Were going to Mammoth lakes….. No you’re not

Today started like any other day and we all loaded into the car after another odd breakfast and this time we were heading to the mountains and Mammoth Lakes. Now in advance I knew this would be the coldest part of the holiday and I came prepared I had my body warmer! Having watched the news however we knew there was the chance of snow higher up.

Our first stop was Yosemite National Park, we stopped at a small visitor centre on the road in and thank god we did. We were chatting to the lovely man about what we could see in the park and as we were wrapping the conversation up made a passing comment that we were going to Mammoth Lakes, his response was No you’re not. On enquiring we found that the one and only straight across road was shut due to heavy snow so we couldn’t get to where we wanted to go. Some other roads were open but only with a 4x4 with snow tyres on all corners and chains. We had neither!

He explained our only choice was to travel down and round the mountain range and back up about 450 miles altogether we had already done about 200 that day getting from San Francisco! Looking at each other we knew we had no choice so we hit the road dad doing the first 200 miles then I did 3 hours and then dad finished the drive off. Lots of amazing sights along the way including the Sunmaid raisin factory! However given the choice we would have still opted for the 150 miles straight across!

Now very tired after 13 hours In the car we arrived at a snowy Mammoth Lakes, it was freezing! We didn’t have dinner and went straight to bed! 

Pumpkin patch along the way 

Sunset over the mountains

In the snow!

Who loves San Francisco

So……Ben loves San Francisco

For the first day so far on the trip we had a day of rest and no travelling in the car. The motel in San Fran had the smallest beds in the world, literally I think it was a single for 2 people… Anyway breakfast was a similar small space experience just 3, 2 seater tables for about 15 people. Anyway breakfast was the most basic of the meals so far but it was ok.

We headed for the train and after working out their odd system of getting tickets we were off in the direction of the city centre. We got off where a lot of the shops were and went into the Westfield shopping centre, slightly different to the one in T Wells! Ben of course bought some pants in A&F! We were due to go to Alcatraz in the afternoon so we jumped on the cable car (awesome) and headed down to Fishermans Wharf. After visiting a few places along the way including a massive Halloween store it was time for our trip to Alcatraz.

Pier 33 was our destination and we were shortly aboard toe the Alcatraz Flyer heading for the rock. What an amazing place the audio tour was great a must visit for anyone in the area.

Once back on dry land we headed for pier 39 and did the usual tourist things. The sun was setting and we found an old arcade which amused us for a while. Ben was then leading us to the chocolate factory lovely pumpkin chocolate was being given out as samples so our luck was in!  On the way back to the cable car Ben also bought himself a bright pink hoodie with San Francisco on it!

After a full day we were back on the cable car and back to the hotel, again I was so tired that was it lights out. 

Cable Car Turnaround

Mum at Alcatraz 

Pier 39

Why do they call it the sunshine state?

So the morning started like most others this time we were on the road headed for San Francisco.  About 30 minutes into the journey the clouds came and so did the rain. Light at first but slowly getting heavier and heavier. We hadn’t planned any stops along this route but I had seen in the guidebook about Hearst Castle, apparently a must see for anyone doing the Pacific Highway, reading the reviews you have to book a couple of weeks in advance and walk up availability was rare, but anyway we came across it and headed up the drive.

Heading into a warm and dry visitor centre we found that 4 tickets were available on a tour that was literally leaving in 2 minutes, we paid and rushed round to the bus. As the bus pulled away a Disney style commentary began about the history of the site and what to see along the way, I’m sure it would have been great if it wasn’t pouring with rain subsequently making  visibility terrible. As we unloaded at the Castle we met our guide a very over the top American. We trekked through the pouring down rain (with no coats and me in shorts) to the entrance to the Castle. We went on a 45 minute tour which I found very interesting if not a little odd. Sadly the weather didn’t let up so we opted out of walking around the gardens especially as it was really windy and the rain was horizontal. Safely back on the bus we retreated back to the visitor centre I do think so of their staff had a sense of humor failure (perhaps it was the rain).

