Monday 29th June
Well here we are back in the USA!!!
The flight over was great. Even though we thought we would have extra rood in our seats right up the back of the plane and didn't I was so happy with the positioning as we wer able to get up and down and stretch as we pleased and there was no walking all the way down the aisle to the loo and noone to climb over hurray!! I slept for a short while and David had a really good sleep. Watched quite a few movies including 'Wild' which I had wanted to see for a while and hyped us up even more for the PCT. Yes we are planning to hike parts of the Pacific Crest Trail or PCT. We used our pillows and sleeping bag liners on the flight over and they were a godsend we were cosy and comfy.
We arrived at LAX at 6:30am and got our car (a mazda 3) from Alamo and set off for Wildomar and a short visit to John and Fritzie. It was lovely to see them both again and show them our photos from last year.
Then we drove down to San Diego and found our favourite place to eat Chick-fil-A yum! and had a salad for lunch. Once in San Diego we found the REI outlet with help of our trusty GPS and got ourselves a few supplies a compass, some tentpegs and a bearproof cannister!
And then Walmart for some food and stuff that we will need for hiking.
After arriving at the hotel and getting our stuff sorted we went for a short run to clear the cobwebs of being awake for 48hours and maybe a little night duty hangover. Then we walked up to our next favourite eating place Dennys for dinner. It's quick and tasty and just what we needed.
It was not a late night.
Tuesday June 30th
Today we drove over to Seaworld we really could have walked but the girl at reception said there was no path (we discovered there was but we were already in the car and almost there) Parking cost $16!
Once inside Seaworld we headed straight for Shamu Stadium and the killer whale show. We sat in the 'soak zone' thinking surely you couldn't get that wet! The show was great and we got saturated from one whale tail splash! not sure how much they splash in litres but I was dripping wet!! It was then I decided to move our passports into a ziplock bag to protect them (as I had had a little trouble at Sydney airport because my passport got a little wet when we were doing a border crossing on a rainy day last year) then we went on the ride through the rapids and got a bit more wet. We watched several shows including Cirque de la Mer and the Sea lion show and got a bit more wet in the rain. Then we went to the arctic display to see the Polar bears and Beluga Whales and froze because we were still a little wet although my shoes had dried off. Then we went on the Journey to Atlantis ride and got the wettest of all!! and to top it off the Dolphin show and sat un the 'soak zone' cause hey I was already beyond saturated so what was a little more water?? right? When we got back to the hotel we both had lovely hot showers and then I went to my handbag to get my phone out and there was a puddle in the bottom of my bag with my phone floating in it!!! why had I not thought to put my phone in the ziplock bag with our passports?? Tonight we decided to try Red Lobster for dinner and what a very strange dining experience. Firstly no prices on the beers (but prices on the wines)? Prices on the food BUT when we ordered the waiter tells us that we can only have one cup of soup at the price on the menu $2.97 and that for the second cup we pay the 'bowl' price??? $5.59 because we only ordered one entree (main meal to the Aussies) to share!!! He takes our drink order and we get 2 shocktops and water. The waiter serves them to us and leaves the beers are sitting on the table untouched and suddenly Dave's starts to foam and bubble over the top of the glass!! bizzarre I have never seen a beer do that before! so then the soup comes out .......in bowls!? very strange. We eat our meal and decide we'd like some dessert and the waiter turns up with the bill?? Um no we'd like dessert please. OK so we order one dessert 2 spoons please which seems to amuse him a little, we do this not because we are cheap but if you have ever eaten in an American restaurant you'll know where we are coming from! I'm so glad that we have a little way to walk to our hotel because I needed to do some walking off! Another earlyish night as we are pretty tired.
Wednesday 1st July
First job to take my phone to get fixed so we find a cell phone repair place and go there. The young man behind the counter asks what he can do to help me and I say "I think I drowned my phone at Seaworld!" and hand it to him he goes out the back and two seconds later pops out and says "no the water damage indicator has not gone off I just did a 2 button restart and it's all good!!" sooo happy! Although in hindsight I think I've killed the speakers as it's not made any noises since we'll see when I take it for a run in the morning. Then we find the post office to post a package to Utah for conference. Then it's off to San Diego zoo. I do love zoos and this one is not too bad but Taronga Zoo in Sydney still wins best zoo hands down IMHO. You have the animals and the magnificent view you cannot beat it! Tonight it's Chilis for dinner and probably another early night tonight before we are off to Idyllwyd tomorrow. Sorry folks no photos couldn't be bothered!
Wednesday, 1 July 2015
Sunday, 31 August 2014
Salads days come to an end with a thump!!!!!!!
