It is large. I pictured having to drive between Perth and Sydney with
stops in Brisbane, Winton, Uluru, Derby, and Adelaide, before heading
home from Melbourne
clay
On Feb 21, 2010, at 9:54 AM, WILTON wrote:
Rent a car and go wherever you want; don't depend on trains in USA
to take you where you wanta go. BTW, the US interstate highway
system (Interstates/"Autobahns") can deliver you at 70 - 75 mph (no-
stop-cruise) within "striking distance" of anywhere in the "lower
48" states. Don't forget, though, this is a BIG country.
Wilton
---- Original Message ----- From: "LWB250" <lwb...@yahoo.com>
To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2010 11:41 AM
Subject: Re: [MBZ] Hendrik and Co coming to the US of A in June
Welcome, Hendrick. Having had the pleasure of visiting Down Under
several times, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how similar
the two countries are in many respects.
Your plan of flying to LA, staying a few days, then flying to
Chicago are probably the best. Rental cars in these cities are
plentiful and the market is competitive, so you could easily get a
mid-sized sedan for a couple hundred $USD a week with unlimited
mileage. That would allow you to wander freely without worry.
As for buying a car and then selling it, well, I can just imagine
the pitfalls - the main ones being establishing ownership (you're
not a US citizen) and insurance (can't register/title in most states
without proof of residency and insurance.) I think a rental is
going to be the easiest and best way to go. Look into an
international driver's license now - I used to have one when I
traveled extensively for business, and it allowed me to rent a car
in just about any country.
Check your maps - LaCrosse is on the western edge of Wisconsin, and
a long day's drive from Milwaukee or Chicago. You might want to
consider using Minneapolis/St. Paul for your base of operations
rather than Chicago. MSP is a wonderful city and has a lot to see
and do within a short distance. It's not the thriving metropolis
that Chicago is, but you could easily make a 2-3 day trip to Chicago
from there without a lot of effort.
Trains, while they are available, are somewhat iffy in this
country. The primary rail traffic is freight, and while there are
regularly scheduled passenger trains, their schedules are often
compromised by freight traffic. If you land in MSP, a train trip to
Chicago make a lot of sense, and would be a pleasant day trip (one
way) with some very nice scenery.
Public transportation in most larger cities is cheap and easy within
the city centers. If you go to Chicago you will pay a premium for
staying in the city, but that is offset by the proximity of so many
wonderful things to see and do, not to mention the ease of getting
around using public transportation.
You'll definitely need a car in LA, as the public transportation
there is pretty lousy, not to mention the logistics are so complex
due to the size of the area. You don't want to stay around LAX, as
that area is pretty nasty. Make a list of the things you want to do
and see and find a place to stay based on that. Driving in LA is a
real experience and can take far longer to get from point "A" to
point "B" than you could ever imagine, due to the congestion.
While you are probably working within a budget, treat this as if it
is the only chance you will have to visit here, and make the most of
it. You won't be disappointed. Even though my trips Down Under
were business, I had plenty of leisure time and I made the most of
it, and I am glad I did.
Dan
--- On Sun, 2/21/10, WILTON <wilt...@nc.rr.com> wrote:
From: WILTON <wilt...@nc.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [MBZ] Hendrik and Co coming to the US of A in June
To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
Date: Sunday, February 21, 2010, 10:39 AM
Congratulations to all! How
'bout renting a car if buying is too much of a hassle?
BTW, don't believe all that Bruce has "taught" you,
and please promise that you'll stay to the right when
driving. ;<))))
Wilton
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