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Planes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026
  • Michelle Hawthorne
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  • Michelle Hawthorne

Planes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026

A 90-day adventure by Michelle Read more
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  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler

    Vegas Whistle-stop💲

    September 20 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 31 °C

    2nd Internal Flight ✈️ into State #2 Nevada 🎰

    I made it to Las Vegas in time for a quick walk up and down the strip, trying to find a replacement Christmas 🎄 bauble... no joy but did find Mountain Dew to try 😋

    Next stop... Utah 🏜    Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler

    Demolition Derby 🏎💨

    September 19 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Me and Marilyn headed to a Derby... very 🇺🇲

    Rules, basically, you will be disqualified for sandbagging if you don't hit another car every 30 to 60 seconds... the last car still running wins! It's like a real-life game of bumping cars 💥🏎

    Lots of engines, noise, and family excitement... we were cheering for Jesus 🤣

    A great afternoon 🥳    Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler
    3 Idiots 🤣
    Where food travels 🥣Debbie... toilet team duo!Marilyn and V17 (Sriram) 😍I-HOP trip!Doris... another NGO founder 🤩3 Idiots 🤣

    Gleanings for the Hungry

    Sep 12–20 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C

    I spent 8 nights at Gleanings 💙

    This is a religious inspired community doing great work... We did 31 pallets of soup mix with 28 hours of volunteer time; 434,000 meals 🥰

    I have met some lovely people, including my new friends... Marilyn and V17 🤩 I'm already planning my trips to Mexico 🇲🇽 and India 🇮🇳, as well as a return to Gleanings.

    Food, Friends, Fun 🥳    Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler
    Again trying to erase First Nation peoples history...
    Again trying to erase First Nation peoples history...Andy WarholMarc Trujillo NowherelandMarc TrujilloMarc TrujilloMarc TrujilloPoint proven....

    Fresno Art Museum

    September 12 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 38 °C

    I, of course, found the time after a little Mexican Street food with Horchata (rice water 😋) to visit Fresno's Art Museum...

    Marc Trujilllo's Nowhereland caught my eye...

    He paints locations that look identical across North America. These places are so common and repetitive that they could be anywhere, which makes them feel like "nowhere at all." It highlights how capitalism and modern consumer culture have physically shaped the landscape and created sterile environments...devoid of individualism.

    Also had a great discussion with a staff member about the total inappropriateness of the US celebrating being '250 years old'... another example of Western history being paraded as the truth... 🤬    Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler

    Forestiere Underground Gardens

    September 12 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 38 °C

    I decided to explore Fresno before my lift arrived to take me to Gleanings...

    Baldassare Forestiere, a Sicilian immigrant, came to America in 1901 to pursue his dreams of becoming a citrus farmer. He crafted an underground complex of patios, grottoes, and garden courts, all featuring arches and planters for his citrus trees. With simple farm tools, he carved for 40 years.

    I learnt what grafting was and that Baldassare managed to graft a single tree that could produce 7 different fruits... 🤯    Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler
    El CapitanYosemite FallsMeadows

    Yosemite Valley Tour

    September 11 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    A very touristy activity being driven around the valley floor. It was great for learning more about the national park, including the bears 🐻 but excluding native peoples 😡

    Unsurprisingly, human intervention has changed bears behaviour, which has led to this

    Video (U.S. National Park Service) https://share.google/0YoRr0jbmD8BAfJyZ

    For native peoples, I found out from speaking to the host of a small museum tucked away that there are 7 tribes associated with Yosemite, all were removed from the land. She recommended a read... Native Indians and National Parks 🤓

    Now, a rest from hiking for a week 👣    Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler
    Half Dome
    On the way up...Yosemite ValleyHalf DomeOn the way down...

    Four Mile Trail 👣

    September 11 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    It took me 4.5 hours to hike the 4.8 miles up and back (9.6 miles in total) to climb 3000 ft to Glacier Point to see the views over the valley and Half Dome.

