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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / RVs / November 2005Trip around the USA
Ladies/Gents, My wife and I are UK residents and are retiring in the next couple of years. We wish to apply for a visa and thereafter travel around the USA for a few months (as long as the Visa lasts)and see some of the major sights. Here is the plan. We (just the 2 of us) fly to the east coast somewhere, (NY, DC, New England)and purchase an RV, travel all over the place and end up on the west coast where we sell the RV. Life's experience tells me that this is probably easier said than done, but I just do not know. Therefore, can anyone out there give any advice, especially with respect to obtaining vehicle insurance and whether one needs a special drivers license for the differing classes of RVs? We both hold standard UK car driving licenses but I am planning to train to drive Large Articulated Goods Vehicles (equivalent to USA semi) prior to leaving the UK. Any advice would be gratefully recieved. Regards Paul and Karen. >Therefore, can anyone out there give any > advice, ALWAYS remember that we drive on the wrong side of the road. Look left when crossing the street > whether one needs a special drivers license for the differing classes > of RVs No but sometimes I think there should be. > We both hold standard UK car driving licenses but I am planning > to train to drive Large Articulated Goods Vehicles (equivalent to USA > semi) prior to leaving the UK. Very good Idea. Buying an RV will be much easier than selling it. You may have to resort to a broker or dealer to sell it for you and take a hit on the price. Hope you will enjoy your adventure!  SignatureI'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet Bob in Carmel, CA > Ladies/Gents, > My wife and I are UK residents and are retiring in the next couple of [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > semi) prior to leaving the UK. Any advice would be gratefully > recieved. Hi Paul & Karen I wish you luck on your endeavour - it sounds like fun. As an un-American myself, errr that didn't come out right - a person who is not a resident of the USA - that's better, I have found it difficult and perhaps impossible to register a verhicle, at least in some states. My experience is that getting US insurance is pretty much impossble for a non-resident. Some purchases with credit cards require a US mailing address but I think I've only come across that on the internet and at Pay-at-the pump gas stations. OTOH, a neighbour of mine has a trailer parked in Florida year-round. He managed to convince the DMV that he's a resident so now he has a Florida driver's license. He can do pretty much whatever he wants now that doesn't require a Social Security number. Maybe he has one of those too. Oh, don't forget, you may have trouble buying a gun and of course all RVer's have to have at least one of those. :) Cheers, Joe The gun part....how do you travel with a gun? If i get a permit here in Michigan and travel to Fla. and then to Az. and on to Ca. Is it legal? How do I do it? ck every state i plan to go thur? ROBERT F. THOMAS http://community.webtv.net/gator45/NAVIGATIONDEPTUSS > The gun part....how do you travel with a gun? Carefully. But, don't take a gun to New York City or New Jersey, or Washington, DC, or into Canada or into Mexico. Don't carry it in the cab where it can be seen by a nosy cop. They get very irritated by guns. > If i get a permit here in Michigan and travel to Fla. and then to Az. > and on to Ca. Is it legal? Yes, in general. Get the book "Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States," by J. Scott Kappas, Esq. It is available from Travler's Guide, P.O. Box 2156, Covington, KY 41012. Phone: (859) 647-5100. See http://www.gunlawguide.com. > How do I do it? When I carry my gun(s) in the RV, I keep them unloaded with a loaded magazine nearby. They are out of sight and my wife dissapproves. > ck every state i plan to go thur? > > ROBERT F. THOMAS > > http://community.webtv.net/gator45/NAVIGATIONDEPTUSS John Andrews, Knoxville, Tennessee Thanks....know about Mexico.....go there lots. wife disprove? Having the gun at all? When we hike in Az. during the winter you see a few carrying guns....a few. but in Apache Junction they carry them even into Restaurants....not in a place where they serve booze tho......guess they think it is still the"WEST" there....don't try it in Mesa tho.... ROBERT F. THOMAS http://community.webtv.net/gatorcvs11/USSINTREPIDCVSCVA11 >Thanks....know about Mexico.....go there lots. > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >ROBERT F. THOMAS >http://community.webtv.net/gatorcvs11/USSINTREPIDCVSCVA11 An armed society is a polite society. unk > An armed society is a polite society. An armed society has the highest homicide rate in the industrialized world. KH >> An armed society is a polite society. > An armed society has the highest homicide rate in the industrialized > world.< Subtract the number of SignatureJerryD(upstateNY) An armed society is a polite society. 'An armed society has the highest homicide rate in the industrialized world. KH' REPLY: I agree it does. I wish it were not so. Id be pleased to throw my pistol in a deep lake if i didnt need it for protection from an uncivil society where my life can be threatened at any time. >An armed society is a polite society. >'An armed society has the highest homicide rate in the industrialized [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >my pistol in a deep lake if i didnt need it for protection from an >uncivil society where my life can be threatened at any time. Really........... Well the Swiss are required to own a military weapon and as a society are armed to the teeth. They also have one of the lowest crime rates in the world! I would like to see the bleeding heart liberals explanation for that one. The problem in this country is not the guns! It's the reproducing like rabbits, welfare recipient, jobless, uneducated, non parent disciplined, street trash, that liberals are allowing to fester in this country. Me thinks we need a massive urban renewal project from sea to shining sea. That oughtta start the flames. Mark > >An armed society is a polite society. > >'An armed society has the highest homicide rate in