Day 12

Woke up early at travelodge, palm springs! Packed up our stuff, had a little breakfast and then checked out.

Drive a couple of miles to the Palm Springs Aerial car. A ten minute cable car ride that takes you to nearly 9000 feet in a rotating cable car! At the bottom it's a warm 67 degrees and at the top it's a very cold 20 degrees!
At the top there is snow every where, it's totally covered! We have a walk about and take plenty of pictures. Kids are playing in the snow, it's amazing the difference in temperature when you only travel 10 minutes. Clare was absolutely bricking it on the cable car ride, but she braved it twice and said she had a great time!
A quick coffee followed by a root around the shops, preceded a little lunch. Pizza and wedges all round!
At 12:30 we head back down the mountain.
Into the beast and a splash of fuel and we are off to LAX! And home :-( boo

Day 11

Woke up late , uploaded some facebook pics and checked out.
Drive into town and had breakfast at schlotzskys, both of us had a breakfast burrito.
Visited Londonderry Bridge and bought some momentos. Very interesting, the bridge being dismantled in London and reassembled in the desert!
We then drove to Joshua Tree National Park, so many trees, took lots of pictures, amazing scenery!
We then drove to Palm Springs and checked into a travelodge.

Day 10

Had breakfast at the days inn motel, we made some waffles! We then left for Sedona, the drive down through the valley was amazing, snow, pine trees and huge cliffs!

We parked up in Sedona and went to a few shops. With the red rock behind the town it really was very pretty. After buying a few things we visited a high point to view the town, a church on a hill and small village full with art galleries!

We followed the road to Montezumas
Castle, it was a lovely day and the castle set in the rock was breathtaking.
I bought a few things in the shop!

Then followed a very long drive to Lake Havasu City, we got there and had a little trouble finding a place to stay.
We ended up in a Super 8, which was cheap, and ok.

Took a drive to Denny's and had some food, burger for Clare and a sizzling plate of beef n chicken for me!

Day 9

Last morning in Vegas, so we get up have some breakfast in macs, use their free wifi!
After we head to the Venetian/Palazzo to have a look around. The cistine chapel entrance and the canal through it are amazing!
We then head to Caesars palace and then on to the Belagio, both are amazing, sooo over the top!
Back to our room by 11 to check out, then we hit the road!
We stop at the Hoover dam and have a look around. The new bridge is soo high, the highest in America!
Fill up the tanks in Kingman , then on to Flagstaff.
After we check in to the Days inn, we head into town for some food. There is snow every where, but we are 7,000 feet up!
The Thai meal is very nice, we share the Kung Pao chicken an Teriyaki beef.
Then head back to the hotel.

Day 8

Get up ridiculously early, and walk to the pick up point under the miracle mile. We arrive at 6:15, the bus leaves at 7:30! After watching a history DVD on the history of Vegas, we stop for a short break in Kingman.
Then on towards Williams for lunch. Williams is where the grand canyon train sets off for the rim.
After lunch we head off in the bus towards the rim. We arrive at Mather point. Ron the driver gives us 40 mins to look around. Amazing views!
Ron picks us up and we head to Bright Angel Lodge, more amazing views! We look around the place, have a coffe and check out the museum and film studio built by the Kolb brothers.
After an hour and a half, we get back on the bus and head back. We see a few films and pass the Hoover dam lit up at night, which was breathtaking. We arrive back at the hotel at 9:30.
Shattered we hit the sack!

Day 7

Woke up in Bishop, we need to leave early to get to see all of Death valley in the daylight!

It's very cold when we go outside, 23f! We packed our stuff in the car and went for a drive in search of food. At the petrol station the cashier said we should try Jacks waffle house. So we did!

It was packed with people and the staff were really nice. Clare had waffles a, eggs and bacon, and I had a cheese and ham omelette, with sourdough toast and jelly mmmmmm.
We bought a T-shirt each to remember the place!

Then the long drive to Lone Pine and then to Death valley! We arrived at the information centre on the way in and bought some souvenirs and the pass for the park. We drove past the sand dunes, furnace creek and on to Badwater Basin. The views were amazing! On the way back we took the artists drive and saw some very different coloured rocks! Stopped to take photos at Zabriske point (I love it there)
Then swapped driving and Clare drove us in to Nevada and on to Vegas!
We parked in the hotel car park (enormous), checked in and went to our room. What a lovely room!
After a little rest we ventured out to find some food. Eventually ending up in Harrahs, at the "Toby Keith I love this bar and grill" (yes it really was called that!). I had a enormo burger with fries and Clare had chilli and chips! We then wandered back to our room!

Day 6

Had breakfast in the IHOP , checked out of the room and hit the road to Bishop at about 10.

Drove past snow topped mountains and lakes! Gradually getting higher and higher . There wasn't a cloud in the sky, but it was very windy. Got to Big Pine at about 2:30 and took a right to see a very old Forrest. We drive for about 20 miles got to 10,000 feet on some very windy roads, there was plenty of snow too! Took some pics then headed back.

