Radio Leeds

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:49 pm

I can suggest 5 places that I love in USA

San Francisco
Boston
Martha's Vineyard.
Heavenly Valley--Lake Tahoe
Mammoth Lakes

I wonder what Jeff will think of my choices---I expect there are loads more-I can only go on the places that I have actually been to.!!

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:32 am

HI Marian

I love San Fransisco too! but I don't think Jeff does as I have mentioned this city to him before and I seem to remember a luke warm response.
Lake Tahoe is one place I would love to go.
You are obviously a fan of the US, me too!

Gray

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 9:15 am

Yes Gray-I do love US---although it is now 10 years since my last visit--but I did go about 8 times--when I was younger-and was working.

Just one place that I just hated--and that was Atlantic City in New Jersey.
Showy , glitzy front----but not much else.

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 3:47 pm

Have enjoyed five trips to the U.S. and have covered quite a lot of ground there. Especially liked our last trip which had three very different scenarios. A coach tour of the Lakes and Canyons, a week with friends in Kansas City, and a week in Palm Springs and Palm Desert, also with friends. Also especially like the Big Sur drive down the West Coast, from San Francisco,The museums in Washington DC, Boston, Graceland and the Southern States. La Hoya is lovely too, but rather posh..

Marian

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 3:52 pm

This is really a coincidence and quite unusual. Yesterday I received in the mail a tourist book on Mammoth Lakes---a place I've never heard of. Now I log into the forum and see it's one of Marian's five favourite sites in the US!

Here are my five places in the US worth a visit:

1. Michigan (especially Mackinac Island, Upper Peninsula, and Frankenmuth)

2. The entire old Route 66

3. Hollywood / Beverly Hills / Los Angeles / San Fernando Valley

4. Washington DC

5. Alaska glaciers and mountains

Honourable Mention: Spokane Washington, it's my favourite US city and the surrounding Palouse area is mesmerising.

There are many places I haven't visited (Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Denver and Rocky Mountain National Park), so I won't list them. My general sense is that the Canadian Rockies are more breathtaking than the US Rockies.

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:06 pm

We've not visited Mammoth Lakes, but have been to the Grand Canyon and Lake Tahoe, and Yosemite National Park. We sat on the rim of the Grand Canyon at dawn and watched the sun come up, gradually lighting up all the different colours in the rocks, just beautiful! Of course, Niagara Falls also warrants a thumbs up for spectacular scenery, from both the American and Canadian viewpoints.

Marian

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:23 pm

Eleanor Roosevelt referred to Niagara Falls as a kitchen faucet after she saw Iguasu Falls (at the border of Argentina, Brasil, and Paraguay). I agree. It's the most impressive site I've seen in my life. I recall being impressed with Niagara Falls when I was a child. But as an adult (and after experiencing Iguasu Falls), I drove by and briefly glanced at them. The area has become very tacky. But I realise that these tacky American attractions can hold real appeal for non-Americans, as you don't have those types of places in Europe.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:38 pm

Hi Jeff and everyone---that is just so extraordinary that you had that info on Mammoth Lakes---we only stayed one night but it really left an impression on me---it was very high up, and the only place I have ever been where I found it difficult to breathe.

I think a lot of the appeal in these places is that you can almost believe that you are in a film! I thought Niagara was great, and going underneath on a boat was just amazing. I remember once in New York, my friend had her bag stolen with money, passport, air ticket home etc etc etc. One of the things we had to do was to go to the nearest Police Precinct and wait at least an hour. It was just like being on the set of "Cagney and Lacey"---just unbelievable---although caused by an unpleasant experience, it is one of my big memories of New York!! By the way--I do love New York too---for a holiday.

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:47 pm

I must admit my experience of the U S is limited to New York, but what a city! I went with my brother, as soon as we got three we went up the Empire State Building - it was about 10pm and we were amzed it was still open at that time of night! It was fantastic, really loved Manhattan. such an imposing and spectacular city.

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:58 pm

Marian from Kent was interested in my reaction to her favourite US places. I've never heard of the Heavenly Valley and never been to Lake Tahoe. Boston is fine, but the driving is terrible and it's not that different from a European city. I didn't care for it much the last time I visited, as one of my favourite sheet music store had closed.

And it's so expensive. Martha's Vineyard is fine, but Guernsey is 100 times more scenic and much more interesting historically with the plus of great bargains.

I like Lombard Street in San Francisco, but nothing else. Too many homeless people ... I find the city depressing.

I think Marian from Reading has visited more of the US than I have. Of the places on her list, I've only done the Pacific Coast drive from San Fran to Los Angeles and visited Kansas City for work.

I had a similar experience during my first visit to New York City. Of course, the first place I wanted to visit was a record store. I'm browsing through the records and all of sudden the police come in with guns drawn pursuing a thug. I still don't love New York!

It's much easier for me to visit the UK than any of those American places. A friend is on his way to a wedding in Aspen, Colorado. He was originally routed through Chicago, but that was changed due to snow. So now he's going to Toronto first and then to Denver and then take a shuttle bus to Aspen. I know the lady who's getting married; she was considering the Lakes District because he father lives there. I told her I'd play for her wedding if it's in the Lakes District. That's a flight to Manchester and then National Express or a train up to the Lakes District ... a lot easier than going to Aspen.

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 9:04 am

Hi All

What fantastic postings, great to read everyone's travel experiences!
I visited Carmel on the west coast and loved it, felt like a pauper, but loved the place.
I must go and see New York some day, Jeff's story of his experience in the record store hasn't put me off!
Switching continents, my favourite city in the whole world is Paris.
I found it an incredible place, I can understand how certain artists move there to find their inspiration.

Gray

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 12:14 pm

I have lots of other favourite places in USA-I just mentioned the top 5.
Heavenly Valley was named after it's beautiful view overlooking Lake Tahoe---it really is "Heavenly".
Another place I really liked was Pebble Beach--a great golf course there., on the LA Coastal road to San Francisco.

Funnily enough I have never been to Paris--which is surprising as I could get there very quickly, by going to Ashford-[about half an hour train journey] and picking up the Eurostar, then another hour or so.

Just a quick correction for Jeff, as I know you like to get everything right---it is called "The Lake District"---not "The Lakes District"--it just sounds wrong with the "S" added--even though there are lots of lakes there !!

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:50 am

On his show tonight David Jacobs said he had been visiting his daughter in the US. He said they went for a car ride and he called the "Carmel Valley" exquisite. One of the most beautiful places he has ever seen. Just thought you would like to know

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:41 am

Hi Robert

If he meant the Carmel Valley in CA, it is a wonderful place, Amanda and I spent a couple of days in that area a while back, it was lovely.

Gray

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:02 am

I also stayed in Carmel briefly-I went to Carmel Beach at sunset---it was just amazing !