DL2OBO USA Urlaub 1995 Carsten Dauer
In June/Juli 1995 we spent 5 weeks in USA. I visited my old friend UDO DL3OBL now AD5RQ in Fort Worth.
I have visited some hams in the local area, was a night in the Stock Yards, had a nice steak there, visited the zoo in Fort Worth.
Nice shopping malls in Dallas and since that time I know why no one there is going by foot or even by bicycle.
It is simply too hot. I think I do not remember haveing seen someone without a car (with AC) , hi.
After 9 days we went to CA. After we landed in L.A. we called Russ KD6MF. Udo said he has visited him once in DL.
Usually we did not want to disturbanyone but after we took a rental car (Buick Regal some 250HP/PS) and not knowing much about
road traffic regulations in that large country we decided to give him a call. Nromally I just wanted to asksome questions but when
Russ heard me he asked me where we were and then he said we shall drive this and that road and we will reach his house in a few miles and
he and Ruth had already prepared a guestroom for us and also dinner is ready to serve. Udo called them and they decided
to assist us... no chance to say no...hi. We were cordially received and were happy to have a save harbour for the first nights.
Ruth and Russ helped us to work out a route so we can see the most important places of the Westcoast in the next 4 weeks.
After two nights we started our trip. Up the coast to Santa Barbara for the first night, later to Morro Bay and Big Sur. We did not go to Hearst Castle sorry.
Monterey and Santa Cruz and finally we arrived in San Francisco and stood there two nights. Alcatraz is now open for those ham operators that
use too broad signals and/or answer a dx-calling station not beeing a dx.( ;-)) When we arrived at Hard Rock Café in S.F. they were closeing the café.
We were too late. No more drinks..... We were in Chinatown later and then when we arrived at our hotel we saw that there was a gun shooting where we just have been.
We went to Sacramento and later to Lake Tahoe. Went over Tioga Pass (just opened after snow season) through Yosemite and later to Monolake. Bodie is a nice place!
Can't beleive it is so old. It looks all so real. Further through Sierra Nevada and Death Valley. We arrived right on 4th july back into L.A. to have a nice BBQ with Ruth and Russ
and friends.Ruth and Russ went on vacation for 4 days and we took care of the animals (Lizard, parrot and cat.) Meanwhile the ordered Ameritron AL-1200 amplifier arrived
and I was lucky to have it. Now we just needed a large suit case to transport it to Germany. I saved a lot buying it here in CA. When Russ and Ruth returned we went on tour again.
Heading Las Vegas. We stood at the Holiday Inn in a room located in one of the higher floors so we had a nice view over The Strip. Unbeleivable. One night is definately too short.
Wewent to Grand Canyon North Rim. There weren't any more cabins to rent so we had to sleep in the car. Wow, otherwise we had overslept the beautiful sunrise at the grand Canyon.
Next day we we into Monument Valley. A day later we were back into Costa Mesa at Ruth and Russ house. He is an estate agent and showed us some real nice places to live.
Also a house at Huntington beach or Laguna Beach (don't remember) that was owned by John Wayne. We like the sopping malls and centers and were talking a walk on the beach.
We also entered Universal Studios. The last day we went to SeaWorld San Diego and also made a short trip to Tijuana/Mexico.
Again: an unforgettable holiday. 5 weeks are not enough. I can't beleive that it is so long time ago, somany things have changed meanwhile exept one: the wish to return to Westcoast.