Ok, so the kids are becoming annoying in their "will you take us to Disneyland puhlease? and will you take us to see the redwoods, and the Grand Canyon? and New York City?", and I've decided the following:
In summer 2015 I'll take a two months leave (and a half-lifetime of savings :P ) and bring them to the USA for a big road trip.
Why 2015? Because the youngest will be 6 1/2 years old, and will enjoy the trip instead of being trolleyed around; and the oldest will be 12, and hopefully she won't yet be all adulescent and emo and will enjoy the trip, too. I hope.
Two months would be enough time to wander through the country (and perhaps take a stray tour towards Canada or Mexico), and I'm looking for suggestions about almost everything: places to visit, modes of transportation, hidden gems, Languishite caves, everything you've visited, or would love to visit in the whole continent.
Remember: it will be a family trip, so places like Las Vegas (except for the exterior of the crazy casinos), or that strip club with the hottest dancers in town, will be forbidden <_<
And yes, this comes up in April 2010 because it's a slow day at work ;)
A very first draft of notable places I'd love to visit:
Yosemite National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Grand Canyon
New York City
Niagara Falls
Chicago
San Francisco
Disneyland (California)
the Great Salt Lake
Volcano National Park, Hawaii
Boston
Grand Tetons Nat'l Park
Some scenic road in the Rockies or everywhere else
Texas
The Great Vagina Wall
Cal's Burner (it's said it can roast a whole beef in a couple hours)
New Orleans, Charleston
do some whalewatching, in either of the oceans
redwoods
highway to Alaska (short detour to Whitehorse) (Barrister)
Florida (theme parks, snorkeling in the Keys, gators) (Zanza)
Rochester, NY (Berkut)
Disneyland Paris (the Larch <_<)
L.
Edit: updated with suggestions
Cities aren't all that great for a big road trip - NYC in particular.
Visiting Hawai'i would be awfully difficult on a road trip as well. ;)
Might I recommend driving the Alaska Highway through northern BC, Yukon, and ending up in Anchorage? :Canuck:
I've done most some of those things as a tourist and I would skip Chicago and Boston and consider Florida as part of your trip instead as it has much more to offer for kids (theme parks, Kennedy Space Center, alligators, snorkeling in the Florida Keys etc.).
Quote from: Barrister on April 12, 2010, 11:06:54 AM
Cities aren't all that great for a big road trip - NYC in particular.
Visiting Hawai'i would be awfully difficult on a road trip as well. ;)
Might I recommend driving the Alaska Highway through northern BC, Yukon, and ending up in Anchorage? :Canuck:
Effin' lawyers, with your attention to words ;)
It will be a road trip with city stops and maybe some plane flight, ok? :P
L.
That is a pretty nice list right there.
If you do make it to upstate New York and the Niagara Falls region, you better come and visit Rochester!
Quote from: Pedrito on April 12, 2010, 11:10:40 AM
Quote from: Barrister on April 12, 2010, 11:06:54 AM
Cities aren't all that great for a big road trip - NYC in particular.
Visiting Hawai'i would be awfully difficult on a road trip as well. ;)
Might I recommend driving the Alaska Highway through northern BC, Yukon, and ending up in Anchorage? :Canuck:
Effin' lawyers, with your attention to words ;)
It will be a road trip with city stops and maybe some plane flight, ok? :P
L.
One thing to consider - car rental companies make you pay through the nose if you return a car in a different city than where you rented it.
Also are you looking at a car, or renting a camper/RV?
Take them to Euro Disney in Paris and save yourself lots of anguish. :P
There won't be any oil left by 2015 IIRC :(
Quote from: Barrister on April 12, 2010, 11:13:20 AM
One thing to consider - car rental companies make you pay through the nose if you return a car in a different city than where you rented it.
Also are you looking at a car, or renting a camper/RV?
This is the kind of info i'm looking for: It could force me to plan a round trip, :hmm:
i'm not really a motorhome guy (I want to shower properly!), but i'll take my time to evaluate it; 5 years, to be precise
L.
Now seriously, I'm not really sure if it's a good idea. My parents also took me and my brother abroad when we were young, and it's a mixed bag.
When I was 10 and my brother 7, they took us to London, and it was mostly OK, I think. We went back in January because my brother basically didn't remember anything at all, though.
A couple of years later (with me being 12 and my brother 9) we went on a road trip to France, and it wasn't really a good idea. A small kid's patience to long trips trapped in a car is looooooooow. I only remember suffocating in the car because of the heat (we went in the summer), and arguments about having taken the wrong turn to go to the hotel.
Quote from: Pedrito on April 12, 2010, 11:23:33 AM
Quote from: Barrister on April 12, 2010, 11:13:20 AM
One thing to consider - car rental companies make you pay through the nose if you return a car in a different city than where you rented it.
Also are you looking at a car, or renting a camper/RV?
