![[ROUTE]](../../../../pictures/tns/tnsmap1.gif)
Wednesday, May 9, 2001
So, only two days left, and then ready to rumble. Gosh, I am so nervous that even my guinea pigs are playing crazy. And there are so many things left to do. Especially packing.... ! But I am going to make it, I hope.
Friday, May 11, 2001
So, finally on my way. With 22 kg (too much but I will get rid of some stuff later on)
Boah, now I am sitting forever in this plane and still no land. Did they move America?
Hopefully my luggage arrives with me. Since Scotland I am a bit shacky concering this. But then, hey, it was the first time something happened like this to me. Bad luck. I am sure nothing will be wrong.
My friends came visiting me last night. Was really nice of them. And I could chat with my internet friend for a while as well. So this must mean good luck.
Sunday, May 13, 2001
Washington DC
Hey, my first treking tour started. YEAH!!!!
In New York it was extremely hot, and that for May (poor Swiss girl is not used to such temperature anymore). Thought I would melt like an Ice Cream. At around 5pm I arrived at my hostel (HI NY 891 Amsterdam Av.) and checked in. After I locked my bagpack in my room I got on my way to find the Treking Hotel, from where the tour would start and to meet up with Kirsten. (I met her already virtually on the net while checking out the page of Trek America.)
Finally there, nobody had checked in with that name yet. The lady from the reception meant I shall make myself comfortable at the hotel bar and wait there. Said, done.
Ok, in the end I didnt meet Kirsten but instead I met my Tour Leader Mike and two other guys that would do the same tour as I. Funny though that they were on an other trek than I. Anyway, for the two guys it was the first time in New York so I showed them a wee bit around of the famous touristic attractions nearby.
Early next morning we took off. Alas the subway station I was supposed to get out was closed (just for this day of course for maintance work) so I had to get off the next one and had to walk back all the way. I nearly missed my group. But I made it and I could finally meet all my other compagnions. There were so many people that it was quiet confusing, but then we figured out that one group was just taking the short tour called Transcontinental South which I did and the others made the whole Tour once around the state for 9 weeks. So we would be quiet a bunch of people, meeting them all the time again on campgrounds etc.
In my group are:
- Corina (Switzerland)
- Joe (England)
- Michelle (Scotland)
- Diane (Australia)
- Josephine (Australia)
- Samuel (Denmark)
- Henrietta (Denmark)
- Kirsten (Denmark)
- Christina (Denmark)
- Rex (Denmark)
- and Mike (USA/Hawaii) -> Tourleader
After dinner we went to a night sightesing tour through DC. Gosh was I tired.
My first night in a tent was not really great. Was freezing like hell. Hope next night is going to be better!
Today we had free time to do whatever we wanted. As I had seen DC before and Corina was not really in the mood for a big sightesing tour as well, we just hung around, went to see a few museums and now we are sitting in the "Constitution Garden" and enjoy the lovely, windy weather.
Wednesday, May 16, 2001
Monday was a driving day from DC to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
For that we passed Virginia and North Carlina.
The Campground was straight next to the beach, which was pretty cool. We were even out dancing but we had to stop it quiet quickly because of Diane. Strange Woman.
Joey, Rex, Jo and I went to the beach afterwards and chatted and joked around and finally started to sing until it became to cold.
Tuesday we were in Charleston. Though
it was extremely hot we enjoyed the afternoon. The houses were pretty lovely and remembered me of "Gone with the Wind".
We had as well the possibility to check our email at the public library, what finally everybody did as it was simply too hot out there.
Our campground was a wee bit outside of Charleston. Was as well lovely, quiet greend and between trees and .... trees. Of course our party took place this evening as well and Alcohol .. aehm, maybe I should not write about it. We as well told each other stories and we had to figure out some tricks Corina showed. Mike finally passed (out) and resigned, cause he didnt catch it anymore.
Too much thinking he said.
