Saturday morning had an early start to get to the ferry from Anacortes to Sidney, Vancouver Island. Fantastic trip through Puget sound and the San Juan Islands...such beautiful scenery and the odd seal and dolphin to see...again no whales!
Our aim was Campbell River and the Murphy's. We went via Victoria...very beautiful and very colonial looking, but busy due to the long w/end. Stopped at an town that was covered with murals for a quick lunch.
Finally reached Campbell River. Murphy's were outside waving us down as the street was not on the GPS as it is in a very recent subdivision. The house was beautiful...very comfy but it is the views that make it special. Snow-capped Mountains, seas, lighthouse, trees - just glorious!
Dinner was STEAK!! Very nice to have a home cooked meal, good company and the odd glass of vino!
pent Sunday seeing the sights of Campbell river - Elk Falls, the local markets, a ferry ride Quadra Island and a lake that had sand!
Monday was a little quieter...The excellent Campbell River museum - for small town i was a very impressive set up - interactive and a good look at the history. A game of monopoly and a bushwalk that involved a local pub. Appi of some smoked salmon - much better than I have had before.
We thank Richard, Lisa, Fintan and Niamh for their hospitality. they make great tour guides!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Walked he streets of Portland int the afternoon. We tripped over many a homeless person. Lots and lots, congregate in groups but don't seem to cause any trouble, some look like they have lost their prescription for the anti psychotics.
Monday it was down to Mt Hood. We went via a few spectacular waterfalls and Bonneville Dam – watched people fishing for shad – A type of large river herring. These shad are a challenge as they are pursued by 8 ft long sturgeon and seals that come up after the salmon. Watched the salmon swimming upstream and spent some time with the official fish counter, whose job it as to sit all day and count the salmon going through. An easy job the day we were here – probably more difficult when a thousand an hour go through!
Jane managed to find another brewery for lunch, beer was pretty good!
Pleasingly, Tuesday was the day we planned to go to Mt St Helens. Coincidentally it was the 30th Anniversary and admission to all the visitor centres was free! Great stuff – still lots of evidence of the devastation that it caused. Lots of resources for school - should be able to claim the WHOLE trip!
Then to Seattle. A lot bigger than I thought but interesting. Did the DUCK tour which was fun, the Sci Fi museum – all seemed to be owned by Paul Allen, the Microsoft guru. then to the Rock and Roil museum. Ken bailed – and left to climb the Seattle Needle.
On Th monorail to the famous markets - famous for the “Fish Philosophy” Poured rain SO Had to indulge in the thing Seattle as most famous for - COFFEE. The home of Starbucks!!!
Thursday we left Jane and went to Boeing for a tour. Very impressive! They had the biggest everything there, plans, warehouses, runways – a real experience to see.
Then Ken and I continued to Bellingham to prepare for our ferry ride. Spent Friday seeing the sights around Puget sound and Mt Baker.
Monday it was down to Mt Hood. We went via a few spectacular waterfalls and Bonneville Dam – watched people fishing for shad – A type of large river herring. These shad are a challenge as they are pursued by 8 ft long sturgeon and seals that come up after the salmon. Watched the salmon swimming upstream and spent some time with the official fish counter, whose job it as to sit all day and count the salmon going through. An easy job the day we were here – probably more difficult when a thousand an hour go through!
Jane managed to find another brewery for lunch, beer was pretty good!
Pleasingly, Tuesday was the day we planned to go to Mt St Helens. Coincidentally it was the 30th Anniversary and admission to all the visitor centres was free! Great stuff – still lots of evidence of the devastation that it caused. Lots of resources for school - should be able to claim the WHOLE trip!
Then to Seattle. A lot bigger than I thought but interesting. Did the DUCK tour which was fun, the Sci Fi museum – all seemed to be owned by Paul Allen, the Microsoft guru. then to the Rock and Roil museum. Ken bailed – and left to climb the Seattle Needle.
On Th monorail to the famous markets - famous for the “Fish Philosophy” Poured rain SO Had to indulge in the thing Seattle as most famous for - COFFEE. The home of Starbucks!!!
Thursday we left Jane and went to Boeing for a tour. Very impressive! They had the biggest everything there, plans, warehouses, runways – a real experience to see.