This is the kind of info i'm looking for: It could force me to plan a round trip, :hmm:
i'm not really a motorhome guy (I want to shower properly!), but i'll take my time to evaluate it; 5 years, to be precise
L.
Last year, did you ever wonder why we drove from Frankfurt down to Rome, then drove all the way back?
If you do the motorhome thing, when staying in RV parks most of them have showers. But it's a very different way of travelling. Lots of people love it, but it's not for other people.
One other consideration would be to try and arrange to buy a car on, say, the east coast, then sell it dirt cheap on the west coast.
Quote from: The Larch on April 12, 2010, 11:13:42 AM
Take them to Euro Disney in Paris and save yourself lots of anguish. :P
This is planned for 2011.
About your last post, you point two major issues: at 6 1/2 y.o., the girl will be too young to remember, not to say enjoy, the trip; and yes, children's patience run dangerously low after a couple hours in the car; this is why I'm considering the idea of a motorhome, or driving short spans (and finding a lot of interesting places not so far one from the other, that's the problem)
L.
Quote from: Barrister on April 12, 2010, 11:13:20 AMOne thing to consider - car rental companies make you pay through the nose if you return a car in a different city than where you rented it.
Not necessarily. I did oneway trips from Orlando to Key West and from San Francisco to Phoenix and didn't have to pay oneway fees. But you really have to look for that as each rental car company has different airports where they don't charge you a oneway fee.
E.g. Avis wants 98 USD if you rent a car at JFK for one day on Wednesday and return it there but only 85 if you rent a car at JFK and return it at IAD.
Quote from: Pedrito on April 12, 2010, 11:30:30 AM
Quote from: The Larch on April 12, 2010, 11:13:42 AM
Take them to Euro Disney in Paris and save yourself lots of anguish. :P
This is planned for 2011.
About your last post, you point two major issues: at 6 1/2 y.o., the girl will be too young to remember, not to say enjoy, the trip; and yes, children's patience run dangerously low after a couple hours in the car; this is why I'm considering the idea of a motorhome, or driving short spans (and finding a lot of interesting places not so far one from the other, that's the problem)
L.
What about long plane trips? Have your kids already travelled by plane?
You're going to need more then 2 months.
Why not just go to Disney like they want for a 1 or 2 week trip in Florida & visit the US when the youngest can stay home alone in 10-15 years with your home & actually enjoy the thing.
For such a long trip you could be better off buying a vehicle then selling it at the end than renting.
Car rentals are damn expensive wheras second hand cars can get rather cheap. I suppose risking ending up with a clunker and breaking down in the middle of Arizona would suck though.
QuoteThe Great Vagina Wall
Has been torn down by the new owner. That wonder of the world has been expunged from history.
Anyways for military shit, you have the Intrepid in NY, the Olympia in Philly and some battleships scattered around. Olympia might not last that long though, she is in rough shape. :cry:
Remember that the US will be several different countries by 2015.
Quote from: The Larch on April 12, 2010, 11:13:42 AM
Take them to Euro Disney in Paris and save yourself lots of Languish. :P
Fixed
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 12, 2010, 12:14:42 PM
QuoteThe Great Vagina Wall
Has been torn down by the new owner. That wonder of the world has been expunged from history.
Anyways for military shit, you have the Intrepid in NY, the Olympia in Philly and some battleships scattered around. Olympia might not last that long though, she is in rough shape. :cry:
The New Jersey's berthed on the other side of the river in Camden, right next to the Aquarium. Just don't stop for any red lights when you're in-city. :contract:
For road trip purposes, I know I'm going to sound biased as all hell, but I think you'll get more out of a visit to Philly than to NYC ( especially if you've got young'uns along for the ride); YMMV, though.
:cool: Cal would be happy to smoke a brisket for some Eye-talians.
I shall rendezvous with you in Florence.... Kentucky. Florence, y'all.
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 12, 2010, 12:14:42 PM
Olympia might not last that long though, she is in rough shape. :cry:
So's the rest of Philly. ;)
Have you considered rail travel? You can go from New York to Seattle.
Makes sure you visit Sbarro and Olive Garden when you get here, to see what real Italian food tastes like.
Quote from: citizen k on April 12, 2010, 03:23:32 PM
Have you considered rail travel? You can go from New York to Seattle.
I don't think that would be much fun. It'll take days, and you're stuck inside the train.
In my opinion, Pedrito needs to decide if he wants to take an "American Road Trip", or whether he wants to see specific sights in America. If he wants to see NYC, Chicago, Disneyland, he ought to just fly from place to place.
If however he wants to take a 'road trip', that's an entirely different kind of trip.
I'd avoid Mexico if I was you. Its no place to take kids right now and might be even worse in five years.
I do not recommend you follow BBs suggestion because only he and katmai would enjoy the drive to Alaska.