the industrialized [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Mark Wow!!! A perfect TROLL. Two lines appear to apply: It is a source of continuous wonder how some can be so convinced and so ill-informed - simultaneously. "It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid, than to open it and remove all doubt" Mark Twain Lou snipped > Wow!!! A perfect TROLL. snipped > Lou If you're referring to Mark's post, bullshit. He hit the mark dead on. Hugh >>The problem in this country is not the guns! It's the reproducing like >>rabbits, welfare recipient, jobless, uneducated, non parent disciplined, >>street trash, that liberals are allowing to fester in this country. Me >>thinks we need a massive urban renewal project from sea to shining sea. >>That oughtta start the flames. >> Mark > Wow!!! A perfect TROLL. > Two lines appear to apply: > It is a source of continuous wonder how some can be so convinced and so > ill-informed - simultaneously. > Lou OK, Lou, what is YOUR plan to fix the welfare problem we have in this country ?? Or don't you even think there is a problem ? I am sure you won't have a plan. You will just piss and moan but do nothing, just like the rest of the left. LBJ started all the mess with his Great Society in the 1960's and the Liberals put more money into it every year for 40 years and they had the same % of poor when the Republicans took over the House in 1994. Then the welfare population went DOWN within 2 years. SignatureJerryD(upstateNY) Jerry..You wouldn't happen to know someone named Head Cheerleader from webtv? >>An armed society is a polite society. >>'An armed society has the highest homicide rate in the industrialized [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Mark No flames from this corner. You've got it right for sure. Once upon a time, being on Welfare was a disgrace. PC folk have turned it into a badge of honor. Those on welfare think they are owed something from the rest of us. We've spent far too much money on this experiment and need to spell out to those "in need" what the meaning of *boot straps* means. Hugh > Once upon a time, being on Welfare was a disgrace. PC folk > have turned it into a badge of honor. Those on welfare think > they are owed something from the rest of us. We've spent far > too much money on this experiment and need to spell out to > those "in need" what the meaning of *boot straps* means. Amen, amen, amen. Many here may not remember when being "on welfare" was being "on the dole". It all began to fall apart when welfare became an "entitlement". <gag> I think the first, big and best step would be to put the FATHER back into the home. :) JR snipped > Amen, amen, amen. > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > :) > JR That's one reason I'm torn on the abortion issue. Morally I'm committed to believing it's wrong unless the mother's life is in danger. Practically I'd rather allow free abortion to those who don't want or are unwilling to provide care for a child. As long as we reward a woman/(child) bringing an unloved child into the world, we are going to have this problem. Take away financial gain from a woman having more than one child "without" a father could be a step in the right direction. The fewer unmarried "single" moms out there the better. Hugh >. The fewer unmarried "single" >moms out there the better. Um, I think you mean unable to support the child single moms right? There's nothing wrong with being a single mom if you can afford it. Hunter -- http://members.aol.com/hhamp5246/roadtrip2005.htm Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy sh.t...what a ride!" >>. The fewer unmarried "single" >>moms out there the better. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >Hunter Hunter, think now, we're talking about deadbeat welfare recipient, single moms here. Single parent homes whether male or female, who can afford to be single parent homes is a whole other topic. Mark >Hunter, think now, we're talking about deadbeat welfare recipient, single >moms here. I agree, but that's not what Hugh said in the last sentence. I was clarifying. I'm on your side Mark. Hunter -- http://members.aol.com/hhamp5246/roadtrip2005.htm Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy sh.t...what a ride!" >>Hunter, think now, we're talking about deadbeat welfare recipient, single >>moms here. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Hunter Yup, that's correct. I'd rather see a real family unit, with a Mom and Pop though. A big part of the raising kids problems, to me at least, is the lack of a parent in the home while the kid isn't in school. If a grandparent is available, that makes a difference. Putting the kid in childcare is really not the answer to our current dilemma. Having a parent there is. Our son Dave did use childcare because he didn't have a choice. Difference was he had parents who could help. The girls, once they were both in school, were dropped off at Elaine's parents house. Dave then picked them up when he got out of work. I'm not in favor of a woman trying to have a career and be a part time Mom. Most homes where this is the norm, have the tendency of guilt based largess. Far better to do with less and have a Mom in the home to greet the kids when they come home from school. People don't have to agree with me but I really think this is a major reason for the lack of respect a lot of kids have for adults today. Hugh >I'm not in favor of a woman trying to have a career and be a >part time Mom. Most homes where this is the norm, have the [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >a lot of kids have for adults today. >Hugh Actually, I do agree with you. I also think TV and movies are a big part of the problem. Hunter -- http://members.aol.com/hhamp5246/roadtrip2005.htm Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy sh.t...what a ride!" >>I'm not in favor of a woman trying to have a career and be a >>part time Mom. Most homes where this is the norm, have the [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Hunter Absolutely. The whole parent/child relationship went down the tubes with the advent of tv programs pushing the concept of teens being disrespectful of their elders. The tobacco barons are guilty as hell pushing their products on kids. I'd like to strap the CEO's down over