Tuesday 5 September
We were leaving America today but the flight was not until nearly midnight so we had a lot of time to kill.  Luckily the hostel allowed us to keep our bags in the room while we went off on a trip of LA and the Hollywood sights.

We set off to catch the bus about lunchtime and it must have been the hottest day so far!!  Luckily the first hour of the trip was in a trolley bus (we looked like typical tourists - great) but at least there was a breeze -  but not from Superman (see the picture when posted)!  We saw the Hollywood Bowl and the Hollywood sign before transferring to a minibus and taking a tour of the homes of the rich and famous.

After picking up the bags we went straight to the airport (early as usual) and checked in for the flight.  We could not get the seats we wanted but were told that if we went back half an hour later they would change the seats for us.  And yes they did.  We got emergency exit seats and they did not release the third seat on our row so we had 3 seats to ourselves - BONUS.

A long flight but we both managed to kept some sleep whilst we lost a day!

Monday 4 September

Spent the whole bloody day sat in an internet cafe updating our photos and the web site - HUFF PUFF.

Off to do the washing now!

Hope you enjoy.

 

Sunday 3 September
Had a very lazy day away from Seedy street down in Santa Monica.

Got the bus down, wandered around Third Street Promenade (or "Third Pavement" as Anne refers to it!) and then went to the beach.  After that we ended up in Ye Olde Kings Arms - a British boozer!!

Not much else to say.

 

Saturday 2 September
Another early start for us to get the RV (our home and best friend!) back to the depot.   No problems apart from the waterfall that fell off the roof as soon as we started driving.   Air con unit on the roof  must have broken as it was like the rapids(!) from Yosemite coming down off the roof.   We did the right  thing - keep driving and hope that it has cleared up by the time we get to the depot.   It worked!!   Not bad after 2,200 miles of hard driving!

Well, we are back in LA on "seedy street" (otherwise known as Sunset Boulevard) checking into our palace (otherwise known as the Saharan or sometimes mistaken for the brothel next door)!

We were greeted with 3 lads outside the hostel telling us they have just called the Police and the Health Department as they had mites in their bed and the owner was refusing to do anything about it!!

WELCOME HOME.

 

Friday 1 September
An early start for us to get to an RV park just outside of LA so that we are near the depot to drop it off on Saturday.   We set off and made good time to LA.

We had been looking at which RV park to go to and decided that there was one only about 5 miles from the depot.  We did not think that it may not be very nice as the depot is the middle of LA major industrial heartland!  Anyway, we rocked up at the campsite, sat in the carpark for about 2 minutes and then drove off again.  Luckily no one saw us!

After huffing and puffing for about half an hour we finally had arranged a place at a RV park in Orange, only a further 25 miles down the road.  It had been hard to get somewhere as it is Labour Day weekend.

Anyway, we got to the RV park and it was lovely - very clean, nice people and an inviting swimming pool.  Sarah and Ruth - it is in the middle of the OC!!

After cleaning the RV and trying to pack everything back into our rucksacks we spent a really relaxed evening eating and drinking.

 

Thursday 31 August
We were not quite sure where we were going today (no surprise there then).   We knew we were leaving Carmel as we had to start heading back towards LA to drop the RV off on Saturday.   We went back to our favourite coffee shop and decided we would try to head for Santa Barbara.   We phoned a few places and they told us that we would not make it until late because we had left it so late in the day to start travelling!!(it was midday by this point).   In the end we picked a RV park in Grover Bay called "Le Sage Riviera" - sound fancy.

We made the trip along Route 1 which follows the coast down towards LA.   Absolutely amazing scenery but very high windey road which did not agree with Anne at all - particularly the sheer drops down to the sea below.

We eventually got to Grover Bay and found the RV park - not as fancy as it sounded but OK.  We went for a walk along the beach and then went to Shark Bar which was part of Fins Restaurant by the sea.  Cool little place where we hada few drinks before going back to the RV.

 

Wednesday 30 August
Today was another relaxing day enjoying the scenery of Carmel and the local area.

We went to the local shops were we hung about in the coffee house and had bagels.   After that we "hit the road" to go to buy Chris a new camera.   He had been itching for a   new "toy" ever since San Fransisco when the little camera we have got was not powerful enough to get any good pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge.   We went to Circuit City and after chatting with a very nice man we bought a Canon S3IS - how cool.   Chris was kept amused for the rest of the day with his new toy (when he was allowed to start playing with it)!