![[Group Picture]](../../../../pictures/tns/florida.jpg)
![[ST. AUGUSTINE / Morning Discussions]](../../../../pictures/tns/staugustine.jpg)
Today we go to St. Augustine, Florida. Its about 5 hours which we will spend in the Van. St. Augustine is the nations oldest city.
According to Mike is our campground close by the beach again. Awesome!
Thursday, May 17, 2001
Miami
"We're going to Miami" as does Will Smith sing about it?!
St. Augustine is a beautiful village and as said before the oldest. I found a store where I found out something about my Family Name. Originally it comes from a little different name, our emblem is Gold - Blue with a lion in the middle which is holding a golden goblet. Bravery and strenghs is said to us.
In this town I got myself a tattoo as well. Ok ok, I admit, not a real one but a Henna Tattoo. A firespitting dragon. It should stay up to four weeks, will see.
Camping was ok, I am getting used to this thing. We slowed down a bit but it was still fun.
In the morning we got visited by ducks, sweeeeet......
Oh, nearly forgot, we didnt make it to the beach but instead hung at the pool and relaxed. Was wicked!
And now we are on the road to Miami, at least 305 miles.
Saturday, May 19, 2001
Miami as awesome. We arrived during the late afternoon at the Banana Bungalow
and shortly afterwards we went checking out the town. Meaning the part of South Beach. Could even figure out the restaurant my friend and I once stayed (yuck). Looks still shady as it did back then.
Found in "Payless Shoes" some sandals, as well as a pair of evening shoes. Oh gosh, do I love this store.
After this exhausting shopping trip we cooled down at the swimming pool of the hostel.
At 7:30pm we all met to go out. First we had a drink at the hostel bar. According to Mike the restaurant we would go for dinner would be within walking distance. What a surprise when we saw that we were picked up by two big limousines in front of the hostel. The restaurant was great too. Listening to the others, Donatella Versace was there too, but I havent seen her. Mike bought for each of us women a red rose. How sweet.
Afterwards we drove back to the hostel, again with the Limousine, as there it was cheaper to drink before Jo, Christina, Rex, Corina and I checked out the night life of Miami.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAT!
So we started our night out in a Techno Club, afterwards we went to a restaurant where a live band was playing. Unfortunately they soon stopped playing and we started to search for a new club. Finally we ended up in a half empty club where they played R&B, Rap etc. Somewhen around 5am we were totally drunk back at the hostel where we decided to go for a last swim in the pool.
After only 1,5 hours sleep we went down to Key Largo, our next goal. As we were short of time we went straight to the snorkeling trip. This was absolutely genial. We saw sharks, sting rays, an underwater statue, millions of coloured fishs and I burnt my back a little bit. Afterwards we went to the campground. Wow, how beautiful! We camped straight next to the beach. We had as well
a separate part of the campground all by ourselfs. After dinner by KFC they organised a birhtday cake for me, sung Happy Birthday again and then we were just sitting there, enjoying the sunset and were just talking and relaxed.
Today was a complete relaxing day, just hanging around at the beach.
Diane had something like an alergic reaction to something, but I didnt realise that all too much as I was doing my laundry.
And there was as well a surprise as suddenly another treking group showed off which actually shouldnt be there. Otherwise it was planned that Audrey and her group should arrive this evening as well and then there was a huge BBQ-party planned. Maybe then we could fire off our fireworks we bought on the road.
Additionally we were considering staying here for another extra day, as it was so lovely and beautiful, especially as thi party tonight ends up as the others we had before.
Ok, maybe I should stop now, planned to write some postcards as well.....
Monday, May 21, 2001
Orlando
I still didnt write my postcards yet.
After last night (party on dude) it came automatically that we stayed another day at Key Largo but I guess nobody was really mad about this. This day I could more enjoy as my sunburn was nearly gone.
