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Friday, 12 February 2010
Thursday, 18 June 2009
Last Entry...
Well we made it home after a great flight on New Zealand Air.
Theresa had booked us Premium Economy coming back so we got to go upstairs. Whu-Hoo.
There was a little problem of a delay on the tarmac in LA though. The phone system between the flight deck and the cabin crew was not working and we had to wait for that and a couple of other things (they never said what) to be fixed.
Over 4.5 blimmin hours without the plane moving! Bad times.
Still once we got going the actual flight was good and there was great food/wine and lots of entertainment to choose from. Good times.
That's pretty much it unless Theresa adds anything below this.
Thanks for reading our blog of this trip. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it.
Bye for now.
Duane & Theresa.
Theresa had booked us Premium Economy coming back so we got to go upstairs. Whu-Hoo.
There was a little problem of a delay on the tarmac in LA though. The phone system between the flight deck and the cabin crew was not working and we had to wait for that and a couple of other things (they never said what) to be fixed.
Over 4.5 blimmin hours without the plane moving! Bad times.
Still once we got going the actual flight was good and there was great food/wine and lots of entertainment to choose from. Good times.
That's pretty much it unless Theresa adds anything below this.
Thanks for reading our blog of this trip. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it.
Bye for now.
Duane & Theresa.
Monday, 15 June 2009
Last Night in USA :o(
We stayed at the Westin Hotel in LA. It is near the airport, but we never heard a plane all the time we were here.
We did however hear yapping dogs in the morning. (Not kidding Pat & Chuck we really did!) The hotel turned out to be next to a dog kennel and they all got up around 07:30 for a morning yap before breakfast. After that they all shut up. Phew. Pherhaps my 'Dark Side' Jedi powers put the squeeze on their yapping. Either that or they got fed.
Anyway back to last night. We took a drive round Hollywood and took a few pics that you can see in the slideshow on the left (Change the pulldown to Los Angeles) or you can see the map here.
All we have to do now is chill out for a couple of hours before we go to the airport.
We did however hear yapping dogs in the morning. (Not kidding Pat & Chuck we really did!) The hotel turned out to be next to a dog kennel and they all got up around 07:30 for a morning yap before breakfast. After that they all shut up. Phew. Pherhaps my 'Dark Side' Jedi powers put the squeeze on their yapping. Either that or they got fed.
Anyway back to last night. We took a drive round Hollywood and took a few pics that you can see in the slideshow on the left (Change the pulldown to Los Angeles) or you can see the map here.
All we have to do now is chill out for a couple of hours before we go to the airport.
Made it to Los Angeles...
We set out from our friends Pat & Chucks house where they have been putting up with us for the last week or so around 10 this morning.
They have been so good looking after our every need that is was vey hard to say goodbye. But as much as we would wish it, you can't be on holiday all the time. ;oP
We took a small diversion round by Red Rock Canyon so that I could get a couple of pictures of the Spring Mountains when the Sun was on them.
After that we headed for LA.
A quick stop at a small town called Baker had us eating a great sandwich (food supplied by Pat & Chuck, buttering and bread filling by my good self).
A quick picture of the 'Worlds Largest Thermometer' and we were back on the way to LA.
You can see the map of our route with pictures here, or the pics will on the slideshow to the left.
They have been so good looking after our every need that is was vey hard to say goodbye. But as much as we would wish it, you can't be on holiday all the time. ;oP
We took a small diversion round by Red Rock Canyon so that I could get a couple of pictures of the Spring Mountains when the Sun was on them.
After that we headed for LA.
A quick stop at a small town called Baker had us eating a great sandwich (food supplied by Pat & Chuck, buttering and bread filling by my good self).
A quick picture of the 'Worlds Largest Thermometer' and we were back on the way to LA.
You can see the map of our route with pictures here, or the pics will on the slideshow to the left.
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Last full day in Las Vegas
Well today was our last full day in Las Vegas.
We had a great breakfast then relaxed a bit in the garden before doing a little shopping.
After that we headed out to Red Rock Canyon with our good friend Chuck.
He took us round the scenic route there (13 Miles) and I took a few pics. You can see the map & pics here and the pics in the slideshow on the left. (I used the gps logger correctly today!)
We took Pat & Chuck for a thank you meal at a local eatery and headed back so that I could pack and get ready for the trip to Los Angeles tomorrow.
We had a great breakfast then relaxed a bit in the garden before doing a little shopping.
After that we headed out to Red Rock Canyon with our good friend Chuck.
