It has been a week that I have land on Florida where I decided to start my road trip. I have the chance to know some people who are living near Tampa and Orlando. That way I could sleep in an American house and I could discover the way of living in this state. While my friends were working, I discovered by my own and when they were not at work, they were with me travelling all around Florida.

 

When I was by my own, I did not have any car to move all around, so I stayed near my friend’s neighborhood. I walked on the calm streets and visiting some museums. But the thing that I prefer was seeing street artists. I could spend hours to watch them doing what they love to do, either music, painting, drawings.

 

When I was with my friends, I have done funnier things! 

Of course, we went to Walt Disney World Resort, where we spent the day. I have never seen an entertaining park like this one. Every attraction is according a movie theme such as Harry Potter and Jurassic Parc. Moreover, those attraction are unique in the whole world. 

If I remember well… I think it the third day, they made me a surprise! I was so scared. We took the car and we stopped at their former University.  It was huge!!! They guided me though the hall, the library, and the gymnasium. Once we were outside, we saw that there was a football match. The first one I have ever saw!!! I though it was the surprise, but it was not! They took me to the Everglades National Park to see alligators !! 

Yesterday was my last day in Florida. We went to the Kennedy Space Center because my mom loves astronomy and I had to bring her something back. The night, we ate together while looking at the surfers. It looked like if it was like a majestic dance. It was such a peaceful moment. I think I will never forget that.

 

It is currently 4am and I have not slept yet. On the morning, I’ll go to the bus Station and once there, I will choose another state to visit.

Cassie 

Today, I started my road trip in the USA.
I have decided to start my travel in west side of the united states. So I arrived at the San Francisco airport in California, where I first crossed the Golden Gate Bridge. then I went by bus to Los Angeles. I already started by visiting the city, I walked in the street where there are the stars of the celebrities on the ground. Then I went to Hollywood to see the studios where many films are made each year. I then took the bus, to go to San Diego, where I toured the coasts of the city, I walked along the beaches. I took one time again the bus to go to a new state.

Ombeline.

My first step was today, Florida, where I am right now. I arrived here this morning very early because I took the first boat possible to get there as fast as possible. On the boat, I met a very kind woman named Mary who gave me some useful tips to discover a lot of different locations and good addresses. She was a local.

When we landed, the first thing I did was to run to South Beach and buy an ice cream to watch the sunrise above the sea, and of course, it was just wonderful! After that I absolutely wanted to see the Key Largo’s barrier reef and It took me all morning. I stopped to buy a sandwich and went to Bonita Spring to do some canoe, it was very pleasant especially on the north part of the beach. And finally, after I walked all day, I took a taxi which took e to Little Havana for the evening, the Cuban side of the city, I really loved it, all the smells and the people were adorable, I danced a long moment with the inhabitants of this incredible neighbourhood. That’s it, my first day of this road trip, I’m now going to sleep because I am exhausted and tomorrow, let’s discover another state and new adventures!

Salomé

Then later, in the evening we found ourselves after Reanna went to a shop at Key West , to buy a souvenir for her mother, A t-shirt,  "I survived the hurricane": there are everywhere in Key West in memory of a hurricane which occurred a few years ago and which left the island permanently marked!, in a restaurant where there is local food and other, at Calle Ocho, where I ordered a Cuban Sandwich - Sandwich made with ham, mostly cheese, assembled in Cuban bread. it was really delicious, and then as a dessert I was resonable and I took Cinnamon Rolls - Sweet roll with cinnamon. Reanna and Coleen both had take the same meal caused by the indecision of Reanna, a Burrito each who is of Mexican origin, but they are found all over the USA. It is a large wheat tortilla, with a filling that varies according to taste, but almost always rice and beans. and as a dessert, a Key Lime Pie - Dessert from Key West. Made with lime juice
Then to end this evening, as we were entitled, with the privilege of the travel agency, to go to attend a concert by Britney Spears with as guest of honor Madonna, I even took photos with them, had really great :).