Quote from: Jaron on April 12, 2010, 04:39:55 PM
I'd avoid Mexico if I was you. Its no place to take kids right now and might be even worse in five years.
I do not recommend you follow BBs suggestion because only he and katmai would enjoy the drive to Alaska.
The Alaska highway is the most beautiful drive in the world, hands down.
Quote from: Barrister on April 12, 2010, 04:45:17 PM
Quote from: Jaron on April 12, 2010, 04:39:55 PM
I'd avoid Mexico if I was you. Its no place to take kids right now and might be even worse in five years.
I do not recommend you follow BBs suggestion because only he and katmai would enjoy the drive to Alaska.
The Alaska highway is the most beautiful drive in the world, hands down.
Is it still a two-lane highway (one in each direction)?
Quote from: DGuller on April 12, 2010, 04:46:50 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 12, 2010, 04:45:17 PM
Quote from: Jaron on April 12, 2010, 04:39:55 PM
I'd avoid Mexico if I was you. Its no place to take kids right now and might be even worse in five years.
I do not recommend you follow BBs suggestion because only he and katmai would enjoy the drive to Alaska.
The Alaska highway is the most beautiful drive in the world, hands down.
Is it still a two-lane highway (one in each direction)?
Of course. There is no 4-lane highway within a 1000kms of here.
The better question to ask is whether it is a paved highway. The Alaska Highway is - but some of our other highways are not. :ph34r:
You need to put DC on your list. All kids love the Air and Space.
I would go car + motel instead of RV. Mostly because RVs are such a huge hassle to drive in town. And Yuros always talk like selling a car is a snap. Unless you dump it at a dealer for half of what you paid you're going to have to put an ad in the paper (or online) and wait a couple weeks for people to respond.
And keep in mind there are about 40 amusement parks in Florida apart from Disney.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 12, 2010, 04:54:15 PM
And Yuros always talk like selling a car is a snap. Unless you dump it at a dealer for half of what you paid you're going to have to put an ad in the paper (or online) and wait a couple weeks for people to respond.
I suggested buying a car, but Yi's advice is completely true. You'd be looking at selling it for a lot less then it's worth on the other end. But if the car was affordable in the first place that might not be a bad thing.
I don't think looking at trees and mountains out the car window is going to be a big hit with kids.
Quote from: Barrister on April 12, 2010, 04:56:21 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 12, 2010, 04:54:15 PM
And Yuros always talk like selling a car is a snap. Unless you dump it at a dealer for half of what you paid you're going to have to put an ad in the paper (or online) and wait a couple weeks for people to respond.
I suggested buying a car, but Yi's advice is completely true. You'd be looking at selling it for a lot less then it's worth on the other end. But if the car was affordable in the first place that might not be a bad thing.
And you're going to put a helluva lot of miles on it...
Sell it to the mafia to use for a car bomb.
Or just buy an anatomy display put it the trunk and dump it in the woods.
:unsure: How much do long term car rentals cost anyway? Surely you can rent one for less than you would pay for a non total piece of shit (and rental cars are generally at least late-ish models). Also, I guess depending on the state, you might have to insure the thing at least minimally. And what happens when the cheap shitbox car breaks down because he's putting a zillion miles on it and it was barely hanging on to begin with? The big car rental places have roadside assistance.
Oh and it's going to be hotter than hell in Texas/the Southwest when you're passing through (summer lasts a long time here), so make sure the a/c works on whatever you're driving. Actually, it's pretty toasty all over the South.
Yosemite is very overrated in my opinion. It's ridiculously over crowded and the area you can actually visit without a multiday hiking trip is very small. Yellowstone is superior in every way. In California I'd go to Sequoia, Redwoods, or Lassen over Yosemite any day.
Just for kicks, went to a random car rental company. Renting an intermediate car, pickup from JFK July 1st, return at LAX August 31st, total cost is $3600USD, plus $750 one-way fee.
Which company? I always rented from Dollar.
Quote from: Pedrito on April 12, 2010, 10:55:23 AM
Ok, so the kids are becoming annoying in their "will you take us to Disneyland puhlease? and will you take us to see the redwoods, and the Grand Canyon? and New York City?", and I've decided the following:
In summer 2015 I'll take a two months leave (and a half-lifetime of savings :P ) and bring them to the USA for a big road trip.
Why 2015? Because the youngest will be 6 1/2 years old, and will enjoy the trip instead of being trolleyed around; and the oldest will be 12, and hopefully she won't yet be all adulescent and emo and will enjoy the trip, too. I hope.
Two months would be enough time to wander through the country (and perhaps take a stray tour towards Canada or Mexico), and I'm looking for suggestions about almost everything: places to visit, modes of transportation, hidden gems, Languishite caves, everything you've visited, or would love to visit in the whole continent.
