Moars America.http://animoto.com/play/6Z6wO2Z3yi9IFMJH5eDgCQ
October 26, 2009
Our first day we spent at California Adventure Park which is directly opposite Disneyland. It has some of the rides aimed at older children, which our kids are very keen on. This was Hamish’s first experience at theme park where he met the minimum height requirements for the scarier rides. We went straight to California Soari’n which used at a 3D screen to show us all over California while we hung from a seating platform which simulated us flying. Most of the places we had been to so it was a great way to revisit our memories. Next we did the old white water rapids where Hamish was absolutely drenched. Then we it the big roller coaster, California Screaming! There were a few screams from me, but we ended up riding this four times before the end of the week. The crowds were small and we weren’t waiting for long so managed to do quite a lot in the morning. Sat down for lunch with some great corn dogs and fries to refuel on. The afternoon saw us revisit some of the rides and we watched the street parades. The park closed at 5 o’clock as it was holding a Halloween party that night. We strolled up to down town Disney and hit some of the shops, quite a bit of time being spent in the Lego store. We headed to the Rainforest Cafe for dinner. This place is huge and every inch of wall and ceiling space is covered in rainforest, monkeys, tigers etc. Really wild and loads of fun. After a great meal, we were keen to try their trade mark desert, The Volcano! Chocolate brownie filled with ice cream and cream. When the waiter brings it out he is joined by two others and hey yell, Voollcannooooooooo! at the top of their voice, so everyone knows you are having one. On te stroll back to the hotel we passed Disneyland so decided to go in and familiarise our selves for the next day. We only had two hours and it was very crowed but manged to fit in 3 of the lesser known rides.
Thursday we hit Disneyland by 9.30. We got some fast passes early which allows you to go back to a ride at a set time so you don’t have to line up as long. The crowd was much bigger and the few ‘thrill rides’ were very popular. The kids enjoyed Ghost Galaxy which is a tight roller coaster, inside, in the dark! I was scared out of my wits and refused to go on that one again!! Indiana Jones was great, not scary but fantastic special effects. The time went quickly and by 3.30 we had had enough. We decided to head back to the hotel for a swim as it was very hot and the kids were keen to try the Pirate Water park at the hotel. Grace and I went back into California to watch the High School Musical show before we headed back.
Thursday night we headed to the Honda centre for the Lakers v’s Denver Nuggets basketball game. It was great with all the usual music and cheer girls etc. Lakers won and we also enjoyed Nacho El Grande for dinner, a huge bowl of nachos with the works!
Friday morning we slept in a little. We had a slow start before we hit some of the factory outlets. First stop was Deck n Shoes where the kids spotted Heelys (skate shoes with in built wheels which you can take out). Gracie also liked a glitzy pair of Skechers. Then we drove out to the Ontario Mills a massive factory retail outlet. Dan hit the Nike store while I found some Skechers and we both found some cheap Levis. Another Lego shop pleased the boys.
Got back early afternoon and revisited some of the popular rides at California before heading over to Disney for the night. Big mistake!! Disney was so crowed you could hardly move. My theory was we would go back out to Downtown Disney eat dinner then had back for fireworks then hopefully people with young kids would leave. We had a nice mexican dinner at Jo Tortilas then on our way back the boys spotted Ride Makerz. Hamish decided to make a remote control Corvette. He collected all his parts then went to the workshop to build it. Very proud of his end product! Mean while Grace and I went back to Disney and caught the Halloween fireworks. They were amazing! All the Halloween decorations are amazing! The park did empty out a little bit still took an hour to get on to Indiana Jones. At midnight we wandered home with fantastic memories of our time at Disney.
Saturday saw us awake in a hotel room that looked like a bomb had hit it!!! Packing was interesting, but we manged to fit everything in with just a couple of more hand luggage bags. We checked out at 11.30 and drove up to Hollywood. Parked near the stars walk of fame but were quickly accosted by a girl selling seats on an open air truck tour of the stars homes. A good deal was negotiated and within ten minutes we were with our guide, Fifty five-year old Helen from Brisbane! She was great and although the tour sounds cheesy it was great to drive through he hollywood hills with the wind in your hair. The streets were immaculately groomed and we saw Michael Jackson’s last home, Madonna, Britney Spears, Elvis’s LA home, and many more. Even glimpsed Dr Phil sweeping his drive way!!! Two hours quickly flew and it was time to find some lunch/ dinner and return the car before heading for the airport. In total we drove 3112 miles and we had the best time. America is really a great place, fantastic service, reasonably cheap (while the dollar is good) and quite friendly. Favourites include San Francisco, Moab, and the camping we did. We definitely will be back!!