Then Ken and I continued to Bellingham to prepare for our ferry ride. Spent Friday seeing the sights around Puget sound and Mt Baker.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Day 12 - 20 The advenure continues...
after Tahoe and the adventure with the snow we stayed in Redding in a dodgy hotel but very cheap. Drove to Mt Shasta, an ex-volcano and had a play in the snow. I then took over th driving!! OMG, Jane navigated us through the highest and scariest roads in California!! It was fun and I don't think I scared them too much with my driving!
WE finally got through the mountains and reached our goal - Eureka! (that is the name of the town - not a shout for joy!)
This is a very dodgy town...We stayed with a lot of rednecks who I am sure were on he run from the law, or should have been. Despite the danger it was worth staying here as it is the home of the giant redwoods. We were sure that we found the biggest...although they say it is a secret where they are. We visited th cheese factory ...lots of people raving over it, but nothing compares to Cracker Barrel or Mersey Valley!!
Up the coast - to Lincoln City! Stopped a some absolutely stunning places along the coast! Seals, a great aquarium at Newport, great Clam chowder...Addicted to it now!! Best of all a factory outlet centre...with Baby Gap!! Ken stayed and did the laundry.
WE finally got through the mountains and reached our goal - Eureka! (that is the name of the town - not a shout for joy!)
This is a very dodgy town...We stayed with a lot of rednecks who I am sure were on he run from the law, or should have been. Despite the danger it was worth staying here as it is the home of the giant redwoods. We were sure that we found the biggest...although they say it is a secret where they are. We visited th cheese factory ...lots of people raving over it, but nothing compares to Cracker Barrel or Mersey Valley!!
Up the coast - to Lincoln City! Stopped a some absolutely stunning places along the coast! Seals, a great aquarium at Newport, great Clam chowder...Addicted to it now!! Best of all a factory outlet centre...with Baby Gap!! Ken stayed and did the laundry.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Day 10-11 San Fran to Redding via Tahoe
Well, it has been an eventful 2 days. We left SF with the intention of going to Napa for the tasting of wine. Little did we know but even though there are 400 wineries you cannot just rock up...you must book for a tasting! Also there is a massive cover charge. The amount of cars in most of the car parks put us off even bluffing our way in. so we headed to Sacramento.
Sacramento is the capital bu i is very small. We went to "Old Sacramento" which was like a little piece of Ye Olde West, we could imagine horse and carriage going up the street, come to think of it there were horse and carriages going up the street.
Then we drove to Lake Tahoe, stayed a mil from the Nevada border. Had dinner at a Brewery and tested their produce. Woke u in the morning to a very, very light dusting of snow and drove to Carson City. Drove through some slightly heavier snow. Carson city is the capital of Nevada, again very small for a capital. Then to Reno...not impressive...spread out and tacky.
A pleasant drive to a town called Truckee...it then turned into a blizzard and after we had lunch we found the road we intended driving was needed chains so we were forced to head back to Reno to head for a town called Susanville. The road was fine till Susanville, hen the blizzard started again.
This creates a dilemma: do you stop and get snowed in or push through??? troopers that we are: we pushed through. hank goodness for MR PLOW!!!
We made it to Redding and are safely ensconced for the night!
Now it is wine time!!
Sacramento is the capital bu i is very small. We went to "Old Sacramento" which was like a little piece of Ye Olde West, we could imagine horse and carriage going up the street, come to think of it there were horse and carriages going up the street.
Then we drove to Lake Tahoe, stayed a mil from the Nevada border. Had dinner at a Brewery and tested their produce. Woke u in the morning to a very, very light dusting of snow and drove to Carson City. Drove through some slightly heavier snow. Carson city is the capital of Nevada, again very small for a capital. Then to Reno...not impressive...spread out and tacky.
A pleasant drive to a town called Truckee...it then turned into a blizzard and after we had lunch we found the road we intended driving was needed chains so we were forced to head back to Reno to head for a town called Susanville. The road was fine till Susanville, hen the blizzard started again.
This creates a dilemma: do you stop and get snowed in or push through??? troopers that we are: we pushed through. hank goodness for MR PLOW!!!
We made it to Redding and are safely ensconced for the night!
