Community Forums

honkytonkinn · 01-29-2013, 09:03 AM

As a recent arrival in the US and having had a strong interest in America from the time I was very young, growing up in New Zealand where my impressions of the USA were influenced by American TV shows and Music.
This meant I grew up with some ideals about what America is and who Americans are.

one of the things we feel we'd like to do as we travel this wonderful land of contrast is "find America"

Now what struck me as interesting is the fact that my American wife wants to do the same thing.

We realise that this probably means different things to different folks, to some it maybe trying to find Mayberry or that perfect forest, lake or it might be just finding a town where you just feel at home because of the people.

So what does this mean to you ?
Happy journeys

CampDaven · 01-29-2013, 09:13 AM

The journey is our destination.
Finding the obscure treasures is our goal. Taking a road just because we like its name and almost always finding a jewel.
We did the "tourist" thing for over 40 years, and though we will still do a bit of that, going more to where the tourists dont is relaxing and rewarding.

Enjoy YOUR journey!

Luckiest Dreamer · 01-29-2013, 09:14 AM

Gives me something to do in my old age! We have been in every State in US and all Province's except 2 in Canada. Also driven both Islands in New Zealand (not in RV)
So how can a New Zealander be a Honky?

honkytonkinn · 01-29-2013, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luckiest Dre

Gives me something to do in my old age! We have been in every State in US and all Province's except 2 in Canada. Also driven both Islands in New Zealand (not in RV)
So how can a New Zealander be a Honky?

LOL Our RV is called Honky Tonk Inn < honkytonk a country joint to have fun with friends and an Inn a place to eat and sleep.

If put together honkytonkin can be used as slang for moving along.
To top it off im also a country entertainer.

Therefore we have a sleeping, eating, moving, entertaining place that's our Honkytonkinn...

Well you did ask

Hope you enjoyed NZ
Rusty

Possum · 01-29-2013, 10:24 AM

To us the whole thng is just getting out and going with an end point picked but the trip openended. We are planning trips to Alaska, New York, Florida (DW ain't bindar yet) and we do want to revisit for an extended period the Dakotas, Wyoming and Montana to really enjoy their vistas. We do plan on throwing in an Arizona trip or three into the mix as a few friends have/are moving there and we (will)miss visiting with them.

To us the great American Trip is all about seeing and meeting the old and new friends and sharing the experience with them.

TQ60 · 01-29-2013, 04:44 PM

Have a good GPS, mark your spot in the morning and go "that way "...

Some road that looks interesting, mark your spot and take the road.

The GPS will get you back to your marked spot so as long as you stay on real roads there are lots of places to see.

Look up "California gold huell howser" and see how he did it in ca, past away a couple weeks ago, but he found lot of interesting things in ca, likely many everywhere if you look

wa8yxm · 01-29-2013, 07:25 PM

Right now we are in "Economy" mode, this changes very soon, Very very soon (This summer, as they say "Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise").

But our plan is not to FIND America, I know where it's at, I see it daily, I now look for the good parts (I used to see the not so good parts for 8 hours a day) (Retired police dispatcher). But I do plan on SEEING a good part of this country.

We already have seen more than a lot of folks,,, I mean back when my Daughter was still living with us (She lives with her hubby now, as it should be) She not only learned about things like the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth rock, She Saw Plymouth rock with her own eyes (What is left of it) She not only learned about the Battle of Gettysbury, We toured the battlefield. And so on (mostly we travled east of the Mississippi then) And since she moved out of our house we have visited.. Well Coast to Coast.

guymaster · 01-30-2013, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honkytonkinn

As a recent arrival in the US and having had a strong interest in America from the time I was very young, growing up in New Zealand where my impressions of the USA were influenced by American TV shows and Music.
This meant I grew up with some ideals about what America is and who Americans are.

one of the things we feel we'd like to do as we travel this wonderful land of contrast is "find America"

Now what struck me as interesting is the fact that my American wife wants to do the same thing.

We realise that this probably means different things to different folks, to some it maybe trying to find Mayberry or that perfect forest, lake or it might be just finding a town where you just feel at home because of the people.

So what does this mean to you ?
Happy journeys

We are about to take the Discover America tour. We have two set dates and t he rest of the time we will be poking around whereever we decide to go. Better half has seen the west and not much of the east and I have seen a lot of the east but not the west!! A perfect combo! Starting 3-1 if lucky!!!!!!

macantic · 01-30-2013, 12:56 PM

We just started doing it right after Christmas,our first stop was florida for the winter then who knows where from here.

Traps90 · 01-30-2013, 10:55 PM

We'll start checking it out at least the southern America this fall

MartinP · 01-31-2013, 09:55 AM

Rusty,

Welcome. I am also a Kiwi living the dream. We hit the road as often as possible. This is a great country with plenty to see. Enjoy.

Martin

Wayne M · 01-31-2013, 10:16 AM

Hi Rusty and Kelly,

Welcome to the big adventure.

We have traveled to only 41(plus some - can't remember) of the states and we have come to the realization that one could spend a 30 days in each of the continental 49 states and still not see all there is to see. That would just be a little over 4 years for the mathematically inclined.

Every time we go out we see something different, and way to many times we do not get to stay long enough in one spot to take in all the wonders, and the not so wonders. We'll keep trying.

Good luck, and

Happy trails.

Edited: Nice sound. Don't be so shy. Rusty's Blog Spot

fly_1 · 01-31-2013, 11:34 AM

I think, for me, the trip is about finding myself as I turn the page from working to retirement. While it is about seeing America, it is also about letting go of things. Selling the house, pitching "stuff" and downsizing all aspects of our lives.

It is taking a really big step off the ledge. The closest I can compare that to is my first sky dive. That was a leap in faith of my training, my courage and the parachute.

It will also be finding another new relationship with Sandee. We will be together roughly 24/7. That will be like when I came off of shift work 15 years ago and became a staffer Mon-Friday. for nearly 10 years we didn't have the same work schedule and sometimes didn't see each other, except in passing, for 3-5 days at a time. We survived that change.

It will be about living a full life until I die.

ginaandharol · 02-16-2013, 08:59 PM

This is starting of our 20th year full-timing. We didn't know it existed. I was 50 and my wife was 48, we retired from UC California. We just wanted to do something different, we were going go in our 24' Tioga Arrow for 6 months, with 2 cats and a dog, then settle down in Ashville, NC. Got there, didn't like it, and we were 5 1/2 months into our budget. Now what?? House sold, furniture in storage, huh? Met a 2 year full-time couple that had family tragedy, and told us, "stuff is stuff, and you can always get more stuff, BUT, you can't get more family friends or life, so do it!" Here we are 19 years later on our way to Florida from California for our 14th time coast to coast. We hike and bike everywhere. There are a million things to do on the road, people golf, fish, do State Capitals, have a friend that likes to hit all of the Carnegie Libraries. Clubhouses have tons of activities. We have been to over 35 National Parks. Life is short, do it!!! Now! Remember, your wife, or partner, is your best friend, have fun, laugh at whatever happens on the road, and it will, and move on forward to the next event. Good luck.