He took us round the scenic route there (13 Miles) and I took a few pics. You can see the map & pics here and the pics in the slideshow on the left. (I used the gps logger correctly today!)
We took Pat & Chuck for a thank you meal at a local eatery and headed back so that I could pack and get ready for the trip to Los Angeles tomorrow.
Saturday, 13 June 2009
Last couple of days...
Not too much to report for the last couple of days.
We have been taking it easy, doing a little shopping and just generally recharging the batteries.
We did drop into the Santa Fe Casino near hear and came out $30 up. Not a lot, but still better in our pocket. As we were there, we saw the new terminator movie. It's pretty strange coming out of the cinema and hearing the 'ding ding ding' of the slot machines on tthe casino floor.
One more full day in Las Vegas then we are off to LA again.
We have been taking it easy, doing a little shopping and just generally recharging the batteries.
We did drop into the Santa Fe Casino near hear and came out $30 up. Not a lot, but still better in our pocket. As we were there, we saw the new terminator movie. It's pretty strange coming out of the cinema and hearing the 'ding ding ding' of the slot machines on tthe casino floor.
One more full day in Las Vegas then we are off to LA again.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
Hiking at Mount Charleston
Theresa had a lazy morning today when I went out hiking with a really nice group of friends.
I do not see them that often, but they always make me very welcome and make big allowances for me when I am gasping for breath.
I did track the hike using my gps logger, or so I thought. I think that I inadvertantly turned it off when I thought I was turning it on. Ooops. So no map, but you can see a few pics in the album on the left of the blog.
Theresa Says:
I missed being out on a hike with the gang, I did drive down to meet them at The Curry Bowl. They all looked great and I will be out hiking with them next year!
I do not see them that often, but they always make me very welcome and make big allowances for me when I am gasping for breath.
I did track the hike using my gps logger, or so I thought. I think that I inadvertantly turned it off when I thought I was turning it on. Ooops. So no map, but you can see a few pics in the album on the left of the blog.
Theresa Says:
I missed being out on a hike with the gang, I did drive down to meet them at The Curry Bowl. They all looked great and I will be out hiking with them next year!
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Shopping day.
Just doing some shopping today and looking at all the things we can't get back to the UK. :o(
I also added a section to the left of the blog page that has all the pictures from the maps etc on this blog so far. (Use the pull down to choose different sections and click on the image if you want to see it larger)
Theresa Says:
I think Duane means Beds, Cabinets and Cars that we can't take back with us.
I also added a section to the left of the blog page that has all the pictures from the maps etc on this blog so far. (Use the pull down to choose different sections and click on the image if you want to see it larger)
Theresa Says:
I think Duane means Beds, Cabinets and Cars that we can't take back with us.
Monday, 8 June 2009
So we did feel refreshed in the evening and headed out to the Las Vegas Drive in movie theater and saw 'The Hangover'.
The drive in has been there since 1967 and was pretty full when we got there.
After that we drove the car up the Strip and stopped off at the Mandalay Bay hotel to lose a few dollars in the casino.
If was a really nice night so we walked down the Strip as far as the Bellagio and then hopped on a bus back to the Mandalay Bay.
By this time it was 02:00 so we headed back home to bed.
You can see a few of the pics in the slideshow on the left.
The drive in has been there since 1967 and was pretty full when we got there.
After that we drove the car up the Strip and stopped off at the Mandalay Bay hotel to lose a few dollars in the casino.
If was a really nice night so we walked down the Strip as far as the Bellagio and then hopped on a bus back to the Mandalay Bay.
By this time it was 02:00 so we headed back home to bed.
You can see a few of the pics in the slideshow on the left.
More relaxation...
What can I say.
I didn't know how tired I was.
We have spent the daytime just reading by the pool with the odd drink.
A nice breeze today keeping us nice and cool.
Actually thinking about it some of the tiredness could be due to a certain person calling us at 12:30 last night when they saw that I had left my Skype phone turned on and thought it meant that we we still up. Theresa's mum shall remain nameless to preserve her identity. Ooops.
Coming alive now, so we may head down onto 'The Strip' this evening.
I didn't know how tired I was.
We have spent the daytime just reading by the pool with the odd drink.
A nice breeze today keeping us nice and cool.
Actually thinking about it some of the tiredness could be due to a certain person calling us at 12:30 last night when they saw that I had left my Skype phone turned on and thought it meant that we we still up. Theresa's mum shall remain nameless to preserve her identity. Ooops.
Coming alive now, so we may head down onto 'The Strip' this evening.
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Chillax
Nothing to report today really.
I changed the car for one that did not leak and I took Theresa to have a look at some local shops.
