A dear friend of mine found out recently that she got one amazing new career opportunity: to work for a year in America. Washington DC, to be exact.

When my husband heard that, his exact words were: we could visit her during that year. :)

And me, America fan, got all excited. I've been singing Star Spangled Banner ever since. ;) I've been reading my USA travel guide and now I'm planning what we should do, where we should go, what we'll need... ;)

Naturally, we don't know yet when we shall travel and for how long. And we have no idea yet how much stuff we'll need - after all Aada is coming with us. (Can't wait to see the looks we'll get from the other passengers once they realize that there'll be baby on the same flight... ;D)

So I thought, this is a great time to ask my American family to help: where we should go? What we should do? What we should see?

And the most important question: who we could possibly meet? :)

All the best & PF time to all,
Sanna

Well, we've decided: we're coming to America. :)

Lots is yet to be conformed, including when, but we're planning to stay longer than a week. And we're are going to travel other places than just Washington D.C.

Currently we're making plans and doing our research. There are not direct flights, so we might visit New York first, then head to D.C., and then move on.

It would be wonderful if my fellow clusterheads all across America would give some helpful hints; where we should visit, what to do, where to eat, travelling with baby tips, baking store tips...

And, naturally, it would be wonderful to meet some of my dear ch pals! :)

Lots of hugs & PF time,
Sanna :)

If I were you, I'd start with Richmond, Virginia Sanna.  Lots and lots of American history is tied up in that city and it's qute beautiful as well as close to DC as a starting point.  Travelling with a baby shouldn't be any different here than where you are.  Can't help you with restaurants except to ask locals where THEY eat.  I think that will be your best bet. 

There is so much to see when you get to New York and yet...that is one expensive town.  Just something to keep in mind.

Arlington National Cemetery.

Take a look at New York if you're there. It's not like those stupid cop shows. There's a lot of interesting stuff out west too.

Don't waste time on American trains however.

Charlie

Boston is a pretty good Tourist spot once. If you don't mind going north, we Mainers are pretty partial to Acadia National Park.

Biased to west of the Mississippi...
Mt. Rushmore, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone Natl. Park,
Rocky Mountains of Colorado, the California Coastline,
South Central Alaska, more.

-Gregg in Las Vegas

Hey Sanna, if your indirect flight takes you anywhere near Oz then I promise that the only door that's closed in my house is the one on the refrigerator, and that's subject to change without notice.

About time our baby got to see a bit of the world.

If the route to the US is via Australia then it's just a small hop, skip and a jump to New Zealand too! And we've good, cold beer to enjoy too.

For the US, Cape Canaveral is worth a visit, seeing where so much history was made. And if either of you are into military aircraft, the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Dayton, Ohio is worth a visit.

LasVegas wrote on Feb 17^th, 2013 at 11:54pm:

Biased to west of the Mississippi... Mt. Rushmore, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone Natl. Park, Rocky Mountains of Colorado, the California Coastline, South Central Alaska, more. -Gregg in Las Vegas

Arches, Zion, Moab, Yosemity, Devil's tower  ;)

In Washington DC,  Any of the Smithsonians is a must.  They're all free too.

The Smokey's if you want to stay in the east.  You've had several good suggestions in the west.  I would add the Painted Desert and in Colorado driving through the Glenwood Canyon just west of Denver.  Absolutely gorgeous!  There are a number of small roads I have driven throughout the west that I'd be happy to be your tour director!  You won't find these roads on any tour guide, but I've found in my travels across the country you often find the best scenery by getting off of the normally traveled paths.

In Texas there is the Big Bend National Park  My father has pictures of over 120 different varieties of wild flowers blooming next to his motor home.  Of course you have to time that one just right!   ;)

If you want wide open splendor, Montana is a beautiful state!  A lot of people get overwhelmed by the vastness of its spaciousness, but to me it is beautiful!  One place I remember I could see for about 50 miles in any direction of wide open country and not see a man-made light at 2 o'clock in the morning!  The starlight however was awesome!

The drive along the Columbia River in Oregon is beautiful also and as you get closer to Portland seeing Mt Hood on a clear day is indescribable.  Multnomah Falls are also gorgeous! 

You are making it awfully hard for me not to get back into a truck so i can see this awesome country once again!

Jerry

If you come to Chicago I'd love to meet you and you family!

Jerry

Callico wrote on Feb 18^th, 2013 at 11:45pm:

If you come to Chicago I'd love to meet you and you family!

Callico cuddles the bub.  Now, there's a picture to melt hearts.

Is it true about the new colors on the weather maps in Australia? It's a bit on the warm side this summer from what I read. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGESTART PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Charlie

Sanna, as you know us clusterheads are all over the U.S. When you've narrowed down where you are going to be, fill us all in on your itinery.  That way we'll be able to let you know who is in the vicinity so we can meet up with you.

There are 2 Ch'ers in the New York area, but none that I know of in Washington, DC. 

