"Stephen Clark" wrote in message
news:1121001682.399.0@echo.uk.clara.net...
> Hi, I'm looking for some advice on how best to spend the time I'm planning
> to stay in the US, November time. Firstly, on four trips to the US I've
> seen a fair bit of the NE of the US but the furthest west I've been is
> Chicago.
>
> I'm planning to arrive in Chicago and buying a 15 day rail pass which
> covers the west of the US on a line from Chicago to New Orleans. I plan to
> take the train to the west coast but I don't really know what to do then.
>
> Possibilities are to Loop :
> Chicago / Seattle or Portland / San Francisco / Chicago; or
> Chicago / San Francisco / Los Angeles / Chicago; or
> Chicago / San Francisco / New Orleans (fly back to the UK from New
> Orleans)
>
> I am quite interested in modern art / sculpture / installations /
> architecture so any locations which were strong on these types of
> attraction would be ideal. I enjoyed my time in Chicago visiting Oak Park
> (Frank Lloyd Wright houses) and in Pittsburgh (Andy Warhol and The
> Mattress Factory).
Given your interests, are you sure you want to take the train? There's lots
of empty country between Chicago and the west coast. With no architecture at
all, let alone of any interest. And taking the train will eat up time.
Consider flying to the west coast at least one way. Or, since you've already
been to Chicago, skip it and fly directly to the west coast.
You have suggestions for SF and LA. Seattle has the Frank-Gehry-designed
Experience Music Project and a new library by Rem Koolhaas. Also, since 1%
of the budget of all public projects must be devoted to art, it has a fair
amount of sculpture, installations, etc.
Marianne
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