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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

    Cloud Gate (The Bean)

    August 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Before getting the bus back to my accomodation I paid a visit to the Cloud Gate aka the Bean. A huge reflective bean shaped object. No idea of its purpose but it was pretty cool. Strangely the whole area was fenced off with temporary fencing and you had to go through scanners to access the park. There were also these huge LED face fountain things nearby.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Home Alone I House

    August 23, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Today started off with a bus, metro and another bus to the northern suburb of Winnetka. Why? Because much of Home Alone I was filmed here!!! My first stop was to the main house where Kevin is left home alone. The driveway has had some big modifications since the film and a fence has been erected but I have to say it's in impeccable condition! I thought I'd be the only person sad enough to pay a visit here but there must have been a dozen others there too!Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Home Alone Neighbour Chase

    August 23, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    I know what you're thinking, and yes you're right! That is the shop where Kevin encounters his creepy neighbour, to whom he responds by sprinting out of the door and inadvertently stealing a toothbrush in the meantime.

    And yes those are the 3 trees he is chased between by the policeman and indeed that building is where the ice rink from the film used to be. Of course you're right again that the bridge over the railway is the other Kevin disappears across too.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Lincoln Park & Zoo

    August 23, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Next up as I headed south back towards the city was Lincoln Park (not the band) and zoo. The zoo was alright for a free zoo, but not quite the one in Buenos Aires with the cocaine hippos. After the zoo was a nice boardwalk.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Portillo's

    August 23, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    For an early dinner I headed to the famous Portillo's for one of their famous hot dogs and milkshakes. I ordered a chilli cheese dog and a vanilla milkshake. Both were lovely but the milkshake was just a bit too large. After this I retrieved my lost bank card!Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
    1

    Final Morning in Chicago

    August 24, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    This morning I was up bright and early for the sunrise over Lake Michigan at 6am and Tranmere v Walsall on Sky Sports+ at 6:30am! After a delightful 1-0 win and some dilly dallying I headed into town with my luggage and slowly made my way along the front, through the parks, down the river and to the metro to the airport.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Chicago > NYC

    August 24, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Chicago O'Hare International Airport isn't just any airport, as its a key filming spot in both Home Alone 1 and 2!!! In fact they use pretty much the same spots in both films.

    In both films the family run down the famous flagged corridor. In Home Alone 1 the family head towards the K gates and board at the last second through the doors on the right hand side of gate K9. In Home Alone 2 it's Kevin who follows the wrong man towards the K gates whilst his family head for the H. Kevin runs into the lady at gate K12 spilling boarding passes all over the floor before wrongfully boarding the plane.

    After this excitement was over I headed to my own gate at L7. I'm getting lucky (create your own luck) with these window seats lately so had a great view of Chicago when leaving and a modest view of Manhattan when landing.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Summit ONE Vanderbilt

    August 25, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    My first stop on my first morning back in NYC was to Summit ONE Vanderbilt. Said to be the best viewpoint experience in NYC it certainly lived up to the billing! After taking the lift up to the 91st floor you're immediately greeted by this bizarre reflective space with panoramic floor to ceiling glass windows. To enter the space, everyone had to put shoe coverings on and were given sunglasses for when the reflections might cause issues.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    New York Yankees

    August 25, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    This afternoon I took a trip up to the Bronx and the Yankee Stadium to see the infamous MLB table topping New York Yankees! As I milled around the stadium I noticed everyone was wearing Judge 99 shirts. I assumed he was an old legend but no he plays for the Yankees now and was in the squad for today! Turns out he's considered by many as the best player in the world and is a former MVP award winner and 6 time all star team member.

    As Judge stepped up to the plate in the first innings he hit a home run comfortably into the stands (his 50th of the season) with the crowd roaring their approval, living up to all expectations. At one point, Judge was given a 'walk' to the first base, usually considered as a great play however the crowd started booing as they wanted to see him hit the ball!