    All uphill on the way up 🥵 and all downhill on the down (my knees!!)... the views were worth it 😍Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler

    Big Stump Trail 👣

    September 9 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    This trail included many stumps alongside young sequoia trees 🪵

    Redwood was prized for its size, workability, and high resistance to rot and fire; logging before the 21st century reduced ancient forests by 96%. Yes, just 4% ancient redwoods remain, despite 'Save the Redwoods League' promises 🤬 (listen to a book on this...'Ghost Forests').

    It was difficult to see a visual representation of the mindset of greed, noting that most ancient forests were clear cut rather than selectively being logged to ensure their survival...

    At least the forest here has a chance to fight back through space and support to regenerate ✊️    Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler
    Forest Fire 🔥 Impact
    Forest Fire 🔥 ImpactView over Kings CanyonGeneral Sherman 🌳

    Sherman Tree and Congress Trail 👣

    September 9 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    I headed to Sequoia National Park for more big trees and hikes 👣

    I first noticed the number of dead trees in the Canyon... I asked a ranger about this, and she explained that this was due to a major forest fire in 2021. Although fires occur naturally, helping to maintain healthy forests... 🔥 fires are now more intense due to climate change. You can really see the impact 🥺

    General Sherman Tree is the largest tree in terms of volume of wood. The tree is over 2000 years old and has approximately 52,508 cubic feet of wood and is still growing! 😮    Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler
    Dolly 🦋I ❤️ Alan Arkin... Christmas with the Coopers...😍On the road again...🚌

    Walk of Fame ⭐️

    September 8 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    The Hollywood Walk of Fame was originally conceived in 1953, with the first permanent stars placed in 1960. Individuals can be nominated for any of the five categories (film, TV, music, radio, and theatre).

    There are >2850 stars... including Donald Trump for his TV work! 🍊

    Despite repeated calls and local resolutions urging its removal, the strict policy that once a star is added, it becomes part of the historic fabric of the landmark and will not be removed. There is no precedent for removing any star from the Walk of Fame.😒

    More national parks next, so first bus 🚌 of the trip on to Fresno...    Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler
    Hollywood Boulevard
    Hollywood BoulevardHollywood BoulevardChinese TheatreRodeo DriveOut Louders 🤬Flyover for first responders' night51000 people!

    Bus and Baseball ⚾️

    September 7 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    As usual, the sight seeing bus tour 🚌 had to be done, but for me, LA lacks any depth of history.

    Unless you want to know who stayed or died in a hotel, restaurant or store, no stops worth getting off at (just my opinion of course 🤭) so I completed the loop before heading to the Dodgers Game!

    Note second Americanism I really don't like... so many people think it's OK to play music out loud on the metro... 😡

    Anyway... first time ever watching baseball... great atmosphere! My understanding aided by two guys I was next to (plus a short youtube video 🤓)

    LA Dodgers 6, Cincinnati Reds 3....
    Gooooo Dodgers 📣    Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler
    Bradbury Building 1898Charlie Chaplins Apartment BuildingApple Store, better used than left?Warner Brothers TheatreGrand Central MarketThese signs were everywhere!Civic Hall... although Penis comes to mind 🤭1Another Robot!Juxtaposition of tents against the financial district skyline 🤬

    Walking Downtown 👣

    September 6 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    First rainy day 🌧... but still, I joined a walking tour of downtown LA where Hollywood started but is now forgotten...

    The yesteryear decadence is still visible inside and out of these buildings, but most are empty and not in use, which is criminal given that the city has 45000 homeless. Almost 5000 reside in Skid Row, which is only 0.43 square miles.

    I walked down San Pedro Street (Skid Row Centre) and found entire areas populated with unhoused people living in the most appalling conditions in one of the richest cities in the world...

    Actually cried 🥺    Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler
    Bay Watch...More Robots 🤖....

    Muscle Beach ⛱️

    September 5 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    I took my first Amtrak Train 🚉 to LA... after making myself a pancake for brekkie.