Now it is wine time!!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Day 7 - 9 Monterey - San Francisco
Drove to San Fran via Santa Cruz and Pescadero.
Santa Cruz was an interesting place. A combo of beach and forest. Walked the pier and Jane attracted the local loonie. (The mental health system here is clearly inadequate...more nutters than on the Dapto to Sydney train...Lots of people having conversations with imaginary friends!).
Stopped at Pescadero for lunch and a beer. Old town on the "Cobb and Co" trail.
Then SF. Found accommdation and walked to Pier 39 at Fisherman's wharf. Enjoyed a meal of Chowder (loveit) and wandered the famous pier.
Fiday we cuaght the Open top bus get a perspective of the city which took us across the Golden Gate bridge. WINDY!!
It ws good to get a look at the place with some info thown in.
Then it was the cable car. Cool, especially going down those hills. We got off in the shopping area. Ther was a bigvsal at Macy's, managed to uy a pair of Levis for $30. Clothes are soooo cheap here...and more importantly in Fat lady sizes!!
The trip back was delayed when the Cable Car ahead of us broke down and had to be towed. Apparently this does not happen often so no one was really sure what to do. Where we got off we had to walk down one of THOSE hills. Almost as hard as walking up! Drove to wharf for more chowder.
Saturday we went to Alcatraz. Luckily we ad pre-booked Fri night as it was sold out for the next few days. Worthwhile doing for the cruise and the audio tour. They have nt done a great job of preserving it.
I visited the Bay Aquarium which had an excellent display of the local fish. Not expensive or large but interesting.
Not sure where we are off to next.....will look at the map tomorrow...hopefully Sonoma or Napa will figure somewhere!!!
Santa Cruz was an interesting place. A combo of beach and forest. Walked the pier and Jane attracted the local loonie. (The mental health system here is clearly inadequate...more nutters than on the Dapto to Sydney train...Lots of people having conversations with imaginary friends!).
Stopped at Pescadero for lunch and a beer. Old town on the "Cobb and Co" trail.
Then SF. Found accommdation and walked to Pier 39 at Fisherman's wharf. Enjoyed a meal of Chowder (loveit) and wandered the famous pier.
Fiday we cuaght the Open top bus get a perspective of the city which took us across the Golden Gate bridge. WINDY!!
It ws good to get a look at the place with some info thown in.
Then it was the cable car. Cool, especially going down those hills. We got off in the shopping area. Ther was a bigvsal at Macy's, managed to uy a pair of Levis for $30. Clothes are soooo cheap here...and more importantly in Fat lady sizes!!
The trip back was delayed when the Cable Car ahead of us broke down and had to be towed. Apparently this does not happen often so no one was really sure what to do. Where we got off we had to walk down one of THOSE hills. Almost as hard as walking up! Drove to wharf for more chowder.
Saturday we went to Alcatraz. Luckily we ad pre-booked Fri night as it was sold out for the next few days. Worthwhile doing for the cruise and the audio tour. They have nt done a great job of preserving it.
I visited the Bay Aquarium which had an excellent display of the local fish. Not expensive or large but interesting.
Not sure where we are off to next.....will look at the map tomorrow...hopefully Sonoma or Napa will figure somewhere!!!
Day 5 -6 Morro Bay to Monterey
We could not drive past the very famous Hearst Castle. This is more than just another tourist trap, this is an unbelievable experience. Worth a look on the web to see the grandeur of the place. Decadence and wealth at its best (or worst)!
Just down the road from there is a huge colony of elephant seals. We gt fairly up close to them which was a buzz!
Then the drive....not many places like it. Maybe Amalfi comes close, but is not as long. Had many discussions on what the "Big Sur" was and I got it right. It is just a forest. But spectacular.
Arrived Monterey.
The aim of going to Monterey was to go to the aquarium. It was very good, however as I am an aquarium junkie, I would say it is not the absolute best I have been to. We then walked Cannery Row. Very touristy but you can see what it may have been like...without the smell.
Winery time...could not resist some of the wineries around here. Very good wine...bought a few bottles, even a very exxy red, can't wait to drink it!
Just down the road from there is a huge colony of elephant seals. We gt fairly up close to them which was a buzz!
