Travelling to the USA
Posted by: Mick P on 27 March 2004
Chaps
We are travelling to Mexico in June and then spending a week in San Diego.
I have just heard a rumour that America is reserving the right to rip open suitcases before and after loading onto the aircraft and if that means breaking the locks then so be it. This would be done without the owners knowledge. Also no damages will be paid.
Therefore the advice is to leave the suitcase unlocked. This of course invalidates any insurance claims.
Does anyone know if this is correct. It hardly encourages tourism.
Regards
Mick
We are travelling to Mexico in June and then spending a week in San Diego.
I have just heard a rumour that America is reserving the right to rip open suitcases before and after loading onto the aircraft and if that means breaking the locks then so be it. This would be done without the owners knowledge. Also no damages will be paid.
Therefore the advice is to leave the suitcase unlocked. This of course invalidates any insurance claims.
Does anyone know if this is correct. It hardly encourages tourism.
Regards
Mick
For anyone who cares, here's my little opinion on where to go in the US in the summer if you:
i. want solitude,
ii. enjoy beautiful mountains
iii. like to backpack.
Go to the Wind River Mountains in central Wyoming. Pics and info. The Utah, Arizona, and Colorado National Parks are all very pretty but PACKED WITH TOURISTS in the summer (most european, however, so you'll feel right at home ....). The same is increasingly true of Glacier NP in Montana, unfortunately.
The Wind River Range, on the other hand, is to this day relatively empty. You will see fellow hikers on the main trails, but it is entirely possible to find some beautiful, remote lake area and not see anyone for days, even in the summer. Part ofthe reason for this is the sheer size of the range: 70 miles long and nearly 3 million acres of protected lands. Another reason for this is its remoteness and proximity to a large indian reservation.
Another point: BA has a nonstop flight from London to Denver International. I flew on this last year and it's the most pleasant international flight I've ever made. You leave Heathrow in the early afternoon and, thanks to the time change, arrive in Denver around dinner time. It feels like a domestic flight. (Unhurried Denver customs officers are likely to be nicer than most others, too). After arriving, you could spend a night in Denver, then rent a car and drive up to Pinedale Wyoming, or one of the other access points for the Wind River range. You'd be well-rested and hiking about 24 hours after leaving London.
As someone who has visited a lot of US parks, this is my most valuable tip. You can thank me when you get back.
i. want solitude,
ii. enjoy beautiful mountains
iii. like to backpack.
Go to the Wind River Mountains in central Wyoming. Pics and info. The Utah, Arizona, and Colorado National Parks are all very pretty but PACKED WITH TOURISTS in the summer (most european, however, so you'll feel right at home ....). The same is increasingly true of Glacier NP in Montana, unfortunately.
The Wind River Range, on the other hand, is to this day relatively empty. You will see fellow hikers on the main trails, but it is entirely possible to find some beautiful, remote lake area and not see anyone for days, even in the summer. Part ofthe reason for this is the sheer size of the range: 70 miles long and nearly 3 million acres of protected lands. Another reason for this is its remoteness and proximity to a large indian reservation.
Another point: BA has a nonstop flight from London to Denver International. I flew on this last year and it's the most pleasant international flight I've ever made. You leave Heathrow in the early afternoon and, thanks to the time change, arrive in Denver around dinner time. It feels like a domestic flight. (Unhurried Denver customs officers are likely to be nicer than most others, too). After arriving, you could spend a night in Denver, then rent a car and drive up to Pinedale Wyoming, or one of the other access points for the Wind River range. You'd be well-rested and hiking about 24 hours after leaving London.
As someone who has visited a lot of US parks, this is my most valuable tip. You can thank me when you get back.
ejl's recommendation looks great. Thanks for the tip.
Alex and others, you must visit Washington state. You can go sea kayaking or whale watching in the San Juan Islands, hiking or mountain biking in the North Cascades ("America's Alps") or Olympic rainforest by day, and eat sushi, drink hoppy beer, and see an indie band by night. The blend of city and outdoors is unique, and us Seattle forum members are significantly more hip than the rest of you for living here.
Alex and others, you must visit Washington state. You can go sea kayaking or whale watching in the San Juan Islands, hiking or mountain biking in the North Cascades ("America's Alps") or Olympic rainforest by day, and eat sushi, drink hoppy beer, and see an indie band by night. The blend of city and outdoors is unique, and us Seattle forum members are significantly more hip than the rest of you for living here.