My USA trip 2024... (part 1)

[caravanman]

Having cancelled my previous trip to America due to catching Covid, I was looking forward to this visit, almost exactly a year later. It’s been an “interesting” year for me, as they say in China, but now we are finally approaching the starting block...

Arriving in America as a foreign tourist after a long flight is never comfortable, what with being tired and then standing in long lines for immigration checking.

Plan B, fly from Dublin airport, where passengers go through pre-clearance US immigration, and arrive at a domestic terminal state side. What could be easier?

I could have booked a same day flight from Nottingham to Dublin with Ryanair, but felt that was risky, with the whole trip depending on me boarding the plane from Dublin . I chose to book a through connection from Manchester airport with Aer Lingus, with connection “guaranteed” via Dublin.

This visit is planned to be more of a holiday than my usual intensive train travel trips!

Monday 2nd September, a bus from home into Nottingham.



I changed to the tram for just two stops. Happily, my "old folks" free bus pass is also valid for the tram. My stepdaughter is a Nottingham tram driver, but she was not on duty for this trip.

I am soon at the Nottingham train station. I like to be in plenty of time when I travel... My train is the 11.45 to Liverpool, I will alight at Manchester.




The train ride to Manchester was fine, and I set off to walk to my hotel for the night. Dunno why, but I seem to manage to get disorientated very easily these days, despite Google maps best efforts! Eventually I grabbed an Uber taxi to the hotel, which was actually not as close to the train station as I had thought. I will need another taxi back again in the morning…

Tuesday 3rd. I was pleased to get a cab easily next morning, and I arrived back at Manchester train station as it was starting to wake up, staff getting it ready for the first early morning trains to begin running.




My train to the airport arrived on time and I started to relax, I am always a bit anxious about early morning transport connections!




Happily, I was in plenty of time at the airport, security was not too busy and I was soon through the security check, with only a cabin bag.

This first Aer Lingus flight to Dublin was a bit delayed, apparently they had to change a wheel, not heard that before! At Dublin airport I walked over to the USA section and the “fun” began...

There are a lot of people who want to fly to America from Dublin! Lots of flights departing. Huge slow queues to get baggage re-scanned, get passports checked for immigration, folk from the lines having to be pulled out and pushed to the front of the queues as their flights were approaching. Not a relaxing start at all, but I guess having the hassle at the start of the journey was still (just about) better than queuing at immigration in America…

I was anticipating a distinctly friendly relaxed Irish vibe from Aer Lingus, but it was just like any other modern flight, tired staff, and not a leprechaun in sight.

It was actually very nice to land at Boston and simply walk out of the airport into the warm sunshine in just five minutes! I boarded a Silverline bus to the Boston South station, a free trip in this direction. This made use of dedicated “bus only” tunnels, avoiding some traffic delays.

My stay in Boston was in the Chinatown area, and I walked there from the bus stop. The check in person was unfamiliar with my UK hostel membership card, but it was accepted eventually, for a worthwhile members discount. I retired to bed at the first opportunity, and slept well.

(To be continued...)

 

[caravanman]

Part 2

4th September.

I woke up early, and went for a short pre-breakfast stroll. Surprisingly cool, but I enjoyed the walk in a nearby park.







Back at the hostel, I was pleased to find self service breakfast was included. I got chatting to John, a gent from Albuquerque, of similar age to myself, who was enjoying his first post Covid holiday with two weeks in Boston. Nice chap, one of the joys of hostel life is meeting other folk who often live interesting lives.

My original plan had been to travel onwards by train to Chicago, but I modified that idea after Amtrak introduced a bus substitution for part of the journey, and so I now made my way back to the airport for a flight to Chicago. The Silverline bus to the airport is only free to travel into Boston. I was asked to pay to travel back to the airport, I just “tapped” my UK debit card to pay, and all was well.

A short flight with American Airlines, my seat companion was a nice talkative woman, sadly it seemed she would miss her onward connection as our AA flight to Chicago was running late.

It felt quite a long walk from the Chicago airport terminal to the Blue Line CTA train station for this old man. I bought a 3 day CTA pass, which saved me paying the surcharge from O’Hare airport. Alighting at LaSalle station, I somehow got confused about directions again, but eventually arrived hot and bothered at the Chicago hostel. Nice weather, but a bit too warm in my “low fare, cabin bag only, smugglers overcoat with many full pockets” . A burger and fries from a nearby independent, and another early night.


A very good breakfast at the busy Chicago hostel, and one can admire the elevated CTA trains passing the 2nd floor dining room widows!





