Our trip to the U.S.

[walshie]

We just got back yesterday from a trip to the S.E.

It's been a few years since we went to that part of the U.S. I'm amazed at the prices now. If you stick to the backwoods (which we mostly did) prices are very cheap. A pint of pop from a gas station is 79c. 2 coffees $1.70. Gallon of petrol $2.39.

Once you move onto the more touristy areas, the prices go through the roof. We stayed at quite a nice hotel in Myrtle Beach for a few nights. The hotel was cheap enough, but 2 coffees from the coffee shop next door was $10! We got parking with the hotel, but if you had to pay to park it was $20 a day. Mrs w loves seafood so I took her for a nice seafood buffet. No alcohol as I was driving, but 2 buffets and 2 soft drinks $100. 

Myrtle Beach seems to have a lot of rules and regulations that seem a bit unnecessary, like "No cruising. Unlawful to pass this point twice within 20 minutes." Cops seemed very hot on enforcing that too in the evenings. Another was no thongs allowed on the beach which was a double disappointment for me as I never got to wear my Union Jack thong and there was no thong-wearing totty for me to ogle at. 

Weather was great though. Not one drop of rain. Max temp was 94° in old money and a low overnight of 65°.

The shooting ranges were reasonable though. One day we both hired a 40 cal and 200 rounds of ammo for about $100. Another day I hired a 45 and 150 rounds for $70. On the way home Mrs w got stopped at airport security as the scanner showed she had something in her pocket, but it was just a tissue. When we got home and she emptied out her bag, there was an empty 40 cal case in there that must have ejected into her bag when she was shooting. Good to know airports can detect tissues but not bullet cases. 

Anyway, back to the grind now. Is it going to warm up soon?

 

Edited May 5, 2019 by walshie

[Walker570]

Pleased you had an enjoyable trip. The exchange rate doesn't help either, think back to the late eighties early nineties when it wa 1.90 to the pound.  Must say we do miss our twice yearly trips to the States, mainly Texas and we always headed for the small country towns, but some of them, like Fredericksburg, Texas became tourist attractions and as you say prices went sky high.  Remember a pal coming back through both American and then UK security and hlf way back up the M40 he held a 308 Win round up and said he just found it in the top pocket of his shirt !!

Did Florida once and once was enough but never did get up that eastern seaboard. Always fancied some striper fishing.

[Lloyd90]

We loved L.A. And recent absolutely loved Washington as well on the opposite side. 

Think flights / travel can be expensive to get to the states but never found it too expensive when there.

We have always found it easy to find good quality food / meals for reasonable money, not like the U.K. at all in that regard, but perhaps we were just lucky. 

 

Not sure where to go next, I considered Texas although someone told me it’s just full of federal prisons and chain gangs 😂. 

 

Id quite like to go to New England, Montana, Alaska, some of the central states for a look... think we need to spend some time traveling across it really .

[walshie]

28 minutes ago, Walker570 said:

Pleased you had an enjoyable trip. The exchange rate doesn't help either, think back to the late eighties early nineties when it wa 1.90 to the pound.  Must say we do miss our twice yearly trips to the States, mainly Texas and we always headed for the small country towns, but some of them, like Fredericksburg, Texas became tourist attractions and as you say prices went sky high.  Remember a pal coming back through both American and then UK security and hlf way back up the M40 he held a 308 Win round up and said he just found it in the top pocket of his shirt !!

Did Florida once and once was enough but never did get up that eastern seaboard. Always fancied some striper fishing.

I know what you mean about Florida. Seems just too commercialised these days. We were on a bit of a road trip from North Carolina down to Northern Florida and tried to avoid the usual eating/drinking places.

One morning we were driving along a small road somewhere in inland N.C and saw a sign advertising breakfast. It was actually a tackle shop, with 2 plastic garden tables and 8 chairs on the concrete floor in the middle of the shop surrounded by racks of fishing tackle. The waitress seemed to be the shop owner's wife and the owner was serving the locals with their worms while we ate brealfast. It was one of the most friendly places we have ever been and one of the best breakfasts. We made sure we left a healthy tip as he looked armed and I've seen Deliverance. 