Theresa relaxed by the pool and caught some sun and I made good use of the first decent internet connection we have had since we have been out here.
Theresa Says:
It was good to see Pat & Chuck again, it was like we hadn't been away, they have done a great job of decorating the room and Pat's breakfast is the 'Best in The West' I actualy did some walking albeit around two shops :)
I changed the car for one that did not leak and I took Theresa to have a look at some local shops.
Theresa relaxed by the pool and caught some sun and I made good use of the first decent internet connection we have had since we have been out here.
Theresa Says:
It was good to see Pat & Chuck again, it was like we hadn't been away, they have done a great job of decorating the room and Pat's breakfast is the 'Best in The West' I actualy did some walking albeit around two shops :)
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Yosemite to Las Vegas
I have tracked this trip with a slightly different map profile so that you can see the altitude changes as we headed to Las Vegas. See the map here.
After a nice slow start to the morning we headed off over Tioga Pass in Yosemite to get across the mountain range.
It was overcast during the first part of the journey, but by the time we got to Lone Pine (about half way) we were able to have the top down in the car.
The car incidentally is a Chrysler Sebring Convertable that leaks water on Theresa feet when we have the air conditioning on. (getting it changed in Las Vegas)
In Lone Pine we passed the Dowe Villa Motel where we stayed after we got married in 2003 on our way up to Lake Tahoe.
Any way we made it across Death Valley and down Route 95 into Las Vegas to our Good Friends Pat & Chuck whom we are staying with this week.
Theresa Says:
Duane appears to be suffering from Post Traumatic Syndrome as he appears to have forgotten that as we were going around hair pin bends in Death Valley I had cause to ask him to slow down (those of you that know Duane can testify he is a safe driver) What I was experiencing was a very bumpy ride on what appeared to be a smooth road and not at a speed considered by any sane person to be safe. Duane then informed me in his calm manner that his foot was firmly on the brakes and they were not responding in the manner he thought they should. So we have a smelly car , with bits missing of it, including the brakes it seems drivng downhill in Death Valley. Thanfully with Duane's good driving and the grace of God we survived, we also agreed the car gets changed as a priority.
After a nice slow start to the morning we headed off over Tioga Pass in Yosemite to get across the mountain range.
It was overcast during the first part of the journey, but by the time we got to Lone Pine (about half way) we were able to have the top down in the car.
The car incidentally is a Chrysler Sebring Convertable that leaks water on Theresa feet when we have the air conditioning on. (getting it changed in Las Vegas)
In Lone Pine we passed the Dowe Villa Motel where we stayed after we got married in 2003 on our way up to Lake Tahoe.
Any way we made it across Death Valley and down Route 95 into Las Vegas to our Good Friends Pat & Chuck whom we are staying with this week.
Theresa Says:
Duane appears to be suffering from Post Traumatic Syndrome as he appears to have forgotten that as we were going around hair pin bends in Death Valley I had cause to ask him to slow down (those of you that know Duane can testify he is a safe driver) What I was experiencing was a very bumpy ride on what appeared to be a smooth road and not at a speed considered by any sane person to be safe. Duane then informed me in his calm manner that his foot was firmly on the brakes and they were not responding in the manner he thought they should. So we have a smelly car , with bits missing of it, including the brakes it seems drivng downhill in Death Valley. Thanfully with Duane's good driving and the grace of God we survived, we also agreed the car gets changed as a priority.
Friday, 5 June 2009
Yosemite 2
Our last full day in Yosemite and the rain came in the night and didn't go away.
Not to be put off, we headed back in to the park and up to Glacier Point to see if we could get a view.
Alas, it was not to be. There was so much mist and cloud cover that we couldn't really see anything.
On the way back we did see a Bear again though.
As usual I tracked the route we took and mapped it with pictures. See it here.
Theresa Says:
I think I am going to be a permanent L shape I have spent the past days sitting in the plane, sitting in the car, sitting in the house at Yosemite or in the Hot Tub. I am missing walking let alone hiking. I did attempt to walk to the loos in Yosemite, decided it was a bad idea and practiced tummy muscle exercises instead.
Not to be put off, we headed back in to the park and up to Glacier Point to see if we could get a view.
Alas, it was not to be. There was so much mist and cloud cover that we couldn't really see anything.
On the way back we did see a Bear again though.
As usual I tracked the route we took and mapped it with pictures. See it here.
Theresa Says:
I think I am going to be a permanent L shape I have spent the past days sitting in the plane, sitting in the car, sitting in the house at Yosemite or in the Hot Tub. I am missing walking let alone hiking. I did attempt to walk to the loos in Yosemite, decided it was a bad idea and practiced tummy muscle exercises instead.