I took a walk up to the Chicago “Bean” Cloud Gate sculpture, and then made my way to Union Station. I had arranged to meet up with Cal and Julie, a couple of Amtrak Unlimited train fans that coincidentally were going to be visiting Chicago this weekend too. We boarded a bus to their hotel and then had a chat over lunch and got to know each other a little. I navigated us back to show them the “bean” sculpture, then it was soon time to be joined by our Chicago "guide" Tim. (Northshore on A.U.)

To be continued...

 

[caravanman]

Part 3

We had a very enjoyable afternoon looking at Chicago architecture, with Tim being a knowledgeable and amusing “tour leader”. A few trips around the “Loop” on the trains were included, to view things above ground level.


Left to right is Cal, Julie, and Tim.

Chicago is one of my favourite places in America, I love the huge range of architectural styles here. A special mention has to go to the Board of Trade building, an art deco masterpiece!




The Congress Hotel, where we had lunch, has some very attractive decoration too.



While I would like to post many more photos of the Chicago buildings, I guess folk could find them online easily enough.

We took a ride out to Damen station, just recently spruced up and re-opened. The view from the footbridge back towards town...



Sadly for me, I was still a bit tired from my travels, and I got a bit footsore before the rest of the group, (I had warned them!) so I had to reluctantly decline the offer to join them for dinner later, and returned to the hostel to rest up.

Thanks folks, a great afternoon, so nice to meet up with fellow AU members on my travels!

Before leaving home, after the bus substitution on the ride from Boston, I started to think a bit more about the rest of my booked train itinerary. I realised that the next stage, from Chicago to Portland in coach, was one that I was now viewing as an endurance, rather than fun! That got scrubbed, and instead I was now booked to fly from Chicago to Los Angeles with United Airlines.

Next morning, after another nice breakfast, I had a look around the streets, snapping many photos, before walking back to LaSalle metro station near the hostel. This CTA train had been nicely refurbished, clean and comfortable for the ride out to the airport.



Easy check in for my United flight, I bought a few snacks as I wasn’t sure if meals would be included on this longer flight. (Nope!) A larger aircraft, I was lucky to get a window seat, and no seat companion in a row of just two seats at the very back of the plane. I enjoyed looking down, parts of America look quite undeveloped from 35000 feet! According to the flight map, we passed over “Tuba City” a place I had actually driven through in a rental car on a previous visit.

I do think that folk who try to use public transit options are not exactly encouraged in America, a few better signs would allow passengers to find the correct bus stops at LAX airport! . A free bus takes one from the airport to a bus interchange place nearby.

One strange thing seen at the bus station was a guy furtively filling bottles with what looked like a chocolate drink. Interesting but definitely dodgy!

I was heading to Santa Monica, and was pleased to find a direct bus route, rather than having to travel into Los Angeles and back out again. The fare was only 50 cents as a senior, for quite a long ride.

Very warm indeed, so I was glad it was only a short walk from the bus stop to the hostel! Dumped my stuff and walked down to the park area overlooking the coast, felt very pleased indeed to be here.



Something about just being in California seems pretty cool, to this old man!

To be continued...

 

[Asher]

Nice photos and trip description. Whenever I see the palm trees along the coast north of Santa Monic I’m reminded of the location where the treasure was buried in the movie “It’s a mad mad world” looking forward to more of the trip.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Arriving in America as a foreign tourist after a long flight is never comfortable, what with being tired and then standing in long lines for immigration checking.

I've found flying into the US to be somewhat gateway dependent: IAH (okay*), DFW (okay), DEN (bad), ORD (bad**), LAX (good), SFO (okay*), JFK (bad), etc.

*for O&D
**unless GE

folk from the lines having to be pulled out and pushed to the front of the queues as their flights were approaching.

I've seen this happen when flying out of other countries but I'm curious if anyone has ever seen this when flying from the US?

I was anticipating a distinctly friendly relaxed Irish vibe from Aer Lingus, but it was just like any other modern flight, tired staff, and not a leprechaun in sight.

In US articles on travel etiquette (written by OBS) they generally advise to avoid engaging with staff unless your seatmate is dying or the plane is on fire.

 

[oregon pioneer]

Love your travelogues Ed, and looking forward to the next episode.

 

[caravanman]

Part 4:

Not the best night’s sleep, the bloke in the top bunk snored, but he checked out next morning. It’s the “room mate roulette” that one accepts for cheap stays!

Hostel breakfast set me up again and I walked along the Palisades Park area, overlooking the coast highway. With the heat and after yesterday’s flight, my feet are not in the best shape, so just having an easy day. Visited a farmers market and bought some delicious plums!