After that we went on the "17 mile drive" which is a drive around a piece of coastline near Carmel which encompasses Pebble Beach.   Pebble Beach holds a prestigious golfing tournament and the 17 mile drive is within the confines of a "National Park" of sorts.   You have to pay to get in but are limited to certain areas where you can drive.   The remaining parts are full of enormous private houses with amazing views over the coast.

Finally we got home and, guess what, had another BBQ.   It was our last night and we were hoping for more excitement like last night to keep us entertained - no such luck.   Never mind.

 

Tuesday 29 August
After doing some "domestic chores" in the morning (cannot seem to escape these even in America!) we headed off to the aquarium.

It was totally amazing - thanks Robin.   Kelp forests, sharks, turtles, penguins, fish and jelly fish of all descriptions and a big emphasis on conservation.   Spent a couple of hours wandering around and could have spent many more.

The area around the aquarium used to be a big canning area particularly for Del Monte which was interesting to walk around.

Back to the camp site in time for another BBQ washed down with alcohol - what a great life.

Oh - something exciting happened this evening.   We heard an argument going off at one of the larger RVs down the park.   Chris being a bit nosy went for a gawp.   One of the guys who was arguing got in his van and started doing wheel spins around the park (which is not that big).   After he had sped off all the neighbours started emerging with their torches - what excitement.   One of the guy's brother had had a paddy and then got in a huff and driven off.   Anyway, it gave the park something to talk about.

 

Monday 28 August
Left San Fransisco to spend a few days in Monterey - Robin had recommended the aquarium there.

We got to the RV park and decided that it was a bit shit - right on a main road in the middle of an industrial estate.   We headed out to Carmel which is a few miles down the road and it was gorgeous.   We ended up in a camp site called Carmel by the River - it was next to a river which we did not see!   However, it was a great place.   We settled in and soon began chatting to some of the locals - the man opposite us builds golf courses and came over for a chat.

We had our first BBQ and chilled under the open sky - until it got too cold and we went into the van.

 

Sunday 27 August
Quite a quiet day today.   We went into San Fransisco and got the ferry across to Sausalito which is a really pretty village across the Bay.   We were going to cycle over the Colden Gate Bridge which is a popular thing to do - however, planning ineptitude struck again and we did not have enough time to do this!

When we got back to San Fransisco we headed to Murphy's Bar for a drink whilst we waited for our lift back to the RV park.   The bar was supposed to shut at 7pm but we got chatting to the barman and he kept it open for us until we had to leave at 8pm (after chucking everyone else out first) - what a nice man!

 

Saturday 26 August
We got up early to go to Pier 39 to get Alcatraz tickets for the evening.   Once again the planning squad failed miserably!   Planning to get to the ticket office for about 9.30ish we rocked up at midday.   All tickets for the day and evening had been sold but we could buy "stand by" tickets which meant we had to wait around to see if people did not turn up who had valid tickets.   Pain in the bum but we decided to do this just to try to get to Alcatraz.   It actually worked really well and we only had to wait about 45 mins before we got onto one of the trips (they go every 30 mins).

Alcatraz was excellent, particularly the audio tour around the prison itself.   We also had a guided tour around the outside with a ranger who told us all about the escape attempts from Alcatraz.   It did smell a bit though...

We then got the extortionately expensive Powell-Mason tram back towards Union Square where we went back to Macys to get some cheesecake - lovely!

Went to Murphy's Bar again (our local!) and then back to the RV park.

 

Friday 25 August
After leaving Yosemite we headed to San Fransisco.   Drove in over   Bay Bridge with great views over the bay, Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.   We found the RV park which was right next to (literally!) Monster Park, the home of the San Fransisco 49ers.

The RV park ran a shuttle which took people into the city and then picked them up again.   We jumped on the shuttle and headed into San Fran.   Anne was wearing a shirt and took a t-shirt with her in case it got too hot!!   They do not call it the windy city for nothing.   She ended up buying a hoodie with San Fransisco plastered all over the front of it - honest, we are not tourists!

We wondered to Union Square and had a meal in the Cheesecake Factory which is the restaurant on the top floor of Macys (as recommended by Gina and Tony).   Anne had the best meal ever (her own words)!!

