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

[kappaloo]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! We've written them out so that we can hopefully get a bunch of them done!

And.... I passed my driving test. yay!

[queequek]

So, how is the trip?

[Glitter650]

Originally posted by XOMichelle
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 JUST had my first Sonic experience two weeks ago LOOOOVED their drinks (try vanilla and Cherry together in coke VERY YUMMY)

I have been to NYC
I've walked the freedom trail
I've gotten lost in Compton.. but did not get shot.. (it's really not as bad a city as you may think)
this summer I will go to DC although not for 4th of July... although I'd think being in Philedelphia would be just as cool.

Originally posted by XOMichelle

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.

I totally agree that would be a great addition to your trip ! I also suggest Twin Peaks.... it's kinda touristy but it has the best view of the city EVER... also I suggest you eat at this place in north beach called steps of rome... really good italian food (as are alot of the places in North Beach) but this place is just really kinda homey and fun, not too expensive either ! HAVE A GREAT TIME

ETA...AHHH.. XOMichelle... Fisherman's wharf isn't takcy... it's just an aquired taste Union Square is GOREGOUS now that they've redone it ! Shopping is great ... but pricey

[kappaloo]

Hey everyone!

The trip is going wonderfully. I'm currently in San Francisco, and my motel has free internet, so I'm abusing it. Yay!

I've been loving every city and town I've been too. Chicago is so beautiful! Iowa isn't nearly as boring as people make it out to be! Unfortunately, due to time, Ames had to be missed (sorry queequek) (we got really close to, but had to go to Des Moines in stead of continuing on the 30 to Ames). It snowed on our big Denver day, but we still were troopers and did the whole 16th mall! Boulder is soo beautiful - I wish I could have stayed it longer!

The moutains were more beautiful than I ever imagined. The Rocky are breath taking and I wish they didn't go so quickly! We stayed the night at the Colorado National Monument; the drive is terrifying - the view is outstanding.

I met a friend and fellow Kappa in Salt Lake - and i'm glad I got to see her and she showed me around the Kappa house. The Salt Lake and Salt Flats were surprising. Nevada was Nevada. :P I'm going to give it a second chance when I pass through the south tip late next week. Then.... CALIFORNIA!

Sacramento's capital is beautiful (I didn't get to see the governor though... just missed his "office hours"). Yosemite National Park was OUTSTANDING. We hiked, saw giant sequoias and definately will be returning one day. I still long to hike Half Dome and drive the Tioga Pass! That brings me to San Francisco.... a town of fit people with hills like these! We visited the wharf; pier 39; union square; nob and russian hill.... we also spent some time in the North Bay area and the Golden Gate Recreation Area - we were supposed to camp, but it's far too windy for our tent today (and yesterday).

I can't believe I'm only two weeks in! 4.25 to go!

[norcalchick]

Originally posted by XOMichelle


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).

if your going south on hwy 1

i live in montery and used to live in santa cruz. i go to carmel and pebble beach and it's all beautiful. if you go to pebble beach, they have the 17 mile drive which is scenic. you see these BEAUTIFUL houses (some celebrity houses) . some of the hotels in pebble beach are where movie stars stay in carmel, there's a little area to shop. they have a saks and a bunch of stores. it looks kinda like cottages around there.

in monterey, they have the amphibious boat. it's like a bus that loads up in the city, drives to the wharf and actually drives through the water. you see sea lions out on the rocks and stuff, it's $10 a person. the aquarium here has a new shark exhibit that just opened in april. there's a bunch of great places to eat around here. bubba gumps is a restaurant that's supposed to be like the forest gump movie and serves sea food and other stuff. i like the bucket of boat trash

santa cruz has the board walk which is full of rides, roller coasters, and carnival games. the water is cold for me though. there is also the mystery spot where there's some magnetic force going on in a certain part of the woods. it's kinda freaky. there should be a website around somewhere.

hope that helps if you come down here tomorrow! hope that helps anyone else that is thinking of visiting

[norcalchick]

i just looked at your map... your so close to the four corners. it's where utah, colorado, arizona, and new meixco touch. you get to stand in four states at one time.

[AnchorAlumna]

you have NOT been to the states until you've....
wolfed down 3 or 4 Krystals at 4 a.m.
grabbed a couple of "Hot Nows" from Krispy Kreme close to midnight Saturday...with another dozen to take to Sunday school the next day.

[SigKapChatter]

...been out in the country--wheat fields, corn fields, hunting, fishing, and good ol' fashioned trouble making--that's where I find my America.