First visit to the US. How to spend 4 weeks backpacking?

Looks like they hadn't updated their index , but they just did a new
story on SF "3 perfect days"
http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/april06/tpd/



"- Bobb -" wrote in message
. ..
One more thing:
http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/3...nfrancisco.htm

This was a wonderful series about " 3 perfect days in ..." lists LOTS
of cities around the world. Whenever I'm going somewhere new I check
to see if they have an article on it. NOTE - the references are NOT
current as these are archived articles , so may be from 5 years ago
(in SF case it was 2004). But what landmarks to see etc and how to
"attack the city" are great advice. Last year I took a European
cruise - went to Copenhagen for a few days - it worked fine. In
Berlin there has been a LOT of news since the story , but again the "
big things to see" that they mention are usually worth it and then add
what you want to see. The biggest advantage of reading them is that
you get a feel for " how much time should I allow to ..." . I printed
out my cities and other homework for that city and used folders in my
bag for them - when I was leaving a city, I gave my "old folder" to
other tourists that I met ashore to use. Heading to next city, I'd
pull out that folder during the trip there .You might find they
recommend to stay in some upper-crust hotel - skip that page. Cut
paste until you get what you want and then print it. Chicago, Boston,
NYC etc - all listed. Great reading.


"- Bobb -" wrote in message
news
ANd even though you're not arriving in the US with a sleeping bag,
I'm sure you can get one in San Francisco at any sporting goods
store. When you're done with your trip - either "donate it" to
someone on the bus or at the park - or just toss in the trash.
WalMart is a big US chain - check this out:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=4128
Wal-Mart
8400 Edgewater Drive
Oakland (S), CA 94621
(510) 430-9606

http://www.walmart.com/storeLocator/...nue=&x=29&y=16

Oakland is across the bridge from San Francisco - I'm sure if /when
you contact the bus company that they're going by at least one store
that you can get camping equipment. click on the RIGHT arrow on that
map and you'll see Yosemite

Bobb


"- Bobb -" wrote in message
...
Matt B:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/trip/camping.htm#campgrounds
Not sure which you'll be at but there's a map on that page.

scroll down to each campground and they list facilites at each site.
They all have this note:
Showers & laundromat: Yosemite Valley (at Curry Village and
Housekeeping Camp).

That's the central area so I would think you'd be nearby.

Yosemite has busses that go around the park every few hours -
different routes - so no matter where you are, you can get to
another area by hopping on a park bus to get there.

Bobb


"Matt B" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 05 Jul 2006 19:38:06 GMT, Rita wrote:

On Wed, 5 Jul 2006 14:00:47 -0400, "- Bobb -"
wrote:

some of those tours look very good
http://www.greentortoise.com/
Alaska - SF, East coast to West coast and back ...

I think being that long on a bus might be a bit much for me
though.
But it does look interesting

The Tortoise is not a typical bus. You ride very comfortably and
the bus stops every couple hours. You can entertain yourself by
playing cards, writing or reading or sleeping lying down. Chat
with
others -- always an interesting mix of foreign tourists and people
from the U.S., often more of the former than the latter.
There is simply no comparison with Greyhound where you are
locked into a seat for hours and hours. You can move around on
the Tortoise. There are two drivers so much of the distance is
covered at night when you are sleeping. The drivers organize the
meals -- they stop and shop for food and people pitch in to set
up the camp stoves and prepare the food and the meals are
hearty and tasty. You can buy other food at many of the stops
the bus makes.

I was in my 60s when I did my Tortoise trips -- one from California
all through Mexico for 34 days and the other the cross country trip
of 14 days. We overnighted along beaches and in parks. In Mexico
we spent a night or two here and there in cheap hotels in the
cities.
Some people took along small tents and slept in them -- there is
room
to carry them -- but I found sleeping on the bus just fine.

Sounds nice, although I think I would find 34 days travel tough. I
don't mind pitching in and helping out with chores as long as the
workload is nothing major. Besides, if it does become annoying, it
will only be for 3 days I suppose.