We travelled from Twentynine Palms to Wildomar to have lunch with the lovely John & Fritzie and talk of our adventures.
Riding out of Twentynine Palms we rode through Joshua Tree National Park wow!!! amazing scenery and vegetation that changes dramatically as you drive through.
In Palm Springs we rented a car as we planned to sell our beautiful bike and to carry our bits and pieces from Wildomar to Anaheim. It was very strange being enclosed in a vehicle after zooming around on our bike for 3 months. It rained a little on our way so I was pleased to not be getting wet :P
After a lovely lunch of stuffed Salmon with John and Fritzie we made our way back to Anaheim along the freeways. Crazy traffic!!!!
We arrived back in Anaheim late afternoon and it felt like we were coming home driving on familiar roads and going back to Abby's Anaheimer. We washed the bike one last time and removed all evidence (ie stickers and scratches) of our odyssey.
Our adventure came to abrupt end the very next day when we took the bike over to Bert's Mega Mall where we sold it for a fair price. We were both a little emotional at this point as that bike had become part of us. We are glad to have several photos of our bike in some amazing places.
Our last night was spent with our new friends Mike and Jeanne at The Lazy Dog Cafe. We had a wonderful time with them recounting some of our adventures.
Packing to go home was an adventure all on it's own and for a while we thought we wouldn't fit ha ha. We spent our last day driving out to Huntington Beach to meet Therese Ann and her beautiful daughter Natalia. We shared our packing dilemma with Therese Ann and she gave us a bag that was just what we needed!! an angel in disguise!
After visiting with Therese Ann and Natalia we drove out towards the airport and in a shopping centre carpark repacked using the bag Therese Ann had given us and we fit!! woohoo
We dropped off our rental car and made our way to the airport on the shuttle. At the airport after checking in we went into the terminal to have some dinner. Our last beers in the USA (Shock Top) cost us $11 each!!!!! Our flight was slightly delayed but we were on board and seated by 11pm sitting in the plane looking out over LA I couldn't help but be very emotional. I really did not want to leave we had been having such an amazing time and I just did not want it to end. We set our clocks to Sydney time and stayed awake until midnight (Sydney time about 3am LA time) and then slept until about 5am I think this helped us not really have any jet lag whatsoever oh and only drank water on the flight.
This has been more than a holiday for us it has been an adventure of a lifetime and not something that will be easily topped. I am so thankful for the extraordinarily great working conditions/pay rates we have in Australia that have allowed us to do this 3 months odyssey while still being paid!!
Riding out of Twentynine Palms we rode through Joshua Tree National Park wow!!! amazing scenery and vegetation that changes dramatically as you drive through.
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| Beautiful Joshua Tree |
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| A different perspective in Joshua Tree NP |
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| just love this pic |
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| different vegetation same NP |
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| changes again |
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| and again |
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| and again |
In Palm Springs we rented a car as we planned to sell our beautiful bike and to carry our bits and pieces from Wildomar to Anaheim. It was very strange being enclosed in a vehicle after zooming around on our bike for 3 months. It rained a little on our way so I was pleased to not be getting wet :P
After a lovely lunch of stuffed Salmon with John and Fritzie we made our way back to Anaheim along the freeways. Crazy traffic!!!!
We arrived back in Anaheim late afternoon and it felt like we were coming home driving on familiar roads and going back to Abby's Anaheimer. We washed the bike one last time and removed all evidence (ie stickers and scratches) of our odyssey.
Our adventure came to abrupt end the very next day when we took the bike over to Bert's Mega Mall where we sold it for a fair price. We were both a little emotional at this point as that bike had become part of us. We are glad to have several photos of our bike in some amazing places.
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| this photo was taken in the side of a shiny black truck as we passed it on our way down to meet John and Fritzie for the very first time :) |
Our last night was spent with our new friends Mike and Jeanne at The Lazy Dog Cafe. We had a wonderful time with them recounting some of our adventures.
Packing to go home was an adventure all on it's own and for a while we thought we wouldn't fit ha ha. We spent our last day driving out to Huntington Beach to meet Therese Ann and her beautiful daughter Natalia. We shared our packing dilemma with Therese Ann and she gave us a bag that was just what we needed!! an angel in disguise!