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Yosemite
After all the travelling over the past few days I slept for over 11 hours last night!
We headed off to Yosemite Valley today as it was the reason we are staying in this area we thought we should actually make the effort and go see it.
You can see lots of pictures from the days drive here. For now here's a taster.
After a hard day enjoying natural beauty we headed home.
On the way we picked up a loaf of bread for nearly $5 from a quickie mart. It was nothing special, just a normal loaf. Then, right round the next corner on the way home, there was a supermarket. Bum.
We have just had a big steak that I grilled on the deck and we are going to chill out in the hot tub now.
More tomorrow.
Theresa Says:
The car still smells pissy, despite it being given a good clean and deodorising it. I have resorted to layering the floor with plastic bags, we have agreed not to put the AC on, as this appears to start the actual leaking. I have looked at the manual and it seems there should be an air filter behind the glove compartment which can get blocked, Duane says he will be having a look at it soon.
We headed off to Yosemite Valley today as it was the reason we are staying in this area we thought we should actually make the effort and go see it.
You can see lots of pictures from the days drive here. For now here's a taster.
After a hard day enjoying natural beauty we headed home.
On the way we picked up a loaf of bread for nearly $5 from a quickie mart. It was nothing special, just a normal loaf. Then, right round the next corner on the way home, there was a supermarket. Bum.
We have just had a big steak that I grilled on the deck and we are going to chill out in the hot tub now.
More tomorrow.
Theresa Says:
The car still smells pissy, despite it being given a good clean and deodorising it. I have resorted to layering the floor with plastic bags, we have agreed not to put the AC on, as this appears to start the actual leaking. I have looked at the manual and it seems there should be an air filter behind the glove compartment which can get blocked, Duane says he will be having a look at it soon.
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
San Fran to Yosemite
Not too much to report today.
Got up and had a good breakfast then left San Fransisco over the Bay Bridge to Yosemite.
You can see the route we took here. Not many pics today though.
The house we are renting is very nice. It is in a closed community and very peacefull.
Theresa Says:
Duane may have had a lovely drive, I had an interesting experience, which was having my feet constantly awash with water, seemingly coming from the back of the glove compartment, by this time the foot well had the odour of a 1,000 urinals (OK, slight exaggeration, it was pissy though) There was no car rental place to exchange the car on route or in Yosemte, oh the joys of smells. We picked up some cherries and Advacados on route, quote of the day was Duane saying 'Mmm the cherries task like they have just come out of the shower' I do not know if any of his past girlfriends had a liking for cherry shower products, I know that I don't :0)
Got up and had a good breakfast then left San Fransisco over the Bay Bridge to Yosemite.
You can see the route we took here. Not many pics today though.
The house we are renting is very nice. It is in a closed community and very peacefull.
Theresa Says:
Duane may have had a lovely drive, I had an interesting experience, which was having my feet constantly awash with water, seemingly coming from the back of the glove compartment, by this time the foot well had the odour of a 1,000 urinals (OK, slight exaggeration, it was pissy though) There was no car rental place to exchange the car on route or in Yosemte, oh the joys of smells. We picked up some cherries and Advacados on route, quote of the day was Duane saying 'Mmm the cherries task like they have just come out of the shower' I do not know if any of his past girlfriends had a liking for cherry shower products, I know that I don't :0)
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Drive from LA to SF
You can see a map of our drive today by clicking here.
We set got up nice and early and headed off up Route 1 on the Pacific coast.
This was a really nice drive going through farmland, coast road and small towns. A great way to see America.
We stoppped and picked up some amazing strawberries from a road-side stall.
Then further up the coast we stopped to take a picture and met some ground squirrels, who instantly lost all fear of man for a cookie.
It was a bit gloomy in places with the mist, but that is usual for this area in June. That cleared up in the end and we found oursleves driving down curving coast hugging roads.
We had hoped to get to San Fransisco and get a few snaps of the bridge at sunset, but we ran late and missed that.
We checked into the Millwood Inn & Suites (detail for Mitch) which is very very nice and lives up to the good reviews.
After a nap we headed out downtown to get a few night pictures.
To our surprise the whole town was in bed. It was barley midnight and the place was empty. No cars or people or much of anything.
You can see the route and pictures that I took here.
I did get swooped on by two police patrol cars as I had parked on the side of the road and not in a space. OK, I did jump out of the car and run off onto the beach in the dark carrying a camera mounted on a tripod.
