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| Tuesday 27th August 2019 | |||
| DAY 1 | The long trip back to the USA | |
04.20 our taxi arrived to whisk us to Heathrow, barely an hour later we entered terminal 5 and dropped our bags off.
Next stop Wetherspoons for a 6am beer ordered off their swanky, hi tech new "app".
Truly the earliest we've ever enjoyed a beer! ( stop sniggering please )
A tannoy announcement at the gate, summoned passenger Veck and a laundry list of other names to come forward.
Drug Lord and Cartel king pin Ian, had been selected for a random security check. having been swabbed down Ian was released back to me, however the flight was delayed for around 90 minuites.. We had already passed the final gate so were lucky enough to board first.
We told the cabin crew that Hollie was a fellow BA dolly and the lovely Tonya took our offered sweeties, during the the flight Tonya & Marta who were looking after our cabin dropped by to ensure we were ok, they were sorry the flight was too busy to move us "up front" we were offered champagne, however we were snoozing when it was served so Tonya offered us a full bottle to take off the plane & enjoy later !
Better late than never we arrived at our Best Western Plus Carriage Inn, having crawled through the hideous 5 lanes of rush hour traffic.
We have a spacious room and took immediate advantage of the inviting pool.
Well dear reader, no surprises here, The Taste of India is our dinner destination, just a short freeway hop up the road. Shocking LA prices, made worse by the crappy exchange rate... I will have to ration my beer consumption tonight!
We shall soon hit the hay.
See you when the fog lifts dear reader xx
| Wednesday 28th August 2019 | |||
| DAY 2 | A universal day of fun | |
An early start at Universal Studios.
First stop Harry Potter Land.
We queued for the simulator ride and played a game of Quidditch. My stomach quickly reminded me why I don't do theme park rides.
Next stop Springfield.
Chief Wigham is in danger of losing his donut.
And I thought I was the alcoholic!
Ian is hoping he will get lucky with the romantic predicting machine.
Lunch at the REAL Krusty Burger store, Ian had "The Clogger"..
Seems wherever I go there is a shopping opportunity.
The "Upper lot" gives way to the lower movie lot below, the views are spectacular.
Next stop the Studio Tour, some of the old faithfuls remain, the plane crash from War of the Worlds, The earthquake in the underground station and newer additions such as " The fast and the Furious".
A selection of cars from movies, including The Flintstones.
The Bates Motel.
Water World, a slick spectacular featuring acrobatics & Pyrotechnics.
Don't attend if you don't want to get wet!
Talking about getting wet, we have a spa pool just outside our room, It's hotter than I usually take a bath.
To round off the evening, Ian brings me to my fave, applebee's for a great steak, some Nacho's and some very mediocre service.
Goodnight fabulous reader, see you soon xxx
| Thursday 29th August 2019 | |||
| DAY 3 | Joshua Tree National Park revisited | |
Last night I took a pic of our hire car, thought Id show you before Ian breaks it!
The nice thing about an early start, is the chance for a Jack in the Box burger for brunch..That lovely shirt didnt make it
We finally found a Walmart, to stock up on water, Pepsi & road snacks.
Here we are , new shirt, at our old fave Joshua Tree National Park.
The view over the canyon has been hazy for many years, thanks to mans polution of the region.
It is nice to revisit these awesome monoliths.
Found these 2 old fossils on the road.
A visit to the Cholla cactus garden in the 107 degree heat.
With some high tech wizardry, Ian has created this fab shot of the innocent looking, but deadly cactus and a sexy lady x
Westmorland, our home for the night, fresh from 1975 in its decor.
The original town pump Steakhouse, funky carpets and possibly a way station for the nearly dead.
Ians Sirloin steak ranked in his all time top 10, I tried the fried catfish, lovely but found a collar and bell in mine!
The staff were so pleased to see us and asked us to stop by again.
Tomorrow sees another weather warning for high temperatutes, however Tombstone may be more bearable for us bears.
