USA FLY DRIVE
BY DELMAR WORLD
The spirit of adventure, the freedom of the open road
and the flexibility to do as you please… USA Specialist
Howard Davies takes us on a personal journey.
It’s not just the big-name sights that remain uppermost in
one’s memory: it may be an unexpected gem, an encounter
with nature or just experiencing genuine hospitality in small
town America. The quintessential American Road Trip - an
iconic expression in itself! - is the chance to go out, explore
and be creative. Every year I add at least one more factfinding
trip to America, adding new experiences and ideas
that I take great pleasure in sharing with future customers.
After 192 transatlantic visits covering 37 of the 50 States -
that’s a whole lot of America!
Most of the main areas - including Florida, California, New
England and the key National Parks - have been toured
on several occasions to keep me up to speed with the
latest developments. In June last year, I toured the Pacific
Northwest, revisiting some old favourites and taking in
some amazing new sights. Parts of the Oregon coastline are
breath-taking and the higher elevations up in the mountains
offer a dramatic contrast, whilst the Tax-free dining and
shopping throughout Oregon was worth over an extra 10
cents to the Pound!
From the foodie’s favourite in the wine country of Walla
Walla, the Cascade Loop was a surprisingly quiet drive
through one of America’s most unspoilt regions with time
to detour via Pybus Public Market in Wanatchee. Other
National Parks added to the “wow factor” with Mount
Rainier and Crater Lake being spectacular drives. One
bonus was getting an aerial view of Mount St. Helens as our
flight from London closed in on Portland; whilst the ferry
trip - and subsequent whale-watching trip - out of Friday
Harbor in the San Juan Islands is something I will never
forget.
It never ceases to amaze me how some of the lesser known
areas of America throw up some of the most unexpected
surprises with dramatic sights, regional cuisines, local
wines, and genuine hospitality.
Other highlights were Salt Lake City and north to Jackson
Hole, Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks,
stopping over in a one-street natural “Hot-Springs”
town before rafting down the Snake River. Experiencing
the cowboy west in Cody, the saloon in Buffalo, Mount
Rushmore, its spiritual neighbour Crazy Horse Monument
and the coolness of Wind Cave National Park. Picking up
the Oregon Trail at Fort Laramie before some chill time in a
wonderful B&B in the foothills of Rocky Mountain National
Park with a stunning drive to its summit at 2,000 feet. And
the flight from Denver offered a welcome break of journey
in New York City - without adding a penny to the airfare!
For those preferring non-stop flights it may surprise
you to learn that Las Vegas is the gateway to the highest
concentration of National Parks in America including
the Grand Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Zion and my
personal favourite of all time, Bryce.
Talking about favourites, Sedona - nestled in the red rocks
of northern Arizona - is a spectacular place to spend a few
nights and enjoy some relaxation. And did I mention Route
66?
By now you will have gathered just how passionate I am
about planning American Road Trips. And, for those not
wanting to drive, I can suggest some excellent coach tour
alternatives. I will be at the Heswall office a couple of days
each week, so feel free to call in or - better still - phone
ahead and let’s put an appointment in our diaries.
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