a Fire Ant hill and drizzle syrup over their privates. They and all the other morally deprived execs who push their products and rotten concepts on folk who haven't grown their brains to match their bodies should share the same ant hills. I wonder how many frustrated parents would pay to see that spectacle? I know I would. Hugh > Absolutely. The whole parent/child relationship went down the tubes with > the advent of tv programs pushing the concept of teens being > disrespectful of their elders. The main problem is the lack of parenting, not TV shows. >> Absolutely. The whole parent/child relationship went down the tubes >> with the advent of tv programs pushing the concept of teens being >> disrespectful of their elders. > > The main problem is the lack of parenting, not TV shows. Don't agree. Prior to the shows with kids sassing their elders were the family shows. With the advent of cable, the producers were able to undercut parenting with ease. If you're not at least 60 years old, you can't know what I'm talking about. When most of us were kids, you didn't dare question your parents about their parenting skills. Now the little piss pots tell their folks what to do. As an example, attend a concert at most any school today. When our kids were small and attending school, the audience respected the performers. People, for the most part, didn't talk while the performance was on. Today, cell phones go off and people answer them. People talk all through the concert. Kids get out of their seats and run around up and down the aisles. Hugh > Don't agree. Prior to the shows with kids sassing their elders were the > family shows. With the advent of cable, the producers were able to > undercut parenting with ease. BULL. The bottom line is parenting. They can shut the dang TV off if they didn't use it to babysit for them. Sorry but I strongly disagree with putting the blame on TV. The past several decades parenting has become horrible. Parents spend less and less time with their kids. Someone else is always responsible to raise them or to blame when things go wrong. Start with parents. No way is TV to blame to bad parenting. TURN IT OFF! > If you're not at least 60 years old, you > can't know what I'm talking about. When most of us were kids, you didn't > dare question your parents about their parenting skills. Now the little > piss pots tell their folks what to do. Thats because parents do not parent. They do not spend time with their kids. That is not TV's fault. It's the parents. Trying to pass the blame onto someone else is exactly why we now have such horrible parents. It's easier for them to say it's not their fault, its governments etc. for not properly protecting them. It's the parents job. TURN THE TV OFF! > Today, cell phones go off and people answer them. People talk all > through the concert. Kids get out of their seats and run around up and > down the aisles. Thats because of lousy parenting. Take the cells away from them, turn the TV off and start paying attention to their kids. Thats where is starts and stops. Don't try to put the blame where it surely is not. That just fuels the parents to use your excuses for their lack of parenting. CPS - Child Protective Service To all the numbnuts that blame parents just realize that if you look at your kid funny you can expect the teacher to send CPS to you rhouse. Blame the goverment for lack of discipline. Yet they are quick to send the adult child to death row or jail and prosecute the parent. Always two sides to a coin folks. >> Don't agree. Prior to the shows with kids sassing their elders were the >> family shows. With the advent of cable, the producers were able to [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > and stops. Don't try to put the blame where it surely is not. That just > fuels the parents to use your excuses for their lack of parenting. >> Absolutely. The whole parent/child relationship went down the tubes with >> the advent of tv programs pushing the concept of teens being >> disrespectful of their elders. > >The main problem is the lack of parenting, not TV shows. Isn't is amazing that people choose to "blame" inanimate machines and others for their own failings? unk > Isn't is amazing that people choose to "blame" inanimate machines and > others for their own failings? It's a liberal world. Blame someone/something else and never take care of a problem themselves. >> Isn't is amazing that people choose to "blame" inanimate machines and >> others for their own failings? > > It's a liberal world. Blame someone/something else and never take care > of a problem themselves. Well yeah Miles. Do you have anything more than the rhetoric you've posted so far? Do you for instance have any thoughts on how parenting skills have degraded? Do you not understand how tv feeds the degradation of parenting skills? Do you understand a parent can not control what their kid sees on tv? In their own home, yes they can. How about when the kid visits friends? Is the parent to forbid their kid from going to friends houses? You need to look further than just the situation today and ask how it all happened. Look, we didn't get here all of a sudden. The lack of moral structure from the media has had a lot to do with it. They've kept hammering at the walls and have been darn successful at bringing them down. Liberal idealism certainly has had a lot to do with where we are but that isn't the only thing involved. How about blaming the corporate heads of the media companies. Do you for instance think they have done right by parents? Have they shown real restraint about show selection and allowable behavior from actors? As has already been mentioned, laws allowing the legal system to over ride parenting rights has a place in the line of culprits. In the zeal to protect kids from abuse by parents, the scales have tipped too far. With the advent of cable, the main stream networks have fought back by loosening the moral constraints of the past. Are Liberals to blame, partly. But the guys making the programming are also to blame for chasing the buck with no regard for the core values we cherish. Hugh > Yup, that's correct. I'd rather see a real family unit, with a Mom and Pop > though. A big part of the raising kids problems, to me at least, is the > lack of a parent in the home while the kid isn't in school.