Goodnight all xxx
| Friday 30th August 2019 | |||
| DAY 4 | Big Nose Kates Saloon | |
Today involved a lot of driving, lunch break at the Space age restaurant.
Ians Jupiter burger hit the spot, with a drizzle of chilli.
My lunch comes with a drizzle of Coors Lite.
Next stop Saguero National park West, home to my favourite cactus.
The temperature hovered between 100 and 109 degrees.
These awesome cactus always make me smile, many of them giving a cheery wave.
A short stop at the Ez-Kim-In-Zin view point, bit too many steep steps for me, so my assistant travelled up and waved !
We took the Bajada scenic route and stopped for a short stroll, it was lovely to speak to mum & a sleepy Hollie.
These splendid cactus are doing a formation disco dance.
Many of the plants are blooming currently.
Visit 3 to the Trailriders Inn, this time room 11.
A short walk to the main road, we chose "Big nose Kates" for our evening meal, live music & an enormous salad for me, Ians calzonne confused him as he was expecting a regular pizza.
The Massive Beers are blurring the edges, so send a search party if we don't blog tomorrow!
Love to all xx Including Ron with his wanna be big burger!!
| Saturday 31st August 2019 | |||
| DAY 5 | Return to the Birdcage | |
A lovely chilled day in Tombstone, first stop breakfast at the Longhorn Restaurant.. We didn't eat it all!
As this is labour day weekend, Tombstone is set up for a weekend of fun & frollicks.
We were lucky enough to witness 3 gunfight re-enactments by the Tombstone Vigilantes and their Phoenix based counterparts.
They re-enacted the gunfight at the OK corral, amongst other gripping battles.
This chap played "Wyatt Earp" oddly enough his real name is Wyatt Earp, Great Grand Nephew of the real guy.
Most of this motley crew were drawing a pension.
A visit to the Birdcage Theatre, the original Black Mariah used to transport Tombstones elite deceased. We took the familiar self guided tour, re living the theatres past until it closed in 1889.
After our tour we encountered local law enforcement, who kindly agreed to arrest Ian..Deffo a Chief Wiggum looklike,
The main street is home to a wide array of gift shops, we blew a big hole in our budget, with a Navajo bracelet by the late Stephen Begay.
The nice lady did us a tax free price.
As dusk descends we set off to find dinner and music.
The angry sky soon gave way to lightening.
We bagged a balcony seat At the Crystal Palace Saloon and ordered dinner & beer,
The evening is still hot but a soft breeze is settling in, lovely to speak to Hollie the Turtle savior in Barbados.
Goodnight reader xx
| Sunday 1st September 2019 | |||
| DAY 6 | A Titan day | |
We checked out of the Trailriders inn bright & early, to arrive on time for our missile museum tour.
We just had time for a Burger King brunch en route, guess which greedy so and so opted for the "Impossible" burger? Not realizing it's a Veggie option..Ha ha.
Our tour was scheduled for 11.00 but some nifty driving for our latest Veggie recruit, got us on the 10.30.
We waited in the museum area & realized that part of Star Trek "First contact" was filmed here.
The script was displayed as well.
After a safety video, we met our guide " Murray", he escorted us down the 55 steps into the silo.
Murray made the whole experience very entertaining, his jokes made him laugh...a lot.
Behind Murray are some of the enormous springs, which cushion most of the systems in the silo, to dampen the effect of shock waves, should the area be bombed in a war.
We went through a simulated missile launch. Very well done, in the control room with its 8 ft thick walls & 6000 lb doors.
Next the missile, 103 ft tall totally harmless.
The launch doors are set half open, in order that the Soviet satelites can see that there is not a live missile inside.
Back up top we see the "Tipsies" security system, these weird things created a radar beam around the 4 corners of the blast doors, when tripped, a security team would arrive...Usually to arrest a large bird!
The Titan Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, ensured the safety of the USA for a 20 year period, including the cold war & the Cuban missile crisis.
54 of these insanely accurate & powerful beasts were situated in 3 sites across the US, until they were decommisioned in the 1980's.
Is there anybody there?
