From the Atlantic to the Pacific: A Journey Through the Southern States of the USA - ForumDaily
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Bu məqalə Google Translate servisi vasitəsi ilə avtomatik olaraq rus dilindən azərbaycan dilinə tərcümə olunmuşdur. Bundan sonra mətn redaktə edilməmişdir.

From the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific: a journey through the southern states of the United States

The idea to go by car across the whole of America arose when last summer my friend Scott had to decide what to do with the car that he got from his mother. The difficulty was that Scott lived on the West Coast of the United States, and the legacy remained on the East Coast. As a result, having started the journey off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, we drove more than 7000 km, crossed the borders of the 9 states and got to the Pacific Ocean, writes Olga Khristoforova in your blog Holaolly.

Me and my new backpack with anti-gravity system. The store promised that he himself would carry me in the mountains and deserts. Photos from the personal archive

The journey began with Florida, which is known not only for its sunny beaches, but also for its great popularity among millionaires, for whose comfortable life there is even a separate island - Palm Beach. For those interested in seeing millionaires in their natural habitat, a must-visit hotel is The Brakers, where room rates start at $600 per night. Anyone can visit the hotel's luxurious restaurant; you don't have to be a guest to do so. And who knows, maybe, having ordered a cup of coffee, you will find yourself at the next table with Donald Trump or Tom Cruise, whose villas are nearby.​

Photos from personal archive

The biggest impression in Florida was made not at all by the estates of millionaires, but by the manatees that inhabit the warm waters of the Loksahachi River. For several hours, we rowed in a rented kayak through the broad canal, hoping to see the alligators who live there. It was incredibly hot, and it was hard to paddle, but I didn’t want to give up and turn back, because, according to kayakers who came across to meet, a couple of three-meter reptiles basked in the sun somewhere in front. Having stopped in a small backwater, in order to have a little breath, we suddenly noticed a large shadow swimming under our kayak. Then another. Then, out of the water, a little curious animal appeared, which was looking at us with interest. By the way these giants, weighing half a ton, behaved trustingly and calmly, one could understand how friendly they were. It is a pity that because of their gullibility, the manatees are under threat of extinction.

Manatee examines us from under the water. Photos from the personal archive

Pensacola Beach. Photos from the personal archive

I never managed to see alligators in Florida, probably because they were waiting for us in Alabama, the second state of our route.

Alabama I remember primarily the campsite, which we found by chance when, already at dusk, we were looking for a place to spend the night. The campground ranger rejoiced at our luck, saying that a tent site had become available just before our arrival because a little boy had thrown a tantrum at his parents, not wanting to spend the night with alligators. Noticing the expression of slight panic on my face, the caretaker tried to calm me down, informing me that their alligators are small - only two meters long; they live in another part of the river and may only become interested in our tent if we leave food supplies in the open air.

I didn’t leave the tent that night just in case, so I can’t say for sure if the alligators came.

Alabama. Camping with alligators in Gulf State Park. Photos from the personal archive

Louisiana - a southern US state with a special culture in which the traditions of settlers from Africa mixed with the culture of colonialists from France and Spain. New Orleans, the largest city in Louisiana, is considered the birthplace of African-American jazz.

Photos from personal archive

Photos from personal archive

The unique architecture of New Orleans, which retained elements of the French festival and grace, is one of the reasons for visiting it. The beautifully preserved colorful ancient buildings in French colonial style, illuminated by romantic gas lanterns, as if recreating the atmosphere of America from the 18 century.

Photos from personal archive

The French Quarter in New Orleans is a must see! Its streets are filled with musicians and dancing people in carnival costumes, and the sounds of African-American jazz can be heard from countless bars and restaurants.

Later in the evening, the fun is gaining momentum, while men are stocking up with colored plastic beads, which are made to be thrown to pretty girls. Having caught a bunch of these carnival decorations, beauties traditionally lift up their T-shirts and bare their breasts to the joy of the merry passersby. The French Quarter in New Orleans is perhaps the only place in the United States where the beads of a modern woman still cause no less admiration than the native women of the times of Cook.

Louisiana. Streets of New Orleans. Photos from the personal archive

According to local residents, New Orleans hosts more than 400 carnivals a year. Even funerals in New Orleans are like a small carnival. Just leaving the city, we had to delay because the road was blocked due to a funeral procession. The procession was led by a funeral carriage drawn by a pair of horses decorated with flowers. Behind the carriage were musicians playing a cheerful jazz melody. Following the musicians, dancing and singing, walked countless smartly dressed relatives and friends of the deceased. There was no way to call it mourning. Quite the contrary - cheerful residents of New Orleans believe that instead of grieving the death of a loved one, it is better to celebrate his life as loudly and cheerfully as possible.

New Mexico. Stunning scenery behind each new turn of the road. Photos from the personal archive

The next state on our way was Texas - the center of American cattle breeding. High prices for quality beef (about $5000 per cow) and great demand gradually returned popularity to the cowboy lifestyle and style. Men in wide-brimmed hats and cowboy boots can easily be seen on the streets of any Texas city.

Somewhere in Texas. Photos from the personal archive

Once in Texas, one cannot help but feel the cowboy spirit. Even such indecisive persons like me, decide on desperate actions. For example, taming a wild unbroken bull. We met this bull in the bar, and he was mechanical, which did not make him more compliant. A glass of whiskey undoubtedly helped me decide to straddle the kicking monster in front of the bar visitors. Clasping his skin-covered sides with his legs, holding the single loop on his neck with one hand and screaming with every sharp movement, I held out on him for no more than a minute. I remain in absolute confidence that the second glass of whiskey would have increased my time at least twice.

