Trip to USA

[JeffH]

Our daughter has been working in the USA for three years and her contract finishes this month. Her work visa then allows for 30 days to depart the country.
We thought that would be a good chance to visit. So, touched up my superannuation for some funds and we will be on our way soon. We won't be able to see much of the country in just over three weeks so we have planned a restricted itinerary -but including as many things as possible that we would like to visit.

Would appreciate any recommendations on particular places to see (if close to our planned route). Also if anyone knows of good coin dealers in any of the places we plan to visit please let me know.

We had hoped to drive back from New Orleans to California but time constrains kyboshed that. Pity; I was rather keen to travel on the 41-mile portion of Texas State Highway 130 from the northern terminus of its concurrency with US-183 southward to I-10 near Seguin -it has an 85mph (137kmh) speed limit! Our daughter, who bought a car as soon as she arrived in the country and has driven extensively there advises that typical speed on interstate highways is usually 10 to 15mph above the posted limit.


No prizes for guessing which member of our party may have influenced particular choices of places. I would be interested to see your guesses anyway.

P.S. I was tempted to set our itinerary to music and ask you to deduce where were would be visiting. That, however, would be a time consuming exercise so I canned the idea. A few samples of some songs I might have used;
Bobby Troup - Route 66 So many great versions of this one but, who better than the man who wrote it.
Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?
"ew Orleans von The Louisiana Gator Boys und the Blues Brothers (mit B.B. King)
The Beach Boys - California

[trout]

looks like a Great trip Mate :yahoo:

[Nevol]

Hmmm...That itinerary has absolutely no provision for shopping, so even if I knew of some Coin Shops, (which I don't) the info wouldn't be much use. :winkextra:

Have a great time! :ok:

[ausjack]

Hope you have a fantastic trip Jeff :friends:
I think by the end of the time you'll be ready to be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4hsC0nRvZM&nohtml5=False

[JeffH]

That itinerary has absolutely no provision for shopping

Shopping is allowed during some multi-day stops such as Denver, New Orleans and San Diego. I don't want a mutiny on my hands.
I have Denver Mint penciled in for a visit but the female members have declared that shopping time for them. I am sure they will be able to seize plenty of opportunities otherwise.
Grandsons have specified a visit to Wal Mart is necessary to purchase (what else) toys for them.

Qantas allows us two suitcases each, of 30kg, on that route. Our daughter, returning on same flight as us, has booked an extra two suitcases. That makes eight suitcases returning to Australia with three people.
I think shopping will be a given.

[Robster]

Coastal Redwood Forest (Muir Woods) just north of San Francisco near Sausalito is a phenomenal experience. A walk through here is a must!
Clam chowder at Fishermans Wharf, followed by Giradellos Chocolate Factory, a walk up Lombard Street and then an iconic cable car ride can all be done in a short time! :good:

[ausjack]

Gee Robster I don't think I'd be able to walk anywhere after the chocolate factory so that would have to be last on the list :blush2:

[Robster]

You have to walk it off A.J. :angel:

[triplewitch]

Maybe you could substitute a day at Universal Studios for one of those Disneyland days.  I think three days there is too much. Be aware that weekday traffic in Los Angeles is terrible, especially during morning and evening rush hours.
The Dodgers are home versus San Diego through the first. The 30th is a night game, and the 1st is an afternoon game.
Be sure to make reservations in advance for the Denver Mint. You can do it on the US Mint website.
Neverland is up by Santa Barbara, but you won't make it past the entrance gate.

[JeffH]

Thanks for the suggestions.
I have added Muir woods to our list of possibles. Not so sure about the chocolate factory -might not get to see anything else that day.

I agree three days at Disneyland is too much (he says, never having been there). I did suggest there are other attractions such as Universal Studios  and/or Knott's Berry farm but I was howled down. Three day tickets have already been booked. Daughter already did a three day visit with friends from here and is more than happy to front up again.
We have booked a Motel 6 at Anaheim which is within walking distance of D land. My daughter will be doing any driving in vicinity of L.A. as she is conditioned to it.

A baseball game is on the list. Our daughter went to one sometime and wasn't that impressed. She did seem to like it when we took the kids to cricket in Sydney but maybe it was other aspects of the weekend away that held the attraction.

More suggestions and/or comments invited.

[autocoupler]

I was rather keen to travel on the 41-mile portion of Texas State Highway 130 from the northern terminus of its concurrency with US-183 southward to I-10 near Seguin -it has an 85mph (137kmh) speed limit!

Hope you have a great visit, but don't be too disappointed about missing out on Highway 130. If it's anything like the trip from Dallas to Austin, it's flat as.  Experience the same thing here on the Newell, Narrabri - Moree - Goondiwindi section, but only at those speeds if you're game. That's getting out near your part of the world anyway, so no doubt you already have

[kchan1111]

If you are interested in visiting Alcatraz in San Francisco, you should reserve tickets ahead because there is a restriction on numbers I think. Otherwise you have to settle with just a cruise around it.

The Hoover Dam is under a hour drive outside of Vegas and it's a good half day trip. One of the greatest engineering achievements built during the Great Depression. Still impressive to stand on top of. :good:

[Goldseeker]

Muir Woods is nice so take a good pair of walking shoes and whilst there, see if you can spot the "scene in a movie" location.

I spotted it straight away as soon as I saw it.

Looks like a nice trip.

I'll carry your bags for you if you like.........

[JeffH]

No interest in Alcatraz but we do have Hoover Dam on our list -will be driving virtually right past it anyway.

Yes, I used to live at Narrabri and done Newell Coonabarabran-Narrabri-Moree many times. Travel at speed there if you dare -kangaroos, pigs and wombats abound, especially through the Pilliga scrub.

[Goldseeker]

Sorry JeffH the scene is not Alcatraz.   Once you are in the Muir Woods, it's not hard to spot.