Then the drive....not many places like it. Maybe Amalfi comes close, but is not as long. Had many discussions on what the "Big Sur" was and I got it right. It is just a forest. But spectacular.
Arrived Monterey.
The aim of going to Monterey was to go to the aquarium. It was very good, however as I am an aquarium junkie, I would say it is not the absolute best I have been to. We then walked Cannery Row. Very touristy but you can see what it may have been like...without the smell.
Winery time...could not resist some of the wineries around here. Very good wine...bought a few bottles, even a very exxy red, can't wait to drink it!
Day 4 L.A to San Fran
First opportunity to blog for a while....hard to get on computer as competition from Ken! Jane and him are now riding over Golden Gate Bridge and ferrying bck. could take a while as there was a very strong headwind!! Peace....at last!
The drive up the coast was sensational! We started at Santa Monica, walked the pier and ferris wheel, te on the pier...my first burger. Next stop was Malibu....A certain house of Josh Groban was our first stop. No....I am not a stalker. It is for sale and I was interested, very interested. I was reminded it is an offence to steal mail! Some serious money around Malibu. Drove past the Colony, a gated community full of celebs.
I was then a long drive. We went past Ventura and Santa Barbara. (Oprah's favourite town) We only saw gridlock.
Drove through the strawberry growing capital of the known world, hectometers and hectometers of them. Many teams picking them.
Eventually arrived at Morro Bay. Wow! Our first sighting of a sea otter. Such a beautiful place! Ate at the "Flying Dutchman". Aye!
The drive up the coast was sensational! We started at Santa Monica, walked the pier and ferris wheel, te on the pier...my first burger. Next stop was Malibu....A certain house of Josh Groban was our first stop. No....I am not a stalker. It is for sale and I was interested, very interested. I was reminded it is an offence to steal mail! Some serious money around Malibu. Drove past the Colony, a gated community full of celebs.
I was then a long drive. We went past Ventura and Santa Barbara. (Oprah's favourite town) We only saw gridlock.
Drove through the strawberry growing capital of the known world, hectometers and hectometers of them. Many teams picking them.
Eventually arrived at Morro Bay. Wow! Our first sighting of a sea otter. Such a beautiful place! Ate at the "Flying Dutchman". Aye!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Day 3
Up earlier this morning to avoid the breakfast rush. Success. Headed off to Universal Studios and chock filled the day with rides. The Simpsons ride was the best! We got there reasonably early and avoided lots of the crowds. By about 3pm it was packed. Returned home for a beer and rest and then went stalking. Found Josh Grobans condo! Drove around some pretty ritzy hoods and found somewhere to eat...turkey dinner.
Tom Tom is a lifesaver! Would be impossible with a map.
Leave tomorrow...after going to the Tar pits. Probably to Monterey via Malibu?
Tom Tom is a lifesaver! Would be impossible with a map.
Leave tomorrow...after going to the Tar pits. Probably to Monterey via Malibu?
Day 2
After a refreshing night we went to the Cafe next door for our free breakfast. The Transyllvaniun cafe...run by Armenians? A filling breakfast at best. We decided to catch the Metro back to Hollywood and picked up a "Tour of the Stars Homes" Did not see one Celebrity...My stalking is far from successful! Also went to Madame Toussards...they were a captive audience! Then it was off to the Hollywood Museum. THat was pretty good, in the old Max Factor building.
Back home for a rest and then tried to get to the Observatory. We ended up having a very long drive through Griffith Park. Finally got to the Observatoory. It was really interesting.
Dinner at one of the many Thai restaurants nea he hotel.
Back home for a rest and then tried to get to the Observatory. We ended up having a very long drive through Griffith Park. Finally got to the Observatoory. It was really interesting.
Dinner at one of the many Thai restaurants nea he hotel.
Day 1
After a long flight arrived in LA. Picked up the car, and arrived at the hotel. The hotel is in a great spot...a bit of a walk to the main part of Hollywood but do-able. So we did! We were all slightly jet-lagged after 30 hours without sleep but pushed through. Went to Graumans and checked out the hand prints and walked the Walk of Fame. Plodded back to the hotel and slept and slept. Apparently there was snoring!
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