Back in the car and about an hour later the rain began to ease up and we stopped for lunch at the Lucia Lodge a beautiful resort on the Pacific highway. A lovely lunch and then back on the road headed for San Fran. We stopped in a number of viewpoints to admire the beautiful scenery, as we pulled into one we noticed a man changing a tyre on his car, of course dad had to investigate. They had been hit by a falling rock punching a hole in their bonnet and giving them a flat tyre! Once we knew they were ok we finished our trip to San Fran, having driven all day I was pleased to see the hotel at Berkley. Too tired for anything really we headed to a local pizza shop for the most amazing and biggest pizza you have ever seen.

That was it really head on pillow gone! 

Me at the Lucia Lodge 

Views along the Pacific Highway 

The amazing pizza 

Hearst Castle 

We can see the sea

Morning in LA, no different to the night really. Breakfast at the hotel was... well odd and full of Germans but apart from that i enjoyed the cinnamon roll and orange juice!

Mission for the morning was to catch a glimpse of the Hollywood sign so off to the observatory we went. It was zoo busy we couldn't park so we just lept out of the car quickly snapped a pic of the sign and off we went. Reading the guidebook i found another location where there is a good view so we set the sat nab and we were off, again jumped out took a few snaps and off we went. By pure chance we crossed over Hollywood Boulevard so managed to also catch a glimpse of it in the daylight.

Now the sat nav is programmed for the pacific coast highway, it's so nice to see the sea again. We are heading to a place called Slovang, a Danish replica city in the middle of California. As we arrive i feel like i am in an Adult Disney land. All the buildings, shop workers, transport means look like we are in Denmark........ We enjoyed a perfect Danish pastry in a lovely cafe and then ate ice cream while watching the horse bus go by.

Then it's 50 miles to our final destination Pismo beach and the Cottage Inn by the sea. What a stunning hotel right on the beach. Me and Ben were straight in the pool and jacuzzi then the race was on for me to shower and wash, dry, straighten my hair before sunset. I made it and it look amazing as we watched the sun go down over the ocean. We then headed off down the beach in search of dinner. We went to Splashes cafe famous around the world for it's clam chowder in a bread bowl. I have to say i passed on that and had calamari and chips instead which was equally as good.

Then came the evening competition in the smallest, oldest bowling alley i have ever seen! The shoes were odd the floor was so slippery you kept feeling like you were going to fall over and to make it worse their league were bowling and putting us to shame! However it was fun none the least and surprise, surprise dad won! My tips from Andrew did come in handing and i still bowled reasonably well.

Back at the hotel everyone was tired and excited about hitting San Francisco tomorrow, the bed was HUGE, literally the biggest bed i've ever seen. Anyway it's 250 miles to San Fran tomorrow and the next part of the adventure begins.

The sign 

The beach 

Denmark

Us on the beach 

Clam chowder

The bowl

Donkeys, shrimps and the stars

Well today wasn't as eventful as the day before but still a good day. We stayed in Laughlin for breakfast and headed out for a buffet breakfast at the hotel next door. It was slightly smaller than what we will get in Vegas but it was still nice. I love the american Omlette stations and enjoyed a sausage and cheese omelette for my breakfast and some fruit to try to have a balanced diet ;)

We hit the road headed for Oatman one of my favourite places on route 66. It literally looks like a film set for a western movie. There are donkeys just wondering the streets and lots of small quirky shops. We visited the million dollar bar where the walls are lined with 1 dollar bills that people have left behind and stapled to the walls. I left one here in 2009 when i visited but didn't know where to start in looking for it, so i left another one this time in a more iconic place hoping that if i return i will be able to find it next time.

Back down onto main roads we headed for the bit of Route 66 that has the best historical road markings for Route 66 a small town called Amboy which apparently only has a population of 18 people, we didn't see one of them while we were there taking our pictures on the road. That pretty much marked the end of Route 66 for the day, next stop the Joshua Tree national park.

We had bought the annual ticket for the parks so we were straight in amongst these bizarre trees. Not what i was expecting at all but they were very cool. Best of all we could stand at the view point and enjoy views of the san adreas fault in the distance. Back on the road and now the race was on to get to LA.