Off to see some more cactus, we passed the aircraft bone yard.
Junked aircraft, domestic & military as far as the eye can see.. sadly closed to the public today.
Now we head for the east side if the national park for more short hikes, and snaps of our favourite cactus.
The skies showed us some unexpected rain, dispite the temperature not dipping much below 100 degrees.
A deadly teddy bear Cholla, it's barbed spikes take many by surprise.
Ian has forbidden me from stopping for hitchhikers, after this alarming notification on the 101.
Last stop, The lake shore hotel Fountain Hills for a well deserved laundry moment & dinner at the Hao Asian Cuisine, very nice.
Another busy day tomorrow, Goodnight faithful reader xx
| Monday 2nd September 2019 | |||
| DAY 7 | No labour for us on labour day. | |
Very early we leave Fountain Hills, in search of Salt River Rafting.
We queued and hired our tubes.
The bus takes riders to point 1 to begin their float.
Our cooler clipped to the side of the ring, ensures we have water and snacks.
The temperatures at 08.30 in the car were 85 degrees, we expect the morning to get hot.
The cool water was heaven, we passed through some tiny rapids and ran aground on raised rocks.
Ian's knees before they got sunburned!
We pulled out onto a small beach, where 2 young girls were letting their horses drink.
The scenery was great as the heat rose & the black rubber tubes scorched our arms.
At point 4, a mere 4 hours later we got back into our bus, for a journey back to the car park.
We headed over to Montezuma's castle. not so much a castle as a mud and wood structure, high up in the mud cliffs.
Conservationists have been trying to preserve the powdery structures since the 1930's, not allowing visitors to climb up to the rooms since the 1960's.
This tame squirrel was demonstrating that local wildlife, like the seeds scattered under the trees.
The area was home to a large community of indiginous people from the 9th century up until 1450 when the settlement was abandoned, no one is sure why.
Like we hadn't had enough water today, the obligatory dip in the hotel pool before dinner.
We last visited the Indian Palace in 2011 and noted in the blog it was very nice.. The food lived up to it's reputation.
Goodnight dear reader, see you when the fog lifts xx
| Tuesday 3rd September 2019 | |||
| DAY 8 | Beautiful Sedona | |
After breakfast we headed to Slide rock state park, we have ventured here before.
The slippery rocks make a perfect slide.
The water is bitingly cold, it took me a try or 2 to brave the slide.
We continued swimming down stream, the water is very deep in some spots, allowing kids to dive into the pools from the rocks above.
We met 2 lovely ladies, Wendy in red wanted to recommend lots of places for us to visit, she loves England and was briefly married to a brit. She deals cards at the Bellgio in Vegas, but longs to return to California.
The area never became too crowded, we headed off about 11.
Chapel of the Holy Cross is a magnificent ediface, carved from the red rocks.
Design inspired by Frank lloyd Wright, the church welcomes guests from all over the globe.
Montezuma Well, again formerly home to ancient civilizations.
This unique body of water is fed by underground springs and circulates 106 million gallons of water per day.
The ancient people built these amazing structures, The water does not support fish but a wierd concoction of water leeches, unique shrimps and plants found nowhere else.
We took a scenic drive, to admire the awesome red rock formations.
Back to Sedona to explore the funky local shops.
Dinner at The Open range Grill & Tavern..For a beer, Ians Cowboy Chilli and a burger for me.
Happy Holidays to Mum & Martin!
Goodnight kind reader xx
| Wednesday 4th September 2019 | |||
| DAY 9 | ATV in Sedona | |
One day I won't start the blog with " another early start".
Hotel breakfast and off to Sedonas only Guided ATV tour.
3 other riders and our guide George, motored out to the Trail.
Ian & I shared a nice sturdy ATV, & watched the other riders being bounced about on the 25 mile route.
We stopped several times to drink the Icy water, Navajo born George provided for us.
2nd stop, George invited us to take photos, he gave lots of info on the red rock geology.
Including how the red rocks take their colour from the ocean which once covered these canyons & mountains.
