Such great travelling advice guys. Yeah it's looking more and more like a car is my only option. It's a shame I didn't want to be driving all the time becuase I also want the freedom to write / blog a lot - that's why buses and trains are so useful. Plus it'll get pretty lonely driving around and I want to be meeting lots of people, it's better for stories.. I guess it's a bit of a logistical nightmare otherwise - could end up with too much free time to write at bus stops, lol. I probably don't want to try my luck hitchhiking around either!
Uh ... Hitchhiking isn't the best option in any circumstance.
Not being a native you have the disadvantage of not knowing much about where you are or what to look for.
Busses offer an opportunity ... But will actually limit your exposure as far as who you actually get to talk to.
There is a much larger segment of the community that doesn't use busses ... As well as portions of the US that don't use passenger rail service at all.
One of the things you may also notice here in the US is that we still have a lot of wide open spaces with little to nothing around for miles and miles.
You won't be here long before you get the hang of it though ... You don't have to change your goals just figure out how to make them work.
That is one of the reasons I suggested going from one place to another and renting lodging for a week.
It allows for more time in a single day you can spend getting to know more about where you are, what the location has to offer and the people that live there.
Most of those accommodations have full kitchens ... You can stop by the grocery store and get to know the people in the community.
Talk to folks and ask them what they would do for the day ... Invite someone over for some decent grub off the grill.
You have to remember that America isn't Europe (you will certainly know that once you get here).
We don't do things the same way you do ... But don't worry about it, you will be fine.
Side Note:
It should be noted that if you wanted the real outdoor experience you could do any number of things.
For instance ... You could pack a backpack ... Strap it up with a tent and hike the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia if you so felt like it.
There are plenty of people that do that and would provide company along the way ... That would probably eat up your six months though.
You can get in a raft with all your gear and a guide and enjoy the whitewater down the Snake River and parts of the Colorado River.
You can do the same type trip that is only two days (camp overnight on the river) in a canoe along the Buffalo River in the Ozark Mountains of Northern Arkansas.
Not to mention that one is just a short drive away from Branson, Missouri.
Just remember than when you get outside of metropolitan areas, we still have stuff wandering around that can kill you or at the least mess you up.
We have all kinds of snakes, and nasty critters in the outdoors.
You may notice the alligator no problem ... But he has a wild boar in his mouth ... And either one of them could mess you up if you find yourself hiking through their turf.
Chances are a hospital won't be anywhere nearby either.
Maybe a little of this and a little of that is more what you would need ... If you have any specific questions there are plenty of folks that can help you out.
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. I'm coming from the UK. In the EU we're pretty well connected with trains but I see that's not the case in the US. I was thinking of starting in NY or New England, going down to Atlanta, across the south (I've heard all about southern hospitality) and working my way up again. I'd even like to go to Alaska to see the Northern lights! I've got 6 months, what kind of price at the cheapest am I looking at?
