Foreigners in National Parks.

[Luke'sScreenName]

Europeans mostly live in very small countries.

In middle school geography I remember learning about the Mercator Projection. Where our standard flat map of the (globe) world makes continents near the poles look bigger.

I discovered that Europe's East-West distance was about the same as Texas'! Being from Texas that really put things into perspective for me.

Who new maps lie. :confused3:

 

[cqaigy2]

Speaking of rude I/we cringe when we see a group of our countrymen screaming 'aussie aussie aussie, oi oi oi', we just like to be unobtrusive and blend in as best we can.
I believe all countries have the same culprits.
On a funnier note, having a coffee in Milan the waiter asked where we were from, we told him and he said his cousin lived there and we should know him.

First time a group of us heard that chant, we yelled and clapped, they seemed to be having such a good time!

 

[cqaigy2]

If it's any consolation, I live in Indiana and never driven southwest of St. Louis! :laughing:

Did drive to Yellowstone one year. And have flown to Arizona and driven all over that state, Nevada, Utah, Colorado. Walked in and then out of Mexico in Nogales. Been to L.A. three times (hate it, too many people and it's pretty dirty). I need to get to Arkansas, deep south, and Pacific NW. Been all over east of here.

There's so much to do in the U.S.!!!

Anyone ever driven around the Great Lakes. We've driven all of them but Superior.

I've been around them, but not all in one go. Been to every state except Florida and Hawaii. They were all very interesting and the people were great.

 

[tallyho8]

I'm planning a trip next month. Flying to Portland OR., renting a car for a week, traveling up the Columbia River sightseeing and not sure where to go from there. Maybe up to Mount Rainier. If anyone knows some must-sees in that area, let me know. The last time I drove to Oregon we just drove down the coast. I've flown to Seattle a few times but never been out of the Seattle area.

I'm not interested in cities, mainly just seeing beautiful country-sides and natural wonders.

 

[hawkeye08]

I'm planning a trip next month. Flying to Portland OR., renting a car for a week, traveling up the Columbia River sightseeing and not sure where to go from there. Maybe up to Mount Rainier. If anyone knows some must-sees in that area, let me know. The last time I drove to Oregon we just drove down the coast. I've flown to Seattle a few times but never been out of the Seattle area.

I'm not interested in cities, mainly just seeing beautiful country-sides and natural wonders.

Mt St Helens is good to see, volcano blew back in 1980 if I recall.. it is amazing how the area has recovered after that devastation. If you end up in central/eastern Washington, Dry Falls is another wonder along with Grand Coulee dam.

 

[turnkey4099]

That's funny! :laughing:

My Wife is from Germany. Sister visited from Germany to the States, asked if we could pick her up in Chicago. No problem, that's only a 2 day and 2,000 mile (approx) 1-way trip. People in Europe do not grok the distances here. I was stationed in Hof, Germany for 6 years - thatis approx the middle of Europe. There was no piont other than Turkey or Russia that wasn't within about a 6 hour drive.

 

[BigBlue1]

How were the crowds and traffic at Yellowstone? My wife and I were there this past October, and there were no crowds or traffic at all. We had the park to ourselves!

I've been through Yellowstone many times on motorcycle trips, usually in late June. The place has areas that are just jam-packed with cars. Often folks will spy a wild animal and just stop in the middle of the road to look, then everyone else behind them stops and they all trickle along creating a huge traffic jam. All fun and games until you're the one on two wheels with a 2000# buffalo in the ditch next to you giving you the evil eye.

Rob

 

[MossRoad]

I remember when I was a little kid in school, the maps in the classrooms always showed the U.S. as bigger than Africa. When I got some world maps from National Geographic, I thought they were wrong. Then I started reading encyclopedias and the land masses were way bigger than the U.S. To this day, a LOT of people don't realize just how big Africa is, or that Russia is twice the size of the U.S., or how large Australia is.

 

[MossRoad]

My friend PJ lived out near Bozeman. He said that a buffalo will sit there all day until, for some reason, he sees a car he doesn't like stuck in a traffic jam, and he'll get up, walk over, cave in the side of the car with his head, then go back, lay down and start eating grass again.

 

[Tomtint]

Never heard that global unwritten rule.... :laughing:

When I had bikes, I'd find them moved around, knocked over, mirrors twisted around, turn signals snapped off, etc...

My brother in law had his motorcycle stolen in Beanblossom, Indiana in broad daylight at a motorcycle rally.

My other brother in law had his diesel pickup stolen with two dirt bikes in the back in broad daylight out of a bank parking lot next to a bar while watching bike races during bike week in Daytona.

I've been to Memphis on business about 15 years ago. We had a pleasant time at lunches and in the evenings. I'd go back to hear some more good music if I get the chance.

Around here...if you put a finger on a Harley that is not yours...without permission.... It may end very bad for you...