< I am sure LBJ had good intentions with his Great Society program but like almost all Liberal policies, human nature wasn't taken into account. Things that look good on paper, falls all apart when human nature is inserted. Hell, even Socialism looks good on paper............everyone works and throws all their earnings into a pot and everyone takes equal shares out of the pot. With the welfare system, the husband working to make money is no longer needed. Now any girl/woman can have babies and not worry who is going to pay the bills because the government will. SignatureJerryD(upstateNY) I see where Mark Tetrault <mdtetrault@highstream.net> contributed: >The problem in this country is not the guns! It's the reproducing like >rabbits, welfare recipient, jobless, uneducated, non parent disciplined, >street trash, that liberals are allowing to fester in this country. Me >thinks we need a massive urban renewal project from sea to shining sea. You mean we are breeding and feeding a class of misfits like those intent on destroying Paris? I feel sure the liberals who have succeeded in creating a monster of "entitlement" with generous infusions of our money do not understand the law of unintended consequences! If I were King (may God save us from such a fate!) I would do everything a King could do to eliminate long-term handouts from tax money, including termination of all benefits for those convicted of crimes, deportation of ALL illegal aliens, elimination of tax-funded "free" housing, medical care and lawyers. In short, my kingdom would make a reasonable effort to help those in trouble but would NOT welcome or coddle the lazy, the illegal, or the criminal perpetrator. Nor would tax money be spent to reward single mothers for squirting out more children. Charitable organizations wishing to help the legitimately needy would not be punished for doing so UNLESS they aided and abetted illegal activities. Will Sill The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill >I see where Mark Tetrault <mdtetrault@highstream.net> contributed: > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >You mean we are breeding and feeding a class of misfits like those >intent on destroying Paris? Yep! >I feel sure the liberals who have succeeded in creating a monster of >"entitlement" with generous infusions of our money do not understand >the law of unintended consequences! Yep! >If I were King (may God save us from such a fate!) I would do >everything a King could do to eliminate long-term handouts from tax [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >Will Sill >The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill The problem is weeding out the truly needy from the "one more kid means more welfare money" bunch. No more street crime, no more coddling prisoners, looters will be shot on site, no more plea bargains, etc. Mark >>An armed society is a polite society. >>'An armed society has the highest homicide rate in the industrialized [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > >I would like to see the bleeding heart liberals explanation for that one. Easy. They do not allow thugs from any other country to sneak in and try to take over their society. If you come from Inner Slobovia, you damn well better assimilate into Swiss customs, language and practices or be shunned. Here in Phoenix over the weekend, two 17 YO LEGAL hispanics were murdered by someone robbng the store where they worked. I am going out on a limb, but I will bet that when the perp is ID'ed and caught, he will be an illegal! If not, I will apologise on this board. unk >The problem in this country is not the guns! It's the reproducing like >rabbits, welfare recipient, jobless, uneducated, non parent disciplined, [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >Mark Yes and when it is all said and done, we will find that Katrina did $20bn in urban improvements in NO. >>>An armed society is a polite society. >>>'An armed society has the highest homicide rate in the industrialized [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > ===\ Also the guns are rifles and have to be locked up at home, to be used only against invaders. Something I believe the writers of the constitution meant to say.. Also the Swiss are a people who obey laws. Not an aggressive society like the US. If the Americans walked the walk LOL, so many of them having guns, all the bad guys would have been shot by now. But NO! they are a bunch of paranoid people who only look at their own well being. All talk, LOL <SNIP> >> ===\ >Also the guns are rifles and have to be locked up at home, to be used only >against invaders. Something I believe the writers of the constitution No, they don't. They are required to be at home and available at all times. It makes no sense to keep a firearm for defense, and then not be able to use it. They keep their skills up at schutzenfest. Teens 13-17 are expected to compete. Kids 8 and up shoot air pistol - http://www.stephenhalbrook.com/articles/swiss_teen_rifle_festival.html "In Zurich, some 5,631 teens 4,046 boys and 1,585 girls, aged 13-17 have finished firing the Swiss service rifle, and its time for the shootoff." Notice they're using the Swiss service rifle, a SIG Strumgeweher (assault rifle) model 1990 (Stgw 90). This is a city-wide tournament, and they get 5,600 teens out to a target shooting competition. Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, with a population (including suburbs) of about 1 million. See http://www.stephenhalbrook.com/articles/guns-crime-swiss.html for example: "The Swiss Federal Police Office reports that, in 1997, there were 87 intentional homicides and 102 attempted homicides in the entire country. Some 91 of these 189 murders and attempts involved firearms (the statistics do not distinguish firearm use in consummated murders from attempts). With its population of seven million (which includes 1.2 million foreigners), Switzerland had a homicide rate of 1.2 per 100,000. There were 2,498 robberies (and attempted robberies), of which 546 involved firearms, giving a robbery rate of 36 per 100,000. Almost half of these criminal acts were committed by non-resident foreigners, which is why one hears reference in casual talk to "criminal tourists." " "Sometimes, the data sounds too good to be true. In 1993, not a single armed robbery was reported in Geneva. " >meant to say.. Also the Swiss are a people who obey laws. Not an aggressive >society like the US. If the Americans walked the walk LOL, so many of them >having guns, >all the bad guys would have been shot by now. But NO! they are a bunch of >paranoid people who only look at their own well being. All talk, >LOL You've left Ontario to find out? Maybe spent a day in Detroit or Buffalo? Trefor Thomas SignatureTo be civilized is to restrain the ability to commit mayhem. To be incapable of committing mayhem is not the mark of the civilized, merely the domesticated. > <SNIP> > [quoted text clipped - 46 lines] > Buffalo? > Trefor Thomas ** Your above remarks just proved my point, LOL. It's not the guns it's you Guys. Yep, I've spent a LOT of time in Detroit. I was there 2 days before the "Black day." You remember or even know of that day? I guess with a name like yours you have to Welsh? Geoff. 'The problem in this country is not the guns! It's the reproducing like rabbits, welfare recipient, jobless, uneducated, non parent disciplined, street trash, that liberals are allowing to fester in this country. Me thinks we need a massive urban renewal project from sea to shining sea.' REPLY: I agree again ; Thats the reason i carry a pistol when i go RVing in unknown territory. This culture is cranking out such reprobate minds that dont care whats right from wrong anymore -- a total moral sewer. > 'The problem in this country is not the guns! It's the reproducing like > rabbits, welfare recipient, jobless, uneducated, non parent disciplined, [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > in unknown territory. This culture is cranking out such reprobate minds > that dont care whats right from wrong anymore -- a total moral sewer. Yeah, makes it easier to get kids, don't it? "Wanna see my gun?" "Wanna seen my gun?" hee hee hee Be sure to carry that piece when you drive into Mexico, dave ya friggin moron >> An armed society is a polite society. > > An armed society has the highest homicide rate in the industrialized > world. > > KH Good, you always need to thin out the rotten ones. SignatureMoParMaN---Remove Clothes To Reply! --SCUD Coordinates 32.61204 North: 96.92993 West-- >> An armed society is a polite society. > >An armed society has the highest homicide rate in the industrialized world. Tes, but the violent crime rate is much lower. >KH Trefor Thomas SignatureTo be civilized is to restrain the ability to commit mayhem. To be incapable of committing mayhem is not the mark of the civilized, merely the domesticated. >>> An armed society is a polite society. >> [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Trefor Thomas And this is based on what believe? >>>> An armed society is a polite society. >>> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > >And this is based on what believe? The ICVS (International Crime Victimization Survey). It compares violent crimes from about 25 different countries, mostly North America and western Europe. Last I looked (I think it was the 1999 or 2000 survey), U.S. was consistently in the bottom half of the scale in most violent crime categories. Trefor Thomas SignatureTo be civilized is to restrain the ability to commit mayhem. To be incapable of committing mayhem is not the mark of the civilized, merely the domesticated. >>>>> An armed society is a polite society. >>>> [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > violent crime categories. > Trefor Thomas The ICVS (International Crime Victimization Survey) is based on WAG's not actual data; OTOH, the ICPO is based on actual data and refutes your contention of the US having a much lower violent crime rate. >> The ICVS (International Crime Victimization Survey) is based on WAG's not >> actual data; OTOH, the ICPO is based on actual data and refutes your >> contention of the US having a much lower violent crime rate.<< I don't know about whose crime rate is less than whose but since more states have been passing a "right to carry" law, our crime rate has been DROPPING. Those countries that have banned guns have had their crime rates GOING UP. Now I know the anti-gun crowd will never admit there is any correlation here but it is so obvious it is hard to deny. SignatureJerryD(upstateNY) >>> The ICVS (International Crime Victimization Survey) is based on WAG's >>> not actual data; OTOH, the ICPO is based on actual data and refutes your [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Now I know the anti-gun crowd will never admit there is any correlation > here but it is so obvious it is hard to deny. No relation to that, crime has been dropping everywhere in the western world including countries with gun control, and right to carry has not been established as a contributing factor, except with some folks that like to obfuscate for personal reasons >Herald wrote No relation to that, crime has been dropping everywhere in the >western world including countries with gun control, and right to carry has >not been established as a contributing factor, except with some folks that >like to obfuscate for personal reasons< I typed "crime rate in England" into Google and the first hit was this................ Kinda makes your statement look wrong. Crime rate in England 'is worst in the world' by David Taylor, Home Affairs Correspondent (click here for the link to the article) England has the worst crime record in the industrialized world, according to alarming findings published today. The figures, which are a blow to Tony Blair's crusade against crime, show there are 58 offenses for every 100 inhabitants of England and Wales each year. That puts us joint top of the world league with Australia, with a record far worse than America, which has an annual rate of 43 crimes per 100 inhabitants. http://www.car-crime.com/crime_rate.htm SignatureJerryD(upstateNY) > >Herald wrote No relation to that, crime has been dropping everywhere in > >the western world including countries with gun control, and right to [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > http://www.car-crime.com/crime_rate.htm Interesting analogy, I typed, "Jerry is an Idiot" and received 500 hits, would you suppose that to be irrefutable proof? <SNIP> >> The ICVS (International Crime Victimization Survey). It