USA visit

[bunchdescendant]

Just passing this along -

I live in Fremont (SF bay area) and I have worn a sgian dhu (sp ?) out and about a bit without being hassled. One officer asked what it was and he was kind of amused when I let him see it. It's from The Scottish Tartans Museum (model SD97-look it up) and the sheath has a warning about sharpness right on it. Needless to say, the blade has absolutely no edge at all on it! The point isn't even pointy!!! The officer chuckled but didn't give me any grief over it.

When in doubt, carry a Panache-style sgian don't.

You would be better off getting a Tracfone or Net10 phone here. Net10 is 10 cents a minute, good coverage area (At&T network) and the phones are as cheap as $20.00 at Walmart and Target.

If you do bring your phone, assuming it will work on our cell systems, make sure its adapter can run on 110 vac. This should be stated on your charger someplace. An adapter may not have the transformer function in it, so even if it adapts the prongs on the charger, it will not give the charger 220-240 vac. Does that make sense to you?

There are a number of the Nor-Cal rabble here that live within 2 hrs or so of Sacto. Don't forget we have a wonderful train museum there that would make an interesting kilted outing with the rabble.

Hope you enjoy your time when you visit!

Ray

[GDub]

Having a vehicle at your disposal will open up the options you have.

As a life long resident who has lived all over the state I'd definitively say when visiting California, rent a car. Your visit will be much more pleasant and you'll be able to get to and see far more interesting places. Public transportation is, for the most part, lousy. Distances are great--CA is a BIG state with huge sprawling cities. I agree with what socalferg said about Amtrak--the Pacific Coast Starlight train ride is quite nice if you plan to cover a lot of the state and want low stress travel staring out of the club car window. Otherwise, get a car.

[bowser]

I went and stayed in LA for 5 months and I have to say wore a leatherman or a buck knife everyday and never even got a question.
Regarding chargers just take your uk ones and a gang block then just put one converter on the end of the gang block and away you go.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

1. You most certainly will need a car; public transport is unreliable and taxis cost the earth. Check with companies like Budget, Enterprise, or Alamo for the best rental deals.-- PREPAY your gasoline when you rent the car. It saves time (and potentially money) when you return the vehicle.

2. Assuming you have a GSM phone it will work in the USA (check with your service provider-- BT, Orange, etc.-- to make sure).

3. Since you will be renting a car in California, buy a car charger for your phone and use it every time you get into the car.

4. Get travel insurance "just in case", and make sure that you are adequately covered from the moment you land in the USA.

5. Check with your bank and make sure your ATM card will work in the USA; many machines have a limit of $200 per transaction, and some banks limit the number of transactions you may make in a single day.

6. Notify your credit card company that you are going to the USA so they won't block your card when they see an "out of area" charge suddenly appear on your account.

7. ENJOY YOUR STAY IN CALIFORNIA!

[1oldsarge]

From a retired CA. cop, leave the knife at home. If you plan on coming further down to Southern Calif., drop me a line.
For the distance you plan on traveling, transportation in the State isn't good. I'd rent a car.