The US of A 🇺🇲

A 42-day adventure by Greg Read more

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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Evening 2 in Austin
August 16, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 31 °C
This evening I decided to see what the famed Austin nightlife is all about, and fair to say it was very good! The roads were closed off to allow the pedestrians to roam free and all of the different bars and clubs all had a different genre and style.Read more
TravelerThat looks like a good bar 🍻
8/19/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Heading into Dallas
August 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
This morning I woke up in Dallas! Set for another toasty day I headed out relatively early to ensure I could take plenty of pit stops throughout the day. First of all stopping at a nearby park to chat to my family on my sisters 22nd birthday! Then I crossed over Turtle Creek as the city centre drew closer and was greeted with the PwC Dallas building!Read more
TravelerGreat to catch up with you again today 🎉 🎁 🎂
8/19/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Central Dallas
August 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
My first stop in the city centre was in the Arts District, it had a few nice squares and buildings, as well as a hug sculpture of an eye!
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Old City Park
August 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 37 °C
From the centre I headed east towards the oldest part of Dallas. This included the Old City Park which contains some of Dallas' oldest buildings. Despite it being a Sunday there was strangely absolutely nobody there other than me!Read more
TravelerGosh !! Ghost 👻 Town
8/19/24Reply
TravelerThat must have been weird 🤫
8/19/24Reply
TravelerBlimey, it's like the Marie Celeste.
8/19/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Random Dallas
August 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 39 °C
As I headed from the east towards the west I passed by a huge bowler hat, the city hall, a load of charging bulls and the JFK memorial.
TravelerI like the bulls x
8/19/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Dealey Plaza & JFK
August 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 40 °C
X marks the spot! This historic square where Dallas was founded was also the location of JFK's assassination in 1963. The exact location where he was hit by the bullets are marked in the road. The penultimate image here shows where Lee Harvey Oswald fired from and the final photo is taken from where the only footage of the event was filmed. There were a handful of people here all giving conspiracy theory talks and in the city of Dallas nobody believes at all that Lee Harvey Oswald shot JFK!Read more
TravelerOoooooo really !! 🤔
8/19/24Reply
TravelerI love a good conspiracy theory. Seen some great documentaries about JFK. x
8/19/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Trinity Overlook Park
August 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 40 °C
This was probably my only mistake of the day having managed the heat well so far. I crossed under the bridges to this park only to discover it has absolutely zero trees or shade. Good job it was only 40 degrees! So as soon as I could I took the next exit into the city to make my way back to my accomdation, passing the basketball and hockey stadium en route!Read more
TravelerYou need a big SUNHAT ☀️
8/19/24Reply
TravelerA very big sunhat!! That is hot hot hot!!
8/19/24Reply
TravelerThe heat is a good reason for not many people being about in what seems like an uncluttered city unlike a few that you have been to. 👍
8/20/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Highland Park
August 19, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
This morning I headed for a wander through the Highland Park neighbourhood, said to be one of the nicest neighbourhoods in the whole country and home to many billionaires including Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.Read more
TravelerVery posh ❤️
8/21/24Reply
TravelerWOULD HAVE EXPECTED THOSE MANSIONS TO BE BEHIND HIGH WALLS AND GATES
8/22/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
The Statue House
August 19, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
One of the stand out estates in Highland Park is owned by a family who made their fortune in real estate. They donated a public teddy bear garden next to their house and have filled their garden with hundreds of statues. Controversially many of the statues are of notorious dictators, here I've spotted two huge statues of Lenin and their are said to be others of the likes of Stalin and even Hitler!Read more
TravelerLove the teddy bear garden 🧸
8/22/24Reply
TravelerWhy would anyone want a statue of Hiltler etc in their garden? 🤔
8/25/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Dallas > New Orleans
August 19, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 37 °C
I headed back from Highland Park via the Katy Trail (which reminded me of the High Line in NYC) and across Turtle Creek. I then made my way to the airport via bus and tram and managed to secure a window seat foe the hour long journey to New Orleans!Read more
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Bourbon Street
August 19, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 31 °C
After arriving and checking in to New Orleans I thought I'd take a quick wander down the nearby Bourbon Street, one of the most famous streets for nightlife in all of the US! It was fair quiet as it was pre 9pm on a Monday but there were dozens of jazz bars, piano bars, rock bars and clubs too.Read more
TravelerLooks like a great place for a night out 🎵
8/22/24Reply
TravelerWow, that street really takes the biscuit. 👍🤔
8/23/24Reply
TravelerWOW love this 🎶
8/23/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Metairie and Greenwood Cemetaries
August 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
A somewhat strange way to start my time in New Orleans but I headed to one of the furthest spots from the centre at these two cemeteries! New Orleans has not been treated well over the years by hurricanes, war, fire and disease so the dead here are pretty important! Many of them are buried above ground in these extravagant tombs.Read more
TravelerTHEY CERTAINLY ARE EXTRAVAGANT 🪦
8/22/24Reply
TravelerImpressive
8/23/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
City Park
August 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
After a fair dose of cemeteries I headed over to the City Park. Here I had a wandered around the sculpture gallery and tried New Orleans famous 'beignets' which I think it's fair to say made a mess.
TravelerI'm not sure about the sculpture gallery 🙄
8/22/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
St Louis Cemetery No. 3
August 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
As if two cemeteries weren't enough I then paid a visit to a 3rd, this was after watching the first half of the Tranmere game, says a lot. I'd found a self guided walking tour for this one which pointed out some of the different styles of graves as well as those of important people.Read more
TravelerThey’re very posh graves !!
8/22/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Garden Quarter
August 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
Next up was the garden quarter, which must be the most affluent part of New Orleans. It features the houses from American Horror Story and Benjamin Button (not that I've seen either) as well as one that used to belong to Nicholas Cage before it was repossessed by the state. There was also a house with intricate corn fencing and one with public water fountain and dog treats!Read more
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Evening Out in New Orleans
August 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 30 °C
This evening I headed back towards Bourbon Street to pay a visit to some of the places I'd Scouted out the night before.

