Thanks for all the comments folks.
Bod, I'm trying to survive the PhD blues at the moment - what a battle. Tell Valerie I said hello - I'll rejoin FB at some point near the end of summer.
Lenore, you would definitely have to learn to drive in order to do the best hikes in the US. Sadly, while our roads are great, our rails and buses won't take you to too many trailheads.