"USA 2004 - Meet The Family & USA 2006 - Roadtrip" United States of America by scotlandscotour

United States of America Travel Guide: 337,582 reviews and 616,070 photos

Where and Why - 2004

We flew into Florida for 3 days - for me to meet Rachel's grandmother for the first time and help her with storm damage - but we ended up being treated like royalty and gran was fine. Hurricane Ivan had got wind of us and diverted west.

Then we flew up to Connecticut to visit Rachel's home town and her mother and brother - seeing old haunts for the first time ... learning of the places so special to my wife's childhood.

I then went into the hills of New York State for 3 days camping and hiking while she had a hen party with friends - before we went to Delaware for our friends' wedding. This was the main reason for our trip - and it surpassed all expectations.

Carter and Brian married in a wedding that can only be described as perfect. One year on from Rachel's and my wedding, when I met C & B for the first time! Now was their time and it was beautiful.

This was followed by a few days in a cabin in the Chesapeake Bay Area then through Washington DC and into Virginia and West Virginia for a family gathering (coming from all over the USA to meet us) on Rachel's father's side. We had two log cabins and talked, explored and ate lots - with roaring wood fires and music ... and then that was all over and it was time to head back to Philli and fly home.

So, me meeting lots and lots of family and friends! That was this USA trip. What a wonderful family! Also saw lots of airports and turnpikes, city sky lines and architecture, ... pizza, sushi and coffee stores. No tea, grrrr.

Now we are all sad to be away from each other, and I console myself with writing and of course there is the global community to catch up with! We have lots of work to do, and plans to fulfil, but for today, I rest, enjoy the sun, and smile contentedly!

USA 2006 Roadtrip Atlantic to Pacific - 4,000 miles of stories to be told. From CT to CA via snowstorms, desert, family, strangers, gold, native villages, endless highways, Elvis's bed, more snow and then a breakdown - the car, not me!

Observations of Life In USA

Flying into and around the USA it is impossible to not have "security" and "fear" foremost in your mind.

The airports are chaotic with ad-hoc checks and 'cobbled together' procedures, stressed staff and depressed passengers, resigned to submitting to this mess in the belief that terrorism rules.

Contrast this with the ultra efficient, calm and friendly systems & staff encountered in Europe.

It is both excessive and heavy handed in the USA, probably a mix of both high profile public reassurance and panic. Some political manipulation is also suspected, with these very public security alerts, keeping a hightened level of fear and subjugation. An election is being faught on the Iraq war ticket. Maybe after November 2nd, life will calm down. For now, Washington DC is a mess, of road blocks and hassle - measures that do more to reinforce the threat of danger than prevent future attack.

This contrasts significantly with the UK's less public and more intelligent security precedures, the product of years dealing with Ireland's conflict (war) and the IRA bombing campaigns. We flew from London and spent 3 days there, so it is fresh in our minds too. Elections in the UK are not until next year.

International News Perspective Of USA

I expect many people to be defensive of the situation in the USA and critical of my comments above because it appears to criticise the USA. Please read on. This is not my case.

I love so many people in America - all my family and friends - my wife's great gift to me. The hurt and shock of 9/11 lives on and has been polarised these past 3 years by political rifts that have ripped the nation apart. Never before in my life time have I seen the USA in such a situation. The people of America are being sold short, told lies and deceived - and I wish that would change. I have witnessed the effect of Rupert Murdoch's media empire here in the UK for many years. Now the ultra right wing media is feeding its agenda into the mass media arena, in subtle ways and less so, via Fox News. Now, the news is contaminated.

If you want to compare news coverage - have a look at the alternatives:

www.bbc.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004

... and a view from across the pond:
www.freepress.net

You decide.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Cheaper, Friendly People, Lots Of Trees and A Land Not Yet Spoilt Entirely By Man
Cons:Getting Worse, Losing It's Way Politically, Prices Rising, Not Easy To Walk - Cars Rule, No Good Tea :-(
In a nutshell:Make or Break Time For A Great Nation

Last visit to United States of America: Dec 2006
Intro Updated Apr 25, 2007
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Travelogues (1)

Written Apr 25, 2007

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Roadtrip from Atlantic to Pacific - 4,000 miles

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Comments (10)

Pawtuxet May 4, 2007 at 5:22 AM Report Abuse

Back to re-read your commentary on security in US. I quite agree. Not all of us have bought into the hype. Some of us will be working to see things change, politically. Meantime, where are the US pics??? Waiting to read reactions to U.S. REAL life.
touristgal May 31, 2006 at 2:51 PM Report Abuse

You are right, I will it is a make or break time for my country. I wish my country wanted to help it's own people more than it has.
grandmaR May 5, 2006 at 10:16 AM Report Abuse

Happy belated birthday - we've stopped flying because of the Mickey Mouse security procedures.
parabill Dec 14, 2004 at 6:52 PM Report Abuse

The fact that you think Fox is biased but The Guardian and BBC are not is part of the porblem with euro's'
erikatheskysailor Nov 22, 2004 at 11:35 PM Report Abuse

I agree with a lot of your sentiments! America is one strange place to live right now. Fear, panic and paranoia are very brooding here but I shan't speak my *opinion* of the source... not wanting to open a can of worms!
Hexepatty Oct 25, 2004 at 4:20 PM Report Abuse

Right On!!!! Right On, Malcolm. I respect your opinions, as I hold them as well, on my country's VERY sad state of affairs. HOPEFULLY we will see some change come 2/11... but I don't hold my breath. Cheers!
deecat Oct 15, 2004 at 7:06 PM Report Abuse

It's always interesting to "see" my country through another's eyes. Since I want a change in politics, I agree with much of what you say. My biggest fear is that the change will not happen. So glad you were able to meet your wife's family!
JetlagCity Oct 11, 2004 at 4:31 PM Report Abuse

Very astute comments here - it's very strange, and not a good feeling, to live in a country that's so divided...
goingsolo Oct 11, 2004 at 8:49 AM Report Abuse

Interesting & thoughful commentary. Pre 9/11, the US was untouched by terrorism within its borders and many believed it impossible. Since that tragic time, & we have allowed fear to diminish our freedom. I join in your hopes that this trend will reverse.
jelw Oct 9, 2004 at 8:26 PM Report Abuse

Thank you for your addition of some alternative newspaper links. The media is a cause for concern in this country. When our national news systems remember the great basis upon which they were founded we may then enjoy some unbiased fair reporting. JIll