From this other "none-existing" treking tour there was such a cute South African boy, tall, good looking etc, but ........ Otherwise there was not much going on this day, just chill out and enjoy the sun.
Today we drove about 370 miles to Orlando. Short stop in the Everglade for an Airboat ride between aligators, turtles, fishes, birds etc. After the ride we went to a show and there we were able to hold a crocodile. Scary! And then finally we went on to the campground outside of Orlando. This place were we stay is called Kissimmee.
Today was Corinas, Michelles and my turn to cook. We made Chilli con Carne with rise and salad.
(Or at least they said so) This is the reason why we are allowed to cook again tomorrow. Oh, and tomorrow we will go the the "Island of Adventure".
Thursday, May 24, 2001
Today we arrived in Panama Beach City. We had to turn back our watches for one hour.
A lot happened since my last entry:
"Island of Adventure" was great. All from our group were there as well as five from Audreys group. The waterrides were completely awesome though you were completely soaked afterwards. The Spiderman ride was nuts as well (a 3-D ride). The rollercoaster looked great too, but I only tried the Hulk one, and then my stomack startet to revolte, unfortunately.
We had our first rain as well, and of course exactly then when I/we had to cook. We all squeezed under the (not really) big tent and tried our best with cooking and preparing our dinner. It still turned out great (according to the others). The tent covered us more or less as well and even the small ones where we had our sleaping stuff inside was not all to wet. Unforatunately as Florida is quiet humid, the stuff never wanted to dry.
Since yesterday we are one person less on this trip. Diane got kicked out. She behaved quiet strange the last days. She wandered around the tents at night, had extreme moodswings, never had any money. Well, anyway, now she's gonne and some quietness came back to the group.
Yesterday we didnt do too much anymore. Some of us went to another theme park, but most of us stayed at the campground, did some laundry, enjoyed the wet of the pool etc. We as well visited the library and checked our mail and went for lunch to a mexican. With full stomacks Mike drove us to an Outlet Factory, where we could check out the stores. Afterwards we went back to the campground.
In the evening we went for a short good night drink into the near town. Well, out of this short drink it became a long drink. Jo, Christina, Michelle and I were there until, hmm, as I can remember until 2 am, when it finally closed down. We got pissed pretty heavily and even went on for Karaoke. (everybody who knows me better knows how bad I sing...) Jo and Chris went on to Orlando with the guy Michelle had met. Michelle and myself went back to sleep.
The two came back somewhen early in the morning.
Today was a driving day / My feet hurt like hell.
Monday, May 28, 2001
On the road again to San Antonio. This ride takes about 10 hours and 540 miles.
New Orleans was great. I have never seen a city as crazy as this! PS Am still recovering....
Tuesday, May 29, 2001
Had to stop writing yesterday, the Van was too much shaking....
Still in Panama Beach City:
The waverunner touzr was good, though I havent seen any dolphins. I on the other hand, fell of twice of this bloody waverunner. Corina took the turns so crazy that I couldnt hold me anymore and the other time when the tour guide and Mike pushed us back into the ocean when we had stopped on a really nice beach outside Panama Beach City. Afterwards we took off to:
New Orleans
(so now I have to stop to break down the tents as we are leaving soon.
So, just made myself comfortable in a Starbucks Coffee after visiting the rest of "The Alamo", a fortress of San Antonio. I even made it to do something without the others. I just needed for once the time all by myself. So, but now I will write a resume of the last few days.
This Bourbon (or whateveritiscalled) Street was really unique. Every time we were there a party was going on. Ok, I dont know how it is during the morning hours, as I usually was sleeping in my bed. Yes, you read right, a real bed, after 2 weeks on the floor! Actually we had something like a whole appartement for our group. I was a lucky one to catch a room all by myself. Great,
isnt it!