Texas. McKinney Falls State Park. Photos from the personal archive

Texas. Unaccompanied cacti and frightened rabbits at every turn. Photos from the personal archive

Another surprise in Texas is the edible cacti that grow everywhere there. A dish reminiscent of an omelette with vegetables is prepared from the green leaves of the cactus, and can also be preserved. The burgundy-purple fruits of the cactus are eaten raw, after cutting off the thick skin and removing the seeds. These prickly pears taste like a cross between strawberries and an overripe cucumber.​

Texas. We are enjoying the fruits of the wild cactus. Photos from the personal archive

The next segment of our route, the state New Mexico, resembled a real safari. We encountered the ubiquitous wild rabbits and peacefully grazing wild goats so often that they quickly ceased to amaze us. But the elk that unexpectedly jumped onto the road right under the wheels of our car really tickled our nerves. The collision was miraculously avoided, and the elk escaped with only minor fright. Although, of course, who knows - maybe he still stutters.

Another surprise was the antelope, who viewed us with interest from roadside bushes. They looked very exotic, and therefore attracted our attention. It turned out that about 30 years ago, the state government decided to bring antelope from Africa to diversify the fauna of the region. Due to the absence of large predators, the African antelopes in New Mexico divorced so much that the government allowed the hunt for them.

New Mexico. The white sand dunes of the White Sands. Photos from the personal archive

In New Mexico there is a unique white desert, White Sands National Monument. Getting there is not so easy, which is probably why there were so few tourists there. In search of white sands, Google Maps led us along a dirt road between military training grounds, where the most frequently encountered road sign was a warning about tanks. Who knows what military secrets we would have declassified there if we had not accidentally stumbled upon a checkpoint, where a serious guy in a military uniform showed us the way to the white sands. White Sands is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. It’s as if you find yourself in a painted reality, which the artist painted with only two colors - bright blue for the sky without a single cloud and pure white for the endless sand dunes.

New Mexico. Sandboarding in the white desert White Sands. Photos from the personal archive

Cogburn Ostrich Ranch. Photos from the personal archive

The main purpose of the visit Arizona, there was, of course, the Grand Canyon, about which I can only say that I have never seen anything more magnificent in my life. Go

Arizona. Grand Canyon. Photos from the personal archive

Arizona. The gullible mountain goat on the trail in the Grand Canyon. Photos from the personal archive

Another amazing place made a special impression on me - the experimental city of Arcosanti. It was founded in the 70s, far from civilization, in the middle of the Arizona desert, by the Italian architect Paulo Soleri, who was the founder of arcology - a science that combines architecture and ecology. The main purpose of the settlement was to demonstrate how the destructive impact of people on the environment can be minimized.​

Arizona. Unfinished amphitheater pilot city Arkosanti. Photos from the personal archive

The construction of Arcosanti has dragged on for many years and is unlikely to ever be completed due to lack of funding. The main source of money comes from tourists visiting the city and the production of bells for sale. Initially, this project was designed to accommodate 5 citizens, however, at the moment the total number of city residents does not exceed 000 people. These are mainly students and volunteers who study arcology in practice, or simply want to hide from civilization and live according to the laws of the community.

​Late in the evening, having turned off the main highway onto an inconspicuous dirt road, we finally reached this strange settlement. In general, according to Arcosanti rules, tourists are allowed into the city only before evening, but since no one blocked our way, we got inside without any hindrance. The setting sun illuminated deserted streets and buildings of strange futuristic shapes. The utopian project of Paulo Soleri continues to live thanks to a small group of volunteers who firmly believe in the future of arcology and do not want to admit that Arcosanti is a tomorrow that never existed...

Arizona. Watson Lake is the filming location for the original version of the Planet of the Apes film. Photo from personal archive

Arizona. Ghost town King Gold Mine. Photos from the personal archive

Arizona. This is not the filming of a Western - these are locals returning from the bar on a Friday night. Photo from personal archive

California - These are not only world-famous Los Angeles, Hollywood and San Francisco, but also unique natural landscapes. Our acquaintance with this amazing state began with Death Valley, where the highest temperature on the planet was recorded: +57C. On the day we crossed Death Valley, the thermometer showed +48C. Fearing that the car would overheat, we tried not to overload the engine. Parked on the side of a deserted highway, we ventured out of the car and found ourselves as if inside a hot oven.​

California. Death Valley. Photos from the personal archive

The alarming silence, the scorching sun and the scorching dry air made our walk much shorter than we had planned at the beginning.

California. Death Valley. Photos from the personal archive

Nevada. The Hoover Dam is one of the greatest structures of the 20th century. Photo from personal archive

Visiting Sequoia National Park in California was like traveling to the land of gullivers. Being at the foot of the largest tree in the world, which is comparable in height to the 35-storey building, I did not manage to see its crown. The age of some redwoods reaches 4000 years, which unwittingly makes you wonder about which civilizations were witnessed by these ancient giants.

Giant sequoia and little me. Photos from the personal archive

This is not an optical illusion - this is a cone from a sequoia tree - the largest tree on the planet. Photo from personal archive

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