The whole state is filled with the memories of its past and the will to remains peaceful. As it is the state where the civil right movement was born, there are multiple place in order to commemorate the activist and the victims of racism. It was in Alabama that the segregation was first illegal thanks to the fight of American African people often represented by Rosa Park and Martin Luther King. There are, all around the city, panels and arts about those figure. I passed by Martin Luther King house’s, but even if these is a lot of people in this small street, it is interesting to see where a figure like him spent his childhood. Something that I love about historical places is the ambiance: the feeling for peace is relaxing.

Of course, I couldn’t go to Alabama without going to the memorials. So I went first to the Civils Rights Movement memorial which is in honor to the 40 activists who died fighting for equal rights during 1954 and 1968. I haven’t spent a long time there even if the architecture is beautiful. Yet I have spent hours at the National Memorial for peace and Justice and the legacy museum which are situated on the same block. The memorial is made out of stones with the names of racial terrorism victims on it, as walls, floor or paths. I had the same feeling of peace and of respect that when I have visited a WW2 military cemetery.

Even if a was glad of the commemoration of those people who suffered, I have to change my mind of the atrocity that those people had been thought. So I’ve been to the Gulf shores where normally I could have done some activities but I came too late, so the only thing that I could do was watching the sunset.

San Francisco, what a city. 

After too many hours of plane, I’m here. Everything is catching my breath. There are so many things I want to see, to visit.  People are quite different here. They seem to be living in a movie. They look relaxed, and open to foreigners. While I was quitting the airport to go near the centre, a few curious people asked me from where I was from. I guess my backpack and my hiking shoes are making me look alike the tourist cliché. 

On my way, I spotted many restaurants, which, let’s be honest, gave me the want of eating. I went to a typical small restaurant, the decorations in it were amazing and the food, oh god, it was delicious.

I passed by China Town and here again, it seems like I’ve dived into another country, people made me discovered food from their country, I had much fun!

I absolutely wanted to take the iconic cable car, but I got lost into the city, which wasn’t a bad thing, I took the time to appreciate each new district I saw. Once I finally found it, I was relived and happy. The cons I guess was the numerous people that were here, we were all stuffed together, nevertheless it was quite a thing to live.

I ended up my day by ordering some food and eating it on a bench, viewing the bridge. Tomorrow, first glows of the dawn, I will go and get my rented car to pursue the freedom dream!

 

See ya!

 

Well quite a few things happened. 

I finally got my car, a huge SUV, perfect for long drives. 

I took the road to head up to Boise. It is such a beautiful city, tough it is not well known. 

It took me almost 9 hours before arriving there. On my way, I found someone of my age doing stop, he was going to the same place as me. I think we’re now friends. 

 

Were you waiting for updates? 

Quite a few things happened during the last two days.

Once I got my car (a huge SUV, perfect for long drives), I took the road to head up to Boise. It was a long way of nine hours. I met Jason, a backpacker. He was doing some stop. Right away, we became friends like we already knew each other. He was going to the same place as me and we spent the day together. When we arrived, we could not believe it. It is actually a small city, full of charm. It is famous because of its cliffs. This city appears to be the cliché of the small city we all see in American productions. 

We had lunch outside, tough it was cold. We mostly hiked and tried to find the perfect spot, on the hills, to contemplate the city by night. It took us much time but it definitely worth it!

We sat into the trailer which was stuffed with pillows and plaids and just drank, laughed and talked all through the night. Early in the morning, we went to the botanical garden which is quite reputed.

I asked Jason if he wanted to continue this road trip with me as his plan when off. He accepted. We are now two on the road! You know how it goes, the more the merrier.

Anyway, I did not expect this to happen as my sociability level is approximatively equal to 0 or any negative figures! I’m glad to step out of my comfort zone. I feel free, as I never felt for a long time.

 

Am I going to meet new people?.... Stay tuned…

 

 

 I was starting to get hungry at this point so I stopped by a typical place, the Rattelsnake Saloon, it was just breathtaking, just like in the movies! The food was so good and the waiters and waitresses were just adorable and so caring. I really felt welcomed. The tables are on the outside and you are eating in a hole surrounded by walls. So original I loved it!

 At the end of the day, I just wanted some fresh air and to see the beautiful sea, so I searched where I could stop and I found a place that seemed really perfect, the Gulf State Park Fishing Pier, a long bridge where you can do a really pleasant walks with the water all around you and the cold wind, a perfect spot to watch the sunset on the sea. I really recommend it, a well deserved break!