We briefly visited Palm springs just to see what it was like and pin the meantime Ben was in heaven as we went through the biggest wind farm any of us had ever seen. It literally went for miles. We raced to try to get to LA before the sun went down but unfortunately we were unsuccessful and arrived to 8 lanes of traffic in the dark. Oh well we found or hotel and unloaded the bags. We were then straight back in the car and off into the centre of LA. We headed for Santa Monica pier and after finding a parking space in a nice car park (defined by mum as lit and attended) we went into my favourite Bubba Gump Shrimps. Dinner was lovely and afterwards we headed to the pier to soak up the atmosphere. We were all tired but knew that tonight was the only real time that we had in LA before moving on tomorrow, so we drove down Hollywood Boulevard to see the stars and also to Rodeo Drive to see things that we couldn't afford.

When we got back to the room it was nearly 12pm and after a long day we were all tired so that was it heads on pillows and asleep.

Donkeys at Oatman

Us in the million dollar bar

The sign at Amboy 

The joshua trees 

Bubbas 

What to do when stuck in the mud.....

So what is like to wake up at 5:20am in a freezing cold teepee? Well after this morning I can tell you! Bloody horrible but once you put the heater on it’s blooming marvelous.

An early start to say the least as we were up and out at 7:15am towards flagstaff for breakfast. We started to follow the signs for historic Route 66 which was a beautiful road leading through St Josephs City, the road then became The Jackrabbit Road. About 1 mile in it turned to a gravel track something that we are very used to when following the old alignment of Route 66, however little did we know what was to come. In a field in the middle of nowhere we began our journey across the mud, within about 12ft it became thick mud which we subsequently sank into….. Ben and dad were straight out of the car and ankle deep in the mud trying to push the car while I tried endlessly to reverse the car back out (so much for having a 4x4, note to anyone reading this don’t buy a Jeep!).  As the minutes went by we were unsuccessful and mum became more and more concerned that one of us was going to have to walk back to the nearest settlement about 5 miles away, luckily after many attempts we managed to free the car. Dad at this point was bare feet in the mud and looked like he had been off on some posh spa day, the car however looked like I had been on a rally experience day. After a quick discussion as to what to do next we decided to head back to the wigwam motel and see if we could get back in our room luckily we could and we cleaned off all of the red Arizona mud.

So lets then start the day again this time sticking to the interstate. We quickly arrived in Winslsow and stood on the corner in Winslow Arzona (as the song goes). Next stop Flagstaff had a lovely breakfast in Subway and a nice coffee from Starbucks also taking the opportunity to use their free Wifi. Then it was onwards to the Grand Canyon.  We stopped halfway at the airport museum and sat in a fighter jet. The couple that ran the museum were lovely and took us on a personal tour on board a plane they had outside. After a couple of hours in the car we arrived at the South Rim (leave the rim jokes we have had them all). Lots of pictures were taken and plenty of sights were seen. It is an amazing sight, then it was back in the car and off to Seligman.

Seligman is a beautiful town that thrives on the custom of tourists and has a number of small gift shops, were we bought ourselves some route 66 t shirts and other bits. We then headed for dinner at Lilo’s diner. Some of the best food I think I have ever had. Tuna melt, chips and coleslaw yum.

Next came the long slog to Laughlin which would be our stop for the night approximately 70 miles away. As we set off down Route 66, luckily a well paved version of it the sun set in amazing colours and the temperature rose to 80 degrees even at 8pm. We then realized that we needed fuel with the car saying we had about 50 miles left…. The sat nav then revealed that it was approximately 60 miles to the nearest fuel station. So everything consuming fuel went off and we cruised along at the most economical speed trying to conserve as much fuel as possible. I then revealed that having drunk two large refills of pepsi at dinner I was busting for a wee, the prospect of going at the side of the road in the dark with the risk of being bitten by scorpions didn’t excite me. So there I was holding it in with the prospect of a long journey and potential breakdown, luckily the sat nav was wrong and about 30 minutes we came across a small gas station. However there was no indoor restroom and I had to go in a plastic portaloo in the dark with Ben shining his iphone light through the vent in the roof so I could at least see what I was doing,

Anyway we are now in Laughlin a poor mans Las Vegas. It has really got me excited for Vegas but tonight we are just shattered from an Epic day.

