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The US of A 🇺🇲
  • Greg Clayton
  • Greg Clayton

The US of A 🇺🇲

A 42-day adventure by Greg Read more
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  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
    1

    Museum of American History

    July 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    This huge museum has a very wide variety of stories and artefacts about the history of the US. One of the most impressive being the Star Spangled Banner that was raised in Baltimore in 1814 to celebrate the defeat of the British at Fort McHenry. It was here that Francis Scott Key was inspired to compose the song that would go on to become the nations national anthem.

    Other favourites of mine included the President's exhibition, my mate from Hawaii Steve Aoki's DJ decks and a picture of a very British looking man giving a linesman an earful.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    National Portrait Gallery

    July 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    My last museum stop of the day was to the National Portrait Gallery. I spent most of the time in the President's Gallery which contains an official portrait of every President in the countries history.

    Each President gets to choose the artist and style of the painting which is why they all look so different! There was also a section on the top floor for famous American's, I didn't know very many but I did know Elvis!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    DC United v Celtic

    July 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    This evenings sporting event was DC United hosting Celtic in a friendly and testimonial game. There was a very strong Celtic continent, I'd even say they were in the majority although I think most of those were Americans.

    The game kicked off and the ball was immediately kicked out of play with the guy who's testimonial it was being subbed off. Unusual to be subbed off after the first kick but maybe his legs have gone.

    Celtic ran out comfortable 4-0 winners (could have been more) with two goals in each half. Two players I wasn't expecting to see off the bench for DC United were Matheusz Klich (formerly of Leeds) and Christian Benteke. I think DC may regret holding this mid season friendly as they got battered and had 4 or 5 players go off injured.

    Either way an enjoyable match for a neutral like me!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Tidal Basin

    July 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    My new found love in DC are the shareable bikes. There are stands all over the city (including across the road from my hostel) and they cost $1 base fee plus $0.05 per minute.

    From my hostel to the main areas is all down hill so I cruised down past the White House and Washington Monument to the Tidal Basin.

    The lake has monuments to Martin Luther King, Franklin Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson (the dome building I was aiming to reach).    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Thomas Jefferson Memorial

    July 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    After approximately 33 mins of cycling and $2.65 later I made it from my hostel, around the Tidal Basin and to this stunning memorial looking out to the Washington Monument!

    Thomas Jefferson was of course the man who wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independenc and went on to be President and is therefore considered one of the most influential American people.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    The Pentagon and Memorial

    July 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    The Pentagon is the highly protected (and believe me difficult to get to and away from) headquarters of the US Department of Defense.

    The west side of the Pentagon (in the 6th picture here) was hit by one of the four hijacked planes on September 11th 2001, killing all 64 passengers and 125 people in the Pentagon.

    The memorial site here contains one platform for each person killed, with the platforms all facing either in or away from the direction of travel of the plane when it hit, depending on if the person was a passenger or Pentagon worker.

    The platforms are arranged in order of age, those being born in the same year being in the same line. The oldest was born in 1930 with the youngest being born in 1998, passing at age 3 with her 11 year old sister and parents on board. People with family onboard have their family members names at the foot of their platform.

    There were also 3 other 11 year olds killed who were all on a school trip with their teachers.

    It was a sad place to be but a very thoughtfully designed memorial!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Arlington National Cemetary

    July 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    This place was a nightmare to get to as I never realised that it only has a single entrance which is totally inaccessible by foot. After walking in completely the wrong direction I had to ask the guard at the Marine Base where to go. He told me to get an Uber so I begrudgingly spent almost £7 in having to do so.

    Anyway, the cemetary was great. When I arrived at the visitors centre the news broke that Joe Biden wouldn't be running for President later this year. What a time to be in DC and America!

    In the cemetary lay approximately 400,000 people, mainly with the iconic white headstones which stretch as far as the eye can see.

    Some of the most famous graves here are those of former Presidents John F Kennedy and William Taft, the first ever black Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was hoping to step down as a Supreme Court justice following the election of Hillary Clinton that never came. She tried to cling on to see Trump leave office but died just a few months beforehand meaning Trump got to nominate a new justice rather than a Democratic President as she would have desired.

    I also headed up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to see tha changing of the guard!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Georgetown

    July 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C

    I left my bike just across the river in the popular and affluent neighbourhood of Georgetown. The houses were all so classic and the university campus stunning.