After visiting with Therese Ann and Natalia we drove out towards the airport and in a shopping centre carpark repacked using the bag Therese Ann had given us and we fit!! woohoo
We dropped off our rental car and made our way to the airport on the shuttle. At the airport after checking in we went into the terminal to have some dinner. Our last beers in the USA (Shock Top) cost us $11 each!!!!! Our flight was slightly delayed but we were on board and seated by 11pm sitting in the plane looking out over LA I couldn't help but be very emotional. I really did not want to leave we had been having such an amazing time and I just did not want it to end. We set our clocks to Sydney time and stayed awake until midnight (Sydney time about 3am LA time) and then slept until about 5am I think this helped us not really have any jet lag whatsoever oh and only drank water on the flight.
This has been more than a holiday for us it has been an adventure of a lifetime and not something that will be easily topped. I am so thankful for the extraordinarily great working conditions/pay rates we have in Australia that have allowed us to do this 3 months odyssey while still being paid!!
Saturday, 2 August 2014
California Dreaming
Saturday 2nd August
Breakfast was supplied by the hotel this morning. We got a quick getaway by 8am.
Mostly rode along the I40 today but turned off to travel through the desert to Twenty Nine Palms. We arrived at the hotel at 2:30pm and the room wasn't quite ready so we went to the Pizza Hut next door to the hotel for a beer and chicken wings mmm. Our last full load of laundry today. Tomorrow Joshua Tree National Park and hire a car so we can pick up our parcels from John & Fritzie. Then back to Anaheim to sell the bike before we jump on the plane for home. I can't believe it's nearly over we have had so much fun, done so many amazing things and met so many wonderful people.
Breakfast was supplied by the hotel this morning. We got a quick getaway by 8am.
Mostly rode along the I40 today but turned off to travel through the desert to Twenty Nine Palms. We arrived at the hotel at 2:30pm and the room wasn't quite ready so we went to the Pizza Hut next door to the hotel for a beer and chicken wings mmm. Our last full load of laundry today. Tomorrow Joshua Tree National Park and hire a car so we can pick up our parcels from John & Fritzie. Then back to Anaheim to sell the bike before we jump on the plane for home. I can't believe it's nearly over we have had so much fun, done so many amazing things and met so many wonderful people.
Friday, 1 August 2014
Flatout on four corners
Friday 1st August
Happy Horses' birthday (Southern Hemisphere)
We had oatmeal for breaky mmm and then set off for Four Corners. My coms have died .......again ...not happy Jan!!!
So we travel in silence the whole day I missed talking so much.
We get to four corners and I had been planning the whole time we were riding over there how I was going to put me in four states at once I finally decided on this..what do you think??
After that everyone wanted to lie like that ha ha
Then we rode over to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We walked up the tower and took more photos and then rode over to Williams we are staying on Route 66. We had dinner in an Italian restaurant it was so nice to eat something diffrent than steak or burgers. Williams has changed a little since we were here in 2000 we couldn't find the hotel we stayed in kids ha ha the one we are staying in is good.
Happy Horses' birthday (Southern Hemisphere)
We had oatmeal for breaky mmm and then set off for Four Corners. My coms have died .......again ...not happy Jan!!!
So we travel in silence the whole day I missed talking so much.
We get to four corners and I had been planning the whole time we were riding over there how I was going to put me in four states at once I finally decided on this..what do you think??
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| one slbow in New Mexico, one elbow in Utah, one leg in Arizona and one leg in Colorado |
Then we rode over to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We walked up the tower and took more photos and then rode over to Williams we are staying on Route 66. We had dinner in an Italian restaurant it was so nice to eat something diffrent than steak or burgers. Williams has changed a little since we were here in 2000 we couldn't find the hotel we stayed in kids ha ha the one we are staying in is good.
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| tower Grand Canyon |
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| South Rim |
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| selfie en route |
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| storm avoidance |
Thursday, 31 July 2014
Grand Canyon to Mexican Hat UT
Thursday 31st July
We rode out to Jacob Lake for breakfast this morning. When we arrived at the gas station there were moths everywhere mostly dead but the ones that were alive were clinging to the pump hose and the bowser. We went into the restaurant there for breakfast and ordered the special Breakfast Casserole a little strange to say the least, quite cheesy and served with fruit in a bowl and toast... of course.
Riding through the desert today was very hot. We stopped at Maccas for lunch a nice cool place to sit and eat.
We drove through Monument Valley amazing absolutely amazing!! We took soo many photos.
Tonight we went to a funny little restaurant just up the road from where we are staying. Just as we were walking in the door a man started choking and I quickly went over to him as he banged his own body over the low brick wall near the bar and dislodged whatever it was. When he finished he came over to thank me for coming to his aid even though I didn't lay a hand on him. There were only 5 things on the menu a burger, an 8oz steak, 2 huge steaks and a veggie option all served with pinto beans, house salad (which turned out to be lettuce with dressing ha ha) and texas toast. The meal was surprisingly good. And all cooked over a swinging grill!!!
