Unmissable in USA? - Page 3 - Horizons Unlimited

**Huey** · #31 10 Jan 2008

re Crazy horse - totally agreed . . .2 years later and every time I feel I'm up against it I think of the crazy horse project and feel humble. one of the most awe inspiring things I've ever seen . . .

**Paul Narramore** · #32 11 Jan 2008

I thought that both Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse were awe inspiring, but quite different. Mount Rushmore was created by an army of workers between the wars, is complete and pristine, and was utter incrdible. Crazy Horse is a vast mountain and the sculpture largely the work of one man, and now after his death, his family. It is incomplete and will not be finished in the lifetime of anybody reading this. It's like comparing Stilton with St.Agur, they are different.

They are only a few miles apart to do as I did, and visit them both. Two of the big, big highlights of my 2006 trip.

**yuma simon** · #33 14 Jan 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Narramore

Simon

If you did not already know, US drinking habits are very different from what we are used to. Don't expect to go into an off licence (liquor store) and be able to buy (say) a bottle of wine. Some liquor stores only sell the usual fizz, and the low alcohol stuff at that. You may have to ride a few miles to a supermarket (and a lot of those don't sell booze either). Don't go into a restaurant and expect to drink wine either. One evening I walked into, and out of, six restaurants until I found one I could buy a bottle of wine. "We are a FAMILY restaurant" was one reply. From what I understand, getting a liquor licence over there is both difficult and very expensive, and under-age drinking is very seriously treated. If you are under 30 (honestly!) expect to be asked for I/D.

This depends on which state you happen to be in. Utah is a good example of the restrictive extreme you list above. Some states seem to have lots and lots of booze, everywhere you go, but you still have to be of age (I think its 21 years old in every US state, now).

Arizona seems to have easy flowing booze, except on the Navajo Reservation, which I (still)would recommend seeing in spite of its no-alcohol stance. Simon, any word on when you are making it this way?

**Sime66** · #34 14 Jan 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by yuma simon

Simon, any word on when you are making it this way?

Here's the plan: ship bike to either Montevideo or Buenos Aires this September. Proceed in an orderly fashion down to TDF for New Year, then up the other side. Hit Mexico around Xmas 2009. Into US of A early 2010. Then up to Canada 3 months later (unless I can get a longer US visa) allowing a possible Alaskan summer.

**Sime66** · #35 28 Jan 2011

So many great suggestions from everyone on this thread that I'm resurrecting it to say thanks to everyone - my fave bits were:

New Orleans,
Mesa Verde National Park in the snow,
Yosemite,
Northern Cal/Oregon coast,
the 49er Bar in Mariposa CA,
Moab UT,
the back roads of Mississippi in February,
Texas BBQ,
the 3 Rivers pub in Farmington NM,
Beaver St Brewery in Flagstaff AZ,
the Tiburon bar in Santa Barbara CA,
Durango CO,
Vegas again
...and Seattle fish market.

In every bar I went to (except in Hollywood - no surprise) some friendly person struck up a chat within half an hour. Excellent country!

**Genghis9021** · #36 18 Feb 2011

The Golden State - California.

It's not small but offers insane amounts of great roads, dirt and paved, unparalleled diversity of geography and ethnicity and weather you can count on. You'll never be far from great food, surfing, skiing, opera and bookstores. The variety of languages observed in a southern California strip mall will cause an (south) Indian to double take.

Kurt