    It's also home to the Exorcist steps and house from the 1973 movie... nope me neither.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    The White House (Again)

    July 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Following the news of Joe Biden stepping aside I thought I better pay a visit to the White House again. All of the media were at their stations inside and there was a lady interviewing for Sky News. Entertainingly stood next to each other was a guy head to toe in Kamala Harris propaganda and another with a handwritten sign that simply said 'Bye Joe'.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Final Evening in Washington

    July 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    For my final evening in Washington I treated myself to a Nando's, making sure to make this as cost effective as possible by filling up my water bottle in the fountain of the gallery across the road first. Turns out Nando's give out free water anyway so this side quest was a waste of time.

    On my exploits I saw a Tesla Cybertruck and a Ryder branded truck which I was very excited about as they were by far the client I spent the most time on at PwC and had done the audit since 2019!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    The Capitol Public Galleries

    July 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    This morning I returned to the Capitol to try and get my hands on passes to the public galleries of the House and Senate, which I successfully did!

    All's I needed to take was my passport (which they didn't even look at). You aren't allowed any electronic devices in the public galleries but I first visited each of the galleries whilst there was no session taking place. It was great to see the famous legislative chambers in person!

    I then went back to the House at midday as it was going into session. I stayed for half an hour to listen to five different representatives preach about different subjects from illegal immigration to nuclear submarines.

    By the time I'd had some lunch afterwards it was teeming with rain!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    National Air & Space Museum

    July 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    My final touristy spot of my time in Washington was to the National Air & Space Museum. No walk up tickets are available so I had to be ready at 8:30am this morning to book a free time slot online.

    The museum has huge exhibitions on all things aviation, space, communications and speed. Two of the best artefacts in my opinion being Neil Armstrong's space suit and also the pair of shoes that were the last to touch the surface of the moon.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    DC > Baltimore

    July 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    After clocking up 108,000 steps and around 2.5 hours of bike time in my 3.5 days in DC it is time to leave! I knew I'd love Washington DC but wow it blew me away even more than I ever expected, the history of the place is incredible.

    Nevertheless my next stop was 40 minutes on the train away in Baltimore. By the time I headed for the train DC had cleared up and the sun was suddenly shining which made for a nice final walk down to the metro.

    I arrived into Baltimore with no problems and made it to my accomodation to have some dinner. Let's see what this next stop has to offer!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Evening in Baltimore

    July 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    This evening my host Briggs showed me a couple of the best night spots in Baltimore! Starting with the rooftop bar at the Four Seasons. We didn't get a drink here but instead headed to a bustling local bar with BOGO (BOGOF) whisky! A great start to the Baltimore stint!Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Fells Point

    July 23, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    From the main harbour this leads to Fells Point which is full of beautiful brick streets with quirky bars and shops. I really like the neighbourhoods in Baltimore!

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Patterson Park

    July 23, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    After stopping for some lunch at the supermarket I continued on to my furthest point of the day at Patterson Park. I did a lap of here and stopped in the shade for a while to read, once again it was roasting!Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Locust Point

    July 23, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    I then took the free boat across to Locust Point as I wanted to visit Fort McHenry, a site of the defeat of the British and where the Star Spangled Banner was written! You can maybe also see the recently collapsed Baltimore bridge.

    However, I didn't realise that the site locked it's gates at 5pm, and I arrived at 5:10pm, so it was locked. So all I managed to see was the sign!

    On the boat over I did get a good look at Under Armours global headquarters and the neighbourhoods as I headed back to the city centre were so picturesque, including the self proclaimed 'Greatest Street in America'.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Federal Hill

    July 23, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    My final stop of the day was at Federal Hill, a fort with panoramic views of Baltimore. Again I sat here for a while to read and watch over the city. By the time I got back to my accomodation I'd covered 25km and done 32.5k steps!Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Wet Philadelphia

    July 24, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    The first few hours of my time in Philadelphia were spent dashing between sights when the torrential rain gave me a moment.

    I saw the city hall, JFK square and Reading Terminal Market. I sheltered under a tree in the park whilst I called my Auntie Sandie (and family) on her 60th birthday! Sorry for exposing your real age Sandie.

    I also did some reading in the mall, looked for a new pair of shoes to carry me around America and saw another Ryder lorry!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
    1

    Historic Philadelphia

    July 24, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    Eventually the rain stopped completely so I went out exploring again. First up heading to Elfreth's Alley, one of the oldest streets in America. So old that some of the houses bear Union Jacks (one even has a Welsh flag) and others US flags with 13 stars for the original 13 colonies.

    The next quick stop was outside the Betsy Ross house, the lady famous for sewing the first ever American flag.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Independence Hall

    July 24, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    My final touristy stop of the day was to the Independence Hall for a quick tour. We visited the very room in which the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both fiercely debated and then signed in the late 18th century. 70% of the interior is original including the chair at the head of the room where George Washington once sat. Another place of huge historical importance I was blown away to be at!Read more

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