Leaving the Cozy Cone

On the steps of the plane

At the Canyon

In Seligman

Amazing chocolate pudding :)

Off Roading

After another early start we let luxury behind and headed to the centre of Santa Fe in search of breakfast. We parked by coincidence at the visitors centre for Santa Fe. The boys checked with them about parking and about a very early part of route 66 that we wanted to find after Ben had seen it on an App he had downloaded.

We headed to Starbucks for coffee and a breakfast roll and then did some shopping in the lovely quirky shops around the square. Then came the real adventure, after reading abut this early part of route 66 it advised that you needed a 4x4 and that you may need to get out and place boulders in some of the ruts to allow the car to get over them. Well we had a 4x4 so we thought we would give it a try, the road started off ok and then became a dirt track. There was a local man on the side of the road who waved in hindsight he was probably telling us to not go any further you stupid tourists! Before we knew it, it had turned to a mountain pass that had huge ruts in it and massive boulders all over the place. We ended up stopping and agreeing that it was stupid to go any further I certainly didn’t fancy the call to the rescue people when we got stuck. So dad had to reverse the car down said mountain track while mum sobbed in the back thinking we were going to die! As you can tell we didn’t but I think we were all pleased to be back on the main road.

Next stop Gallup and to be more precise McDonalds for lunch. We then hit the shops, lots of shops very similar selling jewelry, beads, stones etc. By this point we were on a mission to get to the petrified forest before it closed at 6pm. We raced down interstate 40 and made it in plenty of time and at about 4pm (the clocks went back an hour which we didn’t realize when we were rushing!) we arrived. We made our way through and it was spectacular we even got to see sunset throughout the park.

Now in darkness we head to Holbrook the home of the Cozy Cones or Wigwam Motel whichever you prefer. Mum had been dreading this night from the start. Cone number 7 was ours, novelty doesn’t event describe what it was like to sleep in a concrete wigwam! We had dinner in Joe and Aggies café on historic 66 and then turned in for the night, tomorrow is a  busy day we’ll be standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona, seeing the Grand Canyon and heading to Laughlin. 

Chillies at Santa Fe

The off roaring

The painted desert 

A piece of petrified wood 

Wigwam motel (cozy cones) 

So we found the way to Amarillo now it's off to Santa Fe

What started off as one of the shortest milage days actually turned out to be one of the longest times wise!

We hit the road and shortly came across the iconic Cadillac Ranch, strange but very cool. There are about 8 Cadillacs nose down in the ground and then people spray paint them with their own words and pictures. Obviously we did and managed to find a full can of neon pink paint and managed to find space to leave our marks.

The next stop was Adrian the mid point of route 66 halfway between Chicago and LA and the lovely mid point cafe. They have a car outside that you can sign outside and in 2009 i left a message on there which i managed to find again this year! By the way lovely chocolate chip and pecan pie :)

Glenrio was our next stop it's a ghost town that only has a dirt track road. Stepping outside the car the road was actually sand and i was slightly scared we were going to come across a snake when we were snooping around the deserted buildings. 19 miles of dirt road later and we hit civilisation again.

We were trying to follow the Santa Fe trail but unsuccessfully managed to end up in an indian reservation and on the way out we noticed the sign said no entry this is government land that has been donated trespassers will be shot :s Glad i got us out of that one......... Shortly after that little mishap we ended up following a small mountain track and when the sat nav told us to turn left onto a dirt track of course we did as it said..... We came to a gate Private Property do not enter, a quick escape was also made from here after chatting to a local and we retreated back to the interstate.

Back to the safety of main roads we made our way to Madrid, the film set for the film wild hogs. All i can remember about the arrival was i really needed a wee and nowhere was open because it was late! A beautiful little quirky town.

We arrived at our hotel for the evening a little shocked... a stunning Hilton hotel in Santa Fe. Feeling a little out of place we headed into the reception and found our room. We discovered there was a lovely pool and all went for a swim and then mum turned in for the night while me Dad and Ben headed down to the bar and casino. Ben went with 2$ and came back with 15$ after success on the roulette table and i broke even with 4$ a good night all round and good practice for Vegas.