We then got the F line tram down to Pier 39 - Blackpool in San Fransisco!   It was cool to wonder around but very busy.   Around the back of the Pier there is a place that has been taken over by seals!!   There were loads of seals all sitting around on floating tables just off the Pier.   Obviously this was the start of lots of seal noises from Chris for the rest of the day.

After finding Murphy's Bar (they get everywhere don't they) we headed back to the Park at 10pm.

 

Thursday 24 August
We went into Yosemite Park and parked at the visitors centre.   From there you can get a shuttle bus that takes you around most of the good walks.   Anne was desperate to see a bear so we had to spend as much time in the shrubs as possible.   There is advice around the   Park as to what you should do if you see a bear - "make lots of noise and bang your pots and pans together" - great!   You will be pleased to know that we did not carry our kitchen utensils around with us all the day because that would have been silly.   Ho hum.

We took a walk to Mirror Lake which was beautiful - not much of a lake there but you could paddle if you found water deep enough!   Approaching the Lake was a sign that said that mountain lions were around in the area.   The advice if you encounter one of these beasts is much the same as when you see a bear, make lots of noise.   However, they do qualify this with a warning that if you are attacked, "fight back"!

After lunch in Curry Village we decided to raft down the Merced river that runs through the valley.   Absolutely hilarious.   We were sat in our little rubber dingy (almost) with a   paddle each and told to follow the river down until you see a rope across which means that you have to stop.   Good instructions. Chris got a little annoyed as Anne thought she was in a self propelling motorboat and the paddle was just for decoration.   Chris kept shouting "pedal" (yes he did get confused between pedal and paddle!) but we got there in the end.   There were small sections of the river that were so shallow we had to get out and pull our boat over.   There were also some sections where the water got a little quicker (well, quicker than floating speed) which became known affectionately as "the rapids".   In one such "rapid" we got into a   little bit of a pickle, paddledthe wrong way and ended up hitting a tree in front of about 10 people who were just watching the fun!!   Being British we simply coughed and paddled along on our way pretending to ignore the fact that Anne nearly got decapitated!

A really good day and we headed back to the hotel to relax for the evening.   We got talking to a guy in the bar who had spent many years working as a forest fire fighter.   An extremely interesting guy who had lots of stories about his time fighting fires and how fires "worked" in the forests.

 

Wednesday 23 August
Off to Yosemite today - wahey!

We set off early (or so we thought) to get to our campsite in Yosemite National Park.   The drive was absolutely spectacular - coming in from the east along Highway 120 and entering the Park across the Tioga Pass.   The scenery was unbelievable and the mountains awesome.   It was extremely "hilly" (doesn't quite do the mountains justice) and our RV struggled a little bit.   Hence the fact that we were about 3 hours later than we should have been!!   Once again our planning leaves something to be desired - that's what you get if you put a project manager and events organiser together!!

We got to the campsite which was beautiful - on the west side of the Park so we had to cross the Park to get there.   On the way we saw lots of smoke which we later found out was due to a fire that had been put out a year ago but had restarted recently.   Apparently they burn under ground after they have been "put out" and then restart themselves when the conditions are right (not a lot of people know that).

Anyway, we got there just as it was getting dusk.   We found our spot but also found out that we there was no "hook up" which meant that we could not connect to electric or water as you can do in most RV parks.   Not a problem until we found out that we could not use our generator either as we had already entered "quiet time".   No lights, power food or torches.   Hey, we could sit in the dark, starving and telling ghost stories to each other.   Anne piped up and said "Haven't you got your Kowalski?" to which all she got was a dirty look as if to say dont be stupid! (one for the divers).

We got talking to the people who were looking after the camp site for the season and they told us we could drive down into the Village at the bottom of the Park to get something to eat.   At this point Anne started to decide that hotels with clean towels and hot running water would be better so off we trotted to find a hotel rather than camping!!   The two hotels in the Village were all fully booked but we found somewhere just outside the Park which had a room available.   To be fair it had a massive bed, the biggest jacuzzi bath I have ever seen, balcony and river view - I love camping!!

Pizza, beer and bed.   What a great day.

 

Tuesday 22 August
We left the RV park early (after again wrestling with the "dirty water") and decided we would risk the Hoover Dam as we had heard that we would be fine going over in our RV.