Thankfully the cops were nice about it and I got a few nice pics.
After that I drove over the Golden Gate Bridge just to be able to say that I had and we headed back for some sleep.
Theresa Says:
We did have a lovely drive up the 'Big Sur', I noticed the foot well had developed a large puddle and thought our trusted Marks and Spencer cool bag had sprung a leak as there was a puddle in the foot well (I promise it was not me being incontinent).
We set got up nice and early and headed off up Route 1 on the Pacific coast.
This was a really nice drive going through farmland, coast road and small towns. A great way to see America.
We stoppped and picked up some amazing strawberries from a road-side stall.
Then further up the coast we stopped to take a picture and met some ground squirrels, who instantly lost all fear of man for a cookie.
It was a bit gloomy in places with the mist, but that is usual for this area in June. That cleared up in the end and we found oursleves driving down curving coast hugging roads.
We had hoped to get to San Fransisco and get a few snaps of the bridge at sunset, but we ran late and missed that.
We checked into the Millwood Inn & Suites (detail for Mitch) which is very very nice and lives up to the good reviews.
After a nap we headed out downtown to get a few night pictures.
To our surprise the whole town was in bed. It was barley midnight and the place was empty. No cars or people or much of anything.
You can see the route and pictures that I took here.
I did get swooped on by two police patrol cars as I had parked on the side of the road and not in a space. OK, I did jump out of the car and run off onto the beach in the dark carrying a camera mounted on a tripod.
Thankfully the cops were nice about it and I got a few nice pics.
After that I drove over the Golden Gate Bridge just to be able to say that I had and we headed back for some sleep.
Theresa Says:
We did have a lovely drive up the 'Big Sur', I noticed the foot well had developed a large puddle and thought our trusted Marks and Spencer cool bag had sprung a leak as there was a puddle in the foot well (I promise it was not me being incontinent).
Monday, 1 June 2009
Made it to the USA!!!
Well we got here after a really good flight.
Theresa had sent an email to the CEO of New Zealand Airlines a week or so ago pointing out the good service she had got from a member of staff.
We got a few goodies and some extra snack bits from first class as the staff had been told to look after us.
After we had landed we cleared customs quickly and picked up our car then drove to the hotel in LA.
Not much to report really as we were pretty tired from the flight.
We just had a shower and got some sleep.
When we stay here for a night on the way back we will be checking out a few things.
You can see the long drive we had after picking up the car here. (Choose map view for best results)
Theresa Says:
just remember folks duane chose the silver Sebring car as he liked the colour, my preference would have been the white, the tale of interesting car develops in the next entry
Theresa had sent an email to the CEO of New Zealand Airlines a week or so ago pointing out the good service she had got from a member of staff.
We got a few goodies and some extra snack bits from first class as the staff had been told to look after us.
After we had landed we cleared customs quickly and picked up our car then drove to the hotel in LA.
Not much to report really as we were pretty tired from the flight.
We just had a shower and got some sleep.
When we stay here for a night on the way back we will be checking out a few things.
You can see the long drive we had after picking up the car here. (Choose map view for best results)
Theresa Says:
just remember folks duane chose the silver Sebring car as he liked the colour, my preference would have been the white, the tale of interesting car develops in the next entry
Don't let the bed bugs bite....
Oh joy.
About 23:00 last night we found a bed bug in Theresa's bed.
It was a little one and it did not look like it had fed, but not nice all the same.
The room was very very clean and the mattress looked like it was brand new.
It did get us a room upgrade though,so it's not all bad news.
Off to the airport in an hour. :o)
Theresa Says:
I caught the bed bug in a glass and held it captive for the Duty Manager to see, the room we was moved to did not have such comfy beds and I was on 'Bug Alert' all night so didn't sleep despite Duane’s rhythmical snoring!!
Sunday, 31 May 2009
We're off...
Well we made it as far as the petrol station before we realised that I had left one of Theresa's cases at home. Oops.
Made it to the hotel in Heathrow ok on a really nice sunny evening and had a nice meal at a local pub.
Just resting up now for the day of travelling tomorrow.
Theresa Says:
The pub is called 'The Plough' friendly people good portions of food. Good job I done the case count at the garage just across from Willen Lake, the case was the one that had my clothes in.
Made it to the hotel in Heathrow ok on a really nice sunny evening and had a nice meal at a local pub.
Just resting up now for the day of travelling tomorrow.
Theresa Says:
The pub is called 'The Plough' friendly people good portions of food. Good job I done the case count at the garage just across from Willen Lake, the case was the one that had my clothes in.
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