Hello Ian...
My fascination with the USA started with Flight Unlimited II/III, ProPilot '99, etc, and Microsoft Flight Sims FS '98 onwards!
With each new version, the scenery became more realistic and encouraged me to explore it in great detail with the assistance of Wikipedia and Google Satellite Maps, local daily news, You-Tube videos, etc, to the point that I am now addicted to it!
All this reveals the truly wonderful, diverse scenery; but the daily USA newscasts that get e-mailed to me each day, also reveals the dark underbelly of the USA society!
Fortunately, it doesn't detract me from daily exploring the truly magnificent scenery to be viewed....
..I spend many hours watching the You-Tube Videos of the various Harley-Davidson tours through the scenery of various States*...
...with nary a single shot being fired!
Paul.....The Intrepid Explorer....

....!
* ....You-Tube Videos 1 to 10...>>>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NnBtUQ1Tto..plus loads more, to enjoy the very best of the USA!