As got onto Route 93 we both started to get   a little edgy in case we got there and we told we had to turn around - particularly after the diversion that Anne took us on the last time.   We saw a sign for tourist info and went off the main road up a little dust track.   4 miles further on we started to wonder what trap we had got into!   However we came across the best little stereotypical dusty American town called Chloride.   What a cool little place with a population of 329 - we only saw 2 of them!

Anyway, we could go over the Hoover Dam so off we set again.

The Hoover Dam was great - very big (!) and very impressive.

Now back in Vegas and off to Yosemite tomorrow.

 

Monday 21 August
We got up early and drove the remaining 50 miles from the RV park to the Grand Canyon national park.   Unfortunately we did not realise that there were RV sites in the national park.

We spent the day hopping around on the free buses going along the edge of the South Rim to all the look out places.   Absolutely fantastic!!!   The views were just so impressive and the magnitude of the Canyon is so impressive.   I think we took about 200 photos in the first few hours - you may have to wait a while before you get to see some these.

We spent most of the day in the national park and waited for the sunset in order to get "the shot" - just like hundreds of other people!   However, it was worth the wait as the sun set was out of this world.   After getting lost in the park trying to find our way out we finally got back to the RV park.   What a day!

 

Sunday 20 August
We set off today to get to the Grand Canyon.   We were up nice and early to make sure that we got there early so we could chill in the evening.   Apparently at the RV park there is a BBQ and live music in the evening.

The first thing we had to deal with before we left was dumping all the "used water" from the RV into the hole in the ground.   Well!!   What a pair of muppets.   We were prancing around trying not to get wet looking so much like the English tourists we are not having a clue about anything.   We finally succeded and off we set.

We firstly stopped off at Walmart.   Oh my god how big was the store!   It was so huge it stocked everything from guns to spare tyres, clothes to potting plants.   But did it stock Anne's cleaning wipes?   Oh no and didn't we spend ages trying to find them!

Luckily, when we continued our journey   thanks to Robbin we had the aid of a sat nav to help us find our way easily.   All we had to do was follow the directions.   This is really easy if you continue to watch the sat nav so you know when to turn!!   We did not go over th Hoover Dam as we were not sure if we could go over in our RV so we took the detour.   Just as we were passing the turning to get back onto the right road I said to Anne "Should we be turning there?" to which Anne replied "Oh, yes".   Too late.   Theroad we were on meant that we could not turn round in our RV so we had a further 100 mile detour (!) to do.   Never mind, we've got the live music and BBQ this evening.

We eventually arrived and parked up for the evening - mmm a nice burger to look forward to.   Anyway we trotted along to the BBQ area at about 7pm and were greated by a nice friendly woman who took our order.   No other people and two people past their 70s crooning into a mic!   Oh well, it was a lovely evening and after a couple of drinks we went to bed.

 

Saturday 19 August
Wow, Tom Jones - still gives me a shiver.

Had a really relaxed day today - did some sunbathing by the pool and generally relaxed in the heat!   By about 6pm we were both ready to hit the strip again (I think).   We started off by going to Treasure Island Hotel were we saw the "Sirens of Treasure Island" show which was fantastic - standing outside the hotel with a cold Bud watching a great show and lots of lights and explosions.   After that we continued down the strip to see the fountains at the Ballagio - unfortunately we had a few too many Buds and by the time we got the Ballagio all we could do was sit in the bar and watch the show throught he window.

Really nice day but Vegas is overwhelming.

 

Friday 18 August
Absolutely baking!   The only way to describe how hot it was but never mind - we were travelling and going down the Strip!

We bought an all day bus travel card.   Double decker buses go up and down the Strip and you can jump on and off whenever you like.

As were walking to the bus stop Anne inadvertantly   decided she would test out the grip on her flip flops.   We were walking outside the back of   one of the hotels where some of the staff were washing out the bins.   Anne stepped in the water (why?) and after performing   a few acrobatic moves (or just wobbling about like a mad woman) she ended up on her knees going bright red.   One of the guys asked her if she was OK.   "Of course I am" she replied scuttling off as if nothing had happened.   Of course it was the fault of the shoes.

We were staying at Circus Circus and got the bus down to first major hotel Treasure Island.   We spent the next few hours gawping at all the hotels, going inside for a gamble, taking pictures and generally being incredibly impressed with the sheer size of everything.   Anne described it as almost as tacky as Blackpool but 100 times better!