Ventured out early next morning, to enjoy the cooler air. I was surprised to find the main road was cordoned off, and a marathon fun run was about to start.



Massive crowd of runners, I was very impressed that so many folk turned out, and with thousands of onlookers cheering them on, a good and positive event to witness.

Personal fitness is a big thing here, lots of fit joggers, but also many quite elderly folk power walking along the sea front, dog walkers, including one on a skateboard being pulled along by his dog! I didn’t notice many roller skaters, which I associate with this area, maybe that is no longer “cool” ?

A few planes flying along the coast, towing advertising banners behind. One states “You are swimming in a crime scene”. Maybe a complaint about the water quality?

Monday 9th September.

Next day I went to the metro station, and with some help from the staff, I managed to buy an all day pass from one of the machines. Funny enough, the assistant offered help as soon as he saw me, not sure what that might imply? .



I decided to try out the route to Union Station, as I will need to go there tomorrow, to travel onwards to San Diego. A nice ride, quite comfortable, with just one change at 7th Street to reach Union Station. I had a wander around outside the station, snapping a few pics, then thought to visit Redondo Beach. I had purchased my all time favourite hat at the beach when visiting there many years ago, so hoped to get a replacement. Sadly, I couldn’t see any sign of the beach when I arrived at the metro station, so gave up on that and returned to Santa Monica by bus once again, this time from the LAX airport station metro stop. (Trust me, the purported hat purchase was pretty much just an excuse to ride the metros). I walked down onto the pier that evening for a last look, and to buy such essentials as a souvenir fridge magnet...



The end of the pier is said to be the end also of Route 66, which I had seen the start point of in Chicago.



Tuesday 10th September.
Had a last look around “Palisades Park” near the sea, then checked out and took the metro ride to Union Station. Just a single ticket today, $1.75.
Arrived in good time, and sat in the garden to one side of the station.

Sad to see the original style seating area inside, which was once open to all, is now behind extremely ugly orange plastic barriers.


A gem of architecture such as LAX station deserves better than this! If you must keep us riff raff off the seats, then at least employ decent looking barriers!

To be continued...

 

[PaTrainFan]

Having cancelled my previous trip to America due to catching Covid, I was looking forward to this visit, almost exactly a year later. It’s been an “interesting” year for me, as they say in China, but now we are finally approaching the starting block...

Arriving in America as a foreign tourist after a long flight is never comfortable, what with being tired and then standing in long lines for immigration checking.

Plan B, fly from Dublin airport, where passengers go through pre-clearance US immigration, and arrive at a domestic terminal state side. What could be easier?

I could have booked a same day flight from Nottingham to Dublin with Ryanair, but felt that was risky, with the whole trip depending on me boarding the plane from Dublin . I chose to book a through connection from Manchester airport with Aer Lingus, with connection “guaranteed” via Dublin.

This visit is planned to be more of a holiday than my usual intensive train travel trips!

Monday 2nd September, a bus from home into Nottingham.

View attachment 38374

I changed to the tram for just two stops. Happily, my "old folks" free bus pass is also valid for the tram. My stepdaughter is a Nottingham tram driver, but she was not on duty for this trip. View attachment 38375

I am soon at the Nottingham train station. I like to be in plenty of time when I travel... My train is the 11.45 to Liverpool, I will alight at Manchester.

View attachment 38376


The train ride to Manchester was fine, and I set off to walk to my hotel for the night. Dunno why, but I seem to manage to get disorientated very easily these days, despite Google maps best efforts! Eventually I grabbed an Uber taxi to the hotel, which was actually not as close to the train station as I had thought. I will need another taxi back again in the morning…

Tuesday 3rd. I was pleased to get a cab easily next morning, and I arrived back at Manchester train station as it was starting to wake up, staff getting it ready for the first early morning trains to begin running.

View attachment 38378


My train to the airport arrived on time and I started to relax, I am always a bit anxious about early morning transport connections!

View attachment 38379


Happily, I was in plenty of time at the airport, security was not too busy and I was soon through the security check, with only a cabin bag.

This first Aer Lingus flight to Dublin was a bit delayed, apparently they had to change a wheel, not heard that before! At Dublin airport I walked over to the USA section and the “fun” began...

There are a lot of people who want to fly to America from Dublin! Lots of flights departing. Huge slow queues to get baggage re-scanned, get passports checked for immigration, folk from the lines having to be pulled out and pushed to the front of the queues as their flights were approaching. Not a relaxing start at all, but I guess having the hassle at the start of the journey was still (just about) better than queuing at immigration in America…

I was anticipating a distinctly friendly relaxed Irish vibe from Aer Lingus, but it was just like any other modern flight, tired staff, and not a leprechaun in sight.

