The Grand Canyon

Huge amounts of fun last night at the bowling alley! Great music and disco lighting. Plus buds on tap. 4 games later and several refreshments we called it a night. Twinkle toes just came out in front!

Drove to the south summit of the canyon which was only about 10 minutes up the road. Paid the $25 entrance fee and we were in. They once again do it well. You park the car and they have free shuttle buses that you take to various points of interest. Hop on and hop off. Great service.

First impressions leave you speechless! They don't call it grand for no reason. All I can say is bring on the chopper ride with our friends from Las Vegas! It will be breathtaking!

Did lots of walking and took so many photos but it's difficult to capture the grandeur of the place.

Left there after quite a few hours for Flagstaff. Drove around there a little trying to find the highlights. Discovered there wasn't a huge amount! Went to the information centre and found out there is a classic car show on Saturday.

So made our minds up to return to Williams which was 30 miles back up the road and checked in here till Saturday. It's such a awesome place. Sitting at the Cruisers Cafe 66 waiting in our ribs to arrive. A guy is singing fantastic music. It sure is American true and a great place to be!

Point to note - once again number 13 looks after us. Checked out room at lodge, unique, said how about 2 nights instead of 1, she said the particular room we looked at isn't available for 2 but have another one which is. It's number 13 and even better! 2 very happy campers once again!

Get Your Kicks On Route 66

One of the most enjoyable things about this adventure is not really having any set plans or bookings!

We decided to leave Barstow this morning and our destination was to be Flagstaff, Arizona.

But - after reading about a Route 66 museum in Barstow went there first. Lots of old 'crap' and lots of souvenir shopping. Got talking to a couple of ladies there and decided to stop at Williams on the way to Flagstaff. Off we drove. What seemed like a couple of hundred miles up the road we arrived. What a cool town man. Real old and on the original part of Route 66.

Visited the information centre and had some lunch. Walked the many souvenir shops and changed our destination from Flagstaff to Tusayan, Arizona. This is right at the South Summit entrance to the Grand Canyon and was only about 1 hour drive away! Never believed this morning we would be here.

So tomorrow will be sight seeing and eventually arrive at Flagstaff tomorrow night.

Great motel here even with its own bowling alley. So twinkle toes and I will head down later for a bit of healthy competition!

Upsized our booze!

Check these out. Plus they are just purchased at a local gas station!

Si's can was 1.99, my bottle 2.99. Quantity is a pint.

Once again I say - everything is big in America!

Hottest Day Yet! Destination Barstow CA

Hit the road this morning after the skunk had its first car wash! Little did Si know that after 12 quarters the time expires in 4.5 minutes so he had to go cash in some notes for 12 more quarters as we were still covered in soap. Skunk looks a whole lot better though!

Took a bit of a detour to Mammoth Mountain. They do it well over here I tell you. Big ski resort and during the summer they really cash in on the tourists and adventure seekers with mountain bike trails and hikes. So the ski towns are still a buzz with lots to do.

Si once again found a little gondola ride. This time up to 11053 feet and the gondola is similar to the size of Queenstown ones. Yep you guessed it - another sweaty feet moment and not just me this time - Si too! The ride even stops half way up for bikers to get off if they want and they check you are going ok! But what incredible views - so worth the sweat!

The entire day today has been made up of amazing views to be honest. We are really in the desert. I thought after so many miles on the road it would become boring but far from it!

Stopped at a smoke house on the way! I'm talking a food smoke house. Tried beef jerky - yuck. Think it's an acquired taste a bit like chewing tobacco.

However Joanne - thinking of you. We bought half a smoked salmon for our dinner tonight. Only 21 bucks! Mouth is watering.

Stopped at a place called Barstow CA for the night. Arrived about 6pm and it was still 103 F. So temperatures definitely on the increase. Found a motel, had a swim and enjoying a cool refreshment.

Another great day in paradise.

Labour Day in the Countryside

Packed up and headed on our merry way bout 9am this morning.

Interesting drive down one of the main streets of San Francisco - thank goodness it's Labour Day here and roads are quiet! Anyhow, we still managed to get pulled over by a Policeman on a motorbike! We were driving in the lane which is reserved for trams, buses and taxis. Funny, he took Simons license had a chat to another cop who pulled another car over for doing the same thing. He came back and handed Si's license over saying "there ya go mate"! In his best Australian accent. Once again no ticket and directions kindly given on where we should go!

We decided to head out of the city - its been a very busy, noisy 4 nights, to somewhere a little more peaceful.

Stopped about 3 hours west at a really cool little town - Jamestown. Had a delicious lunch in a historic pub in their courtyard. Bliss I tell ya.

Back in the car headed for Bridgeport CA. Travelled through Stanislaus National Forest. Aim was to find a motel with a pool and laundry and somewhere definitely very quiet and no homeless people. Mission accomplished.

Settled in for the night after the chores have been done. Love the laundromat here. Put the laundry on and go to the pub! Perfect set up. Motel room with lake view and an outside deck to sit and enjoy the peace. This is a novelty as most of the motels we have encountered have no facility to sit outside. Pic below view from room.

I'm in my happy place once more!

Cable cars & Naked men

After a late start to the day, walked to Union Square. Had one of the best brunches in the coolest American Diner. Just awesome.

Found the end of our longest queue yet to ride the famous cable car up Powell Street to Fishermans Wharf. Lots of interesting sites while waiting. This place is full of 'characters'!

Had a walk around Ghiraldelli Square - famous chocolate. Got to try pumpkin spice chocolate. Delicious!

Caught the bus to Castro under my brothers recommendation! Owen - what were you thinking? This is the gay Mecca of San Fran. I have never seen naked men walking around streets before or sitting round with no pants on and quite honestly not sure I wanna see it again! What a crazy place this is! Been there, seen that but didn't get the t-shirt. Haha. Did find a interesting cafe however, but didn't visit. (picture below)!

Quick smart (not quick enough for Si) caught the bus back to motel. Enjoying a quiet drink thinking do we really have to leave San Fran tomorrow - YES! Been a very, very educational 4 days.

Where will our adventure lead us to next?

Bus tour & Alcatraz

The city temperature may not be warming up but we are warming up to this city!

Places to go sites to see today. On the tram before 8am this morning bound for the pier. Booked a tour through a broker which was the only way we could get Alcatraz tickets. Tickets involved a 3 hour bus tour in a 'topless' bus.

This was first up and I must say very enjoyable and informative. Bit chilly tho! The driver had survival blankets that he handed out. Got to see some great views of the golden gate bridge. Saw Mrs Doubtfires house from the movie. Daniel our driver was a real character and had loud music playing in between his talking very suited to the areas we were visiting. Well worth it!

After that straight to the pier and headed to The Rock. Bout a 15 minute ferry ride. Very very interesting place to visit. Did a audio tour through the cell blocks which was great. Got shut in a isolation cell with approx 8 others. So dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. Couldn't stand it for 2 minutes let alone the thought of up to 2 weeks. Would drive you insane. Interestingly there was a ex-prisoner there autographing his book.

Got back and hit Fishermans Wharf to find the famous clam chowder. Didn't take long it's everywhere. Comes served in a large sourdough bread bowl. Si really enjoyed it! My chicken nibbles and garlic fries were very yum also.

Decided once again to walk home instead of catching tram. (had to walk off the fries).

Just skyped Dad for Fathers Day! Enjoy the rest of your day Dad and we will take you out for lunch when we get home! xxx