It was so hot that you could not help but keep going into the hotels just to cool down.   Once we were in any hotel we just managed to get lost and spend the next 10 mins walking round trying to get out!

Two days before we left England we had been   at Gina and Anthony's house   and we had looked at what shows would be on in Vegas while we were there.   Anne saw that Tom Jones was performing at the MGM - 5 nights later we were sat in the Hollywood Theatre at the MGM watching the old crooner!   Very good show and evening but we had a bit of a do trying to get the tickets.   We went to one ticket office and they said that they had sold out.   At this point Anne went into a little panic and decided that we were not going to get any tickets and that it was Chris' fault for not letting her buy them in the UK before we left.   Anyway we finally went to the MGM hotel.   The ticket office was shut (not making Anne's anxiety any better) so we went to the Concierge desk to ask if there were any available.   Luckily someone had just cancelled and we had seats 4 rows back, centre stage.   That is now the second bit of luck we have had after being upgraded on the flight from London to LA.

 

Thursday 17 August
After a leisurely start we booked a cab to pick us up at 1pm from the hotel to where we were picking up the winnebago.   We had 2 hours to kill so we went to the local internet cafe and then had something to eat before getting back to the hotel for 1pm.

The cab arrived and took us to Carson village which was the other side of Los Angeles and took about an hour.   We were going to try to get a bus there but it would have taken forever so in the end it was $75 well spent.

When we got there we were just surrounded by winnebagos of all sizes and descriptions - we were in awe!! (and Anne said "do you think we could change it for a car?")

We had to sit and watch an orientation video to familiarise ourselves with the "truck" - we watched it for about 10 mins (and got incredibly bored) before we went to the counter to say " Hi, we're ready for our truck please!"

Bloody hell - we walked around it, forgot everything and had to get the lady back twice to ask all the stupid questions we should have known from our orientation video.   To top it all the sat nav that we were borrowing from Robin did not work - there was too much winnebago over our heads and over the windscreen for the receiver to detect the staellites!!   Disaster was looming and Anne was getting a little panicky.   Chris remained calm (supposedly but was more than a little pissed off at the thought of driving around America with just a map and Anne directing).

Hurrah - the sat nav finally decided it would work and we set off on our adventure.

After some fun and games trying to negotiate 5 lane interstates (ultimately I-15)   in our overly sized car (pictures will follow I promise) we arrived at Barstow at 8pm.   Barstow is a huge outlet centre between LA and Vegas.   The route there was fantastic with desert and mountain backdrops while the sun was setting.

After 10 mins shopping and $200 spent (Di - we are sending some stuff home for you to look after for us!) we decided to continue to Vegas before "setting camp".   What we did not realise, like the muppets we are, is that you have to make sure that everything is completely secure before you drive.   Half way there we ended up with a 4 litre jug of water spilt all over the floor in the back soaking Anne's rucksack and everything flying about.   It was pitch black so Anne had to scamble around on the floor tyding things up and mopping up the water while Chris just carried on driving.

We eventually got to Vegas, got lost and, after a few Bud, went to sleep.   Driving into Vegas was amazing.   Night time and all you can see are lights for miles around.   As we were driving nearer   we could see this light shining from behind these hills (including the strobe from the   Luxor)   and then all of a sudden it is upon you.   All we could see as we were driving through to the RV park were lights, massive hotels and lots of people and cars.

Oh, Anne had the nice double bed in the back of the winnebago and I had the double hole space above the cabin!

 

Wednesday 16 August
We got to the Hotel about 7ish last night absolutely knackered.   We went out for a burger (we've had our first USA burger of the trip already!) and then crashed in the hotel room.   Surprise surprise we were awake about 4am not knowing what to do.

We had an early start, got breakfast and then walked to the Chinese Theatre which is only 2 blocks from where we are staying.   We had a little look around at the footprints in the concrete and all the stars names along the pavement - Anne got excited about Donald Duck and   I was disappointed that I could not find Michelle Pfieffer.

We then got a bus down to Santa Monica and spent the day by the sea.   We cycled along the sea path and went down to Venice Beach and saw the men working out at musscle beach (Lent, something for you to aspire to).   All in all a very good day but a bit tiring.   Anne and I both had slightly red arms also from the bike ride - look out, Brits on holiday!!

Did not do much during the evening.   Chris went out to get pizza whilst Anne stayed in as she was not feeling the best.

Tomorrow we pick up the winnebago!!!