Dan and Sherry went home and I moved to my cousin Ann’s house, also in San Francisco. She is kindly putting me up for a week. Went for a walk along the coast at Pacifica and then out to dinner. Continue reading Onward….

Well today was exciting. Went to the Tourist Information Office with Dan to get a bus ticket for next week, went out to coffee, had lunch – dim sum – and this afternoon we went to see Downton Abbey at the cinema! The Americans wanted to. Last day with Dan and Sherry today as they are off home tomorrow. The woman in the tourist office … Continue reading San Francisco continued

After more excellent driving by Sherry, we are staying in a very cool urban apartment on Folsom St (anything to do with Johnny Cash’s prison?) with bars and sirens going past. We are knackered, having got up at 5am to get to the Yosemite Valley before the rest of the herd so this evening’s witty conversation has us all on our iPads and phones, lounging … Continue reading We finally arrive in San Francisco

Hands up all those who thought diners like this only existed in old US movies. This is in Buck Meadow CA, population 50. Continue reading And in more food related news…

Beautiful glacial valley surrounded by steep granite cliffs. Brings back memories of O level Geography. If they had brought us here I might have paid more attention! And Dan met a weasel. A bronze one. Continue reading Yosemite 2

A little light lunch? Continue reading And the fight continues….

This is the Wawona Hotel. (https://www.travelyosemite.com/lodging/wawona-hotel). First opened in 1876 and now a scheduled ancient monument. Still has original plumbing and electric wiring (eek!). Continue reading Yosemite 1

With many thanks to Sherry who drove all day – 8am to 10pm – as Dan has a cold. And goodbye to Christopher who had to go home. Death Valley is exactly as you would imagine. Acres of desert – although very little sand; the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere, and many many tourists. It was also very hot. Seems bizarre that it would … Continue reading Death Valley

Well, firstly we discovered that the dam was named after Herbert, US president and not J Edgar, cross dressing racist homophobe (and director of the FBI). We also found out that I was the only one that knew this, the 3 Americans being confused. Lake Mead is the reservoir created by the construction of the dam, a new deal thing in the 1930s, staffed by … Continue reading The Hoover Dam and Lake Mead

On the 109th floor, a rotating restaurant. On the floor above, a funfair with rides that go over the open air. Sunset over Las Vegas. Continue reading Stratosphere Top of the World restaurant.