December 12, 2015 (feelings 3 months after the trip)

The fact is: Our dream came true there – trip was so incredible fantastic. For sure, that trip I’ll remember whole my remaining time. After we received our driving licenses (18y) we have been dreaming about this type of MASSIVE road trip. It’s finally done now!

Some places I’m still pining a lot. Three cities I definitely want to see again: St. Louis, Nashville and Memphis. They are located so close each other that might be I have some day a chance to return there. SF has always been one of my favorite cities but pumped with tourists nowadays (but still I liked).

We saw so many natural parks and reserves too. Yosemite is absolutely number 1 for me. Hiking to the Half dome was something I never couldn’t even believe and dream before we did it. Grand Canyon was something we had already great memories 26 years back and now it hit again! Everyone who go to Grand Canyon they should see it by hiking from rim to Colorado river and back. It gives so much more to understand what has happened during those billion years in history.

Myrtle Beach. It’s not so well known in Europe (especially in Finland). It was positive surprise for us – sympathetic, compact beach town for just sun baths and relaxation. If you are thinking for example about holiday in New York and it’s not a mid winter, what about traditional 2 – 3 beach days nearby (Myrtle beach) before returning home? I liked that place more than Miami Beach. I cannot say why but there was something I liked more about.

I would say near third of US ground is some kind of desert area. I cannot say how and why but for me it’s so impressive! Continuously I was considering there, how those locals live there and what kind of life it is? Some day I’ll go again to see and learn more.

Texas – well, well. It’s so different State than others. It’s not only about rodeos they have there – it’s a daily life, ”habitus” (in positive mind). I could go there for a month to just have a road trip only in Texas.

I’ve been before in L.A. but now hiking to Hollywood sign gave a new aspect for me. Actually everyone who has more than one day to go and see L.A, they should go first to the Hollywood sign. It means ”hiking” because by car not allowable. Anyhow, hiking is the best physical and mental therapy after oversea flight that you perhaps had the foregoing day?

It was easy to see again that good plan is like 50% done. Of course we had some surprises there but we had some buffers in planned schedule (believe it or not) even it was tight. If you are thinking to have road trip, the following items you should (at least) plan in advance:

1. Route. Think and plan deeply enough what you want to see? Try to find ”must see” targets for each stoppages (that keeps you mind more fresh on the road). Don’t try to see everything, play like you are in a great buffee (taste something – don’t try to eat everything). Think also very carefully how many miles you could and like to drive per day? Do you have one or two drivers? Remember to leave service days for your schedule at least once per week (2 hotel nights in a same place).
2. Car. Don’t save too much from your budget when you select your car. No need to have V8 engine as we had but power enough save you from troubles (it’s a permanence test for car too, not only you). Seats must be comfortable (and hopefully with some adjustments) to save your bottom and back! You never get those in the cheapest class. Convertible is not a ”must” but it’s a good option. You can see so much more for example in cities and when you are driving on mountains for example. And – wherever you go, you can also smell and feel much deeper your atmosphere (ocean, forest, desert, prairie, etc.) when roof is set down.
3. Accommodation. Book in advance (at least) all nights in big towns and national parks. There is (almost) always still chance to cancel your reservation 24h before your planned arrival. Mainly you go to hotel (or motel) for sleeping overnight, nothing else. Anyhow, my recommendation is still, don’t try to save too much. You absolutely need good, deep sleep every night. Clean room (not self-evident in US), good bed, not too old pillows, clean linen, etc. are guarantee that you are fresh in the morning to go to the road again. If possible, try to find hotel where breakfast is available – you can save your time so much every morning if you can eat at a hotel! If you have limited budget, don’t stay overnight in the center of big cities or inside National parks. In Las Vegas you can save huge amount money if you visit there during week days (Sun ->> Fri). Nights from Friday until Sunday can be 3 time more expensive than weeks days. Week days are ok for party animals too – Vegas rules 24/7.
4. Check list for packing. For this kind of trip you definitely need it. Do it at least several weeks in advance and update it during those weeks you are waiting for departure and do it as many times as needed to have everything you need but nothing more. Packing itself can be done just day before. Plan your laundry days to schedule in advance to have correct amount of clothes. When you are on the road, keep additional smaller bag for ”what you need just for one night”. Main suitcase you can leave to trunk in your car. Your check-in/out will be much easier every night and morning (and again you save a time).

 

Some data:

• 14756km ->> 1436 liter of fuel = USD 1.188,46 (consumption 9,73l/ 100km)
• Car rental for 4 weeks, free miles, full insurance ->> Hertz Adrenaline Collection Chevy Camaro V8, 400Hp = EUR 2.247,-
• 28 nights at hotel ->> EUR 3.757,68 (EUR 134,20/ night in shared room)
• EUR 75/ person/ day for living (entrance fees, food, shopping, presents for home office, etc, jne, yms.)

Below is a list of our accommodations. First night of the trip (in L.A.) was in a ”ok” level. All others I can recommend for others very warmly:

Some photos from the road…

Ok buddy – but I’m 49_4_EVER!

We promised some selfies for our daughters… So, here you are:

”Are you twins?” That’s still resounding inside my head. We heard it all the time, every single day. How smart and nice! It’s only negative I can say from the trip. After you have heard it already more than 1000 times, you feel like ”how it looks like, dear smartly?” Ggrrrr…luckily in Finland folks keep this type of questions (mainly) inside the mouth or at least it’s not an opening for a dialog ;-))

Thank you and sorry!