Remember: it will be a family trip, so places like Las Vegas (except for the exterior of the crazy casinos), or that strip club with the hottest dancers in town, will be forbidden <_<
And yes, this comes up in April 2010 because it's a slow day at work ;)
A very first draft of notable places I'd love to visit:
Yosemite National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Grand Canyon
New York City
Niagara Falls
Chicago
San Francisco
Disneyland (California)
the Great Salt Lake
Volcano National Park, Hawaii
Boston
Grand Tetons Nat'l Park
Some scenic road in the Rockies or everywhere else
Texas
The Great Vagina Wall
Cal's Burner (it's said it can roast a whole beef in a couple hours)
New Orleans, Charleston
do some whalewatching, in either of the oceans
redwoods
highway to Alaska (short detour to Whitehorse) (Barrister)
Florida (theme parks, snorkeling in the Keys, gators) (Zanza)
Rochester, NY (Berkut)
Disneyland Paris (the Larch <_<)
L.
Edit: updated with suggestions
I love the idea--but this is too much driving, even over 2 months. If you are basically circling the country, and hitting points in the center as well, you may end up driving well over10,000 miles. Even if you did a simple trip of Key West-->New Orleans-->California-->Boston-->Charleston it would be over 8,000 miles according to yahoo maps. Whitehorse, or even Alaska, would add several thousand miles. My suggestion is to divide the US into 4, and eliminate one corner for visits. Also give up on driving to Alaska/Canada. If you don't do that the driving will be too much.
NYC is fantastic. A must see on a trip to America. Scratch Chicago and strongly consider scratching San Fransisco--both are great cities, but neither is especially interesting from a tourist perspective (two very good reasons to vacation in SF--the vibrant gay community and wine tasting in Napa Valley, but neither will probably appeal to you on a family vacation).
Yellowstone is the best of the national parks, imo. The Grand Canyon was disappointing--while it is great, at the end of the day it is a canyon in the desert. I don't think I wasted time going to see it, but it wouldn't be on my must see list. Yellowstone with its geysers, scenery, and bison herds is the best.
Washington DC is a must see, and Gettysburg is the place to go for any American battlefield. The Keys are the best place for the sea/snorkeling/fishing.
Avis. I'm sure you can find cheaper, but it gives you a basic idea.
Quote from: Pedrito on April 12, 2010, 10:55:23 AM
highway to Alaska (short detour to Whitehorse) (Barrister)
Edit: updated with suggestions
Oh, because I didn't realize you'd updated your list.
The good news is that no detour is needed. My house practically backs onto the Highway. :Canuck:
And you can fit in your whalewatching once you arrive in Alaska.
Italians are little people. He doesn't need an intermediate.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 12, 2010, 05:58:10 PM
Italians are little people. He doesn't need an intermediate.
He's save $100 by going with a compact (Cobalt), or $200 with a subcompact (Aveo). Any of which might be tough for Pedrito after driving his 5-series back home...
I suggest taking the ferry from Washington to Alaska instead of driving. It's tons of fun and you'll get your whale watching in too.
Quote from: Barrister on April 12, 2010, 06:01:02 PM
He's save $100 by going with a compact (Cobalt), or $200 with a subcompact (Aveo). Any of which might be tough for Pedrito after driving his 5-series back home...
Fuck, that's all?
Quote from: Barrister on April 12, 2010, 06:01:02 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 12, 2010, 05:58:10 PM
Italians are little people. He doesn't need an intermediate.
He's save $100 by going with a compact (Cobalt), or $200 with a subcompact (Aveo). Any of which might be tough for Pedrito after driving his 5-series back home...
Renting a car from an airport is more expensive than rentals down the road. Also, a rental from LA is probably very pricey. If you fly into a cheaper town and catch a cab to a rental car company away from the airport you may be able to save 50% or more.
I think I'd rather drop $2-3k to rent a car rather than deal with the trouble of buying a cheap car and then reselling it--who knows the quality you are going to get and you will still probably take a 4 digit loss. I also have no idea about the trouble for a foreigner to get a car registered and street legal in the US.
Quote from: alfred russel on April 12, 2010, 06:09:22 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 12, 2010, 06:01:02 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 12, 2010, 05:58:10 PM
Italians are little people. He doesn't need an intermediate.
He's save $100 by going with a compact (Cobalt), or $200 with a subcompact (Aveo). Any of which might be tough for Pedrito after driving his 5-series back home...
Renting a car from an airport is more expensive than rentals down the road. Also, a rental from LA is probably very pricey. If you fly into a cheaper town and catch a cab to a rental car company away from the airport you may be able to save 50% or more.
I think I'd rather drop $2-3k to rent a car rather than deal with the trouble of buying a cheap car and then reselling it--who knows the quality you are going to get and you will still probably take a 4 digit loss. I also have no idea about the trouble for a foreigner to get a car registered and street legal in the US.
You go and price it out then.