We rode out to Jacob Lake for breakfast this morning. When we arrived at the gas station there were moths everywhere mostly dead but the ones that were alive were clinging to the pump hose and the bowser. We went into the restaurant there for breakfast and ordered the special Breakfast Casserole a little strange to say the least, quite cheesy and served with fruit in a bowl and toast... of course.
Riding through the desert today was very hot. We stopped at Maccas for lunch a nice cool place to sit and eat.
We drove through Monument Valley amazing absolutely amazing!! We took soo many photos.
Tonight we went to a funny little restaurant just up the road from where we are staying. Just as we were walking in the door a man started choking and I quickly went over to him as he banged his own body over the low brick wall near the bar and dislodged whatever it was. When he finished he came over to thank me for coming to his aid even though I didn't lay a hand on him. There were only 5 things on the menu a burger, an 8oz steak, 2 huge steaks and a veggie option all served with pinto beans, house salad (which turned out to be lettuce with dressing ha ha) and texas toast. The meal was surprisingly good. And all cooked over a swinging grill!!!
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| great grilling technique |
Hurricane to North Rim Grand Canyon
Wednesday 30th July
We got up early to have a quick breakfast so we could get going early. Yesterday when we rode through Zion the GoPro battery died so we are going to ride through there again this morning so we can film the ride again. It means adding a little to our ride and we go through a time change so we thought it was going to mean a close shave for time to do the mule ride in the Grand Canyon. But we stop in Arizona for petrol and find out time went back not forward huzzah!!! this means we will have plenty of time!
We finally remembered to post the brake pads back to LA and a house key we pinched from our SLC hosts John & Leslie oops.
We arrived at the North Rim and had some lunch after checking in for our mule ride. We rode around the rim. A 3 hour ride it was great fun but I now have a bit of a sore butt ha ha
We rode out to Point Imperial and Cape Royal this afternoon both spectacular viewpoints.
We had made reservations at the restaurant at the Lodge for dinner as soon as we sat down the difference between tonight and last night was like chalk and cheese. The food and service were just lovely pity it was dark as the view from the restaurant was magnificent.
We got up early to have a quick breakfast so we could get going early. Yesterday when we rode through Zion the GoPro battery died so we are going to ride through there again this morning so we can film the ride again. It means adding a little to our ride and we go through a time change so we thought it was going to mean a close shave for time to do the mule ride in the Grand Canyon. But we stop in Arizona for petrol and find out time went back not forward huzzah!!! this means we will have plenty of time!
We finally remembered to post the brake pads back to LA and a house key we pinched from our SLC hosts John & Leslie oops.
We arrived at the North Rim and had some lunch after checking in for our mule ride. We rode around the rim. A 3 hour ride it was great fun but I now have a bit of a sore butt ha ha
We rode out to Point Imperial and Cape Royal this afternoon both spectacular viewpoints.
We had made reservations at the restaurant at the Lodge for dinner as soon as we sat down the difference between tonight and last night was like chalk and cheese. The food and service were just lovely pity it was dark as the view from the restaurant was magnificent.
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| Grand Canyon from North Rim Lodge |
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| our mules await |
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| ride em cowboy |
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| took this riding along |
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| and this |
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| and this LOL |
Escalante - Hurricaine via Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park
Tuesday 29th July
Today I turn 50!!!! still cannot believe that I am half a century old, aiming to live a whole century sooo you heard it here first some of you will live to see that day woohoooo!!
We had a yummy breakfast of egg and cheese fritatta and blueberry coffee cake, no the cake wasn't coffee flavoured it was a coffee cake, you know, like a tea cake LOL anyway it was delicious and extremely filling. We shared breakfast with a father and son who were travelling from Minnesota they had flown to Las Vegas and rented a car (a sports car!!!!) fun! we were telling them about all that we had done and the father pipes up and says "wouldn't it be easier to rent a car?" oh my I laughed hard!!!!
The weather looked good as we set off this morning.
The two parks were completely different Bryce Canyon you ride along the ridge and stop at the lookouts and view the canyon below whereas Zion you ride through the canyon and it rises above you both extraordinarily beautiful but I must say Zion stole my heart sooo majestic and riding through it was amazing.
We arrive in Hurricane and it is so hot!!! thank goodness the hotel we have chosen has a pool. We had a short swim and then showered.