Tomorrow the journey continues to Holbrook and the Cosy Cones.

Me with my spray at the caddy ranch

My name from 2009 and 2012

Glenrio the ghost town

Beautiful river in the pecos region

Madrid 

The pool at the hotel

I'm back.... in America

So i haven't written for a long time so about now seemed right plus i thought this way i don't have to keep filling my Facebook newsfeed with my tales of our road trip...

4am Monday morning, tired and excited i head out, it's cold and i'm off to mum and dads. 10:25am were on the runway aboard a Boeing 777, excited that there is on demand entertainment and we frantically start planning what we will watch over the next 10 hours.

So i watch Dark Shadows.... Strange film good but strange don't know that i would rush to see it again but it passed two hours, next up was Magic Mike again strange but in a different way...again wouldn't rush to see it again. Then i opted to watch the queens diamond jubilee concert. The meals were nice, the seats were comfortable and generally it was a good flight.

Pleased to be on the ground in Houston we were all interrogated by customs, why are you here..... where are you going.....How much money do you have with you.....what do you do for a living me: i'm a visitor experience manager for a tourist attraction her: a what? What do you do? Me: i look after visitors, you know car parks etc Her: for who? Me: The National Trust. Her: Who? Me: We are a conservation charity looking after historic buildings...... Her: oh (i didn't realise i was i was being tested about the trust wished i payed attention to those facts and figures now)!

Safely through we collect the car after an upgrade we end up with a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Awesome vehicle satellite radio, leather seats, inbuilt sat nav... luxury. Its a good thing really as we will be in it for a LONG time.

We get on the road and were off to Dallas. 260 miles later 4 tired people arrive on the Dallas ring road, the Dallas skyline at night was beautiful.. sadly no pictures where you can actually see what it was were taken.... The La Quinta Inn and Suites was our home for the night and it was lovely, big comfy beds, nice bathroom rubbish view but that didn't matter. Our heads hit the pillows and we were gone...

Up at 7am (yes 7am i don't even get up that early at home!) and off to breakfast. Mum and dad opt for the traditional biscuit and gravy meanwhile i stick to the more traditional scrambled egg on toast and a Texas shaped waffle!

Next up was our 450 mile trip to Amarillo (hoping that someone new the way :) First of all we headed to the outskirts of Oklahoma City and then joined interstate 40 west to head off towards the one and only Historic Route 66. Visiting various landmarks along way such as Elk City, Erik and Shamrock, seeing sites like the tire garage from Cars the movie, a beautiful art deco building and the old route museum made of lots of fascinating replica buildings. One stop was to our favourite Dairy Queen for a dipped cone and we visited Janie in her garden centre over the road while she was taking delivery of a lot of pumpkins, she was so happy to meet us and wanted to hug as all and know about where we were from and how long we were here for as well as complimenting our accent...

As night was falling we arrived in Amarillo (signing along to is this the way to Amarillo in the car!) we pulled in to the Big Texan Steakhouse for dinner (not sure it was the best choice for the vegan amongst us). We saw 2 people attempt and fail to eat the 72oz steak challenge, however we opted for the slightly smaller portions i had the most amazing rack of ribs. I was so full that i just couldn't even bear to think about pudding. We shot some guns in the laser shoot while sitting on replica saddles and got put in jail.

The next challenge was to find our hotel listed as the Amarillo medical centre, luckily it turned out to be a Holiday Inn and was very nice with the highest beds i've ever seen! The one downside was the strange smell outside which i can only describe as a mix between a sewage farm and a taco bell and inside the corridors we can only presume to stop said smell it smelt like bubblegum! This morning we were up at 6am! (yes it gets earlier) and were off down to breakfast which again was lovely even if the waitress was a little too attentive. So todays trip is to Santa fe only 250 miles but with lots of interesting points along the way including the mid point of Route 66 halfway  between Chicago and LA.

Laters

The car on the historic mother road 

Us at Janie's 

Us at the historic route 66 museum 

Mum on the phone

The Art Deco building that was the tire fitters in Cars

The Big Texan 

Yummy dinner