Of course we had to go out already Friday evening, but not before we brought our mood all high through some "games".... What was great too was that even the underaged could go out with us as they let them into the club too. So we kept on partying and flirting and... all night long. It was between 4 to 5 when I found my way back to the appartment. Can't really remember it anymore. And thats about it what I remember the whole evening anyway.
Saturday we walked around for a while until it got too hot and ended up in a mall. In the Evening we went to a restaurant where you could take your own buzz with you and we had a typical Creol dinner. Afterwards we kept on partying. Unfortunately, this time those under 21 had more troubles getting in and so they left us again. Only Chris, Jo, Rex and I were left from the Van Clan, as
we started to call ourselfs. This time I got home a wee earlier, between 2-3 in them morning.
Sunday was a complete chill out day. We walked again a bit throuhg French Town and then went back to the Hotel. Chris and Jo left again this evening for another exciting night in New Orleans, we others stayed at the Appartment and watched TV.
Yesterday was as said a driving day. But it was ok. In the evening we went for the River Walk in the center of San Antonio. Its like a little Venice. There we had an excellent Margherita. I just thought that this would be a lovely place to be with your sweetheart. Otherwise it was sooooo hot in the tent that nearly nobody was able to sleep. I was closeby to go for another shower when I finally drifted away.
Met Mike and Michelle at Starbucks, actually I thought that he und Kirsten had something going on.. well........ I keep a close eye on it... no just joking....
So thats for now.
Friday, June 1, 2001
Today we arrived at Ouray, the little Switzerland of the United States, as it is called. (Dont ask me why) We were driving quiet a lot the last few days. I am a bit pissed about everything now and I am glad to stay for a bit at the same spot. Ok, here the updates...
From San Antonio we drove to Carlsbad Caverns where we drove to it to see the bats fly into the night. Next morning we went into the cave to see it by itself. Was really beautiful. Oh, and the night! Oh what a night, I was betting against
myself if our tent would resist these winds or not. It held.
After visiting the cave, we drove to White Sands National Park.
Wow, have never seen such white sands like there. Hope the pictures turned out so amazing as the scenerey was.
Gotta stop, have to go cooking. Fish fingers and potato and that with our camping gear, will be quiet interesting.
Mmmmhhh, was good, even when the finger sticks lost a bit of their shapes. Oh well....
After the stay in White Sands we went to Santa Fe.
Nice town, but nothing really exciting in my eyes. Too many boutiques and galleries. In the evening we went to the movie to see Pearl Harbor. Was nice good, cute Ben Affleck. And then after Santa Fe we went to Ouray. Ouray is a nice town between some mountains. As for it is called Switzerland of USA
I have to admit there are not many similarities to my homecountry. Maybe during the winter time. There is only one Swiss couple living there, and one Motel called Matterhorn. But thats about it.
Ouray supposed to be famous for it hot springs but then, those we have in Switzerland as well, so nothing really special for me, but the others really enjoyed it.
The second dinner we prepared was more comfortable then the first one, chinese vegetables, chicken, sweet'n'sour sauce and egg noodles. There as well it was the first time were it was bloody cold at night. (Poor little Swiss girl is not used to cold nights anymore). And we just got informed that 2 weeks ago at Bryce Canyon they messured a temperature of 2 degress.... !!!!
Monday, June 4, 2001
Now we are in Moab. There we will stay again for 2 nights. Yesterday we arrived with a stop at the Arches National Park where we made a little hiking tour. But it was so hot again (little Swiss Girl still not used to it) that I was glad when we were back at the Van. In the evening both groups went to the Dead Horse Point for the sunset and dinner.
![[ARCHES NP]](../../../../pictures/tns/arches_np.jpg)
![[ARCHES NP]](../../../../pictures/tns/arches_np2.jpg)
![[DEAD HORSE POINT]](../../../../pictures/tns/dhp_np.jpg)
Today we are chilling at the pool of our campground. Brought some pictures for developement and of course everybody was quiet curious about them and we had a good laugh at it. At night Rex had a battle with a skunk which we watched out of a more or less safe distance out of our tents. This mad animal went on our food box and Rex was protecting it. Oh it was soo hilarious to see him there, not knowing who was more afraid of each other.