Not sons of Anarchy, more like sons of Arthritis!
Our route took in both the upper and lower "outlaw trails" so named as they allowed supply of illicit goods, to Jerome, an infamously lawless mining town nearby.
We left our new friends and headed off towards Lake Powell, via Oak Creek, we stopped at their view point and recognised it as somewhere we had visited before with Hollie.
We got splashed with rain again, loving the awesome skyline & moody clouds.
At last Lake Powell, once again our annual pass ( bought at the first national park ) has saved us $30.
We are shattered, particularly my driver.
Dinner at the Wahweap grill was a quick pizza and salad stop (guess who had the salad, and who had the pizza).
We have an early start tomorrow ( no shit Sherlock) see you soon lovely reader xx
| Thursday 5th September 2019 | |||
| DAY 10 | To the rainbow bridge. | |
Not a bad view from our window, at 06.15 am.
We took advantage of the hotels overpriced breakfast buffet, as our 5 hour tour didn't appear to offer snacks.
We snagged a good seat on the upper deck, and enjoyed the morning sun.
The ship had a speed of up to 20 mph for our trip, 55 miles each way to Rainbow Bridge.
We passed many of these house boats, available to hire.
The rules of the river require that we slow to a snails pace, to pass these and other pleasure craft.
We were issued with headsets, to hear some broadcasts about the geology & history of the region.
We learned about "Mesa's" and " Bluffs". A Mesa ( spanish for table) is a long flat topped rock with short sides, a bluff is tall sided with a narrow top.
During our approach, we passed through these narrow channels.. Early explorers failed to find Rainbow Bridge due to its inaccessability.
Our boat docked and we hiked around a mile to find this arch.
The Navajo people believe this to be a highly sacred site, we are asked not to approach it or travel underneath the bridge.
Ian ventured to the far side of the bridge for another perspective.
Our return trip featured a stop at "Dangling rope" marina. Only accessable by water or helecopter.
A welcome dip in the pool after our busy day.
Finally a trip into Page, the nearest town and a Chinese dinner at The Mandarin Gourmet buffet.
Early to bed as we are knackered.
Goodnight fair reader xxx
| Friday 6th September 2019 | |||
| DAY 11 | Glen Canyon Dam to Moab. | |
A lovely lazy start and a 5 minuite trip to The Glen Canyon dam, we managed to get on the 09.30 tour.
Our guide Page escorted us down in the lift to the Dam.
The yellow bucket was one of 12, constantly being filled with 1.5 lorry loads of concrete, every 4 minutes for 3.5 years, while the dam was being constructed.
The dam is used used primarily to regulate water to supply local users, the hydro electric power is secondary.
There are 54 Dams throughout the USA, 9 of them on the Colorado river, this is number 1 in line, next one along is the Hoover Dam.
The vast quantity of water entering the turbines via the tubes, cause a huge amount of noise & vibration, to combat this 2 storeys of dirt were laid and a blanket of manicured grass.
These massive turbines spin 150 times per minuite, depositing electricity into huge copper coils, to supply over 400,000 home throughout Arizona and neighbouring states.
Next stop the Navajo national monument, via a truck stop offering excellent subway style sandwiches, made to order.
I travelled part way down the trail, however my assistant finished the journey. This cave structure has 35 rooms and once housed 450 locals.
On to monument valley for a drive by of the awesome stone structures.
The roadway offers lots of view points for a cheeky photo.
This little beauty Ian & I have christened " Boob Rock ".
We passed Wilsons Arch.
At last we arrive at the Apache Motel. On the historic register as John Wayne, Ricardo Montalban, Maureen O'Hara and many others stayed here.
Wendy our check in lady, didn't think the motel gave discount to guests with a picture of the motel tattooed on them.
Dinner at Eddie McStiffs pub, Ians enormous pizza and for me a flatiron steak..
Good night reader, sleep well fair reader xx
| Saturday 7th September 2019 | |||
| DAY 12 | The Arches & Moab | |
A return visit to Arches national park, using our beloved annual pass.