compares >> violent crimes from about 25 different countries, mostly North America [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >The ICVS (International Crime Victimization Survey) is based on WAG's not No, it's the same as the NCVS. It's based on a large number of interviews (abt. 40,000) with victims, as the name suggests. Since many crimes go unreported, this survey gives a much better idea of the actual crime rate in a country, rather than the official crime reports after massaging by politicians and enforcement personnel. It's biggest defect is that it doesn't address homicide (there's no victim to interview), but the methods used to calculate homicide/murder in various countries makes any international comparison difficult. >actual data; OTOH, the ICPO is based on actual data and refutes your >contention of the US having a much lower violent crime rate. Easy to say, but since Interpol doesn't publish this information, it's rather difficult to prove. Perhaps you could post the data here? Please note that if you do you may be getting a visit from ICPO wanting to know how you got hold of their restricted information. Trefor Thomas SignatureTo be civilized is to restrain the ability to commit mayhem. To be incapable of committing mayhem is not the mark of the civilized, merely the domesticated. > Easy to say, but since Interpol doesn't publish this information, it's > rather difficult to prove. Perhaps you could post the data here? > Please note that if you do you may be getting a visit from ICPO > wanting to know how you got hold of their restricted information. > Trefor Thomas Sorry unable to help you, was under the impression you where privy to useful info. >> Easy to say, but since Interpol doesn't publish this information, it's >> rather difficult to prove. Perhaps you could post the data here? [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >Sorry unable to help you, was under the impression you where privy to useful >info. So you really were blowing smoke and don't know what you're talking about. Thanks for the admission. Trefor Thomas SignatureTo be civilized is to restrain the ability to commit mayhem. To be incapable of committing mayhem is not the mark of the civilized, merely the domesticated. > Ladies/Gents, > My wife and I are UK residents and are retiring in the next couple of > years. We wish to apply for a visa and thereafter travel around the > USA for a few months (as long as the Visa lasts)and see some of the > major sights. Hi Paul and Karen We have had friends come over from Europe who wanted to tour the US of A and were quite successful but all of their arrangements were made overseas, that is in their own country. They toured with a rental motor home and actually it was quite nice. I am not sure as it has been some time ago how long they were here but as I said all their plans and rental agreements were done in Germany. I sam sure the UK probably has some type of tourist office that would accomodate you! Fact was he said it was cheaper than anything he could have rented here himself in the states. Lee > Ladies/Gents, > My wife and I are UK residents and are retiring in the next couple of > years. You should be able to find some people on the internet that have done exactly what you are contemplating. We have English friends that spend as much time here as their visas allow. They are converting a bus to a motor home here and also have a van which they have licensed. Not sure of all the ins and outs but it can be done.. Our friends are somewhere on the continent in their European motor home or I would try to contact them. Just make sure you have all the bases covered before you get here to avoid a hassle and don't believe all the horror stories people love to tell. SignatureJim & Barb - Packing for the winter run to the sun Phooey Winnie 35U & Jeep Liberty toad SKP 74448 > Ladies/Gents, > My wife and I are UK residents and are retiring in the next couple of [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Paul and Karen. Try to find folks in england who have done what you want to do and get their experiences. Unless you have RV experience consider the whole thing carefully as the hassle may not be worth RVing. Look for RV sites on the web and there are RV books. Use Google and Amazon. Lou >Ladies/Gents, >My wife and I are UK residents and are retiring in the next couple of [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > >Paul and Karen. You would be better off stopping first in Florida, find your RV there and end up selling it there also. More Rv's than any other state. Tampa area is where I would start. Tom > You would be better off stopping first in Florida, find your RV there > and end up selling it there also. More Rv's than any other state. > Tampa area is where I would start. Should buy where they are cheaper, such as the northeast. Selling out west would bring the highest return. RV's sold in the west are generally more expensive than in the east. The southwest states also have a huge number of RV's, especially in the winter. > > You would be better off stopping first in Florida, find your RV there > > and end up selling it there also. More Rv's than any other state. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > generally more expensive than in the east. The southwest states also > have a huge number of RV's, especially in the winter. But there are far few dealers. Lou Dear All, Just to thank you all for your contributions to our message. All comments are gratefully recieved. Thank you very much. Paul and Karen When you make it so Southern California you absolutely must stop by and say hello. I will let you toot around in my 1967 Austin Mini Moke (still correctly RHD) to remind you of home. Timing is everything. You didnt say when you plan to come, or how long you plan to stay, but it is important to remember this is one very large country, and it can be warm in some parts and still frozen in others. Here are some things, and just a few: Summer time: the weather can be hot just about everywhere, plus there will be crowds. Spring: Some of the national parks in the north west are still snowed in until june of july - this includes Glacier, Lassen, Crater, and probably some others. Florida is only nice in december, and then it is iffy :-) I would avoid this country in the summer, spring is great, expect that some places wont be accessable. Fall is very nice. BTW, have you considered if Canada might be an easier country to fly into and register/insure? I dont know the answer, but it is worth checking out. Have fun! Laura > Timing is everything. You didnt say when you plan to come, or how long > you plan to stay, but it is important to remember this is one very > large country, and it can be warm in some parts and still frozen in > others. Here are some things, and just a few: snip...