    I dumped my rucksack 🎒 and straight to Santa Monica, Venice (aka Muscle) Beach 💪⛱️ When you think of California, this is it, including more robots... this time for deliveries 😡

    Afterwards, I checked in and went shopping and stopped off for a slice of pizza 🍕 on Hollywood Blvd where I am staying... a slice from a 28" inch pizza...

    pictured 📸 with my debit card for scale 😂    Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler

    Forest Fire Detour 🔥

    September 3 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Unfortunately, I could not complete the most scenic drive of hwy 1 😔 due to forest fires.... I did a small part of it, which was beautiful, but then I had to head down hwy 101 towards my next stop, Morro Bay 💙

    This was another lovely beachside town, where I headed out for an evening walk and to find some yummy food 😋    Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler
    1

    Beach Time ⛱️

    September 2 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    I headed down hwy 1 to Santa Cruz.

    It's a beautiful little beachside town 😍, exploring downtown; is anyone in need of a physic love advisor?! 🤭

    A few hours catching some rays ☀️

    Hostel was a great stay... they did a shared meal where neighbours were invited. It was so nice to meet some interesting locals 💙Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler
    2Girl Racer 🫣Surrounded by robotaxis 😳

    No Taxi Driver 🚕

    September 2 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    I went to pick up my next hire car for the next leg of my journey via taxi, and yes, it has no driver!

    Waymo operates commercial robotaxi services in 10 US metropolitan areas, has 3,871 robotaxis in service, and provides 500,000 paid rides per week. It has logged more than 200 million fully autonomous miles since 2016. The technology is owned by Google.

    Another example of Tech Giants putting people out of work 😡... Next stop Santa Cruz...    Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler
    Solitary Confinement 😱Nature is Reclaiming the Island 💚

    Alcatraz↟𖠰˚☀︎ᨒ↟𖠰

    September 1 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    I headed for the evening tour for Alcatraz... a long awaited trip for me. It was not all as expected... In 1850, Alcatraz was set aside for United States military use despite Indians having a presence there for 10,000 years.

    As Alcatraz closed on March 21, 1963 after 30 years (as it was too expensive to maintain), and declared surplus federal property in 1964, activists felt that the island qualified for a reclamation by American Indians.

    Although a 19-month long occupation of Alcatraz by 89 Native Americans and their supporters did not result in the land being returned, it did end Indian termination policies. Policies from the mid-1940s to the mid-1960s outlined a series of laws and practices with the intent of assimilating Native Americans into American society.

    Alcatraz was considered the first super maximum security prison. Today, there are 35 across 🇺🇸 and figures do not indicate that they deter crime.

    Escape From Alcatraz 🎥 to watch.    Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler

    Golden Gate Park

    September 1 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    I used my final morning to return to Golden Gate Park to have a morning walk to explore the Botantical Gardens and go and visit the Bison Paddock, of course 🤭

    Until 150 years ago, millions of bison roamed North America's prairies. As railroads were built across the Great Plains, bison were killed for food, skins, and to deprive the Plains Indians of
    their primary food source. In 1891 - when the species was close to extinction, the first bison was brought to Golden Gate Park.

    I'm not sure how I feel about keeping them here now as these are herd animals 😕    Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler

    Riding Cable Cars 🚃

    August 31 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Ended the day cable carring...

    Cable cars were invented in San Francisco in 1873. They have survived the great San Francisco earthquake and fires of 1906, through two World Wars and outlast political attempts to remove the cars from city steets in the late 1940s and 1950s, becoming a worldwide symbol of San Francisco 💛

    Lots of fun and managed to get front row standing... twice! 😍    Read more

  • Michelle HawthornePlanes, Trains and Automobiles USA 2026Traveler
    Making Fortune Cookies 🥠

    Morning Walking Tour👣

    August 31 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    First walking of the trip 👣 🤓....

    California, 31st US State since 1850 🐻🇺🇸

    Why cities have China Towns... they formed as safe havens and survival networks for Chinese immigrants facing severe racial discrimination and legal housing restrictions ❤️ 🇨🇳

    The fortune cookie came from the city 🥠

    That the financial district is built on old ships, when moored, they could make a claim to that land, a law that encouraged immigrants to stay to keep the benefit of gold and wealth. To prevent areas from becoming completely built, California has a law that all commercial buildings need to make 2% a 'privately owned publicly operated' space to keep areas green and accessible to all 💙    Read more