Archiv der Kategorie: Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous, Reisen, USA

Grand Teton NP – Rainy days

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Four years ago, in 2010, I went with my friend Charlotte on a four weeks travel along the Rocky Mountains. Starting in Denver, relaxing a few days at Maroon Lake near Aspen to get rid of the jet lag, going all the way up to Grand Teton and Yellowstone NP, further west to visit Devils Tower,  Badlands NP, Mt. Rushmore, Wind Cave NP, driving back to the Rockies to spent two days at Rocky Mountains NP, before we ended up in Denver again. Most of the time the weather was nice and sunny, but we also faced some rainy days, and in the altitudes of the Rocky Mountain area we had some frosty nights on the campground.

It’s just something you have to be prepared for, even in August you can have snow in the higher areas.

Grand TetonWe arrived at Grand Teton NP on a beautiful summer day, checked in at the nice campground, and were eager to see our first bisons in the wild. Oh my, we were not disappointed! First the bisons in the postcard-like setting in front of the Tetons, and later, just a few steps away from the campground, the bisons making their evening walk on the roadside.

Grand Teton Grand Teton

Later on the travel we’ve seen so many more bisons, but it never ceased to amaze us.

On the next morning we woke up to some rain drops on the tents, and during the following days it was a mix of rain, thunderstorms and Grand Tetonclouds. And no, you will not hear any complaints! Look at the photo gallery and then tell me the colours of nature are not breathtakingly beautiful! There is nothing to complain about having the chance to enjoy this spectacular landscape. And the other benefit, we had it all to ourselves, even the campground at Jackson Lake was nearly empty.

So yes, those rainy days are saved as precious travel memories!

Miscellaneous, Reisen, USA

USA 2014 – Chicago

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Chicago - The Windy CityChicago is my favorite city in the United States. Without fuss or quibble. Though I’ve never seen much more of the city than the downtown area and parts of Oak Park during my now six visits, having mostly done the tourist things.

To describe what it is with the Windy City isn’t easy. I’m sure it has a lot to do with the open water front at Lake Michigan. And also with the variety of architecture. Sure that’s something Manhattan also has, but there is no comparison. Chicago is so much more ‚open‘. More space, more air, more including the water into the city’s living structure, less noise, less hustle and bustle, enough recreational areas including a beach within the downtown area.

Relaxing at Millenium Park
Relaxing at Millenium Park

On this travel it was the first time I flew directly to Chicago, picked up

Chicago has a pretty good public transport system, so taking the train downtown is a good idea!
Chicago has a pretty good public transport system, so taking the train downtown is a good idea!

my rental car to drive to my hotel, close to the airport. Next day I took the train downtown and enjoyed a relaxed full sightseeing day, meeting a friend, Darrell, in the evening to join me for dinner. What a great day to start this trip.

And what a well-rounded vacation it became, when, three weeks later, Darrell also spent the last hours before my flight back to Munich with me at the Chicago Ribfest.

The Chicago Ribfest takes place in a northern district, and is all about eating ...
The Chicago Ribfest takes place in a northern district, and is all about eating …
...spareribs...
…spareribs…
...and some other strange things ;-)
…and some other strange things 😉
Slightly tipsy in a good mood I entered the airplane ;-)
Slightly tipsy in a good mood I entered the airplane 😉

Next time 😉 I really want to take some time to become more familiar with other Chicago neighbourhoods.

More prictures in the gallery …

Miscellaneous, Reisen, USA

It’s all about the people!

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Yesterday somewhere in Wisconsin. We just had that great party at my friends house. All these wonderful people coming over to grill, eat, drink and talk.

Most of them I’d already met one or two times on former visits, some not. And it was such a good experience to have the chance to be together with so many open-minded, smart, interesting, lovely people.

Why do I feel the need to tell this?

Because there is a lot of rejection, misunderstanding, whenever I talk about how much I love to visit the US. I’m not blind to the reality in this country, on the contrary, I try to stay informed about the political situation. But when it comes down to the point why I like to come over visiting, then it’s (now) mostly because of the people.

Well, sure I like the nature too, all the great National Parks, the driving through the country, the campgrounds and short visits in those fascinating big cities.

Sometimes, when people ask me ‚which part of the country do you love most‘, I have fun answering ‚Wisconsin‘ – you should see their faces, probably thinking something like ‚we always knew Germans are kind of crazy‘ ;-).

Over the last few years I added some more special places like Indianapolis and Marco Island, though the farm in Wisconsin with all its ‚inhabitants‘ hopefully will always be my home far from home.

So this is a huge THANK YOU to everybody out there, making me feel so welcomed in your country, and a reminder to all of us, don’t simply judge, listen and talk, cause it’s all about the people!