This is "The 3 Gossips" or Hollie, Caroline & me according to Ian.
Welcome to Balanced rock.
Looks like a crew came in recently and added a layer of no nails, just to keep it steady.
The Fiery Furnace, another collection of stones some looking like chimney pots.
The iconic delicate arch, Ian decided to view from a distance this visit.
Tunnel arch, part way along a substantial trail, I decided not to try.
my assistant at Tunnel arch.
Skyline arch, unbelievable blue sky beyond.
Thank heavens for our pool, all be it an endless quest to rescue floundering bugs.
Into Moab for dinner and the Fiesta Mexicana has our business this evening. My vat of Margarita certainly hit the spot.
Turns out Ian does like Mexican food.. Well it is food.
Goodnight faithful reader, no hanging about tomorrow, we are off.. xxx
| Sunday 8th September 2019 | |||
| DAY 13 | Banana Foster Old Fashioned at Stargazer, Baker Nevada. | |
After leaving the Apache Motel, we began a long hike from Utah to Nevada.
We made a few scenic stops including " Black Dragon Canyon".
The black clouds gathered as we passed Eagle point.
The scenery opened up behind us at the last major stopping point.
These Fun gas cylinders, flank the gas station, with its attached burger bar.
We revisited Carls Jr Burgers..Our favorites on previous visits.
Having stopped for gas we spotted this funky sign..Oddly enough we were in fact leaving Utah.
We were however definately entering Nevada..Ian navigated us along over 150 miles of Americas Loneliest Road.
Wheeler Peak is a scenic drive, 12 miles each way.
Unbelievable views from this vantage point.
After a long day we arrive at the cabins near the Stargazer Motel, Dinner at Kerouac's, a highly praised Salad, Burger or Pizza place.. We met Anna Lea & Dan , Keen cyclists lodging near us.
Ians Pizza & my smoked Trout salad.. Awesome Banana Foster Old Fashioned, tonights speciality cocktail. 2 of these for me & Ian indulged in a couple of beers.
Goodnight funky reader xxx
| Monday 9th September 2019 | |||
| DAY 14 | A Nuclear Day | |
On route we stopped at a food truck, run by a young lady, for breakfast.
Which we shared with the town dogs..Snowdrop & Waffle.
Lehman Caves, a short hop from our cabin.
Our guide Ranger Alison with a slight speech inpediment, meaning she struggled to complete long words!
As our tour progressed, Alison pointed out the usual, "Draperies", "Bacon", "Popcorn" and our old pals Stalectites & Stalegmites.
This cave system was once owned by a local rancher who took visitors on tours via the natural entrance, a vertical 150 ft drop. Sadly previous generations damaged the caves,not realizing the long term impact, Including some roof grafitti, produced by candle soot.
The tightly packed formations thickly cover every available surface.
Eureka its lunch time, part way into our arduous 5+ hour journey.
Our journey across the Nevada Desert, was always towards what looked like a ribbon of fog across the landscape.
In1963 The government detonated a nuclear bomb underneath the Nevada Desert, today that site is marked by this plaque.
By Ians right foot is the capped shaft, the device was posted down.
The area was deemed suitable as it was already an earthquake area, therefore comparisons were easy to make in the sismic energy levels.
We passed Sand Mountain, an area used by dune buggies and other extreme driving enthusiasts. The dunes are also the home to a very rare blue butterfly.
The Comfort Inn Fallon is our bed for the night, we sampled the indoor pool and headed across the road to Jerrys Diner.
This quirky diner supplies all the usual fare, we opted for a salad and some onion rings to share..Ian ate most of it, apparently he wasn't hungry??
Good night reader, hope we don't glow in the dark tonight! xx
| Tuesday 10th September 2019 | |||
| DAY 15 | Yosemite Magic | |
Following our Comfort Inn breakfast, we leave Nevada.
Via a Safeway store & head back into California.
Before long we re-enter Yosemite, one of our favourite places ever visited.. Re newing our love of Ellery lake.
Olmstead point another old friend.
The temperature drops as we head higher.