A road trips. It is my biggest dream to do that, and finally I can do it, with my best friend Alice. For the beginning of this travel, we are in Louisiana, particularly the New Orleans. When we arrived, we go in our “rbnb” reserved for four days, the owner is called Claudia, is an older woman who should places to visit. So, we heard her advices and we begin with the Jackson Square, it is a beautiful park with a lot of drawer who propose to be drawing. 

After visited this park we go at Bourbon Street and we discovered a busy street, it is very crowed. We decided to take a drink in bar called “Maison Bourbon”, there is a scene if musicians want play, and the atmosphere is very friendly. 
It is in this bar we meet Cami, she is the barmaid and we sympathised, she proposed to introduce her friends to make a real visit of the city. 

So, when she finished her service she brought in the French quarter, and we meet Hayley, Nick, Elli, and Becca.  There are a group of friends since elementary, and they always lived in New Orleans, so they had a lot a thing to show us.

As I stayed only 3 days, I was always on the road of Mississippi but as I took the bus I was able to rest and to look at the pictures that I have taken in the place that I had chosen : Pearl River, Cossar State Park, Cypress Spring Lake, Midway Marina, Clear Spring Lake and Mississippi river. Most of them are forest and lake but when the picture is taken with the right lighting, you see the true beauty of the nature. Mississippi was a little bit different because I had the occasion to take a picture above it, thanks to a helicopter ride.

Here are some of the pictures of place that I have visited in the previous order:

As we were reaching Whitefish in Montana, the weather drastically changed into the cold. We even had to stop into a shop to fetch some hoodies and beanies. We talked a lot on their way, we got to know each other and how we got here. For what concerns him, he has reached a midlife crisis even though we are still young, you know society… He is full of good intentions for his life and well-being, I think he wants to prove himself that he exists for something beyond the success of his company. 

For me, I think I’ve come to this point too. I just wanted to change the air I was breathing, I felt to be drowning in my daily life. I needed to see what the real world beyond a screen was. I must say the real world is a 100% better than social medias or television whatsoever. 

Anyway, I think I fall asleep for some time because I woke up the car was stopped in a dinner in the middle of the city. I literally choked when I opened my eyes. The view. I have never seen anything comparable to this. This city is remembering of every Christmas movie that goes on the tv on December’s afternoons. Nostalgy. 

We had lunch; I say this every time but it’s important right? 

After what, we went to see the lake. It was a cloudy day, still, it was resourceful. Plus, the place was quiet. We even went on a small boat; it was fun and scary at the same time. I was living the moment and it was great, I felt so free. 

Our next stop was the flathead national forest park. I’ve never been to that kind of places before. I learned that people were attached to nature here as they are living in a small city, they say they are the lungs of huge American cities. 

 

Tomorrow’s step will be Chicago, I can’t wait! 

Did you know that this state concentrates nearly more than 1/ 5 of the American population! 

It is constituted of 102 counties. The capital of this state is Springfield, but Chicago is most known.  

Anyway, while passing by through this state, we discovered that it was reputed for the crimes that occurred in the twentieth century probably. We saw so many guided tours that goes like “on the path of the killers…” 

I have a terrible sports culture, but I support the Chicago bulls (in basket). I hope we’ll have the time to see one match.

Oh, I almost forgot! 

It is actually the first city since San Francisco to have the beach! 

The weather is nice, not too hot but not too cold you know what I mean?

I absolutely wanted to have a picnic on the beach no matter at what time of the day. We finally went on the arrangement that we’ll watch the sunset on the beach before heading up to Springfield. I was glad. 

We tried to schedule our day, but we are way too indecisive and inorganized. We discovered the city based on our feelings and vibes. 

We accidently went on this famous square at the centre of the city with the cloud sculpture, actually, it looks more like a bean than a cloud, but I respect the artist perspective. 

While turning around there we spotted a sort of box made of glass at the top of a skyscraper and we wanted to go there which we did. It took us half an hour to find the name of this place on the internet so for your culture know that it is called the Skydeck. 