Chicago.....September......CB Convention......just saying...

If you want to go a waaaaay off the beaten path, June this year the FinnFest USA is in our upper peninsula in Hancock, Michigan. 

A large Finn community around a Finlandia University up there.  I must have missed the National Geographic special when they were  discovered living up there in the remoteness.  ;) 

Charlie wrote on Feb 19^th, 2013 at 11:17am:

Is it true about the new colors on the weather maps in Australia?

Technically it's true, Charlie, but mostly it must have been a slow news day. Temperatures will always be higher in Texas than they are here.

You can relax knowing that the weather will never get a chance to cook Sanna's little curtain-crawler in my house.

The new weather map colour for Oz should have been the colour of an ice cold beer. That'd be perfect for the best way to cool down!

Thank you so much, everyone! :)

These tips are exactly what I was looking for. :) We're now gathering all the information we shall need. I did some online research for flights; what kind, the cost, timetables... We can start the proper planning once Esa has planned his summer vacation timetable and that has been confirmed. I can't wait! :)

Interesting enough, both my mother and my mother-in-law would just love to join us. It's the Aada effect, I'm sure. ;) They're ready to fly a long way just to be able to take care of her. She really is that cute. ;) (But I still feel for the fellow/lady who will have to take her fingerprints at the airport, that is not going to be easy task... ;D)

Thank you all once again. I will keep you updated. :)

Lots of hugs & PF days to all,
Sanna

I'd like it if you stopped in Philadelphia!!  And I know you'd all enjoy it!  No better place for some wonderful history - the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Constitution Center, Betsy Ross House, and so on.  You'll have to let me know if you'll be nearby! :) Xx

Lizzie2 wrote on Mar 13^th, 2013 at 8:23pm:

I'd like it if you stopped in Philadelphia!!  And I know you'd all enjoy it!  No better place for some wonderful history - the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Constitution Center, Betsy Ross House, and so on.  You'll have to let me know if you'll be nearby! :) Xx

Yo!  I grew up in Philly and second you visit the "City of brotherly love."  Absolutely must see a professional sports team while visiting.  Philly is the only place in the world to get an authentic cheesesteak, hoagie, soft pretzel, scrapple (don't ask what's in it, just eat it) and of course Tastykakes. 

-Gregg in Las Vegas

We've been looking at maps, places, USA travel guide and making lists and plans all morning. It's wonderful! :)

We talked about the places we'd like to visit during our trip and many of the places you mentioned here were mentioned.  :)

We're so excited about the trip that Esa is planning to add another week to the trip so we can visit a bit more places. So we're thinking about 3 weeks now. :)

Here's the current list:

Washington, D.C
New York City
Philadelphia
Niagara Falls

and to scare warn inform our pals in Canada:

Toronto

and we're talking about:
Los Angeles, Hollywood
Las Vegas, Grand Canyon


We're still working on schedule. I will let you know once we're set the dates in stone. It turns out I'm the easiest part, thanks to maternity leave. ;D

Lots of hugs & PF time to all,
Sanna

Lizzie2 wrote on Mar 13^th, 2013 at 8:23pm:

I'd like it if you stopped in Philadelphia!!  And I know you'd all enjoy it!  No better place for some wonderful history - the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Constitution Center, Betsy Ross House, and so on.  You'll have to let me know if you'll be nearby! :) Xx

Looks like we're headed your way! :) I'm so excited already. :) I keep my fingers crossed that you'll be in Philly once we'll get there. :)

Lots of hugs,
Sanna

Sanna...if you and your family decide to come to L.A....i would be more than happy to meet up with you.....Lenny

Now we know that Esa's vacation begins August 24. We're planning to travel to America and Canada the following week. :)

Lenny, I will let you know what happens with LA plans. Once we have finished our route, I will post about it. :)

Aada will soon have her own passport, let's just see how that goes... Both grandmas have been updating theirs. I've been doing a lot of background search for us.

I'm so excited already! :)

Lots of hugs & PF days,
Sanna 

Still planning your visit?

-Gregg in Las Vegas

Our trip is getting closer! :) I can almost begin to pack... ;)

We have planned our route: NYC-Philadelphia-Washington,D.C - Toronto -NYC. During our stay in Toronto, we'll be making a day trip to Niagara Falls.

We did plan to visit LA, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon during our journey, but then we begun to wonder if the schedule is too tight for a toddler. So, I'm sorry to tell that West Coast part of the trip is out.

Aada has a passport now, and looks cute in her passport picture! Esa's mother decided not to come along, but my mother is still coming.

I'm both nervous and excited. We've got about million things to remember (I have a list!) and few left to arrange. Can't wait! :)

Sanna

I'm very excited and happy for you, Sanna!

Me too!

If you decide to go to the Grand Canyon, take me!

Charlie

And if all the stars align themselves in the proper fashion - I should be among the lucky ones to meet Sanna and her family when they come to Toronto!!!!