Missouri (?) , BBQ, This is The Area, paleeze, all others are usurpers!:)

Kansas City Metro Area to see: God have to spend a lot of time!

Jesse James Home, Jesses Home Shot in. Home of Harry S Truman Library, WW II (only memorial to that war), Union Station RR Stations, The Valentine Day Massacre out side of Chicahgo one of the 2nd largest in the US Seconf only to RR Station in NY. "The Plaza", the first ever shopping center, all out doors in a Spanish Motif, Christmas Lighting is world Famous. Oldest River Boat Artifacts ever found before the US CIVIL WAR!

WestPort, cross Roads of the Westward movement, Big Bar Area.

Go East to St. Louis, The Arch! Fantastic, got to go up in it!


Well, while I am partichial, The USA is one hell of a place to visit!

You art welcome anytime!!! Come on down and visit anyone of the GC Members, it will be a HOOT!:cool:

Enjoy Your Holiday and Touring!:D

Yes, and they're relocating their downtown corporate office to the OKC riverwalk. Now that's a place I should send a resumé to :D

They already have, it's on the canal. It's been finished for a while.

I use to work right next to sonic HQ in downtown OKC. no trip is complete without a sonic or a trip to braums ice cream!

or In & Out

Disneyland

DC whenthe cherry blossoms bloom

an Angels ballgame

Walt Disney World

the beaches of California

New Orleans!

a NY winter

an OKlahoma tornado ( gotta love livig thru the f 10 one they still have not hcarted yet)


washington apple blooming season


a fourth of july firework show


texas or oklahoma BBQ





and so many more

I miss the okc canal and riverwalk. I love the baseball staduim that was too. What do they have there now since i moved in 2001... did they ever put in the big huge movie complex?

I was there the day they opened riverwalk and i swear past out from the heat

Pat O's is in New Orleans, more specifically, the French Quarter. There's also an outlet on the 4th floor of Jax Brewery, also in the Quarter.

Co-sign! When I go to Vegas or Cali, I MUST hit In N Out! Their iced tea is da bomb!

Okay, after looking at your itinerary (and not mentioning the things you've already mentioned/have been suggested), I would suggest:

Chicago: Super Dawgs, the best hot dogs you'll ever eat! If you're not in the mood for hot dogs, an Italian Beef Sandwich is a must. You can't leave without trying one or both of them!

Salt Lake City: The Beehive House, where polygamy reigned supreme!

LA: Do the whole tourist thing! Mann's Chinese Theatre, etc. Marilyn Monroe's star is in front of the McDonald's.

Texas: Try chili made with armadillo. It's kinda skunky, but you'll be able to say you tried it!

MidWest: Whataburger is another great chain not mentioned. So is International House of Pancakes (IHOP).

Columbus: Home of the first American Soccer-Specific Crew Stadium. A fellow Canadian works in the front office and may get you a discount! ;)

I won't add more - you've gotten plenty of ideas! Oh, there's a book that has goofy sites, like where the largest ball of string is - I'm sure someone knows the name. Have a safe & wonderful time!!

I agree...the food wasn't good but it was something you have to see once.

You have not seen the states until you've....had North Carolina BBQ (Western is better than Eastern and I think they are both better than Texas BBQ) :p. Although I know you're not coming to the South so this doesn't apply to you. :(

Also, if you're going to be in San Antonio you've got to go to the Riverwalk and all the fun bars and restaurants there.

LOL, according to many of these, I've never been to the states. ;)

Oh my goodness roscoes chicken and waffles......YUM! my borther took me there once....

pinks hot dogs....oh yeah !:D

Agreed! North Carolina BBQ is my comfort food, my dad used to do barbeques all over the south on the weekends when I was little, cooking NC style BBQ for at least 600 people a weekend. He had his own grill and everything. And his "secret" vinegar sauce is to die for. He only does one a year now for the police department in town but I beg him to make it everytime I am home. Ohhhh it is so good!

Not sure if She will be coming now!:(

Dont think she knows just How Big OUR Country is and so many things to see and Foodieries to eat at!:D

OMG, hope There is a lOT of $$$$$$$$$ and TIME TO do this!:D

What an adventure to doooooo!:cool: :D :)

Oh.... a stampede of bison couldn't keep me away! I'm aware there is a _lot_ to see and do... and of course we won't see everything. It's a buffet style vacation - a little of this a little of that.


Time: we're going for 7 weeks.... soo long!
Money: I'll just say I'm very thankful to my parents for their large investment in a trip they aren't actually going on. They rock.


Oh and XOMichelle - that you for tipping us off on the whole reservation - I don't know where our heads were. We definately needed to make reservations for Friday and Saturday nights!!

I realized how many of these are related to eating meat. :(

You would probably like the milkshakes at In-N-Out, though. :)

Iowa
 

Hey! Glad to have you in Iowa. Lots to see in Iowa, and you will see most of it by the highway, since cornfields are the highlights. Talking about breadbasket region,

But some suggestions what to see/do while you are in Iowa:

- visit the Madison County Bridge, about half an hour south of Des Moines in Winterset, Iowa.
- nothing more to describe midwest scene than Grant Wood's works and his views to see Iowan landscape. While you're in Chicago, visit the Chicago Art Museum to see the American Gothic (see some of his works here), and while you're in Iowa, I suggest you to take the Grant Wood scenic byway and see the house background used in American Gothic in Eldon, Iowa.
If you like Grant Wood, see his collections in Ames (home of Iowa State University) - it is all over our Library. Ames is about 40 minutes north of Des Moines.
- Ames, home of one of the finest Greek System in the nation. Visit some Greek houses up here :D

HOW COULD I FORGET THIS? In Chicago, you absolutely have to see Wrigley Field! Even if you can't get to a Cubs game, just going to the area and soaking up the atmosphere is amazing. :)