Thursday, June 7, 2001
Grand Canyon
Our next goal was Bettys and Rustys Cowboy Camp. There we first went horseback riding. It was so lovely to ride again, even when my horse Clide was such a
stubborn thing that needed all my energy. So first thing I did back at the camp was go for a nap. Later on we had Indian Tacos. Yummi. After dinner, well feed and rested, the party began in the middle of nowhere. So we could make as much noise and drink as much booze, nobody cared. Oh, nearly forgot, we even could try to throw Lassos. Wouldnt have made a good Cowboy.
Somewhen around 3 am I resigned and tried to catch some sleep for a couple of hours. At 8am we had to get up for breakfast. Only the smell of it nearly made my stomack..... Noticed with one cell of my left brain that Jo was missing and that everybody was looking for her. Finally someone found her in the truck. The only weard thing was that she was not wearing her own Jeans.... She found them as well in the truck.
Had a hang over for a very long time. My stomack was still playing with me. And therefore I was really looking forward to the Jeep Safary at Monument Valley. Funny, how comes that our driver complained that we were the most boring group he ever had to driver around? Cannot understand that.....
Today we were hiking in the Grand Canyon. Some of us went down the others were hiking along the rim. In the evening we try to see the sunset, as long as the clouds do not hide it.
Sunday, June 10, 2001
Zion National Park
First of all, somehow the body shot Rex gave me at Bettys and Rustys have left quiet some impression. He had put some salt on my upper left leg and put the lemon into my mouth....
Oh, gotta go, dinner time....
Tuesday, June 12, 2001
Las Vegas
Ok, now from the beginning on.....
The sunset at the Grand Canyon was good. The clouds were still there but it gave it all this special mystic aura. Otherwise ther is not much news to tell.
Lake Powell.... a reservoir in the middle of the dessert. For its creation there had to be flud an indian village. (Only to say something useful for once) Spent there the afternoon, swimming, jumping off cliffs, sunbathing etc. Afterward we drove to Easton, a former tour leader who had his own campsite now. There Jo and I pulled down the others pants by playing our best pool I guess. Everybody wanted to compete with us.
Bryce Canyon. I get the strong feeling that I am repeting myself constantly, but its another amazing gorcious National Park. I liked it even more than Grand Canyon. The Campground was awesome too. You wouldnt have thought that in the middle of nowhere you would find such a green place. And as we were so much outside and far away from any civilisation, I have never seen such a sky. Zillions of stars. Awesome!
zion National Park. I liked it nearly the most, well, actually the driving thru it was amazing.
Late afternoon we went for a hike (middle and lower Emerald) but I thought that it was nothing really special. The others who joined me (or was it the other way) thought so too. (Comforting) Ate again in a restaurant this evening. Gosh, its going to be an expensive trip and I just started it. Well at least they made awesome cheesecake there. Never had any better!!!!!!
Oh right, finally booked my place in LA. Gonna stay there for about a week. Yeah. For once not to have to pack all the time. Great!
So now lets start with Las Vegas. Our hotel is a bit outside the main strip. About 2-4 blocks, over the freeway.... well, its not the Mirage (sign). But then last time I've been there I havent had lot of my room either, so it will do just fine.
Oh, it has some new Casinos, very impressing.
Yesterday we went to the LUXOR a great place. And the buffet!!!! Its this tricky thing with those, you never know how to handle it. If anybody should have found the perfect way, please tell me!
Afterwards we went with a Limo (how fast you get used to them, thought this one was quiet impressing, as all 11 of us fitted in there) to the "Old Las Vegas" to see the show. Oh, and we got champaign!
And now I just remember this asian guy who first I thought he wanted me to take a picture of him and his wife, but then it turned out that he actually wanted one of me and my friends.... funny!
