{photo by Littlest_Bird}
So, a few weeks ago I was pretty damn excited to secure myself a ticket to the World Domination Summit (WDS) in Portland in 2013.
When I first heard about WDS, I knew I was going to go one day, and for some reason I just decided a few months back that 2013 was going to be the year I’d make it happen. Even better, Nick and I have decided to combine the trip with a visit to his brother in Vancouver, Canada – and we’ve convinced his folks to come over from England so we can have a family holiday/reunion of sorts. The last time we were all together was for our wedding here in Australia in 2009.
I have a special attachment to Oregon – my mum grew up there, in a little Portland suburb called Multnomah. My grandfather was born in Silverton, and lived the first half of his life in Oregon. When he came to Brisbane as part of General McArthur’s staff during WWII, he met a young Australian woman named Joan, and they were married while he was stationed here. He then took her back to the US, where they started their family before moving back to Brisbane in the 60s.
I was lucky enough to go over to Oregon with my mum and my grandparents in 1998, and we travelled around together for a few weeks, visiting all the places important to my family.
Now that my grandparents are gone, I treasure those memories – and I’m looking forward to visiting some of those places again next year.
During that trip in 1998, I was lucky enough to be granted at US citizenship, so before we can make the journey to the US, I have to make a bit of a mini-pilgrimage to Sydney in order to get my very first US passport. See, the American’s have this law – if you’re a US citizen, you’re not allowed to enter the country on any other passport. So, despite the fact I am a US citizen, I can’t currently legally enter my own country, because I only have an Australian passport. Crazy, hey?
So, we’ve got all that to organise, but in the meantime, it’s time to start dreaming and planning just what we want to do, and where we want to go during this trip. The plan so far is to visit:
- Vancouver, Canada and surrounds
- Washington State
- Oregon
- New York City
- The Grand Canyon via Las Vegas
- Los Angeles… maybe {we have to fly through there but aren’t sure if we’ll spend any time there – I’ve been before and it doesn’t really appeal to me}
The plans are all quite vague and tentative at the moment – which is why I’m writing this post. I’m hoping I can get some advice for must-see and must-visit places in these areas! I’m also hoping to knock a few things off of my Life List – and I might add a few extras on there, too!
A few ideas so far:
- take the ferry from Vancouver to Seattle
- hire a camper van to explore the national parks in Washington and Oregon
- take a helicopter flight in the Grand Canyon
- take Nick up the top of the Space Needle (I’ve been before, loved it!)
- visit the American Museum of Natural History, MoMa and the Guggenheim in NYC
- visit the High Line in NYC
- the Griffith Observatory at night in LA (been there before, my best memory of LA)
Sounds exciting Jess
I’ve never been to the US, but a friend of mine was there recently & says that Yosemite National Park is amazing. Might be a bit out of your way, but she had some pretty amazing photos.
Oh, that does look so cool! We weren’t planning to hit SanFran this time, but the more I think about it, the more I’m liking the thought of a road-trip down the whole West…
The northwest US is beautiful! Back in high school I did a camping tour of that area and by far the most beautiful place I think I’ve ever seen is Crater Lake – it’s an incredible national park that just took my breath away. The website is http://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm Seems like it would maybe fit in with some other things you want to do. Can’t wait to hear how the trip comes together!
Wow, that looks AMAZING! Definitely adding that to the list! Thanks Lindsey
Glad you are as psyched about it as I am. Happy travel planning!
How exciting, Jess! I highly recommend Yellowstone National Park. It’s like another planet there. The mud pots, the geysers, the hot springs, and the wildlife. It is all amazing and breathtakingly beautiful!
Have fun planning your trip!
Oh, Yellowstone is somewhere I really want to go one day. I don’t know if we’ll be able to make it this trip, but it’s definitely on the list of possibilities!
You have to visit Granville Island while you’re in Vancouver. And Science World. And Whistler. And if you can get into the province, the Okanagan. And over to Vancouver Island.
And now I want to go to Vancouver, too
Haha, so the whole of South-Western Canada? ;D I bet I could spend a lifetime there and never see it all. Thanks for the Granville Island tip! Hadn’t heard of that.
Las Vegas is my favourite city in the world after New York-it’s not everyones cup of tea but worth a look! We hired a vehicle and drove to the Grand Canyon (southern rim)visiting Hoover Dam on the way. Stayed overnight so we saw canyon at dusk and dawn. They have park passes that last for ages.
We also did a helicopter flight, landed in the canyon, stayed for lunch, went on horse back and watched a gun fight! Both were great but helicopter is best if you don’t have much time. Booked it from our hotel.
NY we took Statten island ferry to view statue of liberty as the ques were horrendous (it was July though)love the 24hr diners!
Oregon-we also have family there but I haven’t been there yet
LA-I agree not my fav place but if you stay I know of a cool club to visit. Best part there was Venice beach…Once you have more of a plan I can send you more details
Awesome info, thanks so much Mary!! We’re thinking of doing a similar thing to you re the Canyon.