1 minute ago, Lloyd90 said:

We loved L.A. And recent absolutely loved Washington as well on the opposite side. 

Think flights / travel can be expensive to get to the states but never found it too expensive when there.

We have always found it easy to find good quality food / meals for reasonable money, not like the U.K. at all in that regard, but perhaps we were just lucky. 

 

Not sure where to go next, I considered Texas although someone told me it’s just full of federal prisons and chain gangs 😂. 

 

Id quite like to go to New England, Montana, Alaska, some of the central states for a look... think we need to spend some time traveling across it really .

Yeah, a roadtrip from one coast to the other in a recreational vee-hi-cle would be great. 

[NoBodyImportant]

You was in my area,  I stay in Charlotte NC, but have a fishing shack at Holden Island about 5 beaches north.  If you ever back this way hit me up.  You buy ammo I will put some fun stuff in your hands.  

Edited May 6, 2019 by NoBodyImportant

[Walker570]

In Texas, across through New Mexico and up through Colorado into Wyoming, we always looked for a Mom & Pop store with ranch trucks outside as we knew the food would be good and mainly home produced.  Mind, we have had some good breakfasts at the Cracker Barrel's which are commercial, particularly the one next to Cabela's in Buda, Texas, south of San Antonio BUT that almost always turned out to be an expensive visit ... to Cabela's...the breakfasts where always reasonable and huge.

[NoBodyImportant]

Myrtle used to be really nice.  But the rules are in place because two weeks a year they have a ethnic celebration called Black Bike Week.  The town used to shut down because hotels were trashed, restaurants would have so many non paid tabs,  car jackings, stores would be robbed. Even Africian owned hotels would close down because they would get so trashed.  The state now fines stores and hotels that close down those weeks.  The town used to run those laws during that week but the town go sued for discrimination at the laws were not needed during White bike week.  Now they post those laws year around so it’s fair.  But they are honestly not inforced unless the cops are looking for something to get you own.   Edit:  just so you know Myrtle Beach is a expensive tourist trap.  There are many better beaches. 

Edited May 6, 2019 by NoBodyImportant

[rimfire4969]

I really enjoy my time in the States and we are planning another trip to Florida, and yes I do agree that it is very commercial in places. But get off the beaten track or go to some of the state parks and it is beautiful. There is still some of the original Florida out there. With the State of Florida being a fair bit bigger than England with less than half the population there is a lot of room away from the mouse, there is so much to explore.

If you have gone to Florida and only done Disney etc. (good fun as it is) its like come on holiday to England and thinking you have seen it all but you have not been further than 10 miles from Alton Towers.

I am thinking Texas will be next, not done that area.

[NoBodyImportant]

The Smokey mountain national park area is wonderful.  The wife and I went there on honeymoon. Look into Gatlingburg/ Pigeon forge area.  Thousand of miles of free open hunting land. 

 

Cades cove

The air at clingmans dome is thin and it’s hard to breath but being above the clouds is a cool experience 

The caves of rock city 

 

Edited May 6, 2019 by NoBodyImportant

[rimfire4969]

6 minutes ago, NoBodyImportant said:

The Smokey mountain national park area is wonderful.  The wife and I went there on honeymoon. Look into Gatlingburg/ Pigeon forge area.  Thousand of miles of free open hunting land.

Looks amazing,

Must say you are punching well above your weight.

[NoBodyImportant]

NC outer banks is cool also.  The best part about NC is you can drive from those mountains in the first set a photos is a day drive from this to the outer banks on these photos

 

Nc outer banks

[NoBodyImportant]

6 minutes ago, rimfire4969 said:

Looks amazing,

Must say you are punching well above your weight.

Lol,  she’s a good one.   But NC is amazing,  tropical to mountains in days drive.  Like California only less liberals. 

