You will find there a monthly summary of the posts, in English for our non French-spoken readers.
November
Florida is amazing. As probably many Europeans, we expected for beautiful beaches and pelicans ; it is much more than that !
We discovered an incredible variety of wildlife in very well maintained national and states parks. Merritt Island will stay in our memory as a dramatic example of theses opposites that can cohabit : nature - the Wildlife Refuge - and modernity - the NASA center...
Orlando offered us some funny days and the kids will probably remember the thrilling rides they enjoyed.
East Coast had fantastic beaches, especially on Sanibel Island – our paradise on earth – and in Naples, the very cosy town.
The south of Floridas was an exciting experience of wildlife and nature. We will remember the 10 000 islands, Big Cypress, Everglades and the Keys as challenging but marvellous places to watch for animals.
Sunset will have been the most beautiful of our trip in Florida.
To conclude, we could not have hoped for a better end than Florida State.
Now it's time to thank americans for having been great hosts during these 5 months, 4 in US + 1 in Canada. Thanks also to our English readers. Any comment to correct the contents is more than welcome : ne.sw.trip.2010@gmail.com
Please keep post some goodies will be posted in the next days.
OctoberOctober started with amazing days in Utah where we really enjoyed not only the wonderful landscapes and geological shapes, but also the native-american heritage with the Anastazi and Navajo cultures. Moab aera where one of our best playgrounds with Arches & Canyonlands and their challenging hinking trails.
September
September was another great month ! Two thirds of the month were devoted to California. The first 10 days, we drove along the central California coast and we have to admit that fog was often there. But each time it lifted, the landscapes were amazing. We also spent some days on the famous Californian beaches to have a rest and Malibu and its dolphins was our favorite one. We did not elaborate to much in Los Angeles but we really enjoyed the Santa Monica boardwalk and Universal Studios.
Florida is amazing. As probably many Europeans, we expected for beautiful beaches and pelicans ; it is much more than that !
We discovered an incredible variety of wildlife in very well maintained national and states parks. Merritt Island will stay in our memory as a dramatic example of theses opposites that can cohabit : nature - the Wildlife Refuge - and modernity - the NASA center...
Orlando offered us some funny days and the kids will probably remember the thrilling rides they enjoyed.
East Coast had fantastic beaches, especially on Sanibel Island – our paradise on earth – and in Naples, the very cosy town.
The south of Floridas was an exciting experience of wildlife and nature. We will remember the 10 000 islands, Big Cypress, Everglades and the Keys as challenging but marvellous places to watch for animals.
Sunset will have been the most beautiful of our trip in Florida.
To conclude, we could not have hoped for a better end than Florida State.
Now it's time to thank americans for having been great hosts during these 5 months, 4 in US + 1 in Canada. Thanks also to our English readers. Any comment to correct the contents is more than welcome : ne.sw.trip.2010@gmail.com
Please keep post some goodies will be posted in the next days.
October
Then we were vey lucky in Colorado as we were able to stay in the Rocky Moutains during the last Fall days, just before the winter season. Children liked to play with snow and to watch for elks and coyotes.
We had to start our big driving to the East through the Midwest states. We will have to come back to enjoy Kansas & Missouri tourism aeras, though we appreciated St Louis. Further on the road, Nashville, Tenessee, was a great city to have a rest after all these miles.
Fall colors were beautifull in the end of October, especially in the Great Smoky Moutains, very busy in these days.
At last, we reached the other side of the country and become “Coast-To-Coast” trippers in Charleston, South Carolina where we visited the historical downtown and plantations. We will also not forget our short stop in Savannah, Georgia, and its beautifull Victorian houses.
In November, we will arrive in the final state of our trip, Florida., from which we expect more than beaches and sun.
September was another great month ! Two thirds of the month were devoted to California. The first 10 days, we drove along the central California coast and we have to admit that fog was often there. But each time it lifted, the landscapes were amazing. We also spent some days on the famous Californian beaches to have a rest and Malibu and its dolphins was our favorite one. We did not elaborate to much in Los Angeles but we really enjoyed the Santa Monica boardwalk and Universal Studios.
With the last part of September, we found again the Parks and not the smallest ones !
Joshua Tree Desert has been a fantastic discovery to us ;
Grand Canyon NP was of course wonderful ; Glen Canyon NRA was another big surprise and we are willing to come back in early spring. But above all, Monument Valley Tribal Park has been one memorable moment when we hiked in the Anaszsi ruins with a Navajo guide.
October will begin with Utah and Colorado parks so it might be as awesome as September...
August
The first 10 days of August were in Vancouver Island. We really enjoyed Pacific Rim and its Rain forest and beautiful beaches. All the most, we were very lucky in a Whale Watching trip in the north of the island : we saw orcas, mink whale and humback whale !
Then we switched back to United States by ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles. We spent 3 days in Olympic National Park that we really appreciated for its 3 differents aeras (forest, moutain and beach). We had incredible days in the Cascade ranges in Mount Rainier - where flowers were blooming - and Mount Saint Helens - the famous volcano. Washington state was really a good start for our US trip !
We have to admit we were a little bit disapointed by the Oregon beaches, beautilful but not as much as the ones we saw in Washington and British Columbia. Finally Oregon state won its Top position thanks to Crater Lake National park : the place was amazing !
Month of August ended by Northern California that we really appreciated for the giant Coast Redwoods.
July
We have to admit we were a little bit disapointed by the Oregon beaches, beautilful but not as much as the ones we saw in Washington and British Columbia. Finally Oregon state won its Top position thanks to Crater Lake National park : the place was amazing !
Month of August ended by Northern California that we really appreciated for the giant Coast Redwoods.
August has maintained the highest level initiated by July, so September will have to be very good !
July
After a start in Seattle, the first month of our trip was for (part of) British Columbia and Alberta. The less that we can say is that it totaly met with our expectations: lot of beautiful scenaries, incredibles landscapes and wildlife ! We saw lakes, forests, falls, groves (Clearwater & Manning) and high moutains, glaciers and alpines meadows (Robson, Banff & Jasper). Children were really exciting with seeing orcas (San Juan Islands), black bear and wolf and disapointed not having seen grizzly bear yet. Mountain goats were observed too far (small spots in the mountain) and that was another frustation for us !
We also apreciated learning about native indians way of life and how the first immigrants lived (Fort Langley & Ranch O’Keefee).
Vancouver was also a great city to visit : the Aquarium, the Anthropology Musuem, Gastown and Grandville neighborhoods and above all the Stanley Park.
We also apreciated learning about native indians way of life and how the first immigrants lived (Fort Langley & Ranch O’Keefee).
Vancouver was also a great city to visit : the Aquarium, the Anthropology Musuem, Gastown and Grandville neighborhoods and above all the Stanley Park.
Next part of the trip is Vancouver Island for which our expectations are also very high.
Please check regurlaly our blog for updates.
Any comments or contact request : ne.sw.trip.2010@gmail.com
Mr. M.