Just a mile or so before our cabins we come upon, The rim of the world viewpoint.
Our Miners Cabin, a delightful place to rest for the next 3 nights.
Man make fire ( burn his stupid fingers )!
Finally the giant steak is barbequed. We opened our BA Champagne and drank the lot!
Goodnight our favourite reader xx
| Wednesday 11th September 2019 | |||
| DAY 16 | Wedding day revisited | |
Here we are again the classic view as we enter Yosemite Valley.
The beautiful valley opens up, with Half dome in the distance.
Its difficult to imagine how enormous El Capitan is, rising grandly from the floor of the valley.
Sentinal Meadow, overgrown as we saw it in 2011, luckily no infestation of mosquitoes this time.
We tried to find the exact spot that Rev Autrey married us in 2009.
This view of the spot taken from Superintendants Bridge.
We stopped to take in the beauty of the Merced river. The water is low this year, no bathers floated by.
Oddly Bridal veil falls looked to be flowing freely, fed from Bridal veil creek.
After a cooling dip in our Yosemite Ridge Resort's chilly pool, we drove into Groveland a nearby community, for dinner at the Iron Door Saloon, a noisy joint with slooooow service.
My Spaghetti Bolognaise was ok, Ian chose Jalapeno Pepper poppers and a burger.
Another day exploring the south of the park tomorrow, Goodnight reader, nice to know Mum & Mutton made it home safe & sound xxx
| Thursday 12th September 2019 | |||
| DAY 17 | Day of the Giant Sequoia's. | |
Took us about 1hr 50 mins to travel from our cabin, through Yosemite to the giant Sequoia's.
Along the way are large areas of dead burned forest, these are mostly created by the ranger services managed fire programme.The rangers ensure an even, balanced park floor by burning some varieties, that like to rob the forest floor of light.
The Mariposa Grove is no longer accessable by car, visitors must park a few miles away and take a shuttle bus in.
On our walk we learned that these massive giants, co-exist with many other native trees and plants.
The Grizzly giant is estimated to be between 1800 & 2800 years old, seems they are reluctant to cut it down & count the rings.
A few fun facts about the Grizzly Giant.
Finally the California walk through tree, another monster, this one had a passage cut through it many years ago.
Back at our cabin, its time to use all our odds & ends up, Ian makes another fire for cooking steak, the local wasp population awaited dinner with eager anticipation... We learned to share.
Good night sweet reader, tomorrow we leave our Cabin & trek on xxx
| Friday 13th September 2019 | |||
| DAY 18 | To Morrow Bay | |
We left our cabin at Yosimite and began a serious journey to the coast, we passed this great display, Whistling Billy and museum on route.
We stopped to admire Lake McLure, as temperatures continue to climb upwards.
We finally found a place to stop around 3pm our old pals Carls Junior.
Ian availed himself of the half pounder gut buster!
Here we are at La Serena, We have a massive room on the corner of the top floor, a check of the bathroom reveals we are in a disabled accessable room, hence the vast proportions.
Directly down the hill and onto the promenade, we can walk to the spectacular Morrow Rock.
Dozens of sea otters enjoy the pleasant waters. In fact the enormous variety of wildlife seem to accept the human invasion.
Ian was particularly taken with the squirrels, most of whom have ballooned to the size of a vacuum cleaner, thanks to the visitors passing out scraps.
As we circumnavigated the rock, Ian ventured onto the beach and managed to see some more tame birds.
Morrow bay.
This evening we are once again within the radious of civilised food, San Luis Obispo has 3 Indian Restaurants, The Taj Palace has our business tonight.
Goodnight reader, we look forward to seeing you soon xxx
| Saturday 14th September 2019 | |||
| DAY 19 | Hearst Castle and a Hallibut | |
Some 30 minutes from Morrow is San Simoen, A breathtaking seaside area, many acres of which, were purchased by the wealthy investor, George Hearst in 1865.
The Roman pool, a mixture of antique fragments and artisan created replicas.