[walshie]

4 hours ago, NoBodyImportant said:

Myrtle used to be really nice.  But the rules are in place because two weeks a year they have a ethnic celebration called Black Bike Week.  The town used to shut down because hotels were trashed, restaurants would have so many non paid tabs,  car jackings, stores would be robbed. Even Africian owned hotels would close down because they would get so trashed.  The state now fines stores and hotels that close down those weeks.  The town used to run those laws during that week but the town go sued for discrimination at the laws were not needed during White bike week.  Now they post those laws year around so it’s fair.  But they are honestly not inforced unless the cops are looking for something to get you own.   Edit:  just so you know Myrtle Beach is a expensive tourist trap.  There are many better beaches. 

Yeah, we only went to MB because we were there about 10 years ago and wanted to see how it had changed. There was nothing on there the days we were there, but the cops and state troopers were all parked up in a car park, 5 or 6 cars at a time and booking everyone for everything driving related.

We were going to go to the drag racing in NC to see the 4 wide racing, but it didn't quite fit in with our timetable.

Also wanted to go to the cemetery for the British seaman up at Ocracoke, but just too far. Hope to get there next year maybe. 

[NoBodyImportant]

7 minutes ago, walshie said:

Yeah, we only went to MB because we were there about 10 years ago and wanted to see how it had changed. There was nothing on there the days we were there, but the cops and state troopers were all parked up in a car park, 5 or 6 cars at a time and booking everyone for everything driving related.

We were going to go to the drag racing in NC to see the 4 wide racing, but it didn't quite fit in with our timetable.

Also wanted to go to the cemetery for the British seaman up at Ocracoke, but just too far. Hope to get there next year maybe. 

Nice,  Iike I said I’m in Charlotte not to far from the 4 wide Zmax dragway in Concord.  One thing I have always found odd was the respect the Colonial people paid to dead British soldiers during the war.  I have see many grave sights were Colonial Americans took time to lay out the dead British with marked headstones.    Not sure how they knew the names after a battle.  Mabey prisoners or maybe they had names written on the uniform.  But I guess  many colonists still was one generation away from getting off the boat.  

Edited May 6, 2019 by NoBodyImportant

[Vince Green]

We have just got back from Florida today, we have been going this time of year for several years, prices have definitely gone up noticeably year on year. Or I should say tourist prices have gone up noticeably.

Edited May 7, 2019 by Vince Green

[walshie]

8 hours ago, NoBodyImportant said:

Nice,  Iike I said I’m in Charlotte not to far from the 4 wide Zmax dragway in Concord.  One thing I have always found odd was the respect the Colonial people paid to dead British soldiers during the war.  I have see many grave sights were Colonial Americans took time to lay out the dead British with marked headstones.    Not sure how they knew the names after a battle.  Mabey prisoners or maybe they had names written on the uniform.  But I guess  many colonists still was one generation away from getting off the boat.  

The British cemetery in Okracoke is for the sailors who were sent over in WW2 in  an old converted trawler to protect NC from the U-boats and were sunk themselves by a U-boat. Lost the whole ship's company but only 4 bodies were recovered, which are buried there. https://www.ncpedia.org/british-cemetery

[Vince Green]

8 hours ago, NoBodyImportant said:

Nice,  Iike I said I’m in Charlotte not to far from the 4 wide Zmax dragway in Concord.  One thing I have always found odd was the respect the Colonial people paid to dead British soldiers during the war.  I have see many grave sights were Colonial Americans took time to lay out the dead British with marked headstones.    Not sure how they knew the names after a battle.  Mabey prisoners or maybe they had names written on the uniform.  But I guess  many colonists still was one generation away from getting off the boat.  

Technically all the colonists were British Subjects and still remained British subjects after the war of independence. None had their status revoked.

George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and virtually all the signatories on the declaration had family, land and monies in the UK and for decades after, many of their decendents still do.

Maybe even a century later they and the majority of the colonists still did their banking and got letters of credit etc through London when purchasing farms etc.

When the USA bought Louisiana from the French and Florida from the Spanish both transactions were paid for with letters of credit issued in London.

The truth is, and this is hard for Americans to understand today, the British regarded the American  colonies as worthless land, potato farmers with few prospects. That was not a bad call at the time. It was only years later that cotton in the south started to generate an export trade for the US and as soon as Washington started to try and tax that trade Carolina said  no way, left the Union and sparked the Civil War

Instead the British fought hard and long to defend Canada against the French because the fur trade was the real big industry worth defending 

[NoBodyImportant]

3 hours ago, Vince Green said:

Technically all the colonists were British Subjects and still remained British subjects after the war of independence. None had their status revoked.