    The game was somewhat tight at 4-3 to the Yankees, that was until the 7th innings when MLB all star team member of the past 4 years Juan Soto stepped up. On the first ball he faced he hit a home run to the delight of the crowd. Next up to the plate was Judge, and on his very first ball he also hit a home run into the very same spot as Soto! As if it couldn't get any better, the next batsman up hit the 3rd ball he faced for another home run! It was absolute delirium as the Yankees extended into a 4 run lead within a few minutes. It's supremely rare for 3 consecutive players to hit direct home runs (on average there's 1.3 direct home run hits in an entire game!!!) so it made for quite the spectacle.

    In the 8th innings the Yankees had 2 players on base when another direct home run was hit, extending their lead to 10-3 with an innings to go. They didn't even get around to batting again as their victory was secure when the Colorado Rapids didn't score in the 9th innings.

    A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon at the ball game!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Central Park Wandering

    August 25, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    This evening I took a long wander through Central Park. Staring at 86th street and heading to the very bottom by the Grand Plaza before going up the west side of the park towards my hostel on 103rd street. A lovely way to spend an evening enjoying the sun, nature and people watching!Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
    1

    In and Around the WTC

    August 26, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    This morning I headed back to the World Trade Centre as I would be paying a visit to the museum. Last time I was here only one fountain was flowing so I was able to have a look at the other on this occasion. I also paid a visit to St Paul's chapel where George Washington used to go to pray.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    9/11 Memorial & Museum

    August 26, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    The museum below the World Trade Centre was so interesting albeit sad. With many huge artefacts from the original towers still in the condition they were put into on 9/11. Many of the areas you couldn't photograph but the exhibitions were super detailed and painted a real detail of the long and short term build up, execution, and aftermath of the attacks and rescue effort. I ended up being here for about 5 hours which I wasn't expecting but well worth the visit.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
    1

    Jimmy's Corner

    August 26, 2024 ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    As we entered my final evening of the trip I headed to Jimmy's Corner, just off of Times Square as highly recommended by my Uncle Eric. It looks a bit dodgy from the outside but inside it was fine and pretty packed for 4pm on a Monday on the day the schools went back! And no wonder it was so busy, $3.50 for a whiskey in this premium location! Great recommendation thanks Uncle Eric.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    R Lounge & 300 Days

    August 26, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    For my final night I'd booked a window table at R Lounge overlooking Times Square. These tables cost $10,000 on New Years Eve but thankfully are free on a Monday in August! I enjoyed a few drinks whilst I sat here enjoying the view and relecting on the past 300 days. A few hours later I emerged into Times Square one last time to take it all in.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    Final Steps in NYC

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

    It wouldn't have been right to finish my time in NYC in any other way than with 2 pain au Chocolat and a banana in Central Park from Trader Joe's. After this I threw a few things out and re-packed my bags to ensure everything was in place for the journey ahead. After 2 subways and a sky train I arrived at JFK ready to board my overnight Norse Atlantic flight to London Gatwick!Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler

    London > Home

    August 28, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    At 6:30am I was back on UK soil in London! After collecting my big rucksack for the final time I took the train and then tube to Euston.

    I found a Wetherspoons next door and had to wait outside for 3 minutes until it opened at 8am. By 8:07am I had a double vodka lemonade in front of me and shortly after that a traditional breakfast.

    My friend Josh was then able to join me for half an hour on his way into work before I jumped on the 9:43am train to Liverpool, arriving into Lime Street at midday. From here I hopped on the Merseyrail to the paradise peninsula!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonThe US of A 🇺🇲Traveler
    1

    Home!

    August 28, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    302 days after setting off on 1st November last year I'd finally completed the longest round trip of my life! I was determined I didn't want any outside help so walked home from Grove Road. Thankfully mum was in as nobody knew I was home today (I'd told them all tomorrow).

    We then set off on a round trip around family and friends houses whom all had their own unique reactions and questions.

    It's so lovely to be back home and on that note I declare this Find Penguins trip closed, thanks for coming along for the ride, your comments have always been appreciated 🫡    Read more

    Trip end
    August 28, 2024
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