im starting in Seattle because i am spending five weeks in Canada first. I start in Halifax and work west to Vancouver.

Im now toying with the idea of not doing the trek america tours and giving myself more time in the US want to check out more of the south west.

Michelle

quote:

the trek america tours and giving myself more time in the US want to check out more of the south west.

The Southwest is fantastic. Southern Utah is one of my favorite places in the world. There are a slew of national parks within a couple hours drive of each other and the western ones are only a couple hours drive from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

-c_b

quote:

Originally posted by cactus_boy:

The Southwest is fantastic. Southern Utah is one of my favorite places in the world.

Oh man! Canyondlands, Arches, and Zion Ntl. Parks are great! A dream for any photographer or rock climber!

You can always get a cheap flight into Utah because the Delta airlines hub is in Salt Lake City. Just don't spend too much (any?) time in Salt Lake.

quote:

Originally posted by Skimaxpower:
[QUOTE]
Someone from eastern Montana or North Dakota might disagree, but I think flying over them will save you a lot of time and a lot of boredom.

I think that's a valid point, having just driven across that stretch of interstate a few months ago for the fourth time ...the only drawback to trying to fly out of Montana's airports is that the fares are generally rather expensive. Since there aren't a ton of big airports (and I use "big" very loosely, haha), and not more than one or two airlines serving at any of them, there aren't always a lot of options when fare-hunting.

Flying over eastern MT/ND/SD certainly would save a lot of time, though (especially if you've already seen Eastern WA, they're not that different in terms of landscape)...maybe looking for a flight going out of someplace like Spokane, or perhaps Billings, MT, would give the best results.

Hey there!

I've spent the majority of my life in various parts of the eastern US, and have done some travel in the western states.

Are you planning on spending most of your time in the cities, or are you also interested in some of the natural attractions away from the big cities?

Also, what in the cities are you interested in? Art? History? Etc...

Hey All

Thanks for more replies - I love getting everyones advice - if I can ever return the favour for anyone just let me know.

Anyway have changed my route slightly. The new plan is Seattle - Portland - Denver - Chicago - Boston - New York - Philly - DC - Nashville - Lynchburg - Memphis - New Orleans - San Antonio - Austin - Santa Fe - Albuquerque - Las Vegas - Flagstaff - Tucson - San Diego - San Francisco - LA

This is getting around with a mix of greyhound, amtrak and a couple of cheap flights.

These include side trips to various places outside of the main cities and the national parks. All this is within my 90 days but as a rough estimate I still manage at least 4 days in each place - except Vegas where I can only allow myself two days cos I know I will jjust spend my money otherwise!!

Gamezace - yeah im interested in architecture, history and art. I tend to take in a couple of museums in each place usually one historical and one arty.

If anyone has more advice I am always open to ideas.
Michelle

quote:

San Diego - San Francisco - LA

I assume you need to get a flight out of LA?

San Diego is only a few hours from LA, but quite far from SF. If you could change your flight to go out of SF, that would make much more sense. Then you could go up the California coast and see quite a bit.

i would highly recommend giving the appalachian mountains a good gander when you go from DC->Nashville... there are a ton of incredible places for hiking.

There are many good hikes outside of Denver if you come at the right time.

Let me know when you are here and I can take you to quite a few.

Based on your timeline, you will be in Tucson as it really starts to heat up. Good for stories when you return to England ..( "Yep, it was so hot that I actually burned my hand when I attempted to open the door of my rental car!")

There are some great things to see in and around Tucson, glad to see that it made your list!

Since you are a solo female traveller, you should get some info about the safety of travel to New Orleans at this time.

We take a road trip around the country every year and nearly every year go to N.O. Not this year. Not unless and until someone can assure me it's not as lawless as it appears. Last info i had the N.O. cops were corrupt. I wouldn't go without my husband and some serious steel for protection.

So if anyone has the inside scoop on the current safety level in N.O. please advise both michey_b and me. Thanks!

Starting in Halifax I'm guessing you will be using a 12 day Canrail Pass from ViaRail. My wife used one of these from Toronto to Vancouver and return in 2002. I am a great fan of the North America Railpass. My wife and I used them in October/November to see much of the US and Canada.
As a UK resident you are eligible to purchase a 30 day USA railpass from Amtrak.com
Suggested itinerary from Seattle:Stay overnight@Seattle Hostel 84 Union St. Amtrak train#8 Seattle 4:45PM to Whitefish Montana 7:26AM rent a car and go see Glacier Nat. Park. Several nice places to stay in Whitefish. Leave Whitefish 7:46AM arrive Chicago 3:40PM Stay@Chicago Hostel 24 E Congress Parkway Leave Chicago on Train#59 8:00PM to Memphis@6:27AM rent a car see Graceland if you want to. Drive to Nashville to see whatever you want to see there. Go back to Memphis and take train#58 back to Chicago 10:40PM to 9:00AM See more of Chicago then board train# 30 Chicago 5:35PM to Washington DC@11:59AM Stay@ Washington Hostel 1009 11th St. NW
From Washington take Train#190 3:00AM to Boston 11:02AM Stay @ Boston Hostel 12 Heminway St.
Train #99 Boston 8:40AM to NYC 12:50PM expensive to stay the night so take Train# 135 @6:05PM to Phila. 7:27PM Stay @ Phila. Hostel 32 S Bank St. Train #91 Phila 12:45 PM to Orlando 10:AM
Fly from Orlando to San Antonio if you really want to see Texas. Drive a rental car to Austin if you really want to see more of Texas. Take the train from San Antonio to ElPaso then take the bus ElPaso to Albuquerque, NM Stay @ Rt. 66 Hostel 1012 Central Ave. Take Train#3 4:45PM to Los Angeles at 8:15AM I think you can cram all of this itinerary into 30 days if you don't spend too much time in one place. links: Amtrak.com, HIhostels.com, Hostelz.com

I would definitely recommend Amtrak trains rather than a Greyhound bus wherever possible. The Bradt USA by Rail guidebook and USA by Rail website are very helpful for planning your itinerary, etc.

hey all

Anniebanannie: yeah i looked at flying out of SF originally but was so much cheaper to fly out of LAX to Fiji. I know its rather a bizarre way of doing it. I planned to fly from San Diego to SF then rent a car to take in the sights back to LA.

gtrob: thanks hadnt thought about them am looking into them now - thanks for the tip!

Llalewyn - thanks for the offer will definately look you up when I get there - a long way off yet - if you are still there would love a guide!

Thanks to everyone else will take your comments on board!

Michelle

Makes sense. Hit us bay area booties up when you get into town.