We asked ther young man behind the desk of the hotel Jesse where was good to eat in town and he suggested a restaurant within walking distance called Baristas he had a menu there and it looked great........this was our most bizzarre dining experience this holiday so far bear with me as I share.....
We arrive and are met by the 'greeter' a young woman dressed very inappropriately for this job singlet top with bikini top underneath and the shortest denim shorts that left nothing to the imagination, she did not introduce herself and lead us to a table and put the menus on it. A little while later she came back and asked if we were ready for drinks we said "we're ready to order!" so she took the menus and then said "Your server will be with you shortly!" what the!!! then it got even more bizzarre the 'server' and unshaven man did not introduce himself and then pulled up a chair and sat at the table to take our order! he then barked at the young woman to bring back the beer list so we could order. We said "no need for that we know what we want" so he took our food and drink orders. We had to ask for water and when the beers came the server just 'dumped' the bottles on the table we had to ask for glasses and the young woman also 'dumped' them on the table as far from both of us as possible seemingly. Then our meals were not served to us but put on the table and we had to move them in front of us. The whole time we were eating the male server was barking orders at the two young people who were obviously inexperienced and should not have been waiting tables until they had had a few lessons! then we wanted dessert but could not attract the servers attention when we finally did he says "so you want the bill?" and we replied "No we would like dessert please" he replied "oh I'll be with you soon" after about 10 minutes he yells over to the young woman can you get the bill for T2 pointing to us and I said "um we were wanting to order dessert??" he then came over and took our order. Dessert was dumped on the table (we were sitting at a table for four sitting at the seats next to each other and she put it at one of the other places OMG!!!!!!!) what a birthday dinner this turned out to be!! having said ALLL that the food was REALLY good if we could have tipped the chef only, I would have, we left a very small tip.
Today I turn 50!!!! still cannot believe that I am half a century old, aiming to live a whole century sooo you heard it here first some of you will live to see that day woohoooo!!
We had a yummy breakfast of egg and cheese fritatta and blueberry coffee cake, no the cake wasn't coffee flavoured it was a coffee cake, you know, like a tea cake LOL anyway it was delicious and extremely filling. We shared breakfast with a father and son who were travelling from Minnesota they had flown to Las Vegas and rented a car (a sports car!!!!) fun! we were telling them about all that we had done and the father pipes up and says "wouldn't it be easier to rent a car?" oh my I laughed hard!!!!
The weather looked good as we set off this morning.
The two parks were completely different Bryce Canyon you ride along the ridge and stop at the lookouts and view the canyon below whereas Zion you ride through the canyon and it rises above you both extraordinarily beautiful but I must say Zion stole my heart sooo majestic and riding through it was amazing.
We arrive in Hurricane and it is so hot!!! thank goodness the hotel we have chosen has a pool. We had a short swim and then showered.
We asked ther young man behind the desk of the hotel Jesse where was good to eat in town and he suggested a restaurant within walking distance called Baristas he had a menu there and it looked great........this was our most bizzarre dining experience this holiday so far bear with me as I share.....
We arrive and are met by the 'greeter' a young woman dressed very inappropriately for this job singlet top with bikini top underneath and the shortest denim shorts that left nothing to the imagination, she did not introduce herself and lead us to a table and put the menus on it. A little while later she came back and asked if we were ready for drinks we said "we're ready to order!" so she took the menus and then said "Your server will be with you shortly!" what the!!! then it got even more bizzarre the 'server' and unshaven man did not introduce himself and then pulled up a chair and sat at the table to take our order! he then barked at the young woman to bring back the beer list so we could order. We said "no need for that we know what we want" so he took our food and drink orders. We had to ask for water and when the beers came the server just 'dumped' the bottles on the table we had to ask for glasses and the young woman also 'dumped' them on the table as far from both of us as possible seemingly. Then our meals were not served to us but put on the table and we had to move them in front of us. The whole time we were eating the male server was barking orders at the two young people who were obviously inexperienced and should not have been waiting tables until they had had a few lessons! then we wanted dessert but could not attract the servers attention when we finally did he says "so you want the bill?" and we replied "No we would like dessert please" he replied "oh I'll be with you soon" after about 10 minutes he yells over to the young woman can you get the bill for T2 pointing to us and I said "um we were wanting to order dessert??" he then came over and took our order. Dessert was dumped on the table (we were sitting at a table for four sitting at the seats next to each other and she put it at one of the other places OMG!!!!!!!) what a birthday dinner this turned out to be!! having said ALLL that the food was REALLY good if we could have tipped the chef only, I would have, we left a very small tip.
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| my cards :)) |
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| birthday girl ha ha |
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