We queued for an eternity as we didn’t realise how touristic this place was. The feeling you have once you are in this box of glass suspended in the emptiness is strong. I have no other words to describe it. However, you are allowed to stay there for over a minute and it is expensive so I wouldn’t recommend it, this experience was interesting but not worth it.

After the first disappointment, we wandered down the streets of the living city. A man accosted us, he said he was managing a YouTube channel and we played a game. He asked us questions, if we responded correctly, he would give us free tickets for a baseball match! We are competitive so of course we wanted to play. Guess what, WE WON! 

We spent the night into this iconic stadium which is named the Wrigley field. 

The ambiance man, it was a thing, you cannot find such an infatuation in France. Have you ever tried those matches food like the buckets of fried chicken paired with alcohol or sodas? Well you should at least once in your lifetime.

We quit at the end of this amazing game, our stomach being full, and us being euphoric.

We decided to go and get some sleep in the chest of our pickup. I was quite scared to be robbed as we were sleeping outside if I may say. Luckily, we were not.

We woke up early and watched the sunset on the beach, eating our breakfast.

 

Let the adventure continues…. See ya in Springfield people! 

 ❤  ❤  ❤ 
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I have decided to spend almost a week in this state which different activities by opposing city and countryside. 

I have spent the first five days in Louisiana’s most famous city : New Orleans.

I arrived late in the night, so I went right away to the Inn that I’ve booked a few days ago. The ride to the inn was probably the most peaceful ride that I had. It last half an hour but the taximan was so lovely ! His name is Mike and he is a local, so he told me stories about the landscapes that we have seen during our journey together. He always had something to say about every places, buildings, and avenues. That way, I learn more than I thought I could learn about Louisiana in only 30 minutes. After that ride, I thanked him for giving me a ride to the Inn. Once there, I met the adorable lily who is the Inn’s Owner. She is one of the sweetest person I have met during this trip… I mean who would wait until midnight to see a complete stranger? Every morning, she brings me breakfast and took the time to talk with me a few minutes. She asked my how the past days have been, and she gave me some advices for the activities that I wanted to do.

During the fives days in New Orleans, I’ve hanged out a lot in the French Quarter. It reminded at bit home but not too much because this city mixes different origins : Americans, French, Asians… we can find this diversity in New Orleans thought the food. The only thing that I didn’t like is that we eat a lot of fish in this state, and I am not really into it… There is a French quarter which is the oldest quarter neighborhood because the French was the first conqueror of New Orleans, we can see some similarities with France thanks to Architecture. When I was walk down, I saw some beautiful buildings with iron balcony. I also saw some picture of Mardi Gras in the bars. I knew that it is a very famous event around here, so I am disappointed that my trip does match the right date of Mardi Gras. I went to well-known places such as Bourbon Street, North Rampart Street, Decatur Street and Royal, where you can hear music, Jazz everywhere, see beautiful and historical buildings, restaurants, shopping art galleries. You can also see voodoo stuff at most of streets corners. Everything in this neighborhood bring your sense to life! I love the way you can walk anywhere you what, there is always something to see! Once I Got lost and I have found a huge park called Louis Armstrong Park. I walk though it… well… I tried because I saw some very good musicians and I honestly think that I have spend a few hours just seating in the grass next to them. I saw fountains, trails a huge statue of  the jazz legend Louis Armstrong and  some plaques explaining the history of this place: the Africans Americans used to socialize here before the gain of freedom.

I have spent the last day on the road to the next state. However, I still did some stops at plantations such as Laura Plantation in Vacherie or the Rosedown Plantation. They both offer a few to the 19 or the 20^th century by showing the way of living of the time, the furniture, the gardens and the relationship between owners and slaves.

This is a very interesting state, it is very famous for country culture, and barbecue, so obviously the first thing we did, it’s went at Franklin Barbecue at Austin, because we love try all kind of food, and this is a very popular restaurant. But there is a very long line, so while we waited, we talk with persons around us. 

 Then we met Jasper and another Alice, there are in couple for 4 years, Jasper is born in Austin, but Alice come to Seattle, they met during holiday in Los Angeles. They were very sweet, and hospitable, they proposed us to join them for the dinner, and to sleep in their flat, with my Alice we was very embarrassed, so we said okay, but we paid the dinner for equilibrate.

