I’m just here to say that the US is huge, and the best part is that experience you had IS part of the American experience. That experience was a regional one, but America is as much about the immigrants as it is about the folks whose families have lived in the same county in the same state for 200-300 hundred years. There’s stubborn traditionalism and persistent progressivism, and it’s all part of the fabric. That said, I come from small town living. If I were visiting the US, and only visited small towns, I’d be disappointed. Small towns in the states aren’t like those in Europe, where each one has a thousand year’s worth of really unique, documented history and their own distinct flavors.
Visiting the US for me would include a large road trip, trying to get as much of the scenery as possible. The country is so vast. If you want to avoid the biggest cities, that’s fine, but I think a road trip is the best option.
That said, if you want rural living, loud pickup trucks, and ornery blue collar workers, just drive farther away from the city lights. You’ll see that life.
Fred, give me a shout out when you get up NC snd I’ll take you through the rural mountain of the Appalachian mountains. You’ll see all the baccker chewing, white liquor drinking folks you want to see.
I’ll even pick the banjo for you👍
Fred, give me a shout out when you get up NC snd I’ll take you through the rural mountain of the Appalachian mountains. You’ll see all the baccker chewing, white liquor drinking folks you want to see.
I’ll even pick the banjo for you👍
Fred, give me a shout out when you get up NC snd I’ll take you through the rural mountain of the Appalachian mountains. You’ll see all the baccker chewing, white liquor drinking folks you want to see.
I’ll even pick the banjo for you👍
Hope you have a grand trip Fredrik. There is so much to see in this country. This is perhaps an unfair generalization, but the southern half of the country seems more hospitable, or at least quicker to start a conversation. Southern food is simply amazing. Being from the northeast, I’m always gratified by how open and friendly southerners are to strangers. I recommend looking for mountains, lakes and natural beauty, and then cross checking that with regional food and music. Also, Americans seem very good at collecting interesting things and showing them off. There are many great museums of cars, motorcycles and other stuff. Finally, look up local food festivals. There is nothing more fun than immersing yourself in a crowd proud of their local specialty.
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If possible plan your trip around the first half of May and attend a small Guzzi Rally in Cedar Vale, Kansas. Doesn't get more "heartland".
GliderJohn
Hello.
I have only visited USA one time and it was in 1997 i had a week of vacation in Miami, Florida. I plan to visit USA again as soon the - situation is more stable. But this time do i want to visit ”real USA” so to say and not big cities like NY, LA etc. But ordinary small towns where tourism not have ruined the way of living. Florida felt like visiting South America based on the latina influence, nothing bad about that but it did not feel very, well, american. Any tips what is nice genuine american places where people drive pick up and use chewing tobacco? (Dont take my words to serious, i dont mean to offend). :afro:
Fredrik,
On other forms where a greater variety of topics are discussed much more passionately (some would say less politely), I like to remind the non-American posters that America is a country which defies definition. Large populations both encourage and defy stereotyping since the observer can always find datapoint to bolster or refute their preferred assumptions.
I like to remind the other forum members that there are over 39,000 zip codes in America, and each zip code may contain a dozen or more cultures.
Asking about America is like asking about Europe or Asia. Lots of variation and diversity. So expect the answers to your inquiries to vary greatly based on the perceptions and experiences of the responder.
I would advise to pick a few areas that you would like to visit for whatever reasons but then don't hold a strict schedule, just follow whatever interests you at the moment. Also known as "following your nose."
Once you start meeting Americans face to face, most will offer you plenty of advice on the local attractions and areas of interest.
If you make it to the Lynchburg, Virginia area, please let me know. I'll be glad to buy you a meal and show you around. If you're. to allergic to animals, I can probably put you up for a couple nights. More great backroads within a 100 mile radius than one can ride in a lifetime.
Assuming of course that you have not already stopped at NCDan's place and are not already completely turned off by Southern Redneck Inbred Americans....... :wink: cause most of my BS will probably sound a lot like his BS..... but with an upstate NY accent....:azn:
take care,
Ed
My father always tought me that USA have 50 states (it is 50 right?) and you can see each state as a country, all states are unique in their own way. So this gives me 50 reasons more to visit USA. :cheesy: :bike-037:
If you're in Maine, let me know.
There are some beautiful places to see in New England, and some
great roads.
As others have said, North Carolina, various areas in New York State,
Pennsylvania, California, West Virginia, etc., etc. are beautiful.
