USA
The original intention was to get through the USA quickly and even be in Miami in about a week. We left the night of May 15th and did not get out of the USA until June 6th where we flew into Caracas.
Some of the high lights:
Mount Rushmore- Although free parking was $10.00 for the motorbikes. This was a great high light and the first of many sites to see. Mount Rushmore is one of the 68 wonders of the world. The sculpture and his son (who was 11 at the time) moved to the location from Europe and spent a life time working on the 4 presidents. Unfortunately he did not complete the heads so his son completed the last head and a monument for his father.
I was surprised upon arrival although quite grand I did somehow think they were much larger- (maybe do to the sized of the mountains in Calgary).
After we had viewed the sculptures we sat out side under a tree and made sandwiches and looked over the grand valley.
St Louis Arch- Wow this was unexpended and truly remarkable. This stands 630 feet tall and is stainless steel which makes for a grand effect. The actual shape of the structure is a triangle type shape and starts out larger and moves to only 18 feet wide at the top of the arch.- Cool!
This was our second stop and is the second on my list of wonders of the world to see.
This monument is completely free to see. If you would like to take a ride up in the arch to the top centre the cost is $10.00 pp.
We meet a guy who lived there and he was telling us that someone shortly after the arch was built flew a plane through the arches, to this date they do not know who as of course the individual can not come forward due to prosecution.
Ruby Falls- Our first on a whim trip to see something we had never heard of. There were simply so many signs on the highway (literally one every 5 minutes) we though it must be something worth seeing, and it was.
The mountain that Ruby falls sits in actual spans over 3 states and the view from the top of the mountain is on 7 states. The falls are actually 1100 feet under sold rock and fall a whopping 164 feet into a pool of water. This fall was discovered by accident as the explorer who was building a shaft elevator to the cave at the bottom of the mountain for tourist reasons came across a open pocket of rock when drilling so he explored the cave.
This took him 16 hours to get in and out of at the time. This water fall (named after his wife-Ruby) has now become so popular they actually have dug a path way for regular tours to be conducted to the falls.
This was a great experience and like most caves it stays a constant temperature inside the cave; nice and cool.
Georgia Aquarium- Some of the major highlights of the aquarium is the largest single aquarium in the place. Due to the volume of water in the tank and the size of the aquatic marine life in the tank they have 18 inch plex glass holding it all back. A major highlight of the tank is the walk under tunnel, and the 100 X 50 feet (approximate) viewing window. This tank has 4 whale sharks and it can hold up to 6 of them, plus numerous other shark species and hundreds of sting rays and fish.
Universal Studios- Another unplanned trip.
Brent wanted to take me as I loved Universal California and the last two times I have been my day got cut short.
Not near as great as California but many roller coasters and the 3D spider man show was great –exciting plus the comic strip part of the park was unique.
Finally they do have a pretty good City Walk and an excellent Hard Rock Café.
Off to Miami
One main thing to say about Miami is the beaches are is just that full of beaches. They are about 40 feet wide and go for miles.
We had an opportunity to stay both in North Beach and in South Beach; both uniquely different.
North Beach has a much more laid back feel with a more middle class working people. The area is great and the price of the hotel was excellent $59.00 on the beach (Ocean Surf with a coupon) with a continental breakfast and free wifi in the lobby and parking on the street is $6.50 a day. The community centre holds many different bands and events almost every weekend. The weekend we were there they had the 12th annual Brazilian film festival starting, great food, drink music and info on Brazil to which we took full advantage.
South Beach is much more about what you look like (are in the in) there also seems to be a more predominate gay scene in South Beach. The beaches down here are much cleaner, not as much sea weeds floating and although we were told it was topless we did not see any boobies. Another great thing is just off of Lincoln Street there are numerous vendors and restaurateurs that are set up in the middle of the street which makes for a great atmosphere, plus great shopping. We stayed at the Tropicana just off of 16th and across the street from the beach for $69 and it had free internet in the lobby plus a full communal kitchen for people to use and a pool, the only down side is no parking.
The KEYS
We drove the entire Keys, through Key Largo and all the way down to the most southern tip – Key West.
I must say not at all what I was expecting, quite busy and developed. There are basically no beaches. What little amount of beach there is is full of seaweed and I mean full so full you need to step over 3 feet of it to get to the water. The great and amazing part of the Keys is the beautiful views and the warm bath water that is the ocean. For the most part the sand under the water is soft and smooth; however there is quite a bit of coral and rock as well you need to navigate around.
Prior to going down to the Keys we had noticed that there was a KOA camp ground in Surgarland (closes stop to Key West) so we thought we would camp there. When we pulled in we were told the cost for the tent would be $69.00 a night, hence we left quickly.
Finally in the end we stayed at a camp ground just on the other side of the bridge going into Key West for $42 the best we could find as there is not much camping here.
Although we did not get a chance to stop in all parts of the Keys I would say the centre appears to be the prettiest and least populated, I would try this area if I ever went back.
Southern most point and the end of the USA.
See www.aquest.ca and photos for pictures of these sites
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