Since I'll be spending my nights in hostels, hotels and motels for
most of my trip, camping in the great outdoors will make an
interesting change. One question though, Rita: do they supply the
tents or do you have to bring your own? There's simply no way I can
fit one into my luggage.

Also, I'm quite keen on showering regularly. Do you know if there
will
be shower facilities within Yosemite at the camp sites?

Matt

On 7/5/2006 6:24 PM Matt B did the "monkey dance", then made these
writings:
On Wed, 05 Jul 2006 19:38:06 GMT, Rita wrote:


On Wed, 5 Jul 2006 14:00:47 -0400, "- Bobb -"
wrote:


some of those tours look very good
http://www.greentortoise.com/
Alaska - SF, East coast to West coast and back ...

I think being that long on a bus might be a bit much for me though.
But it does look interesting

The Tortoise is not a typical bus. You ride very comfortably and
the bus stops every couple hours. You can entertain yourself by
playing cards, writing or reading or sleeping lying down. Chat with
others -- always an interesting mix of foreign tourists and people

from the U.S., often more of the former than the latter.

There is simply no comparison with Greyhound where you are
locked into a seat for hours and hours. You can move around on
the Tortoise. There are two drivers so much of the distance is
covered at night when you are sleeping. The drivers organize the
meals -- they stop and shop for food and people pitch in to set
up the camp stoves and prepare the food and the meals are
hearty and tasty. You can buy other food at many of the stops
the bus makes.

I was in my 60s when I did my Tortoise trips -- one from California
all through Mexico for 34 days and the other the cross country trip
of 14 days. We overnighted along beaches and in parks. In Mexico
we spent a night or two here and there in cheap hotels in the cities.
Some people took along small tents and slept in them -- there is room
to carry them -- but I found sleeping on the bus just fine.


Sounds nice, although I think I would find 34 days travel tough. I
don't mind pitching in and helping out with chores as long as the
workload is nothing major. Besides, if it does become annoying, it
will only be for 3 days I suppose.

Since I'll be spending my nights in hostels, hotels and motels for
most of my trip, camping in the great outdoors will make an
interesting change. One question though, Rita: do they supply the
tents or do you have to bring your own? There's simply no way I can
fit one into my luggage.

Also, I'm quite keen on showering regularly. Do you know if there will
be shower facilities within Yosemite at the camp sites?

Matt

Matt,

I don't know if you have dropped Philadelphia completely. If you
haven't you might want to consider either a day trip or a day or two in
Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Towns like Intercourse, Bird-In-Hand and
Paradise aren't too far from Philadelphia. This is where you'll find
Amish, Mennonite and other "plain folk". While tourism has added a
patina of theme park to some locations there is still enough of the
Pennsylvania Dutch culture to be found. Plus there are plenty of
farms. The Amish are known for raising Trotters, racehorses that pull a
small carriage behind them. The food is hearty and of a German influence.

Another possibility between New York City and Philadelphia is the New
Jersey Shore. Some of it is real honky-tonk like Seaside Hights while
some has fine old Victorian summer homes like Ocean Grove, Spring Lake
and Cape May. (Cape May would be a better stop if you were going to go
on to Washington DC by way of the Lewes Ferry and Rohobith Beach
Delaware). There are lots of beach towns in New Jersey some like Point
Pleasant Beach are reachable via New Jersey Transit train from New York
City. For most of my life I've lived in a resort town, Lavallette NJ.
It's grown a lot in the last 20 years but still manages to preserve its
small beach town feel.

I hope you will plan another trip to my country. The South and Southern
Florida deserve trips of their own. I love Charleston, South Carolina
and Savannah, Georgia. Then there are the out islands some like Saint
Helena haven't been overly developed. The barrier islands of South
Carolina and Georgia are where the Gullah and Geechee live. They speak
dialects that are strongly influenced by African, American Indian,
Spanish and French languages. The women come into Charleston and other
towns selling hand woven baskets made of rushes, fragrant grasses and
pine. Some of the women don't like to have their picture taken - it has
to do with a spiritual belief that you might work roots on them.
(Malevolent magic.) If you are buying a basket some are more willing.
Smile and ask if it's ok. If they say no let it go.