-Stretch
Second that , Too much ground to cover in one trip but Maine isn't a bad place to see in the summer months. You will be welcome with open arm up here . Glad to put you up if you come this far north.
Oh, and give a heads up here when you are on the move. I expect you'll get more invitations than you can handle.
I can give you another place to land in the SE U.S. and have had several visitors over the years. PM me.
-Mike- (driving SAABs since 1973 :grin:)
You making fun of my kin?🤔
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upload your pic (https://imgbb.com/)
You making fun of my kin?🤔They're gonna put me in the movies
You making fun of my kin?🤔
travel rt 66 oklahoma city to barstow
Thanks for all great replys, i really look forward to make a road trip in US! And now i know i have good support from all you Guzzi guys, it means alot. :azn:
For many years I worked for Frammatome/AREVA. All the Europeans (French, Germans, Czechs, etc.) who came over here had some opinions in common. At first, they were critical of the US & Americans (mostly from a political perspective). After a few months, most said they wished their home country were more like America.
Almost all have said "Americans are much more friendly than Europeans." I have tons of stories about that.
If you are not put off by people being friendly and going out of their way to offer advice on where to go and what to see, you will enjoy your trip immensely.
I suspect you might be able to live here for a couple years just based on invitations offered......
In my experience are most ordinary people very nice no matter what country. If we judge people after their politicians would all be idiots. I have met the nicest people ever in Russia, Japan, EU and the americans i have met in my work. All have been nice, so i dont think it is what nation a person come from that make them nice or not. One thing is certain and that is that idiots can be found in all nations. Many people in EU and US have same DNA and i think we are very alike in the daily life. :cheesy:
I agree completely. All people are individuals. National characteristics, in my mind are very nebulous concepts. Stereotyping always tells one more about the observer rather than the observed. I was simply conveying some oberserations of my former co-workers.
No doubt most were talking about local cultures and their personal experiences, both here and in their home country.
I can thoroughly recommend the USA and Canada, my wife and I spent six months on the road there, cool things to see and nice people everywhere. We have been in 28 states including Alaska, not a bad experience to be had (although I did get some unwanted police attention but it was deserved :laugh)
It is pretty funny when i read jokes, memes etc. on Facebook that is from USA and think**** they have exactly the same **** as we do. :grin:
Another suggestion... Try some of the budget airlines to cover a bit more ground. I regularly use Allegiant to fly from Austin TX to Asheville, NC where my Griso is located.
From Austin you can also get to Bozeman, MT and back. All flights are direct and cheap ($50-$100 USD one way based on luggage). Frontier is another one. Both have limited schedules but if time isn't an issue you can work that out. You certainly would be welcome to stay with us if you need a few days in Texas (sorry we are not in a small town, however).
travel rt 66 oklahoma city to barstow
As somewhat of an alternative approach to all the good suggestions you've already received... Get ahold of a road atlas that covers the 50 states--- actually what you want is the in the first few pages which is a single overview of the 48 contiguous states "the lower 48" as they say in Alaska) and the major/relatively major roads that run through all 48. Pick a road that looks interesting to you and plan your trip around that. For example, I-90 (for Interstate-90, the interstates are the biggest roads/freeways) runs east-west across the entire US, from Boston to Seattle. There is lots to see along any portion of that "route." I-80 does the same (runs east/west) but just a bit further south. On a lark, I once flew into to Dallas, picked up an old Toyota Tercel 4WD wagon I had bought for $600 sight unseen off Craigslist and drove it back to Rhode Island going across parts of middle-America that I had only visited as a child--Arkansas, Tennessee, ... Personally, given what little you have hinted at, I would fly into Minneapolis, rent a car or a bike and head west on the old US 2 highway. 2 runs east/west across the entire US just a bit south of the Canadian border but unlike the Interstates, you go right through the center of most of the small towns you intercept along the way (thus it is slower than sticking to the interstates). But 2 will take you through beautiful country in Minnesota, North Dakota, and into Montana where you can find real cowboys and Glacier National Park and Yellowstone and then on into Idaho and finally Washington state (time your trip to go to the Ellensburg Rodeo...). So 2 is just a suggestion, but following a road is the main idea. Maybe get a copy of the book "Blue Highways" and read that for some ideas (the book is a bit dated now but should still be relevant in terms of giving you some ideas). Let us know your plans when the trip is actually a reality!
Fredrik,
I'm jealous... heck, I live here and I'd like to take your trip!
If you get around Kentucky way plenty of great roads, horse farms, the bourbon trail, and small town American to be found. Give us a shout if you get by this way!
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