Back on the New Strip, we wanted to go dancing but unfortunately it was closed.
Corina and Kirsten wanted to go Bungee Jumping. One did it the other not... and frankly, not the one I expected after what happened in Kissiimee. Anyway...
What else? hmmm, right, I blocked my Pin on the Credit Card as only four digits are allowed and I entered a 6 digit pin. Now I have to order me a new one. Good I stay a couple of days in LA, so should be no problem sending there.
Wednesday, June 13, 2001
On the road to San Diego.
Corina and I walked around a little bit in Las Vegas for about 6,5 hours. Played roulet and played the numbers my aunt has given me (as it was here birthday) but unfortunately, they were no lucky numbers.
In the evening Michelle, Corina and I went Casino hopping, with a longer stop at the Mirage, where we had one of their excellent Daiquiries. Afterwards we headed again to go the MGM for the Club Studio54. This time we were lucky. But only in one way. We were supposed to meet the others there but somehow we must have missed each other. Well, we had our fun anyway.
Today we had to say good bye to Michelle. Oh how do I hate this! But I am sure I will meet here again.
Now as mentioned long before, we are on our way to San Diego, the last stop before Los Angeles and our last two days of the Trip. Cant believe it that these 5 weeks are already over.
Arrived in San Diego we put up our tents for the last time. Afterwards we drove to the beach (other memories crossing my mind thinking of PB) and did some sighteseeing.
Tonight we had our Luxury Menue! Steak, rice, salad and soup. Later on we had a dessert as well.
Well, soon this trek is going to be over and then its called to say good bye. Have I already mentioned that I hate this?
Now I am cheating, though our tour ended on June 15, I will add here one or two other days on which I was still resuming my memories of the last few days as well other things I probably forgot to write down.
Tuesday, June 19, 2001
So, my first treking tour is over, and I guess the second one is gonna have a hard stand against it, but I will have to see. Probably complete different kind of folks.
But here I will first write a resumé of the last days in SD and Los Angeles.
On Thursday most of us went to the zoo. Joe went with Becky, Angus, Nina etc to Tijuana. (those were from the other Trek) and I went to the Horton Plaza, a shopping mall, one of many in the US.
I spent my day with shopping and window shopping and trying on and and and... a real girls day. I as well was in charge to organise a present for Mike as a THANK YOU gift. Finally I wrote some more postcards and last but not least I went to the movie again; "The Mummy Returns".
In the evening all of us went for dinner the last time. A nice mexican restaurant. There we had a real great Margherita again. Well. at least the others, sort of. Well, this was so:
I did not catch what the others ordered. Well I knew it were margheritas, but not which one and which size. The waiter was finally asking me and I ordered my standard strawberry Margherita and as he asked me which size I ordered very confused the large one. It took them a while until our drinks were served but as done so, all the others had regular ones and mine.... oh my gosh, it was soo big a sombrero would have fitted in the glass. Of course all of us were nearly dying laughing, probably as well as because of my facial expression. But hey... well, at last it turned out, that everybody was trying mine and as they liked it more than those who they had ordered.... do I have to tell more?
But I drift away. Back at the campground, everybody went to sleep quiet soon. Do not know why. Probably avoiding these akward moments....
Los Angeles
We entered the city at around lunch time and first picked up Jo's airplane ticket back to the east coast. Then Mike showed us Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Sunset Strip to Hollywood and then he started to drop us off at our hostels. the big moment of saying good bye arrived..... and passed. I was on my own now. Having five weeks to get to Seattle, I knew I would have plenty other stuff to discover... well, at least I thought so. But more about this later. Another chapter, another story.
Here I would have something else I have written while driving through the dessert sitting all in the back of the van.... :
|
The Wan Poem Dear Wan
How grateful I am to you my faithul companien, you 've made it possible for me to see so much of the USA. |