The food, don't get me started on Gullah cooking. It's a whole country
of its own a subcontinent of Southern Cooking.

--
________
To email me, Edit "blog" from my email address.
Brian M. Kochera
"Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once!"
View My Web Page: http://home.earthlink.net/~brian1951

On Wed, 5 Jul 2006 23:16:42 -0400, "- Bobb -"
wrote:

Looks like they hadn't updated their index , but they just did a new
story on SF "3 perfect days"
http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/april06/tpd/



Cheers Bobb. Those links look very useful.

Matt

On Thu, 06 Jul 2006 02:02:43 GMT, Rita wrote:

On Wed, 05 Jul 2006 22:24:40 GMT, Matt B
wrote:

snip

Sounds nice, although I think I would find 34 days travel tough. I
don't mind pitching in and helping out with chores as long as the
workload is nothing major. Besides, if it does become annoying, it
will only be for 3 days I suppose.

Well, there were days we didn't travel at all, but the bus was
parked and we explored the towns and cities or enjoyed a beach
or visited the archeological sites in Mexico. It is not non-stop
bus riding and in the U.S., where roads are far better than in
Mexico, a lot of the driving is done at night with the days free
for sightseeing.

Helping out is voluntary, really. Some are gung ho and others just
do whatever. People sort themselves out. Some like to help chop
food and cook, others unload the tables and stoves from from the
bus top, others clean up. Nothing major I assure you.

Since I'll be spending my nights in hostels, hotels and motels for
most of my trip, camping in the great outdoors will make an
interesting change. One question though, Rita: do they supply the
tents or do you have to bring your own? There's simply no way I can
fit one into my luggage.

No, they don't supply tents. But you can sleep on the bus -- on a
foam platform and there are also some seats that convert to bunk
type beds. Most don't bring tents. The overnights are usually in
very pleasant places and there are showers and toilets nearby.
You would need a sleeping bag, a pillow if you use one, and your
own towels.


Ah I see. Well as long as there's somewhere comfortable to kip, that's
all that matters really. Thanks for the info.

Matt

On Thu, 06 Jul 2006 03:18:56 GMT, Brian K
wrote:

Matt,

I don't know if you have dropped Philadelphia completely. If you
haven't you might want to consider either a day trip or a day or two in
Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Towns like Intercourse, Bird-In-Hand and
Paradise aren't too far from Philadelphia. This is where you'll find
Amish, Mennonite and other "plain folk". While tourism has added a
patina of theme park to some locations there is still enough of the
Pennsylvania Dutch culture to be found. Plus there are plenty of
farms. The Amish are known for raising Trotters, racehorses that pull a
small carriage behind them. The food is hearty and of a German influence.


Yeah, I would definitely like to visit Pennsylvania at some point so
if I don't manage it this time (which looks likely), it will be on the
itinerary for a return visit. I've read a little on the Amish
community and I would certainly like to experience the culture
first-hand. It looks so completely different to anything I've
experienced in the UK.

Matt

If you go there, stop in Gettysburg for some US history.

"Matt B" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 06 Jul 2006 03:18:56 GMT, Brian K
wrote:

Matt,

I don't know if you have dropped Philadelphia completely. If you
haven't you might want to consider either a day trip or a day or two
in
Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Towns like Intercourse, Bird-In-Hand and
Paradise aren't too far from Philadelphia. This is where you'll find
Amish, Mennonite and other "plain folk". While tourism has added a
patina of theme park to some locations there is still enough of the
Pennsylvania Dutch culture to be found. Plus there are plenty of
farms. The Amish are known for raising Trotters, racehorses that pull
a
small carriage behind them. The food is hearty and of a German
influence.


Yeah, I would definitely like to visit Pennsylvania at some point so
if I don't manage it this time (which looks likely), it will be on the
itinerary for a return visit. I've read a little on the Amish
community and I would certainly like to experience the culture
first-hand. It looks so completely different to anything I've
experienced in the UK.