October 21, 2009
We made the long drive from Scottsdale to Anaheim yesterday along some of the most efficient but boring freeways you’ll come across. Dual lane all the way with about 5000 trucks. We stopped for a snack at Desert Centre which is a town on the freeway that everyone forgot about. It is a small town that was created in the desert with a golf course and basically nothing else. The small general store was pretty good and there were more flies than anything else. The traffic as we approached Anaheim was interesting as the Hotel is a block or two away from where the Yankees were playing the Angels in the 4th game of the play off series. The Angels ending up being on the wrong end of a 10-1 flogging. We went for a walk down past Disneyland which is directly opposite and found dinner at the Bubba Gump restaurant. It feels a bit Hogs Breath style and was great fun with Forest Gump stuff everywhere and a good feel about the place. The walk home conincided with the fireworks display at Disneyland. Not a bad way to finish the day. Today we head to California Adventureland.
October 20, 2009
An interesting night. A young German couple had locked themselves out of their rental car. After exploring all other possibilities they borrowed our little hammer and broke the small window in the back door. Not a great outcome but at least they got in. It was 8:30pm and they were sleeping in their car. We swapped addresses and hope to see them next year when they come to Australia. We then tucked into some smores before hitting the sack.
Leisa got the washing done this morning before we left to head to Sedona. It was a pretty drive down through the valley and the road was packed with Sunday visitors enjoying a beautiful afternoon. We arrived in Sedona to find that it was a tourist haven. Galleries and souvenir shops run along either side of the road for a kilometre or so with plenty of customers. We set up camp 6 miles back up the valley on the river. Beautiful spot. After watching a couple catch rainbow trout in the river we headed back into town for the sunset which is supposed to be spectacular. It turned out to be a bit ordinary as the cloud cover came in. The sky was great but the rocks didn’t get the colour they are known for. Dinner was interesting with a visit to the Red Planet Diner. This place was fitted out with red lighting and full on UFO gear everywhere. The seats glittered and the whole effect was pretty good. Unfortunately the food wasn’t as good as the atmosphere. We headed back to camp and some more smores to finish off the night. We did get a visit from a couple of skunks while we made smores. Thankfully we didn’t upset them too much.
This morning was spent packing up the tent for the last time. A tear in the eye as we rolled and stuffed out bags and tents into the big duffle. To be honest the tents have been great and we have slept better in them then some of the hotels. We then checked out Sedona with a walk along the shops and a couple of purchases. We also drove around a loop which takes you around some of the better views. It seems that every house here has to blend in with the surroundings. Hence they are all rock red. After some more quick touring we started the drive to Scottsdale.
Scottsdale is part of Phoenix with a population of 3.3 million. After the check in we walked to the old part of town which has the old western feel about it. We really enjoyed the boot shop which only sold western style boots. Grace now has that boot scootin’ look and everyone was tempted to try a pair on. They literally had thousands of pairs. We continued onto the Fashion Mall which is the largest mall in Arizona. We only scratched the surface but enjoyed looking around and picking up some bargains. Dinner at Denny’s and the kids and Leisa are now having a swim in the pool. It is unseasonally warm here and even the locals are complaining. They had 40 degrees celsius here yesterday. Tomorrow is a big drive as we head to Anaheim ready for Disneyland.
October 18, 2009
After a slow start to the morning we drove out to the Monument Valley visitors centre which is still under construction, got some directions and headed on the 17 mile dirt road which winds its way around the sites of this area. The views were great once again but Leisa and the kids enjoyed looking at all the jewellery being sold by the local Navajo people. Great stuff and also dirt cheap. Plenty of bargains picked up as we drove around. They were very nice people and of course you felt obliged to buy something. After touring around we grabbed some lunch and Hamish had his birthday cake.
The drive down to the Grand Canyon was through some fairly plain country and it was not until we arrived at the Canyon that you could really see the size of this hole in the ground. Grabbed some quick sunset shots before setting up camp and a good nights sleep.
Another slow morning before we caught the shuttle bus to Hermits Rest at the end of the shuttle run. You literally walk on the very edge of the canyon with not much between you and a 4000 foot drop. Not a place for Nan’s and Grandma’s. We walked from here about 4.5km back around the rim checking out the Colorado and the canyon at various points. Caught the shuttle back while stopping at more points along the way. A very late lunch before coming back to one of the lodges and setting up camp in the cafeteria with free wi-fi and writing this post. I added a Flickr photo feed today so there is a bigger selection of photos to check out. Having a fire and some more Smores tonight before heading to Sedona tomorrow.