Got to bishop at about 4, checked into a Days inn. Then went out a Mexican meal. Very nice!

Day 5

Took the big blue bus to the omelette restaurant on Maine street, I had the breakfast quesadillas and Clare had the French toast, with banana. Fantastic!

Then went for a walk down Venice beach, looked in few shops an watched the boarders at the skate park.

Took the Blue Bus back to the hotel, and took the car to see hollywood. Went to see the sidewalk stars and the Chinese theatre. After we drove into the Hollywood hills to see the sign. Narrow roads and big cars don't mix haha!

Drove back to the hotel, big traffic jam!
When we eventually got back, we had dinner at the IHOP, next to the hotel!

Day 4

Got up at 8 in Morro Bay, had some cerial and a muffin before heading around town to have a little walk and look at a few stops.

Clare drove to Santa Barbara, we parked had a walk around the very nice mediterranean style shops and houses. We had some lunch in Quiznos which was nice! The temp was about 60 and felt warm in the sun.

Then drove the rest of the way to Santa Monica, through Malibu. Found the hotel and checked in about 3.

Just missed the bus to the beach so we walked, took about 25 mins. Got to the pier just as the sun was setting, it was very nice! After taking a few shots we walked to main street and looked in a few shops. Had dinner in an Irish bar, Finn McCools no less! We both had huge salads.

After we walked a little then got the big blue bus back to the hotel. Clare has a swollen gum so I went to the drug store to help.

Day 3

Woke up at 7, got packed and left to get the car with Clare at 7:45. Got to the garage and upgraded to a slightly bigger car. It's basically a house on wheels! 18 feet long !!!
Drove out of a multi storey car park! The corkscrew down ramp seemed to last forever!

After picking up our bags, we were on our way! After a great drive along the coast road route 1, we stopped for lunch in Monterey.

Alaskan cod for Clare and chowder and prawn sandwich for me. Got some sweets for the road and a route 1 magnet!

Leaving Monterey we headed down route 1 , loads more amazing views, stopping lots to take pics!

We stopped around 3pm and saw lots of elephant sea-lions, impressive huge animals!
Got to morrow bay, got a room, checked in. After a little rest we drive into the town, where the only place that was busy, had karaoke ! Had a couple of drinks and snacked on a buffet they had going on for the locals.

Day 2

After hitting the sack early after a long first day, found it hard to sleep. We were up early anyway (about 7) caught a cable car to lombard street to see the bendy road.

Lombard Street

Walked from there to the pier area and had some breakfast in Macs! Burrito for me and a biscuit style muffin for Clare. Bought a few postcards and a lighter for Clare. I got a baseball key ring too! We walked up and down pier 39 before going to the Alcatraz ferry.

Alcatraz Ferry

We were early and managed to sneak on the 10:30 ferry and after a smooth crossing the mooring was very choppy! Once on the island we followed a tour guide, he explained the history of Alcatraz. Once inside the cell house we were given the audio equipment ! 

Followed the very interesting tour and walked in the lively warm sunshine. At about 2:30 we took the ferry back.

Back on the mainland we took the small but very very steep walk up to Coit tower. Before heading up I took what I thought was a well deserved lie down (Clare laughed). At the top of the tower we took some photos and squashed some 1 cent pieces.

On the way back we walked through little Italy and China (tat) town, both very nice. Then back to the hotel via Abercrombie & Fitch for a little rest before going out for dinner.
Went to the 4th street bar and grill, I had some beef quesadillas and Clare had a salad. Walked back to the hotel, got back at 10:30

Day 1

Woke early, we were out on the road to the airport by 5:30, after a few hold ups on theM25 got the the Long stay parking at 7:30.


It was cold and windy, took the bus to the terminal, checked in, finished our snacks(yoghurt and cheese) before heading through security. Terminal 5 is very impressive, it's made up of three large buildings, a,b,c. After having some sushi, our gate was called and we headed to b37 via the train. 747 was on the Tarmac and we boarded with no delay. The deicers made us a little late and we missed our slot, delayed by 40 mins, bugger! Soon we were in the air, it was a fairly roomy seat. Clare had the window seat and I was next to her with, a non English speaking man next to me.


Watched a couple of films, cowboys and aliens, and x men first class, got some sleep too. Food was ok, roast beef for lunch and a sandwich with a muffin for tea.


After landing and taxiing for a long time, we were off the plane and through immigration. The policeman checking the passports was quite funny and thought I should know tiger woods! Picked up bags and headed to the Bart train. 25 minutes later we were walking to our hotel. Checked in, nice big room with 2 double beds. After 25 mins we hit the streets for a walk. We walked to union square, massive Christmas tree and palm trees covered in lights.



We then walked through china town to get to the piers. The we walked back up an over nob hill, had diner in Mels Diner, a burger each and we headed back to our hotel, it was about 7pm and we were both shattered after a long day!



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