twodaves

We are two senior gents who would like to travel around the us probably for two to three weeks and we hope to meet people on our travels, we have been put off greyhound by comments that we have heard, what is the best method of travel? we could drive but think this will prevent us from meeting and talking to people any ideas

gail

Depends on what part(s) of US you are interested in. I agree that Greyhound is not your best choice - without sounding elitist, most people who take Greyhound are not likely to be interested in lengthy conversations.

For example, if you are interested in Washington, NYC, Boston corridor, Amtrak (train) is an excellent way to travel.

I would think more of how to find people to meet and talk to once at a particular city/area, rather than en route.

We have always enjoyed talking to people at places in US we have visited. At whatever location, get the local paper and pick non-touristy things to do. Local fairs, fund-raising dinners, are open to the public. Non-chain restaurants in non-peak times also. Smaller museums - many towns have a historical society with small local museum. The northern half of the US especially has all sorts of outdoor local summer events.

In the Boston area, I always see groups of older men in coffee shops, even chains like Dunkin Donuts, sitting around on weekday AMs. While these are obviously pre-arranged groups, I expect a quick question on the local area would be welcome and might lead to an invite to sit for the morning.

I am a middle aged woman who travels primarily with my family. However, they are continuously amused (or annoyed if we are in a hurry) that I always find some local to talk to wherever we go. For example, I spent a fascinating half hour in Tropic, Utah chatting with the owner of a tiny candy shop (no other customers at the time) about what life is like in snow-bound Utah in the winter.

So I would pick the most efficient, cost-effective means of travel from point A to point B, adding in whatever scenery is in the area, and pick locally for activities once there.

twodaves

Thanks for that I did not expect such a quick response and your suggestions would appear to have merit I should of said we are coming from the UK and we have both visited before and have seen the big attractions like The Grand Canyon etc and I suppose the other consideration is the weather we can't handle it being too low.
The world has change so that when I say two men traveling together I feel obliged to say we are not gay, it was not so in my day.
Thanks again Dave one

dfrostnh

I love Gail's suggestions. We attend local fund-raising suppers and breakfasts in NH. Since you sit at large tables it is easy to strike up a conversation with other people who are usually locals. A lot of these suppers are popular with older people precisely because it's a chance to socialize. I also enjoy attending local events and getting the local paper. I remember one library fundraiser in MD we went to while on a camping trip. People were impressed that we attended (story time/bbq/Native American dance). It helps to pursue your interests whether it be attending an antique steam powered machine show or a tour of neighborhood gardens (I went on one in Anchorage). You meet people who share your interests. You might consider bus tours within an area. Some are only day trips which you will see advertised in local papers. Last summer we chatted with a museum volunteer on Monhegan Island off the coast of Maine ... turns out he was my niece's boss! We like to travel by car most places we go although public transportation in cities is also good. Funny thing, like Gail, I spent some time chatting with the owner of a small quilt shop in Skagway AK about what it was like to live there and how women came by ferry for quilting weekends. In the south we have found that somebody almost always wants to talk to us if we visit a small neighborhood coffee shop during the slow time. My other suggestion would be if you have any affiliation with a national/international club, visit club meetings in different places. Hope you have a great trip!

Gretchen

I think driving is the best. And frequenting the suggested coffee shops, etc. Everyone would be captivated by your accents!! You could pick a part of the country--New England, the NC and SC beach area, Charleston, Smokey Mountains, Minnesota--and just visit smaller towns. There is a lot of charm there.

maria_so

let me just pipe in and say if you're in the west coast, amtrak is a perfectly good way to travel. The coast starlight, for example, goes up and down the coast fo california. There's one that crosses the country too. I'm sure amtrak can give you more detail and I feel that it is more "safe" than the greyhound although you're probably restricted to where amtrak goes. http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten...2922209&ssid=4

trippinkpj

My daughter and I have used the Amtrak train/ bus routes. The buses are nice than greyhound and some of the routes are actually cheaper.

maria_so

actually, looking at that site, it looks like there are more routes than I thought! there's even one here in texas - now I know i've heard someone mention that but never knew anyone to take that texas train....