After this night, we went at San Antonio to see the River Walk. This was amazing, the landscape let us speechless.  

We decided to take a lot of photo to post on our social network, but Alice was pushed, and she felt in the river. All the world looks at her and a man (we learnt after his name is Jacob) help her to come out. She has nothing, more fear, than pain, but she is always embarrassed when we talk about that, even if it is a great memory.

To keep going our road trip, we go at the next state : New Mexico.

See Ya , See you Soon......

He took me to a dance hall. It was awesome!! I felt like I was the movie “Footlose”. I teach me how to dance as they are dancing in Texas and probably how to dance at all… our rode trip took us 6 days. I have seen thing I couldn’t have seen anywhere else or it would have been the same… I have seen my first rodeo!! I mean, at the ranch I tried to do the lasso thing, but it is not the same when you see professionals doing it like if it was the easiest thing to do! Of course, I was also impressed by the “real” rodeo : standing on a wild horse more than 8 seconds… it’s long!! I’d be too scared just to sit on it. Afterward we took the road, going through a lot of ghost cities or with not a lot of inhabitants. Sometimes I even expected some rolling dust like in Lucky Luke. While this long ride, we took some stops such as Cadillac Ranch, Hamilton Pool Reserve and Big Bend National Park. Cadillac Ranch is a famous stop form the 66 road. It is a place where we can see ten Cadillacs half buried and we can paint them. So, we bought a spray and we spend a several minutes, leaving or mark, feeling like criminal but still knowing that it wasn’t illegal. Hamilton Pool Reserve is probably the thing that I have preferred. It as a natural Pool created a thousands of years ago. Now, it is a meld rushing waterfalls with a shallow blue swimming hole. There is even a pool cavern. We have spent a few hour there watching the area and playing in the water. We were lucky enough because we could go on the water and it is not allowed every day. It depends of the water’s quality or something like that… our last stops was the Big Bend National Park. I had the impression of travelling while staying on the same Park, there is everything : canyons, rivers, desert wildlife. Obviously, we hiked. And, as we went there on the afternoon, we stayed until the sunset. That way, we have seen wonderful landscapes with great lighting. Afterward, we got home, if I may say. I spend the last night in the ranch and the whole family took me to the bus the next morning.

 

At first, I didn’t know what I could do out there because we don’t hear much about this state. And as I stayed only three days, I had to choose what I wanted to visit. I choose three stops, one for each days. As I arrived from the south, I stated with the White Sands National Park, in Alamogordo and then I headed Nord, passing by the Blue Hole, in Santa Rosa and Ra Paulette’s Hand’s-Carved Caves.

White Sands national Park looks like a snow desert ! this place has been created thank to the evaporated water of a lake. The wind has transported the sand and here is the beautiful landscape that I had the pleasure to see. I followed a group of hikers and the guide told them that this place is the home of some rare species such as Bleached Earless Lizard or kit fox.

I only could stay a few minutes to Santa Rosa’s Blue Hole because our car had an accident and we were late on the schedule. However, I was astonished by the watercolor, I have never seen a such pure water!! As it is near the road 666, it became famous very quickly and a scuba diving spot but after the death of two divers, the entrance to the cave has been forbidden.

The last stop was Ra Paulette’s Hand Carved Caves in Lamadera. Ra Paulette is a New Mexico artist which carved 14 different caves. I can’t even describe it because no two of them are alike. Moreover, the feeling of peace when you are in those places is unbelievable.

The fourth step in my trip was Oklahoma, a large state situated in the middle south of USA with great plains, lakes, and woodlands. Oklahoma was inhabited for hundreds of years by many tribes of Native Americans. The first think I did when arrived was to visit a famous place in this country, called Bricktown, an old district where you can go to some restaurants, or shops (that originally were warehouses for the industry) by a water taxy!, it was like an American version of Venice, you will spend a pleasant night with or without your family. After visiting the city and some museums the hope to see the wild nature took me to the “Tallgrass Prairie Preserve”. I drove for 2 hours from Oklahoma City, but I think it was worth. In fact when you see the magnificence of bison you are satisfied immediately, it was a nice day seeing bison and their youngs, in this springtime.