Simon's Coming to the USA

[simon275]

Hey all. In the middle of this year (July) I am gonna travel to the USA go see the sites and hopefully have a few cold ones with you lot.

So No dates during July are nailed down yet or where I am going exactaly. So what I am asking is there anybody who is willing to take me in for a few days here and there. I am willing to pay board and any other costs.

-Simon

[d_stilgar]

I totally would if I had a place of my own, but I don't.

Aside from computers, what are you into; I'll give some suggestions on what to see/do.

[b4i7]

ill find out the possibilities of you havin a night out here (if you get close to oklahoma that is) could even visit with ovride if he is available while youre here(hes about two hours away from me)

[crenn]

Simon, please don't leave us.... we need our aussies who know computers... don't leave us with the bogans!

[Drum Thumper]

If you decide to make it to Montana for some odd reason, send me a PM. I'd be more than willing to show you some of the sites in this state.

[Bopher]

Not much here in Nebreska but if I could convince the wife I'd take you. As long as you're not a crazy person.....Are you a crazy person??:suspicious:

[crenn]

He's Australian. To the majority of americans, we're crazy.

[Elenril]

Don't you mean... GOING to the USA?

How long will you be gone for? Come back to us before we're all overrun by bogans and easties!

[simon275]

I am planning on flying to SF then making my away across country to New York.

What is the deal with train and long distance bus travel in the US? Expensive? Can you get like a pass that lets you go anywhere for like a long period of time or something? Or do you guys have really cheap domestic flights?

Yes Rose going. But I am to lazy to edit my own thread title.

Don't worry Bopher I am not crazy I just ride kangaroos.

So the route I would take would depend on transport and where I can stay. At the same time I wanna see the sights but then I also just wanna see what life is like. Also if you are 20 can you drink anywhere in the US or is it all 21 :(.

I will wait for a few more people to respond then I will start coming up with a route.

[NightrainSrt4]

Well your going over to New York, but if you happen to hop over to Mass your welcome here. I'm about 15/20 min ride to Boston. I've got a small apartment with the girlfriend, but any of you guys get in the area you are welcome.


As for drinking, you have to be 21 here in America. Less then 3 months till then for me. Although I'm not a big drinker. Think ive had 1 drink in the last year. Not that I don't have access just don't choose to. So woot! Although I do get a new license picture so that might be cool lmao :D

[crenn]

In you're going to San Francisco first, don't recommend public transport too much.

[Airbozo]

If you are flying into SF, then we have to hook up. I'll chat with the wife about putting you up for a few days (and I am sure she would have no issues), but you would have to sleep on the floor since our extra rooms are really our offices. Added benefit would be sleeping in the redwoods! Depends on your timing also since we have a houseboating trip at the end of July (the rest of the family wouldn't mind a tag along for a few days...).

There is a train pass similar but not as good as the Eur-rail pass (sorry if I mucked that name up), and domestic air fair is not like it is in Australia but not too expensive either No real passes that I know of. Check out Amtrak.com for the train info. Best thing about a train is the chance to see some beautiful sights (as they whiz by at 60mph).

Once you have an idea of timing and itinerary let us know.

[Ironcat]

I personally like riding the bus, and Greyhound has an amazing deal if you want to give them a try. If you really want to see the country and you have the time to kill, I would heartily recommend it.
You get to see everything, you drive through real America, on the roads, and not off in the woods as a train whizzes by at 80 or whatever.
Order 14 days in advance and you can go from anywhere they start at to anywhere they finish at for 99 dollars.
I've done it from Miami to San Francisco and it was a lot of fun... took 3 or 4 days which is what it would take you to drive anyway...

[jdbnsn]

Dear God hide the whiskey and dingos.

Glad to hear you'll be in town! It is strange here about domestic travel, seems it often more expensive to take a train than it is to fly. But I don't know that much about it. Philadelphia may be a place of interest for you if you are into history, there are some tours down there of the birthplace of the rich man's revolt against Britain (oops, sorry I mean the American revolution). They are some very interesting places and I live about 30 minutes away so you are welcome here of course. If you are unable to find room and board in SF let me know because I have a very nice friend in that general area who I can ask.

Jon

[BerticusPryme]

If you get anywhere near alabama or Illinois than I may have some room and board for you.

[Luke122]

If you come up into Canada, the drinking age here is mostly 18-19. ;) The rail pass that Aibozo was talking about also includes the Canadian rail system, VIA Rail. Unlimited train riding for 30 days, all throughout North America. I have no idea what it costs, but the details are on the site I'm sure. :)

Ride the train through the rocky mountains.. absolutely amazing. :D

[danthegeek]

Yeah, if you are in the east (Maryland, Philly, New york area) we could all get together for a few cold ones.

-dan

[SgtM]

Let me know if you're stopping through North East Ohio (not like there's much to do here anyway).

[TheGreatSatan]

Satan would love to have you near St Louis. I have a guest Bedroom, and plenty of space in my garage for a rental car.

[jdbnsn]

I didn't know you were in St. Louis, that's my hometown. Got 3 sisters living there now.

[simon275]

Thank you for all your kind offers. I will definitely visit St Louis along the way.

I am now planning my route.

Jon I wanna come and have a drink with you mate and the history side sounds interesting.

[simon275]

Does anyone know of a trip planner tool for the US I could use. Where I can punch in where I wanna go from here to here using public transport. I.e. Amtrak, Greyhound, Local transport system etc. It then tells me how to get there.

Also I am still looking for someone to stay with in New York.

[simon275]

MOTHER F$CKERS. I just got off the phone with my dads travel agent. Unless I wanna fly business class in mid July and go via Two other cities in Australia I can't really make it.

But don't lose hope all.

My dad will be doing some work in St Louis in July. So I can visit SF and St Louis with him.

Keep you all posted

[TheGreatSatan]

I didn't know you were in St. Louis, that's my hometown. Got 3 sisters living there now.

Illinois side, about 8 miles from the arch.

[xRyokenx]

If all works out as planned I'll hopefully be living in NY with my grandparents soon... I'd have to discuss it with them and all but it's a possibility. I'll do my best to remember, lol... my memory's sucked lately with all that's going on.