It was actually very nice to land at Boston and simply walk out of the airport into the warm sunshine in just five minutes! I boarded a Silverline bus to the Boston South station, a free trip in this direction. This made use of dedicated “bus only” tunnels, avoiding some traffic delays.

My stay in Boston was in the Chinatown area, and I walked there from the bus stop. The check in person was unfamiliar with my UK hostel membership card, but it was accepted eventually, for a worthwhile members discount. I retired to bed at the first opportunity, and slept well.

(To be continued...)

I love the British term "calling at..."

 

[mcropod]

Thankyou for your posts, especially as you were a bit tired at times. I too enjoyed time in Chicago and the el as it rattled around the loop. I'm wondering if you've taken that assimilation thing a touch too far with your reference to viewing it level with the second floor which surely was actually the first floor

 

[caravanman]

I do like LAX Union station, it feels exactly right for the 1930's art deco era...










After being Amtrak free since I arrived in America, it was now time for my first proper train ride. Los Angeles to San Diego on the Surfliner. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this ride, I was pleased to find that there is still something special for me about being on the upper level in a comfy coach seat. I even started to regret cancelling my Amtrak ride fro Chicago to Portland, but probably it was all for the best.
Sadly, for a trip with interesting coastal views, the train windows were dirty, such is the Amtrak way, tempering the fun with a dollop of the “whatever”...

To be continued...

 

[PVD]

Thank you for your wonderful narrative, hoping you enjoy the rest of the journey. I too enjoy the Chicago architecture scene and aside from the walking have taken an architecture focused river boat tour. My sister used to live in Santa Monica, those pictures brought back some memories.

 

[Palmland]

Thanks for taking us along on your trip. I’m thoroughly enjoying it!

If you must keep us riff raff off the seats, then at least employ decent looking barriers!

Yes, only Amtrak could choose the absolutely most unattractive way to close off the seating area. Here’s what it should look like.

 

[Bob Dylan]

As always, enjoying your well written trip reports Eddie.

I too share your love of Chicago ( but dont discount the Apple, still my favorite US City to visit)and also share your fondness for visiting California, which I would be a a resident of if I could afford it!

Looking forward to continuing episodes of your journey!

 

[Asher]

Thanks for enjoying Los Angeles, you make me appreciate it. Nice to see your mention of Redondo Beach, it is a city that public transportation has forgotten.

 

[caravanman]

San Diego...

Having sung the praises of Los Angeles station, I need to say that I also very much appreciate the Santa Fe station building. I feel I have arrived "down south" when I see it. Lots of tile decorative motifs.



I made my way to the hostel on Market Street. Although I have stayed here previously, I still managed to confuse myself a little, and so visited some parts of the city I had not seen before.

I was lucky to have the room completely to myself for this first night, a relative luxury in the hostel world! My room was facing busy Market Street, so lots of noise and happy revelry until the small hours, but I slept pretty well.

I bought an all day tram pass and enjoyed riding around on the system, I am easily pleased...

Next afternoon a seemingly ignorant chap arrived, he ignored my efforts to say hello, just another spin in the “room mate roulette” saga I thought.
I was awoken next morning by his alarm sounding, and thought I might as well go for an early breakfast. The guy’s alarm was still sounding when I returned afterwards and he was still asleep! I carefully touched his arm. He awoke looking quite puzzled, and it was at that point that I realised he was totally deaf, and relied on vibrations from his alarm to wake him. Not rude at all, a very intrepid traveller in fact.

I was used to seeing “street dwellers” when in Santa Monica, but the large numbers of “unwell” people out and about in the Gaslamp quarter of San Diego was truly astonishing. A fellow tourist at the hostel commented that it was “crackheads” who we were seeing everywhere. Quite a major and very sad issue…

There is a naval base here, and the aircraft carrier Midway is now a museum.



A famous newspaper photograph celebrating the end of WW2 called "Surrender" has been recreated as a huge statue.



As a supporter of female equality, I think I prefer the smaller metal statue nearby.



I enjoyed my time here, riding the trams, visiting the border, and touring the Midway aircraft carrier area.



Most hostels include a basic breakfast, bagel, cream cheese and bananas was the staple offer here. There are kitchen facilities for guests to make their own meals too. I like my porridge for breakfast, so here is a shot of my "slap up" breakfast preparations...



A nice holiday feeling here in San Diego, great weather, a very enjoyable few days.