From my own experience renting in Europe was that while you might be able to get a cheaper price elsewhere, you were still stuck flying into a major international airport, and having to travel quite a distance to get your rental car was a major problem.
Quote from: Barrister on April 12, 2010, 06:11:57 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 12, 2010, 06:09:22 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 12, 2010, 06:01:02 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 12, 2010, 05:58:10 PM
Italians are little people. He doesn't need an intermediate.
He's save $100 by going with a compact (Cobalt), or $200 with a subcompact (Aveo). Any of which might be tough for Pedrito after driving his 5-series back home...
Renting a car from an airport is more expensive than rentals down the road. Also, a rental from LA is probably very pricey. If you fly into a cheaper town and catch a cab to a rental car company away from the airport you may be able to save 50% or more.
I think I'd rather drop $2-3k to rent a car rather than deal with the trouble of buying a cheap car and then reselling it--who knows the quality you are going to get and you will still probably take a 4 digit loss. I also have no idea about the trouble for a foreigner to get a car registered and street legal in the US.
You go and price it out then.
From my own experience renting in Europe was that while you might be able to get a cheaper price elsewhere, you were still stuck flying into a major international airport, and having to travel quite a distance to get your rental car was a major problem.
I tried Hattiesburg, MS enterprise for an intermediate was $1,851.12 for 2 months.
I agree that it is a hassle to get a car away from an airport (that is why they can charge a premium), but for two months it would be worth the trouble, especially since he will be driving through places like Hattiesburg anyway.
Why even bother with a car? Just use the vast and efficient public transportation system. Let America's army of highly trained transportation engineers whisk you from to coast to coast in style and comfort.
Quote from: DisturbedPervert on April 12, 2010, 06:21:12 PM
Why even bother with a car? Just use the vast and efficient public transportation system. Let America's army of highly trained transportation engineers whisk you from to coast to coast in style and comfort.
he he
I like Fredo's idea. He flies into JFK. He does NYC on foot, subway, and taxi. He takes Amerikkatrak down to DC, does DC via subway. Then he takes the train down to, say, Richmond and gets a rental for half the big city slicker price.
Quote from: alfred russel on April 12, 2010, 06:16:52 PM
I tried Hattiesburg, MS enterprise for an intermediate was $1,851.12 for 2 months.
I agree that it is a hassle to get a car away from an airport (that is why they can charge a premium), but for two months it would be worth the trouble, especially since he will be driving through places like Hattiesburg anyway.
How many international flights land in Hattiesburg, MS?
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 12, 2010, 04:54:15 PMAnd Yuros always talk like selling a car is a snap. Unless you dump it at a dealer for half of what you paid you're going to have to put an ad in the paper (or online) and wait a couple weeks for people to respond.
A friend of mine once bought a car from a Euro desperate to sell as he was flying back home. In the end the car was purchased in exchange for a ride to the airport.
Quote from: Barrister on April 12, 2010, 06:36:22 PM
How many international flights land in Hattiesburg, MS?
[Lettuce]Flights from Washington D.C.[/Lettuce]
Huh. Renting a "premium" car from the Enterprise in Dulles isn't a whole lot more than the random location I picked in Richmond, VA.
OK, we modify the plan. Pedrito hitchhikes from DC to Hatiesburg, Mississippi.
Did you include insurance when getting the quote? Since Pedrito doesn't have a regular American auto insurance, he'll have to get it through car rental as well. That's a shaft with a barbed tip cost-wise.
If you visit Yellowstone it might mean being close enough to me to show you "that place where Katmai ate" in Laramie (really, about the most famous place here).
If things change, and you visit the coast of California, I might be able to put you up in beautiful Big Sur, California (google it...worth the stop).
Other that, I have no suggestions, other than anything east of here sucks donkey balls.
Quote from: Barrister on April 12, 2010, 04:14:30 PM
In my opinion, Pedrito needs to decide if he wants to take an "American Road Trip", or whether he wants to see specific sights in America. If he wants to see NYC, Chicago, Disneyland, he ought to just fly from place to place.
Just fly. The parts in America outside of the cities are called "flyover country" for a reason.
I drove from Atlanta to New Orleans and back last weekend. 2 different routes through Alabama and Mississippi, and both of them are totally boring.
I want to go to -
New York City
Washington DC
Yellowstone Park
Orlando Disney
before I die.
Quote from: ulmont on April 12, 2010, 09:03:09 PM
Just fly. The parts in America outside of the cities are called "flyover country" for a reason.
I drove from Atlanta to New Orleans and back last weekend. 2 different routes through Alabama and Mississippi, and both of them are totally boring.
Oh, but all that beautiful kudzu!
Quote from: ulmont on April 12, 2010, 09:03:09 PM
Just fly. The parts in America outside of the cities are called "flyover country" for a reason.
I drove from Atlanta to New Orleans and back last weekend. 2 different routes through Alabama and Mississippi, and both of them are totally boring.