> > Laura I was at our Wal*Mart recently and noticed an RV in the lot that I didn't recognize. I looked it over and a very nice German gentleman came out and showed me all around it. (I declined to go inside) He and his wife had brought it over from Germany and were on an around-tht-USA trip. This unit a Class C on a Mercedes chassis had a "garage" in the back where they parked their motorbike. (Nice!) They had spent nearly a year here and were on their way to Florida where they would all ship home. The point is that it took a year! My wife and I took a trip from Knoxville in east Tennessee to the west coast and back and it took 11 weeks. We took our time but still did not have time to look at all we wanted to see. This country is really big compared to Europe. The west seems to be even bigger because the cities are much farther apart than in the eastern states. Plan your trip accordingly. To best see the US, travel the US highway system and avoid the Interstate highways. Of course this is not always possible, especially in the west, but most of the time is gets you into the smaller towns between cities and you can get a better look at the real US infrastructure and the oddities it contains. Recently we took in the Spam museum and passed through the town that is the sinkhole capital of the world. At least that is what the sign claimed. I didn't see any sinkholes there but we have lots of them in east Tennessee. Try to do the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Natchez Trace. Avoid New Orleans! Stay north in the summer and south in the winter, take your time. Get out and walk, where ever you are. Enjoy your trip. John Andrews, Knoxville, Tennessee > To best see the US, travel the US highway system and avoid the > Interstate highways. Of course this is not always possible, especially > in the west, Au contraire! With the tiniest bit of research, one can avoid Interstates completely in the West. And it is true that, in order to see the West, one must STAY OFF the Interstates. You can't find the "Giant Orange" on I-5, but you certainly can on SSR 99 (formerly US 99). To see the US, DO NOT (I repeat, DO NOT) use the Interstate system. It was built primarily for the accommodation of the trucking industry (other countries would call that a "subsidy," but of course we can't use that word in the US). One wonders why (since trucks look like trains on the Interstates) don't they ship their trucks on trains. Anyway, you will see much more of America (including the dying "rural America") if you will keep to the US highways and state highways. The Interstate system has pretty well destroyed rural America. Ken H Dear All There was me thinking that the Interstates were Dwight D Eisenhower's answer to and realisation of, based on many Congress studies and initiatives, getting troops across the USA quickly, following the idea of the German Autobahn system, as the Cold War developed.......... but that is another story. But seriously, we are both so grateful to each and every one of you for taking the time to reply and comment. We are now certain to make this trip (God willing), hopeully for a year (if they will give us a visa for that long), and see as much as we can. We are aware that there is a heck of a lot to see and do and no chance of seeing it all. Nevertheless, we will give it our best shot. Bad Apple - we will sure try to pass by and see the Minimoke in Southern California. That is a serious collectors item over here now. Regards Paul and Karen. In article <1129062935.346582.132150@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, > My wife and I are UK residents and are retiring in the next couple of > years. We wish to apply for a visa and thereafter travel around the > USA for a few months In article <KJI3f.1072$hY6.636@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net>, Ken Harrison <sptrain98@earthlink.net> wrote: > To see the US, DO NOT (I repeat, DO NOT) use the Interstate system. It > was built primarily for the accommodation of the trucking industry > There was me thinking that the Interstates were Dwight D Eisenhower's > answer to and realisation of, based on many Congress studies and > initiatives, getting troops across the USA quickly, following the idea > of the German Autobahn system, as the Cold War developed It was. I considered responding to the incredible "trucking" claim, particularly because you are from the UK, but resisted - until now. In ~1919, as a young U.S. Army Lieutenant, Eisenhower was part of a contingent of troops whose mission was to traverse the U.S. via motor vehicle from New York to San Francisco. It took 28 days and required a HUGE convoy of mechanics and support vehicles. Some time thereafter, the first, transcontinental hard-surface road was built. It is now known as The Old Lincoln Highway. The bulk of the road was paved in brick. Some intact and even restored sections exist today. Eisenhower's experience, combined with what he later learned about German road technology as Supreme Allied Commander in World War II, was instrumental in his sponsorship of the Interstate Highway and Defense Act. The Act was considered by many to be a SIGNIFICANT escalation to The Cold War. That the Interstate System changed our society is undeniable. I am, however, VERY skeptical that it was built for ANY purpose other than national defense. I am of the opinion that it IMPROVED our society. I am ever grateful that I live in a society that could AFFORD to build such a wonder. Whether we can afford to MAINTAIN it properly is proving to be a bit more problematic. The advise to AVOID the Interstate is correct from a scenic standpoint only. It is the ONLY way to travel if wishing to traverse great distances as efficiently as possible. For your visit, you might do well (better?) RENTING