Next stop will be Las Vegas! Gosh, looking forward to having the whole hotel room to myself for sure!

To be continued...

 

[Traveller]

Having sung the praises of Los Angeles station, I need to say that I also very much appreciate the Santa Fe station building. I feel I have arrived "down south" when I see it. Lots of tile decorative motifs.

Similarities with many buildings in Lisbon, Portugal

 

[thully]

Cool. I used to live in San Diego for 4 years (2012-2016 - 2 years in the downtown Marina district, and 2 years in University City near UCSD). Was back last winter - I hope you enjoy your stay there! I do know certain parts of downtown tend to attract homeless people (and did when I was there, and noticed it a bit more when I was back last winter) - didn’t have any issues when I was there, though I wasn’t staying downtown. There has been a bit of controversy as of late surrounding encampments and the city’s attempts to remove them…

I also happened to use pre-clearance at Dublin airport back in 2015, albeit as a US citizen returning home (at that time to San Diego). I do recall it meant getting to the airport earlier and then being limited to the US section of the airport once cleared, though it did mean I could arrive in JFK as domestic and didn’t have to recheck my bag to San Diego. Canada also does this for US-bound flights (going to go through it in just a couple days at Toronto Pearson Airport - staying near there after my trip on the Canadian), and I did it in Calgary going back to Detroit last year. Canada doing it makes sense with the heavy US traffic, though I’m not sure why Dublin gets it but bigger hubs for US travel like London Heathrow or Paris CDG do not…

 

[oregon pioneer]

I'm with you on both the porridge breakfast and the favorite statue, Eddie!
Thanks for the photos and as-you-go travelogue.

 

[caravanman]

Las Vegas...

Despite minor shenanigans caused by me being at the wrong bus stop, I did eventually get to the airport and checked in for my short hop flight to Las Vegas. Spirit Airlines flight, all satisfactory.

I was pleased to find the correct public bus stop at the Las Vegas airport, seems it is hidden away so that folk will pay for other transport options? What? Me? Cynical?

A short ride to the bus interchange at “south terminal” then change to the double deck “Deuce” bus, which is probably the slowest, most crowded, unfit for purpose bus service ever! Having said that, I did score a residents only half price day pass, for my first day.



Not much to say about Las Vegas! I don’t gamble, I don’t go to shows, I don’t intend to get married by “Elvis”…

What I do like is that one can often snag a hotel room for a decent price, as they expect to recoup low room prices through gambling income, so that is a small "win” for me!



Spent a few days wandering about like a tourist, enjoying the heat, having the hotel room to myself, and pretty much behaving like the daft old man that I am.



Only in Vegas? P.S. That's NOT me in the photo above! I guess folk need to start being creative to get some cash. There was a guy with a sign offering to tell you a joke for $1 in Santa Monica, $2 was the charge if you laughed.



I think we all expect Las Vegas to be rather sleazy, and I can't argue with that. I did feel a bit silly being there, as a non sleazy person, but then I was surprised to see a mass cycle event one evening. Not all is sleazy! (To be fair, it felt like much of the sleaze was a bit artificial, a pretence to try and keep some of the mystic and glamour of the old mob gambling days alive... A Disney theme for adults? )



To be continued...

 

[Willbridge]

In Las Vegas, nothing succeeds like excess.

 

[NorthShore]

Both the L station at Damen in Chicago, as well as the train you thought refurbished are actually brand new. The Damen station is the newest (infill) on the CTA system, seen as an economic driver for an area of the city which is revitalizing, as well as a service for the nearby United Center stadium. It was opened about a month before your visit, just in time for the Democratic National Convention, held at that stadium.

The L cars pictured (interior) on your trip back to the airport, are part of the new 7000 series order, which have increasingly been finding their way onto the system.

Your photos of and from the L are amazing! What a great view from the breakfast room, right at track level

A tip for anyone else staying at the HI hostel in Chicago, the Jackson L station, about the same distance as LaSalle Blue Line stop, may be a bit easier to use, as there is an escalator, elevator, and it's just a lot newer and nicer. I like LaSalle for it's history, though with any luggage, I'd opt for Jackson, personally.

And as for sore feet, well (as some others here might attest) I have a knack for doing that to visitors! Once, a friend with a Fitbit said we had walked 4 miles that day, primarily around downtown. I insisted this must be wrong, as we were just wandering around from here to there. But, when we thought back on various segments, it all added up. Glad I got to show you around a little.

So good to see you again!

 

[Bob Dylan]

What Happens in Vegas DOESN'T Stay in Vegas!