October 18, 2009
After lunch we set off to walk to the Delicate Arch which is a 4.5km trek up some steep slickrock which Moab is famous for. It was overcast for most of the walk but just as we arrived at the arch brilliant sunshine poked through to make for a spectacular site.
Delicate Arch
After some nervous posing under the arch. The cliff on the other side kept us alert, we headed back and the clouds conveniently came back to make for a cool walk. Checked out the Windows arches and finally back to Moab for Choc Chip and Peanut Butter Gelato. Well everything over here has peanut butter in it. Had a good meal at the Moab Brewery as well as some good stout.
Next day was the Fiery Furnace tour in the Arches National Park again. A ranger takes you on a three hour hike come scramble through the rocks and you only cover 3.2 kms for the entire hike. This was great as only guided tours or permit holders are allowed into the area which made it feel like we were the only ones there. It was a maze of passages and steep little climbs which the kids enjoyed. Great information and scenery once again. Grace had sme photo ops with the ranger and this was a highlight if the trip so far. Hamish gave it 54 out of 10.
Fiery Furnace
After this we drove to Dead Horse Point where Thelma and Louise drove off the cliff. Amazing views of the Colorado as it twists through the canyons below. The hardest thing to grasp with most of the scenery around here is the scale of it. We were at 6 to 7000 feet up and with views for as a far as the eye could see. Photos won’t do this place justice.
Headed back to Moab, grabbed lunch on the run and started the drive to Monument Valley. We arrived just on sunset and grabbed a couple of quick photos before setting up camp and grabbing dinner. Hamish is excited about his birthday tomorrow. That is probably an understatement. He has been counting down since the plane hit the tarmac. Even though his birhtday has been running for about a month now.
Hamish finally made it to his birthday and we have had a lazy start for a change. The last couple of days seemed to have flown. AFter charging the laptop in the toilet all morning I am now typing this while overlooking Monument Valley. Not a bad start to the day. We are going to grab a birthday cake from the supermarket here which is quite good considering we seem to be in the middle of nowhere before heading to the Grand Canyon this afternoon. I hope to put more photos up soon. Cheers, Daniel.
October 14, 2009
Our tee pee wasn’t the warmest sleep we have ever had. The kids seemed fine, but Dan and I faced the door and caught the cool breeze most of the night. We awoke during the night to sleet coming through the hole in the roof. We had left the cooler bag out as it had the milk and juice in it and when we bought it in it was iced over!
A chilly pack up and we were off for a long days driving to Moab via the scenic route, highway 12 and 24 through Grande Staircase and Capitol Reef national park. The views along this road were breath taking as agin the elevation was about 9000 ft at times. The landscape was rocks and conifers and very pretty. At lunch we stopped by the river at Fruita and enjoyed our peanut butter sandwiches while we watched the mule deer grazing among the 2000 fruit trees. These trees were planted by Mormon settlers in the early 1900′s; they have since left and now the fruit is free to take, unfortunately nothing in season. We then headed through the Capitol Reef National Park, which followed a water pocket fold. The rock was chocolatey red and very layered. Absolutely beautiful. Heading out towards Moab the scenery wasn’t as great so we all took advantage of catching a few z’s except for Dan of course! We arrived at Up the Creek in late afternoon and set up camp beside a small stream. The tent only campsite backed on to the highschool football field where the gridiron team was practicing. We walked over and watched for a bit, but it seemed to take forever for them to do a couple of plays and hits. We then went for dinner, found another great mexican place and then mosied the main street. Moab seems to be the t-shirt town, with many different t-shirt and outdoor stores.
This morning we got up early to join our Colorado rafting trip. There wer eight people plus the guide. We drove up the river about 45mins put the boat in then rafted miles down stream through about five class one rapids. The trip was lovely, following lots of red rock and the river is banked with trees turning yellow with their fall leaves. It was a little cool as the weather is a little windy and overcast, but it was fun and the conversation with the other americans and our guide was good. We are now enjoying some sour dough salad sandwiches in the Moab bakery. Have to leave off here though as we need to hit the Arches national park this afternoon.
October 13, 2009
We arrived at Bryce Canyon and struck our first bit of bad weather. It is pretty cold and rain is threatening. Lucky we are staying in out Tee Pee. This is where I am typing this post from right now with Tee Pee Wi-Fi. We explored the canyon which is different again from Zion with these stalagmite like structures which litter the landscape. They are referred to as Hoodoos and there are literally thousands of them as you look out into the canyon and valleys beyond.
Bryce Point
Bryce Canyon
Again the views are brilliant but different. Anyway I am about to hit the showers and get some sleep in the Tee Pee. It looks pretty good actually. Tomorrow we are off to Moab but the drive promises to be another good one. Hope everyone is well. All is good with the kids. Although I think they may be over the rock thing and we still have the Grand Canyon to go.