George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and virtually all the signatories on the declaration had family, land and monies in the UK and for decades after, many of their decendents still do.

Maybe even a century later they and the majority of the colonists still did their banking and got letters of credit etc through London when purchasing farms etc.

When the USA bought Louisiana from the French and Florida from the Spanish both transactions were paid for with letters of credit issued in London.

The truth is, and this is hard for Americans to understand today, the British regarded the American  colonies as worthless land, potato farmers with few prospects. That was not a bad call at the time. It was only years later that cotton in the south started to generate an export trade for the US and as soon as Washington started to try and tax that trade Carolina said  no way, left the Union and sparked the Civil War

Instead the British fought hard and long to defend Canada against the French because the fur trade was the real big industry worth defending 

Lots of good information. 

[rimfire4969]

This thread has got me thinking about my next trip. I am thinking now of flying into Charlotte (nice airport got stuck there for 6 hours, best bit Harley Davidson Shop) and spend 3 weeks heading south. North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and ending up in Florida.

[NoBodyImportant]

1 minute ago, rimfire4969 said:

This thread has got me thinking about my next trip. I am thinking now of flying into Charlotte (nice airport got stuck there for 6 hours, best bit Harley Davidson Shop) and spend 3 weeks heading south. North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and ending up in Florida.

You buy ammo.  I will let you pop some rounds off.  I have most things.  Ak47, AR15, Glocks, 1911s. 

[rimfire4969]

2 minutes ago, NoBodyImportant said:

You buy ammo.  I will let you pop some rounds off.  I have most things.  Ak47, AR15, Glocks, 1911s. 

That is a fantastic offer, thank you. I normally do a bit of range time when i'm over there so this would be even better. I will let you know how my plans are going.

Thanks again

 

[Deker]

I love the US, current favourite places are the North East (although I've only ventured up to Portland) and Indiana (I was there for a few weeks meeting friends of friends and everyone we met was so friendly).

Since my first visit back on 1997 I've tried to get there most years however I haven't been west of Oklahoma (great paintball trip for d-day), I was hoping to get to Texas at some point but the only trip I'll get this year is a conference that will take me to Orlando in November 

[John_R]

On 07/05/2019 at 10:29, Deker said:

I love the US, current favourite places are the North East (although I've only ventured up to Portland) and Indiana (I was there for a few weeks meeting friends of friends and everyone we met was so friendly).

Since my first visit back on 1997 I've tried to get there most years however I haven't been west of Oklahoma (great paintball trip for d-day), I was hoping to get to Texas at some point but the only trip I'll get this year is a conference that will take me to Orlando in November 

Portland is West not East!

Nice place, as is the rest of the journey northbound up through Washington and then all the way up over into Vancouver. 

 

[Walker570]

On 06/05/2019 at 10:23, rimfire4969 said:

I really enjoy my time in the States and we are planning another trip to Florida, and yes I do agree that it is very commercial in places. But get off the beaten track or go to some of the state parks and it is beautiful. There is still some of the original Florida out there. With the State of Florida being a fair bit bigger than England with less than half the population there is a lot of room away from the mouse, there is so much to explore.

If you have gone to Florida and only done Disney etc. (good fun as it is) its like come on holiday to England and thinking you have seen it all but you have not been further than 10 miles from Alton Towers.

I am thinking Texas will be next, not done that area.

You will enjoy the Texans. My Texan friend once said, after we had been to Florida, "It is the ####hole of America. Imagine the USA on a map as the lower half of a human being and then tell me what Florida looks like".    Much more to the States to enjoy.

[Deker]

2 hours ago, John_R said:

Portland is West not East!

Nice place, as is the rest of the journey northbound up through Washington and then all the way up over into Vancouver. 

 

 

Portland in Maine, I drove up from Boston following the coast 

Edited May 8, 2019 by Deker
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