I'm the opposite. American cities aren't that interesting, the parts of America that are really spectacular are outdoors. Driving is definitely the way to go
Quote from: Monoriu on April 12, 2010, 11:21:17 PM
I want to go to -
New York City
Washington DC
Yellowstone Park
Orlando Disney
before I die.
Disney World is nothing special for an adult male without kids.
Quote from: stjaba on April 12, 2010, 11:44:14 PM
Disney World is nothing special for an adult male without kids.
Unless they just like kids.
Disneyland is much more amusing if you smuggle in a flask of vodka to drink on Mr Toad's Wild Ride
He should also make a detour to the Jersey shore to witness the evolution of Italians in America. I'm sure he'll enjoy meeting his paesani. :P
That reminds me.... Pedrito, my wife's former boss up in Massachusetts is from somewhere in Calabria (surname: Pitaro), first-generation, and they're so friendly they'd probably host ya.
Ok, so to sum it up the first three pages:
@ Larch: The kids already travelled by plane, up to 2 1/2 hours; it's not a transaltantic flight, but they behaved well
@ Grey Fox: a trip of more than 2 months will be impossible, rather i'm considering splitting the journey in two or more.
@ various: buying vs. renting a car: I strongly prefer the latter, much less hassle; but I'll evaluate pros and cons
@ Ed Anger: no more vagina wall :( about military sites: some battleships will definitely be worthy, the boy loves them. Intrepid seems interesting, the New Jersey too! Battlefields, could be an option too; I assume Gettysburg is the most interesting
@ Cal: beef brisket :mmm:
@ Beeb: road trip or flyover? My idea is going for a road trip, but this issue will be pollified, here and at home.
@ Jaron: about Mexico, I was pondering about going down from L.A. to Baja California, but i have to gather some more information on the area.
Washington DC will be added to TEH LIST
@ MBM: I assume all the South will be scorching hot in June and July, i was considering a visit to the Monument Valley and Bryce Canyon, too :hmm:
@ DP: I've never heard of Lassen national Park, i'll check it, thx; About multiday hikes in yosemite, have you got any suggestions?
@ Alfred Russel: I loved San Francisco when I was there, oh well, it was 20 years ago :cry:, plus it would be a good starting base for a trip down California coast towards LA.
About rentals outside airports, thanks for the info: in this case, I was planning to book a car directly from home before leaving for the USa
@ PDH: Laramie, noted ;)
@ Cal, again: thanks :)
L.
Quote from: Pedrito on April 13, 2010, 08:04:11 AM
Ok, so to sum it up the first three pages:
@ Larch: The kids already travelled by plane, up to 2 1/2 hours; it's not a transaltantic flight, but they behaved well
@ Grey Fox: a trip of more than 2 months will be impossible, rather i'm considering splitting the journey in two or more.
@ various: buying vs. renting a car: I strongly prefer the latter, much less hassle; but I'll evaluate pros and cons
@ Ed Anger: no more vagina wall :( about military sites: some battleships will definitely be worthy, the boy loves them. Intrepid seems interesting, the New Jersey too! Battlefields, could be an option too; I assume Gettysburg is the most interesting
@ Cal: beef brisket :mmm:
@ Beeb: road trip or flyover? My idea is going for a road trip, but this issue will be pollified, here and at home.
@ Jaron: about Mexico, I was pondering about going down from L.A. to Baja California, but i have to gather some more information on the area.
Washington DC will be added to TEH LIST
@ MBM: I assume all the South will be scorching hot in June and July, i was considering a visit to the Monument Valley and Bryce Canyon, too :hmm:
@ DP: I've never heard of Lassen national Park, i'll check it, thx; About multiday hikes in yosemite, have you got any suggestions?
@ Alfred Russel: I loved San Francisco when I was there, oh well, it was 20 years ago :cry:, plus it would be a good starting base for a trip down California coast towards LA.
About rentals outside airports, thanks for the info: in this case, I was planning to book a car directly from home before leaving for the USa
@ PDH: Laramie, noted ;)
@ Cal, again: thanks :)
L.
Nobody takes my culinary advice seriously. :(
Quote from: Barrister on April 12, 2010, 05:50:25 PM
Just for kicks, went to a random car rental company. Renting an intermediate car, pickup from JFK July 1st, return at LAX August 31st, total cost is $3600USD, plus $750 one-way fee.
WTF
Quote from: DGuller on April 13, 2010, 08:16:52 AM
Nobody takes my culinary advice seriously. :(
Coming from a guy that asks for 4-ingredient recipes, no, I won't take it seriously :P
L.
You might want to think about the fall if you are going into the Midwest any. Cooler, Tornadoes won't attack your car and you can discover the wonders of the festival season* in the rural Midwest.
You can go Mullet hunting.
Daddy! I saw 10 mullets in that truck!
Also, there is this:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/
*aka rednecks eating deep fried foods.
