Postcard from California and a bit further! :0)

Well it’s been a while since anyone did a postcard so here is my little holiday in a nut shell. Hope you enjoy my adventure … Added some photos but for a larger view just give them a click :0)

We flew in the air (where else would you fly?) for about 11 hours from the uk and landed in a far off town called Las Vegas, where we jumped into a Dodge with the steering wheel on the wrong side and headed to the Stratosphere.

The journey was full of surprises like driving on the wrong side of the street, and even driving up the wrong side of the street, which was greeted with a few x words from the opposite direction, with me shouting it’s ok we are British, which was happily responded with “ahh now I understand (damn idiots), but it’s not a good idea folks!”;)

The stay in the Stratosphere was eventful with a 1950’s diner with singing waitresses, for our amusement. We decided to eat at the very top, which meant a lift going 170 floors in 2.9 seconds which gave me a rather nasty nose bleed. Meaning I had to leave early but the meal was lovely.. honest! This was the view from our room …

We left after a few fun filled days, with the open road ahead. Me map reading and all was fine, I did quite well if you want a quick divorce! haha. We eventually arrived at the Hoover Dam, and drank about 2 pints of water per 10 minutes. So hot you could cook an egg on the pavement, just in case you got hungry! The view was just amazing. An engineering marvel I must say.

Next on to the Grand Canyon and Jeff met us in his Mustang, which made our little Dodge look rather sorry for itself, but at least the kids had something else to argue about, ie who was going with Jeff and who was riding with us!

We got to the Canyon and all lost each other, (nothing to do with my map reading), I was with my son when Jeff turned up, smiling saying “oh there you are!” I am not good with heights, and had to stay back most of the time but the view gave me a tear, just amazing! (Do I keep saying amazing? Oh well live with it:p )

As you can see my son got fed up with Jeff after a few hours, but it’s ok he only screamed for part of the way down.

We then went over to Sedona and enjoyed a trip down to the bottom of the mountains, again scared out of my wits with the sheer drop as you drive, and my map reading to boot, but we managed to get to the bottom, alive!

We met Jeff again (he survived the fall not sure how, must be the bigblue that saved him!) he had organised a jeep trip. We were put in the jeep in order of size and this meant Jeff had to go upfront, ouch I feel a slap! The Jeep ride was wonderful with the trills and spills of going up hills that only a maniac would try, and Jeff taking photo’s of us all sweaty and having very bad hair days! Slap back haha.

Sadly, that was the end of the Jeff part for few weeks as we headed off to Santa Monica. The food was amazing we only ate at the best places! Mmmh Twinkies … Sadly no dunkin donuts ….

Over to Santa Barbara then Cambria where we had a day at the Hearst Castle, the pool was not up to much as you can see, but the view and the antiques were fantastic. The kids moaned a bit but that’s kids for you..

We then headed to Universal and had a wonderful day of thrills and spills, rides and touching the cars from the Fast and The Furious, Back to the Future and the bike from the Terminator. Jumping in street fountains and generally having a blast!

We then drove over to Hollywood and searched for two hours for the famous sign, was that due to it being very small or my map reading? Who knows … but we did eventually find it!

We marvelled at the stars on the floors for hours till we all found the ones we really wanted to see. I have the same size hands of Dolly Parton but sadly other parts do not compare! hehe

Finally I found the star of all films which made my day. The top actress ever known, however there are rumours that she was a dog!

We then went to Disney and the California Adventure, staying at the Jolly Roger Inn but less said about that the better! haha, we went to all the rides and went on the rolla coaster doing 0 to 80 miles per hour in 2.5 seconds, which has meant I will not need a face lift for at least 5 years, highly recommended! Heather will be pleased I did find a dunkin donuts but had just had a go on a the tower of terror and really it would have not been a good idea, maybe next time ;0)

We finally went down to Laguna Beach and my map reading had done me proud, we could get rid of the car. We spent 5 glorious days on the beach, eating in nice restaurants, going to see the Padres play, which was a highlight of our trip.

Jeff put on a bbq for us and we had a few drinkie poos and swam in his pool and left the kids to play on his wii.

Top holiday and one of the best ever!

I have given a very lighthearted view of our time but seriously it was amazing. The people were great, it was fantastic to see Jeff again. Actually it was just perfect!

I just need to do a nightclass in map reading 😉 Now I really do need a holiday!