Traveling along the West coast of the USA
San Francisco, the national parks, the incredible landscapes of Oregon. I grew up dreaming of one day going to America, a multi-faceted nation full of stories to tell. On this trip I will take you with me to the West coast, the part where I left my heart the most.
San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge
The starting point of my trip was San Francisco, a city that, before then, I had only heard about in films. I remember before getting off the plane I was already super excited at the thought of finally setting foot in America! I did not believe it! I took my suitcases, the rental car and my beloved camera! I had everything I needed and was so ready to start this adventure!
While driving I immediately noticed the famous ups and downs of the streets , the bells of the trams that went around the city full of euphoric tourists, the endless stop signs at every intersection. I still had adrenaline pumping when at the end of a highway I spotted the famous bridge that characterizes this city: the Golden Gate Bridge ! Super excited I went back and forth across the bridge a couple of times, I was very happy, in disbelief at what I was doing!
I remember making a scream of joy, like a madman, with my head out the window! On the other hand, when you travel alone you are free to express all kinds of emotions, without thinking about it too much! I found a parking lot immediately after the bridge exit and started taking all the photos imaginable!
The uncontaminated nature of the US national parks
One of the reasons that pushed me towards my American adventure was the desire to discover the numerous national parks. Huge expanses of giant trees and mountains that form suggestive landscapes and, one of all, the legendary Yosemite park !
Once you arrive in this enormous nature reserve , you immediately understand the respect that the authorities and the local population have for these protected areas. At the entrance, a ranger makes each traveler aware of the risks and rules to follow. They then leave you a map of the entire park, as there is no telephone signal inside. Only by opening the map did I realize the size of the park: the map was enormous. I had prepared well for the best photographic points in the park, but once I got there I stopped to admire all these breathtaking views that come across. As if entranced by those living paintings, I took lots of photos!
Later, I put the car down and walked without a specific destination in search of less touristy spots, where I could sit and observe nature and take photos. So, attracted by the sound of the water, I approached a small river and climbing over some bushes I found myself in a crazy place! I had a real painting in front of me, with that uncontaminated nature acting as the protagonist, while the singing of some birds and the flow of water were the setting for that idyllic vision.
Oregon and that mysterious plane in the woods
Another amazing stop on my journey was moving to the state of Oregon, so far the only place that really made me want to move. It's an incredible place: great variety of landscapes, impressive rainforests and spectacular cliffs overlooking the sea . Crossing all these woods it is easy to encounter wild animals of all kinds and numerous farms where you can buy local products.
One day, around lunchtime, I stopped in a typical local restaurant for a bite to eat. Seeing my camera resting on the table, the girl taking orders told me that a little further along, following the road, there was an old airplane abandoned in the middle of a forest. “Super!”, I exclaimed, thanking her several times. Impatient to discover the plane, I ate hastily and set off down the street. After traveling a few kilometers through the woods, I arrived at a gate, took the small path that started from there and found that mysterious plane in front of me! It was all true! Mystical and at times disturbing, I found myself in front of a real airliner abandoned in the middle of expanses of trees!
Driving along the entire coast was an unforgettable experience.
The American dream, the one I had been waiting for all my life and which did not disappoint in the slightest, so much so that it made me want to go back as soon as possible.