Matt

On Thu, 06 Jul 2006 10:57:52 GMT, Matt B
wrote:

On Thu, 06 Jul 2006 03:18:56 GMT, Brian K
wrote:

Matt,

I don't know if you have dropped Philadelphia completely. If you
haven't you might want to consider either a day trip or a day or two in
Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Towns like Intercourse, Bird-In-Hand and
Paradise aren't too far from Philadelphia. This is where you'll find
Amish, Mennonite and other "plain folk". While tourism has added a
patina of theme park to some locations there is still enough of the
Pennsylvania Dutch culture to be found. Plus there are plenty of
farms. The Amish are known for raising Trotters, racehorses that pull a
small carriage behind them. The food is hearty and of a German influence.


Yeah, I would definitely like to visit Pennsylvania at some point so
if I don't manage it this time (which looks likely), it will be on the
itinerary for a return visit. I've read a little on the Amish
community and I would certainly like to experience the culture
first-hand. It looks so completely different to anything I've
experienced in the UK.

Matt

Would be difficult to experience the Amish country without a car.
The Amish live on farms surrounded by small towns. People who
visit this area must depend on a car to get around. Unless, like the
Amish, you have a horse and buggy

Someone else commented on visas and I want to amplify that. The
USA has absolutely no sense of humor with respect to visas. I do
not pretend to understand visas, but I have had to obtain visas for
other countries. They usually come in a few varieties, and two of
them are single entry and multiple entry. If you visit the USA, then
leave to visit Canada, and then re-enter the USA, you will probably
require a multiple entry visa. To avoid this problem, it might be a
lot easier to obtain single entry visas for the USA and Canada, and
make your open jaw starting in the USA and ending in Canada.


Casey

"Casey" wrote in message
...
Someone else commented on visas and I want to amplify that. The
USA has absolutely no sense of humor with respect to visas. I do
not pretend to understand visas, but I have had to obtain visas for
other countries. They usually come in a few varieties, and two of
them are single entry and multiple entry. If you visit the USA, then
leave to visit Canada, and then re-enter the USA, you will probably
require a multiple entry visa. To avoid this problem, it might be a
lot easier to obtain single entry visas for the USA and Canada, and
make your open jaw starting in the USA and ending in Canada.



One more time with feeling

For a UK citizen travelling on the visa waiver scheme there is
NO PROBLEM crossing into Canada.

Its on the goddam website if you dont believe me

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/vwp/vwp.xml

Moreover he/she doesnt need a visa for Canada at all.

If the journey starts in Canada you can fill out the visa waiver
form at the land border.

Been there done that got the bloody T shirt

Keith

Carmen L. Abruzzi wrote:

Well, there's a train there, but I have no idea how you'd actually get
around in the park once you get off the train. Again, it's a train.
Busses typically don't get anywhere near National Parks. Yosemite is
one exception I know of, and then it's an Amtrak bus (bus run by the
national train service, connects with the train from San Francisco, or
rather, Emeryville) not Greyhound.

Yosemite is served by a regional bus service called YARTS (Yosemite
Area Regional Transportation System). They run two lines during the
Summer, including one from Merced, and the other from Mammoth
Lakes. It's only $20 round trip from Merced, which is served by
Amtrak and Greyhound. There's only one bus that goes all the way
to/from Merced each day.

http://www.yarts.com

There is a youth hostel just outside of Yosemite (Yosemite Bug).
You'll need reservations though, which is the big problem.

I've been to many of the National Parks mentioned , and you're better
off taking a rental car. The bus tours don't give enough time to do
any reasonable sightseeing IMO.

Honestly though - August is probably the worst time for you to
attempt any of the big US national parks without a firm schedule
and lodging reservations. One might be able to secure some
first-com/first-served campgrounds, if you're willing to pitch up
a small tent. Glacier NP is one of those places that is best
if you have a car. There are bus tours and a shuttle from the
nearby airport. However - you're not going to see much without
a car unless you really want to do some serious trekking (with
plenty of time) and are willing to get the required backcountry
permits.