During my travels in the US, I have made many road trips from my home base in South Bend, Indiana in the two years that I have been there. The vastness and the so much diversity continue to amaze me as an Amsterdammer, while I am used to quite a bit. I feel like a guest in the land of the Native American. The dead trials and reservations make you realize what suffering this population group is and is still being affected by.

*My trip to South Dakota in March 2013 was impressive, the prairies with the endless plains where you can hear the bison thundering when you close your eyes like in an old and worn-out Hollywood Western. The unexpected change in weather from sunny, sultry warm weather to an icy snow blizzard between Mitchell and Sioux Falls that still makes me realize that you are so insignificant as a human being on that barren vast plain and especially in the darkness and death sitting close to you.

During this trip I crossed Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa.

*Windy City Chicago where I always fly from Amsterdam with its skyscrapers and blue Shoreline, the hustle and bustle, but especially the reality of life in America. Wealth and poverty are so close together here. The Lake Shore drive along the beautiful unpredictable, jagged, light blue Lake Michigan. The friendly service and delicious food at Chicago's Joe, where I always stop for a bite to eat and a drink when entering and leaving Chicago. And O'Hare Airport where, at my age, I have to show my ID card when I order an alcoholic drink.

*Detroit the city of Motown Records, the great Chrysler empire with its decline and faded glory. With the resulting dire poverty and the highest crime figures in the US, The many formerly imposing mansions in severe disrepair, boarded up or still inhabited by the very poorest without any comfort.

*Michigan with the state's unpredictable, beautiful blue rugged Lake and silver (private) beaches and its many lighthouses. Vast and Dutch cauliflower skies, pioneers who thought they would find their happiness here. Doctor Jan Pol the world famous sympathetic veterinarian, The Bakery brothers de Boer in Holland (Michigan) with their pea soup, croquettes and rusk. Where in May the tulips are honored in a festival with clog dancing framed by very old Dutch songs that put a smile on your face with a ridiculous twist, because it is so terribly old-fashioned. Old people who come from all over the state dressed up, even though it seems like carnival, want to show everyone that their roots lie in the real Holland. The beautiful high Sleeping Bear Dunes where you don't really want to run from in 5 minutes and takes more than two hours if you are in very good condition and have no heart problems. The many national parks and impressive Mackinac bridge and Island.

*Memphis Tennessee, with the impressive Mississippi River, Beale Street and Graceland. The rolling landscape and of course the Blues music.

*Music City Nashville with the Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame, Bull riding, Karaoke, Cowboy boots, the Bourbon-drinking Red Neck and the delicious Nashville hot chicken. The world famous Studios, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Music City Center.

*Kentucky with its white-rimmed ranches, the Bourbon Brands of Four Roses, Jack Daniels and the most delicious Sushi in Chattanooga.

*Indiana is just as flat as and twice as large in area as the Netherlands, but above all boring. But that is compensated by the Amish with their white houses, Buggies, the delicious filled Rise and Roll donuts, golden corn fields, golf courses and friendliness.

*Ohio with its many vast farmlands and an area of ​​a large Amish community with its lovely little hamlets in a beautiful hilly landscape.

*Pennsylvania with its beautiful autumn colours. The mountains and the hilly landscape, beautiful cities and the history of the violent Civil War between North & South in Gettysburg.

*The state of New York with its massive traffic and if you don't have to be in New York City, avoid it as much as possible. New York is best reached by plane and then take a taxi, this is better for holding on to the wonderful holiday feeling without stress.

*Connecticut has many harbors with a history of whaling due to its coastline.

*Rhode Island has a lot of coastline and it is wonderful to stay there.

*Massachusetts the state with the Cape Cod peninsula. The peninsula is surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean and Cape Cod Bay with beaches that had to be accessible to everyone, John Kennedy stated this during his term as President. The Kennedys had their residence in Hyannis and it is said that the Cape was their property.

*Provincetown is the northernmost town on the peninsula and is home to many artists, the more than fifty Galleries are a feast for the eyes for the enthusiast. The fishermen sail out daily to supply the various fairly good restaurants with fresh fish, lobster and various types of shellfish.

The large Gay and Lesbian community makes the atmosphere wonderfully relaxed in contrast to the other American cities and states that I have visited, you can be yourself without having to think about it. For a great experience you should definitely go whale watching in the Stellwagen Bank, these trips are offered from the MacMillan pier between April and October the trips last 5 hours.