First up I headed to a restaurant for a Gumbo (like rice, chicken, chorizo and shrimp semi-spicy stew thing) before going to an absinthe bar for their Sazerac cocktail.

After this I headed to a very busy jazz bar with a brilliant band before finishing at a piano bar where they played whatever was requested of them even if they didn't know it.

I was baffled when they said they'd had a request for Weekend in Paradise (by Scouser Jamie Webster). They didn't know the song but they gave it a go and it was certainly an interesting rendition. I then ended up chatting to the couple who'd requested the song who were Geordies (one supporting Liverpool) on their honeymoon and they'd actually had Weekend in Paradise as their first dance song. Interesting choice.Read more
TravelerWhat a great night out x
8/22/24Reply
TravelerThe HOME 🏠 vibes ❤️
8/22/24Reply
TravelerIt is a great song! 🤣
8/22/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
French Quarter Walking Tour
August 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
By far and away the most popular part of New Orleans is the French Quarter, filled with narrow streets and colourful cast iron buildings. We were told much about the beginnings of New Orleans and it's various woes over the years which have made it into the unique melting lot that it is today.Read more
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Louis Armstrong Park & French Quarter
August 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
The walking tour ended at Louis Armstrong park, the NO born and raised jazz superstar. From here I wandered up and down grid of the French Quarter enjoying the architecture, charachter and shade!
TravelerAwww both your Grandads loved 🥰 Louis Armstrong. They would be so very proud of you on your journey . "What a WONDERFUL WORLD 🌍 “
8/22/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
New Orleans > Chicago
August 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
This evening I took the 2.5 hour flight from New Orleans to my penultimate stop on the trip (and final new destination), Chicago!!!

First it was a bus to none other than Louis Armstrong Airport before a smooth 2.5 hour flight to Chicago. I arrive here with the final day of the Democratic National Convention tomorrow so I'll be keeping an eye out for the Obama's, Clinton's, sleepy Joe and of course Kamala!!!Read more
TravelerTikTok, tik tok. So exciting as me and Harry are counting down the days on our fingers now . Have a great time in CHICAGO.
8/22/24Reply
TravelerAwwh Gail, bet you're desperate for your boy to come home and give him a massive hug 🥰
8/25/24Reply
TravelerEnjoy your last week Greg. Hope you have remembered every detail of your adventure to discuss with everyone 😁 Can't wait to see xx
8/22/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Chicago Promenade
August 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
This morning I work up at my Couchsurfing spot to the most spectacular view over Lake Michigan from the 33rd floor! I then took the train towards the city centre. I thought the train was included in my travel pass but it wasn't so I had to buy a ticket. That was the last time I took the train in Chicago.

After picking up a pain au chocolat and banana from Trader Joe's I took a walk along the gorgeous promenade, including around the aquarium to a semi hidden beach.Read more
TravelerGreat view x
8/26/24Reply
TravelerThat’s some apartment. What a view !!!
8/26/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Chicago Riverwalk
August 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
The more I walked along the coastal paths of the river the more I realised its my kind of town Chicago is. I cut inland along the river walk, before crossing over to the other side to head back towards the lake. A beautiful spot and of course a domineering Trump Tower!Read more
TravelerLeave the jokes to others Greg, ha! 👍😀
8/26/24Reply
Traveler😆
8/26/24Reply
TravelerDoesn't look "windy' to me!
8/26/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Navy Pier
August 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
From the riverwalk I headed along the pier and back again. At the tip were r perfectly lined up policemen on bikes with many star spangledpangled banners in the background. Funnily this was entirely on purpose as they dismounted their bikes to take pictures of them themselves.Read more
TravelerNEVER THOUGHT CHICAGO WOULD HAVE A BEACH WITH IT BEING INLAND ⛱️
8/27/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Downtown Chicago
August 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
From the promenade I cut into the city centre, first heading down the 'magnificent mile', lined wall to wall in high end shops. It was here when I really started to notice the presence of the DNC (as if the banners literally everywhere hadn't already been a giveaway) as there were lots of police, security and even entire hotels and areas barricaded off from public access.Read more
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Lou Malnati's Pizza
August 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
When in Rome (Chicago) you can't not try a deep dish pizza. So I had to try one of the most famous at Lou Malnati's. The pizza I received was unexpectedly small, but it was delicious as with tomato all over the top, cheese underneath and then a sausage layer at the base. So good it was that I ordered a second one, some of which I took home for breakfast 2 days later. The stupid system of paying at American restaurants/bars finally caught up with me here as I left my bank card in the cheque book, but not to worry as I was able to collect it the next day!Read more
TravelerOooh looks tasty!! I don't like the fact that they take your card away now. They never used to do that 😬
8/26/24Reply
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The US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
Clarence F. Buckingham Memorial Fountain
August 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Full of pizza I headed back towards the lake edge for sunset, only to realise I'd gotten Chicago upside down and the sunset was actually behind all the sky scrapers rather than over the lake. Either way I was able to see this pretty cool fountain!Read more
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