The Tee Pee proved to be a pretty cold place overnight. Leisa and I slept near the entrance and there was a small opening that let in a nice cool breeze most of the night. That was until the hail came which also made it a bit interesting. Eventually got the door flap tied shut and some sleep around 2 am. The kids were oblivious to all.
October 13, 2009
We then headed off to Las Vegas which was a relatively short drive. Long straight roads with not much around. It reminded us of some of the roads in outback WA. Only difference is that there are hundreds of other cars doing the same and you are on dual lane freeway.
Arrived in Las Vegas and found the hotel to be great. 2 rooms with the works for $140 was a bargain. Leisa’s research paid off. We were straight across the road from the MGM Grand which is where the US Open Supercross was being held. The MGM is huge, largest in the world apparently. There is enough pokies to cover 3 football fields in here and plenty of punters. Theses guys certainly know how to put on a show. Our seats were excellent and it was hard to believe that they could fit a track into such a small space. Bubba Stewart won but it was good to see Dan Reardon and Michael Byrne go well. So we had some Aussies to cheer for anyway. Reardon came 3rd overall. We tried to walk the strip for a little bit after the show but this place on a Saturday night is just mayhem. Thousands of people and some of them not travelling so well. Hamish also took great interest in the guys handing out the cards with girls on them. Lots of questions asked and many Dad didn’t want to answer. We didn’t last long and headed back home pretty quickly.
Next morning we took the monorail to the end of the strip. It is a lot quieter on a Sunday morning and the walk back was a lot more enjoyable. This place is just bizarre. They have replicas of New York, Paris, Rome, Egypt, etc. and the kids gave up counting the limos. Still it was an eye opener although I could think of better places to be.
New York New York in Las Vegas
We left and headed to Zion National Park which was a short drive fro Las Vegas. We drove through what seemed like pretty barren country only to come across major towns with big infrastructure, shopping, casinos etc. You wonder what supports these people. There appears to be no agriculture here or any industry to speak of apart from the casinos. Impressive golf courses for a place that looks like it hasn’t seen rain for a long time and no obvious source of water.
Zion is a large canyon with sandstone walls that rise sharply from the valley floor. The walls glow a orange and red colour which is very beautiful. Another great spot.
Zion National Park - River Walk
We set up camp and then caught a shuttle bus, the only way to travel in the park, up to the end of the canyon. Took a walk along the river until near dark before returning to camp. Some great mexican for dinner before hitting the sack. A great nights sleep with cool conditions and no bears to worry about. We were warned about aggressive squirrels though. Keep your nuts close.
Started today with a walk to some pools about half way up the valley before driving up to Bryce Canyon.
Zion Canyon
The road to Bryce takes you through a 1.6km tunnel built in 1930. It is carved through the sandstone and certainly made the trip interesting along with the rock formations that surround you as you drive.
Tunnel Entrance
October 13, 2009
View from Tioga Pass back across Yosemite
We left Yosemite and drove on the Tioga Pass which was a spectacular drive with breathtaking views back over Yosemite. We could see the Half Dome and other sites from the other side. Snow was still present in many areas after a snow shower earlier in the week. We stopped at Tuolumne Grove, an area with massive Sequoias.
Rather Large Sequouia
Only a few of the massive trees were still upright but they were very impressive. The drive was certainly a highlight but today was all about extremes. We left Yosemite with temps from 0 to 20 an at an altitude of 10000 ft. Arrived at Death Valley with a temp of 32 and 282ft below sea level. Sorry about the units but converting at this time of night isn’t an option. The drive into Death Valley was also very interesting as the landscape changed from lush mountain terrain to treeless rocky plains and steep cliffs.
Death Valley
Death Valley was aptly named as it is hard to believe anything can survive out here. Our campsite was good although I managed to turn our tentpegs into artisitic pieces of aluminium as they found the ground a touch hard and unforgiving. Had a great meal at the Inn that night. There is a suprising amount of infrsrtucuture here consdering the location. Next day was spent travelling down to the Badwaters which is the lowest point in the US, 85 metres below sea level. Salt pans area all around this area while steep cliffs surround you.
The Badwaters 282ft below sea level
They rise up to 11000 ft. We also walked the Golden Canyon which was quite spectacular. We drove arounf the artisits trail which is a myriad of colour in all of the rock and also checked out the Devils Golf Course which is littered with large chunks of salt. They were quite sharp and brittle.
Devil's Golf Course
Off to Las Vegas next.