George and his wife Phoebe had only one son, William Randolph Hearst, later to become a publishing tycoon & successful investor.
The Hearst family camped out in great style in the mediteranean climate hills, in 1920 when his mother finally passed away WR decided to build a permanent structure to call home.
A fountain containing original 3rd century Egyptian fragments.
He hired Julia Morgan a forward thinking architect, the two worked together for 28 years in order to create what we visited today.
The Assembly hall, where WJ received guests. The enormous 16th century french fireplace was removed from France, reassembled in New York before being bought and transported here, after an estate sale.
The refectory. Set with stoneware plates and condiments in their original store bought containers. WR liked to be reminded of his camping days on the hilltop.
Dinner guests included Cary Grant, Charlie Chaplin, Carole Lombard, The head of the Bank of Italy ( later to become bank of America ) and many more, including sports people and politicians.
One of the 3 " cottages " on the property.
WR was married to his wife Millicent with whom he had 5 children, he however had a girlfriend, Marian Davies.
WR & Millicent never divorced, but did separate 10 years after their final twin sons were born. Millicent did occasionally return to the home to host important events, such as a visit by Winston Churchill before his election to prime minister. This unusual arrangement was accepted, but most unusual in 1930's.
The big house, each of the turrets or bell towers, houses a bedroom behind the ornate screens. If you include the basement , the big house boasts 165 rooms and 65,500 sq feet.
The vast indoor pool, our last view of this awesome property, before our bus ride back to the visitors centre. We drove past relics of WR's private zoo, once boasting hundreds of different species, the non carnivores roaming freely over the hundreds of acres. Now only a herd of zebra hint at the diverse animals once seen.
Elephant Seals our next stop, the youngsters line the beach soaking up the sun and flicking sand on themselves, to act as sunscreen.
A walk along the fishing pier, at WR Hearst memorial beach.
Moonstone beach, we took a leasurely stroll along the boardwalk.
After a bath its off to Morrow beach, and a browse around the gift shops.
Dinner at the Harbour Hut Restaurant, Ian gobbled up some calamari, followed by fish n chips.
My special treat, Hallibut in lemon pepper and caper sauce, absolutely delicious.
Well dear reader, last night in this little slice of heaven..
See what tomorrow brings?
Goodnight xx
| Sunday 15th September 2019 | |||
| DAY 20 | Back to LA, The last leg | |
A glorious morning greets us in Morrow Bay... Well it might clear later?
We hired an electric boat, to navigate the treacherous sea's of the bay area..The operator told us we were unlikely to encounter pirates, and to navigate by a series on day glo numbered markers. Any Idiot could do it.
Meet my Idiot Captain Ian, looking suitably serious, before embarking on this dangerous voyage.
We passed a couple of boatfulls of syncronised rowers, we laughed as our mighty vessel passed them.......after a while.
Morrow Rock was wreathed in spooky mist.
We met this happy Sea Otter and his mate Mr Seagull, The otter munching away on a fish held between his paws, Mr Seagull hoping for scraps.
Ians mates the Elephant Seals, have taken up residence on this pontoon, the stench of rotting fish advertises their presence, long before they come into view.
Finally it was time to return "The Peaky Blinder" as I christened our ship, we got involved in a high speed chase with a cruiser just before docking, he was damned lucky our hour was up, otherwise he'd have looked pretty silly.
Time for the long drive to LA and its horrendous traffic. Ian had planned for us to visit the Griffith Observatory, however so had about a million other people, parking ( at $10 per hour ) was on the approach road, nearest available slot was easily a 2 mile uphill trek away, so this is the closest we got.
A random find at the SpaceX building near our hotel, The first recovered booster for the Falcon 9 rocket (2015). The tiny figure to the left is Ian!
One final bid for a decent curry, the very odd Al-Watan Halal tandoori Restaurant, busy, noisy and undoubtedly popular.
Ians spicy chicken curry was more bones than meat, but he loved the sauce, I opted for potatoes and peas and a garlic naan.
Well dear reader, we will try to update one more time onour way home.
See you when the fog lifts xx