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 13, 2010, 08:33:20 AM
You might want to think about the fall if you are going into the Midwest any. Cooler, Tornadoes won't attack your car and you can discover the wonders of the festival season* in the rural Midwest.
You can go Mullet hunting.
Daddy! I saw 10 mullets in that truck!
Also, there is this:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/
*aka rednecks eating deep fried foods.
WTF this site is a treasure trove! :lol:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/9786 (http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/9786)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi132.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fq2%2FPedrito2007%2FOHMONjesus1_lintelman.jpg&hash=0549efb264cf131c702cf4d81a87920cbc89806f)
L.
Somebody discovered Big Butter Jesus.
Mecha-Jesus emerging from the underworld is an awe-inspiring sight.
Quote from: PDH on April 13, 2010, 10:07:05 AM
Mecha-Jesus emerging from the underworld is an awe-inspiring sight.
It helped my faith. Faith in what I still don't know.
Quote from: Barrister on April 12, 2010, 06:36:22 PM
Quote from: alfred russel on April 12, 2010, 06:16:52 PM
I tried Hattiesburg, MS enterprise for an intermediate was $1,851.12 for 2 months.
I agree that it is a hassle to get a car away from an airport (that is why they can charge a premium), but for two months it would be worth the trouble, especially since he will be driving through places like Hattiesburg anyway.
How many international flights land in Hattiesburg, MS?
Flights for 4 from Europe to the US are expensive, and probably the cheapest place to fly would be JFK. So if NYC is on the agenda, that is probably the place to enter. Hattiesburg, MS is just the first cheap place I could think of. I tried a Fairfax, Virginia based on Yi's idea--get around by NYC by subway/cab and take a train to DC--and a two month rental would be even cheaper $1458 with tax, than Hattiesburg.
DGuller had a great point about car insurance. But with a rental, why not decline the insurance? Lots of credit cards offer insurance on rentals as a perk, so he may be covered anyway, and if not, would enterprise really be able to track him down in Italy over a fender bender (that is terrible advice, but what would happen? I don't know).
The one downside to the train to DC idea is he would have to backtrack to Gettysburg.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 13, 2010, 06:05:54 PM
The one downside to the train to DC idea is he would have to backtrack to Gettysburg.
Maybe there are affordable car rentals in the middle of nowhere, Pennsylvania? And also Amtrack stops? I didn't do a comprehensive search for affordable rentals, I've only looked at two cities. I'm sure there are other affordable places out there.
Quote from: alfred russel on April 13, 2010, 06:01:06 PM
DGuller had a great point about car insurance. But with a rental, why not decline the insurance? Lots of credit cards offer insurance on rentals as a perk, so he may be covered anyway, and if not, would enterprise really be able to track him down in Italy over a fender bender (that is terrible advice, but what would happen? I don't know).
The liability insurance is what's in question. I doubt the rental company would even let him drive out of the lot without proof of it.
I thought minimal liability was already included. I've never bought rental insurance in my life and I've never been asked to show proof of anything.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 13, 2010, 06:34:24 PM
I thought minimal liability was already included. I've never bought rental insurance in my life and I've never been asked to show proof of anything.
No idea if it is included, but I've never shown proof either.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 13, 2010, 06:34:24 PM
I thought minimal liability was already included. I've never bought rental insurance in my life and I've never been asked to show proof of anything.
That's not my understanding of it, but I may be wrong. As far as I know, there no liability coverage automatically included with rental cars. If you have your own auto insurance policy, then it will probably cover you for both liability, and physical damage (if you have it).
If you don't have your own auto insurance policy, then you have to get it somewhere. It may be rental car company, it may be your credit card, or it may even be a special auto insurance policy for those who don't own a car, but you must have something. It's possible that liability coverage is something that's automatically added when you rent a car, and that you then have to manually remove, but I don't think that the coverage is implied just by the act of renting a car.
I don't know if this proves anything, but I have been pulled over in a rental and the copper made no mention of insurance.
For the record, he pulled me over because the car was too new and "wasn't in the system yet."
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 13, 2010, 06:56:48 PM
I don't know if this proves anything, but I have been pulled over in a rental and the copper made no mention of insurance.
For the record, he pulled me over because the car was too new and "wasn't in the system yet."
I've been pulled over in my own car, and wasn't asked for insurance either.
I never thought of this. I know I have insurance when I rent cars, but I don't have proof of insurance. I guess that could be a problem if I get in a wreck. We'll find out when I get in a wreck, because I'm not changing what I do.
Re: Gettysburg
Amtrak can take you to Harrisburg and from there it is like 45min drive to Gettysburg.
Don't forget to stop at the mason dixon casino.
Quote from: katmai on April 13, 2010, 08:02:59 PM
Re: Gettysburg
Amtrak can take you to Harrisburg and from there it is like 45min drive to Gettysburg.
