"My Cross Country Travels mostly long ago" United States of America by seagoingJLW

The above map shows the different areas of the United States and indicates when they were acquired. Reading from left to right (top to bottom) the purple Alaska was purchased from the Russians in 1867. The purple Oregon Territory was established in 1846. The light green area was ceded by Mexico in 1848. The dark blue on the bottom was the Gadsden Purchase of 1853. In the center, the dark blue is the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. The purple below it represents the annexation of Texas in 1845. The light green on the right is the territory of the thirteen original states. And the purple Florida was ceded by Spain in 1813.

I have been in every state except Alaska and Montana. Please bear with me until I get an opportunity to enter information about those I have visited.

Most of the states I have been to were visited many years ago. My parents drove me cross country when I was a teenager. We used to drive in the morning and go sightseeing in the early afternoon.

While we did take pictures in most areas, they have faded terribly. They turned from black and white to tan and yellow. I have been able to scan some of them by using the black and white format which seems to do away with the yellowing.

I am attempting to locate current pictures of places I visited long ago. Those I find will be placed on this site.

The area of the US is 3,717,522 square miles. There are 50 states and 3,096 counties. There are 12,373 miles of coastline.

The United States uses 110 volts electrically. We measure temperature on the Fahrenheit scale. If the world does things one way, the US will do it differently.

In cities, the hotels will have guides either in your room or available at the desk that will let you know what is going on in town. It will rate some restaurants and offer suggestion for other things to do.

You will find it disconcerting that nobody will take anything but American money. But, then our country is very large and most people, even though they travel a lot, have never been out of it. However, unless you are in a fast food establishment (such as MacDonald's or Burger King), most places will take VISA, MasterCard or American Express. Some will take Diner's Club, or Hilton Carte Blanche.

Luggage allowances on airplanes are in pounds, not kilos. Get used to it. Bring a conversion table with you if you need it.

There are ATMs at every bank and in almost all shopping malls, even in supermarkets on occasion. The machines take CIRRUS and PLUS. Don't use a credit card or you will be charged for a cash advance.

There are some phrases with which you should be familiar when you visit the United States. After all, we have nicknames for everything:

The Big Apple refers to New York City.
Lala Land means Los Angeles
The Left Coast means the Pacific Coast
The Flyover States are all the states between the Atlantic Seaboard (read New York City) and the Left Coast.
Frisco is what non-natives call San Francisco.
The Windy City refers to Chicago (the only midwest city recognized by New Yorkers.)
The Big Easy is New Orleans.

Some people refer to southeastern Florida as a suburb of New York. (most retired New Yorkers live in Broward County, Florida-- or Miami, or Palm Beach or Boca Raton)

The United States uses 110 volts electrically. We measure temperature on the Fahrenheit scale. If the world does things one way, the US will do it differently.

Symbol of the United States

The history of the United States is very long. For a timeline of it go to Timeline of US History

You will also find our history under each separate state.

Some Interesting Facts

1. World's only remaining superpower.
2. Initiated the atomic age.
3. Landed the first and only men on the moon.
4. Mariner 9 - first spacecraft to orbit Mars (1971.)
5. Largest portrait art - Mount Rushmore.
6. World's first air mail.
7. The reversal of the Chicago River (one of world's greatest engineering feats) creating a water route from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico.
8. World's first oil well.
9. World's first powered air flight.
10. World's largest cavern - Carlsbad, New Mexico.
11. The Declaration of Independence - landmark in the history of freedom.
12. World's largest gross national product.

Desert Rat reminded me that those of you who are visiting us from places other than North America need some simple information. If you plan to drive you will need to rent a car. For this you need a credit card. Also, be aware that American rental cars are automatic transmission. If you want manual transmission you have to ask for it. We still measure gasoline and other liquids by the gallon (or pint or quart). The USA is still at war with the metric system.
If you are driving, stick to the Interstate Highway system if you want to make good time, but use other roads if you want to see anything. Interstate interchanges offer facilities (read WCs) in restaurants or in motel chains. Holiday Inns, Ramadas, Sheratons, etc. all have what Americans call rest rooms that you can use freely. If you want to stop for a bite to eat, follow the rule that I was taught when I was very young. Look for a full parking lot--especially trucks. The truckers usually know the best places to eat on the road.

In cities, the hotels will have guides either in your room or available at the desk that will let you know what is going on in town. It will rate some restaurants and offer suggestion for other things to do.

You will find it disconcerting that nobody will take anything but American money. But, then our country is very large and most people, even though they travel a lot, have never been out of it. However, unless you are in a fast food establishment (such as MacDonald's or Burger King), most places will take VISA, MasterCard or American Express. Some will take Diner's Club, or Hilton Carte Blanche.

Luggage allowances on airplanes are in pounds, not kilos. Get used to it. Bring a conversion table with you if you need it.

I would like to suggest that anyone touring in the United States should get hold of the appropriate AAA Tour Guide. If you are a member of a national automobile association like the American Automobile Association or the Royal Canadian Automobile Association, the guides are free and obtainable at any AAA office just by showing your membership card. They list sites for sightseeing as well as hotels and restaurants.

The Mobil Guides are pretty good, too.

Typical Motel Room

When traveling through the United States you will discover that there are many franchised businesses in both the food and lodging area. I shall attempt to differentiate them for you...at least to provide links. You will find the hotels in groups, by conglomerates.

Marriott Hotels includes:
Renaissance Hotels and resorts
Courtyard Inn
Residence Inn
Fairfield Inn
TownePlace Suites
Spring Hill Suites.

Hilton Hotels includes:
Conrad Hotels
Doubletree
Embassy suites
Hampton Hotels
Hilton Garden Inn
Hilton Hotels
Homewood Suites

Holiday Inn includes:
Crowne Plaza Hotels
Holiday Inns
Holiday Inn Express
Staybridge Suites

Choice Hotels includes:
Comfort Inn
Comfort Suites
Quality Inn
Sleep Inn
Clarion
Mainstay Suites
Econolodge
Rodeway

Hyatt includes:
Grand Hyatt
Park Hyatt
Classic Residence

Starwood Hotels includes:
Westin Hotels
Shearton Hotels
Four Points Sheraton Hotels
St. Regis Hotels

Wyndham Hotels includes:
Wyndham Hotels
Wyndham Resorts
Viva Wyndham Resorts
Wyndham Luxury Resorts
Wyndham Historic Hotels
Wyndham Garden Hotels
Summerfield Suites by Wyndham

You will find them all under either "Restaurants" or "Hotels and Accommodations."

• Pros:The people here are very helpful. They will be happy to direct you anywhere.
• Cons:It's a very big country. You have to decide where you want to go before you come here.
• In a nutshell:Some people love it. Some people hate it.