a motorhome, if possible. This is a VAST country with countless RV sales lots that seem to be PERPETUALLY full of USED RVs, including motorhomes. They do NOT resell easily, IMHO. You will find your tour of our beloved country to be the trip of a lifetime. Whether you easily adjust to driving on the "wrong" side of the road remains to be seen. I have been told that making the switch is VERY daunting. Welcome and enjoy your stay! :) JR I see where Jim Redelfs <jim.redelfs@redelfs.com> contributed some pretty good advice for "snowy" <pfsnow@hotmail.com>, who wrote: >> My wife and I are UK residents and are retiring in the next couple of >> years. We wish to apply for a visa and thereafter travel around the >> USA for a few months Allow me to add this: please study your maps carefully and try to get some sense of scale. This is a HUGE continent. The entire UK area is smaller than several of our States, and it's a helluva long drive from one place to another - even if you elect not to try to even see Alaska, one of our most beautiful areas. Will Sill The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill Guys and Gals out there, Just to let you know that we are still reading and in awe at the level of "somewhat" unsolicited response to our original enquiry. Thank you all very much. JR - How's Dallas - Just kidding. Renting is a very good idea if it shows to be financially viable and for that we shall have to make some enquiries. It has triggered something we had not though of which is leasing as well. There are a lot of variables to consider. We shall get a one year visa if we can and remain flexible. But clearly, Alaska has got to be high on the priority list. Steelhead fishing after a round of golf............................ Heaven!! If you feel the need please comment. Just one comment - if you ever get to the UK and you have not been before - there is far more to life than London!!! We have pubs. Happy to discuss. For interest, I have 1.1 million driving miles now under my belt (most in the UK but 26K in the US) and I have not seen the UK even partially. The USA is big, really, really big. You have NASA for God's sake and they don't know it all. Therefore, given the National Parks and other NPS sites and sights, any other suggestions? Regards Paul and Karen. > Guys and Gals out there, > > Just to let you know that we are still reading and in awe at the level > of "somewhat" unsolicited response to our original enquiry. Thank you > all very much. ...snip... > The USA is big, really, really big. You have NASA for God's sake and > they don't know it all. Therefore, given the National Parks and other [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Paul and Karen. OK, here are some other suggestions that we enjoyed. o The locks at Sault Ste. Marie between Michigan and Ontario; o Mackinac Island at the straits between Michigan and the Upper Peninsula; o Travers City and the local vineyards and wineries; o Bahia Honda State Park in Florida on the keys near Key West; o Naples, Florida; o Sanabel Island, Florida near Fort Myers; o Cedar Key on the coast west of Ocala, Florida. It hasn't been discovered yet. o St Augustine, Florida. It has been discovered. o Appalachacola, Florida and the nearby barrier island state parks at St. Joseph Peninsula and at St. George Island. These are summer rental house areas, but Appalachocola is still a small fishing village. o Savannah, Georgia, stay at Skidaway Island State Park; o Stephen Foster State Park in Georgia. Rent a canoe; o Atlanta, Georgia, stay at Stone Mountain park; o Astoria, Oregon and points south on the coast; o Mt. St. Helens in Washington; o The Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel; o The so called 'Eastern Shore' in Delawre, Maryland and Virginia. Eat crabs; o Avoid the inner cities in New York, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.; o Grayson Highlands State Park east of Bristol, Va; o San Antonio, Texas. Do the river and eat Mexican food. The Alamo is there, too; o Severville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg in Tennessee and the Smokey Mountains. Stay in Elkmont; o You are invited to dinner in Knoxville; o Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.; o Wall Drugs in Wall, S.D. The water is free, coffee is a nickle!; o Do the Badlands in S.D. o Stay at Custer State Park and see Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, the Mamoth Site and the Wind Cave; o Check out Spearfish canyon, Lead, Deadwood, and Sturgis in S.D.; o The Amish country just east of Lancaster PA on Hwy 30 is interesting. Eat at one of the family dinner palces like Good & Plenty or Plain and Fancy; o Walk the walk in Gettysburg Battlefield where 100,000 men killed each other; o Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head and Jocky's Ridge State Park on the barrier islands of North Carolina, also Cape Hatteras; o Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Do not miss the Brookgreen Gardens! near Huntington Beach State Park; o ... There is more, but this gives you and idea... John Andrews, Knoxville, Tennessee o Here is another additional thought. Subscribe to Country Discoveries, an Reiman publication with little hints about off the main road attractions all over the US. Go to http://www.reimanpub.com/ to subscribe. They have international subscriptions. We carry a stack of these when we go on a longer trip. John Andrews, Knoxville, Tennessee >> Guys and Gals out there, >> [quoted text clipped - 63 lines] > John Andrews, Knoxville, Tennessee > o > Ladies/Gents, > My wife and I are UK residents and are retiring in the next couple of [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Paul and Karen. After reading this, I forwarded it to John and Lynn Hawkes. I knew that they had just completed two tours in North America. We befriended them when we met in New Orleans. My name is Mike Ward and I live in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. My wife, Nancy, and I are enjoying retired life in our motorhome. Our reason for contacting you is simple. We are here and would welcome meeting you when you begin your travels on this side of the ocean. Also, if you need to have someone over here to help with any research ..... you could try us. mike |
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