The next 2 days, we went around to see other geysers, the main among them are the Old Faithful, which erupts exactly every 34 minutes to a great height. and then the Castle Rock and Mammoth geysers. We also went to Jackson Hole, where we witnessed a mock gun fight staged by cow boys eloping with a girl, all dressed in 18th Century costumes with the police chasing them.
We went to Thermopylae where we took a bath in the tanks filled with water flowing from the geysers. I vividly remember a huge icecream shaped like a boat which I found so difficult to consume. We trekked the Grand Teton from one side and came to the shore on a boat.
Pueblo: We stayed overnight in Margeret and Glen's beautiful house. Margeret showed us Ballet dancing with her sister accompanying her on the voilin. In the night we had meditation.
Colarado Springs: This city was adjudged the 2nd cleanest city in USA, full of gardens, Stayed overnight in Margie's bungalow. Some local devotees came over including Judy, who also stays in the same city. We had a meditation and exercises together,and had dinner with some Indian dishes prepared by Vijaya. Margeret and Glen came over from Pueblo specially to be with us. Glen displayed his expertise in playing piano. He later produced many cassettes for the SRF
Next day we went to Peter's house. He had attended Guruji's lecture at Hotel biltmore where Guruji attained mahasamadhi. We all went on top of Pikes Peak. which is 7000 ft high and had lunch on the way. On top of the peak we had a wonderful feeling with the temperature changing abruptly. We had meditation.
Houston, Texas Our Greyhound bus journey around the states began from Denver and we. Vijaya and me, travelled via Lubbock Vasudev came to pick us up at the bus stand. We stayed in Jyoti's huge house for 3 nights. She prepared bananachips herself and even got us jack fruit from the super bazaar. Meghana played piano and Neeraj took us to his baseball grounds. We saw a film in IMAX theatre, Astrodome, Galleria and jogging track and an 18th century log house. Had lot of fun.
Orlando & Disney World/MGM Studio: Travelled by greyhound via , Dallas, New Orleans and Jacksonville, where Vinay had stayed with Grace and her husband in a trailer house whilst going to Disney World with David. Jyoti had changed our reservation from Holiday Inn to Hotel Comfort Inn which was available for only $30 a day, half that of Holiday Inn. We found that there is not much difference in standard. Daily we travelled by the hotel bus from Orlando to Disney World. We saw Epcot Centre one day, viewed films on 360 degree theatres shown by USA and China Pavilions, roller coaster mountain railway and the fire works in the lake another day, and MGM studio the third day. In the studio grounds we experienced an earthquake sitting in our mini train, how cartoon films were made and a virtual space journey., which scared us to no end.
Florence, South Carolina: From Houston, we proceeded to Shobha and Sarvotham's house , which is a huge mansion with 200 pine trees in the compound and a private lake!. We took a joy ride all the way to the gold club in a golf cart, and visiied Sunil's school on a sports day and witnessed Sunil playing his tennis match and a nearby beach where we saw a condominium. Shobha took us to Columbia, the capital city, to see a temple,. We stayed here for 5 days. Sarvotham played Yamaha beautifully. Their younger son, is Raj. We had lot of fun. I made Shobha laugh & laugh. As it is, whenever I open my mouth to speak, she bursts out laughing. We enjoyed Sarvotham's company too. I vividly remeber how I tried to walk through the glass door twice, much to the merriment of Shobha.
Washington DC: travelled overnight via Newark and Richond and reached Washington in the morning. We caught tourist bus and saw Capitol, White House, Tower of Washington , Jafferson and Lincoln Memorials, Space Museum and Mint. At Arlington Memorial I fell down on the mossy surface and injured myself. No time for Smithsonean Centre. Visited the Railway Station restauirant area.
New York and New Jersey: Travelled overnight and reached New York bus stand at 4 a.m.. Waited till 6 a.m. to catch a bus to Ramsay in New Jersey where we stayed with Veena and Jayant with two cute little girls, Manali & ? The houseVinay joined us here. Visited World Trade Centre, Empire State Building, and Statten Island . Could not go insde the the Statue of Liberty since the budget was not passed and the US Govt. was tecnically broke. To view the fall colours we went to a famous park.
Niagara Falls and Buffalo: Travelled overnight. The approach road to Buffalo was so beautiful. The bus stand looked like an airport lounge. At the bustand Margeret's dad came to pick us up and he took us to his bungalow perched insdie one of the most beautiful and colourful spots ever seen. He showed us how to stoke the fireplace in the house. Then he and his wife took us to the Canadian border, since their Visa Office was closed and tried to enter Canada, but couldnt succeed. So we contented ourselves seeing the US side.
Went on top of the tower where Joshep Cotton killed Marlyn Munroe in film Naigara Falls. Sat in the 'Maid of the Mist' and went down near the falls. Sat for a long time near the river where Joseph Cotton tried to escape in a boat.
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