Don't forget to stop at the mason dixon casino.
Two month rentals for an intermediate from Enterprise:
Harrisburg: $1911
Gettysburg: $1617
I'm not giving up hope that we will have flying cars in five years, which would of course add a premium to these prices.
Liability insurance :hmm:
i know I'm covered in italy, and would assume that when you rent a car, part of the cost goes for an insurance - at least it was when I rented cars in Spain and France.
If I should decide to buy a car, otoh, I bet getting an insurance would be even more complex.
:hmm:
Added other places to visit:
Universal Studios, LA
Canyon de Chelly
Badlands, North Dakota
the Anazasi nation
some ghost town of the Wild West
Savannah, Georgia
Charleston, South Carolina
Does anyone know if in Google Earth is it possible to highlight entire roads instead of pinning placemarks at the start and the end?
L.
You should also go to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico
Quote from: DisturbedPervert on April 14, 2010, 02:30:28 AM
You should also go to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico
Or better Mammoth cave in Kentucky. And then see Cal.
Isn't the world suppossed to end by 2012?
Quote from: Siege on April 14, 2010, 04:55:58 AM
Isn't the world suppossed to end by 2012?
You don't even use that calender. That was like 4,000 years ago for you.
Having read the "travelling for work" thread, I think I must reconsider the dates of the trip or the places to visit :hmm:
I assume all the south is extremely hot in june/july, with humidity varying from very dry in the West (Southern Cali, Aridzona, New Mexico, Texas) to very humid (Eastern Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida), is it right?
Will July be very hot even at northern latitudes (Washington, NYC, San Francisco)?
Is august usually hotter than july? When I was in California during August 1990, I remember the place (Davis) to be extremely hot but very dry and livable; San Francisco having fog even in August; and the rest of the state down to LA having very pleasant temperatures, but it could be because it was the end of august.
Should I consider to split the journey, vsiting the North during june and the south during late august/early september?
Anyone can suggest a good site for 2015 weather forecasts?
L.
Yes even NYC is hot in July and August. The eastern and central parts of the country can be very humid. It becomes extremely humid in Missouri and though I haven't spent alot of time in the South I suspect it's very humid there as well.
Can your daughter even go for two months in summer? How long are school holidays in Italy?
School year usually ends around the 10th of june and starts again in mid september. It shouldn't be difficult to snatch five days at the beginning of june (examinations end by May, usually), or five days at the very start of the courses, in mid-september
L.
Quote from: Zanza on April 16, 2010, 03:20:22 AM
Can your daughter even go for two months in summer? How long are school holidays in Italy?
Austrians have 8-9 weeks, too, so it could be (uni is out from Juli-September).
Quote from: Pedrito on April 16, 2010, 03:00:55 AM
Will July be very hot even at northern latitudes (Washington, NYC, San Francisco)?
San Fransisco no, it never really gets that hot except occasional days. Same for the rest of coastal California till you get down south. The east coast gets hot and humid.
Wyoming never gets too hot!
Well, except when the Yellowstone supervolcano explodes, so don't plan to come here then.
DC is unbearable in August, pretty good in June and July.
Quote from: Razgovory on April 16, 2010, 03:09:04 AM
Yes even NYC is hot in July and August. The eastern and central parts of the country can be very humid. It becomes extremely humid in Missouri and though I haven't spent alot of time in the South I suspect it's very humid there as well.
Don't forget the giant skeeters in the summertime.
It's very pleasant in YUukon / Alaska in July / August. :Canuck:
Quote from: DisturbedPervert on April 16, 2010, 03:37:36 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 16, 2010, 03:00:55 AM
Will July be very hot even at northern latitudes (Washington, NYC, San Francisco)?
San Fransisco no, it never really gets that hot except occasional days. Same for the rest of coastal California till you get down south. The east coast gets hot and humid.
The central valley can turn into a sweltering sauna though. Cali has a bunch of different climates.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on April 16, 2010, 12:05:13 PM
The central valley can turn into a sweltering sauna though. Cali has a bunch of different climates.
Yeah. As you go inland it can get really hot. Even a few miles can make a huge difference in temperature in places. He should take the 1 from LA to SF for nice weather and scenery.
SF? Hot? :lol:
Quote from: DisturbedPervert on April 16, 2010, 12:57:57 PM
Yeah. As you go inland it can get really hot. Even a few miles can make a huge difference in temperature in places. He should take the 1 from LA to SF for nice weather and scenery.
And to have no need to drive over 20 mph as the RV at the front of the 100-long line of cars refuses to pull over all the way from San Simeon to Carmel.
Quote from: garbon on April 16, 2010, 05:56:18 PM
SF? Hot? :lol:
I wanted to answer with a well known Mark Twain quote to that regard, but it turns out it's bogus. :(
http://www.snopes.com/quotes/twain.asp
fucking snopes!