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Happy Birthday to Me

I think this is a pretty easy one – the best birthday present EVER.
We have been looking forward to this for months, and despite expectations being sky-high, the helicopter trip into the Grand Canyon exceeded them all.  And although the use of the word awesome is somewhat overused (especially in the US), this time it is truly appropriate.  The trip was simply AWESOME!
A tiny bit worried when we awoke as it was raining, but it soon passed.  Here we go.
On board.
And the remainder is simply a feast for the eyes.
It won’t surprise you to know that there are about 100 more, but these will do.
Thank you Eileen for a fabulous birthday.
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Wednesday 18th – Grand Canyon

So after a few piles of rocks yesterday, today’s task was to locate a fairly large hole in the ground.  Regular readers may recall the ongoing difficulties with selfies – to the Sydney Opera House and the Great Wall of China, we can now add the Grand Canyon to things I managed to miss getting in the background.
From then on, it just got better and better.  The photos can’t begin to do it justice.
At least the selfies got better.
The accessibility is incredible.  Drive into the main car parks, and then shuttle buses take you and drop you off anywhere, so you can walk as far or as little (we are in the US) as you choose.
And the staff seem to genuinely care that you “have a nice day” – especially the bus driver at the end who would only start off after a shout of “giddy up” from the passengers!
Not much more to say – simply awesome and a couple more photos.
(Bet you didn’t expect to see me doing that ….)
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Tuesday 17th – Sedona

The house at Rimrock is about 30 minutes from Sedona.  Sedona is essentially a pile of rocks that warrants a few photos.  A bit of a feast!

This one is The Bell.  Hopefully the people in shot give a sense of scale – and this is one of the smaller ones.

Tried a panorama but it’s hard to get the scale or magnificence.

Sedona town in the foreground.

Sunset – good job it’s out of season and so not busy!

Wow!

A couple of extras.  I guess if you’re going to live in the middle of nowhere, you might as well have an apt address.  We liked this one.

And a couple of observations on the US – neither of which are a huge surprise.
1.  Petrol is ridiculously cheap.  Filling up after our 440 miles cost £20!
2.  Portions are staggeringly large.  We cracked it this evening – one starter and one main to share – and still no room for pudding!
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The House at Rimrock

You saw the views from the terrace yesterday.  This morning Eileen went for a little exploration in the garden, and here is a selection of what she found.
Terrific!
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Monday – Putting the Plus in LA Plus

Sub-titled “440 miles is a helluva long way, although it helps to have done 390 by lunchtime”

Yup – we’re heading out of LA on the next part of our adventure.  Destination – Rimrock, near Sedona in Arizona.  We planned to leave at 6 to beat the LA traffic, but both being awake at 4.45 made a decision on the spur of the moment to leave at 5.

It took what seemed like hours (because it was) to get beyond the edge of LA.  It goes on and on and on …  First light around 7.00.

Now it’s light – Chiriaco Pass didn’t have much going for it.

Then to Blythe.  Similar story, although close to the prison with signs suggesting you shouldn’t pick up hitchhikers.  Anyway, best breakfast in Blythe, apparently.

At a real American Diner.  Terrific!

On again to Prescott – a real old Wild West gold town 100 years ago.  That’s the Palace bar and brothel (not now but then) in the centre.

Still going – loads and loads of desert, but this is the last leg today.

And so to Rimrock.  Gorgeous house with the view from the terrace.  Can you guess what’s coming?

Yup.  Sunset!

Sunset in the background (sort of).

Here you go.

Sedona tomorrow.

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Sunday – Trying to be a Tourist

LA is a big place, as we’re beginning to realise. And have you noticed the lack of the iconic LA image.  We hadn’t seen it until a fleeting glimpse (look very carefully above the letter T).
We spent the day driving around looking for the tourist sites, and found some of them.  Hollywood Boulevard ..
… plus don’t lose a chance to make a few bucks – it is America after all.
Here it is again – a slightly better view.
Selfies aren’t going too badly.
Then a cruise around Beverly Hills (should have had the Mustang with the roof down!).
Faye Dunaway’s house …
… and this was Doris Day’s.
On second thoughts, a Civic with a/c was a lot more sensible – not a day for walking too far.  Yes – that is showing 100 degrees and it peaked at 102.
Then a great evening at Huw’s – here is Chris, one of Michael’s friends – a real Culver City cop with what seemed to us like sufficient hardware to start a small war!
Eileen, Jan, Huw, Pat, Michael (under the cap) and Vanessa.  Thanks guys.
Long trip and an early start tomorrow.
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Saturday 14th – Getty All Day

We’re getting more confident about getting around LA – although a satnav is critically important.  Decided to spend a couple of hours at the Getty Center (sic), and ended up staying all day.  It’s an amazing place.

One of the more famous pieces – they paid $54m in 1987!

As well as looking inside, there are brilliant views outside, although the LA mist (not smog, apparently) didn’t help.  The foreground is Century City – you have to look very carefully over to the left to see Downtown LA.

And again.

Gardens were welcome at lunchtime.

Central American and Mexican exhibition key Eileen very happy for a couple of hours.

And we’re getting our bearings even more.  The freeway is the 405 which we got stuck on yesterday and runs (or not) north to south.
Then out with Huw in the evening to Marina del Rey for a Mexican.  View from dinner.
Margheritas to start …
… and they got bigger!
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Friday 13th – Getting our Bearings

Starting with bodies and jetlag.  It was nice, although a bit disorientating, to wake up in bed in the morning.
First job is to collect the hire car.  Huw took us on an impromptu tour of Culver City on the way.  Ona a clear day you can see Hollywood…
… so we didn’t.  And another direction.

Then past the old studios, including the hotel where the Munchkins stayed whilst filming, and wrecked it most nights.  And a very fleeting glance of the mansion from Gone With the Wind.

Then an unexpected decision to make which I flunked.  How about this for an extra 10 bucks a day.  Maybe a few regrets …

Anyway, having picked up the even more exciting Honda Civic (automatic- wild eh???) we headed off to Vencice, stopping for a coffee …

… and a wander.

This is why it’s called Venice (this isn’t a guide book, so look it up if interested).

Then a couple of miles to Santa Monica.  A lot more upmarket with a lovely car park on the beach.

And a great view from the pier looking towards Malibu.

Then a minor error.  About 4.00 and quite tired,we thought we would have a drive around.  It was a Friday night.  LA has freeways that don’t really do much at rush hour,let alone Fridays.  You actually have to count the number of lanes of stationary traffic – maxed out at 14 (7 in each direction).  Still, it’s an experience!
Then back for a brilliant BBQ.  Day 1 complete!  More exploring tomorrow.
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What day is it?

It’s a rhetorical question at the moment.  All safely in LA.  This is about halfway.
Actually Air New Zealand extremely good, although not much sleep.
US Immigration very friendly and welcoming and through in less than 2 hours.  Lots of fingerprints, photos and so on, so will now be on the NSA’s database.
First little expedition – out with Huw to buy milk!  Suspect we will get a bit more adventurous.
Eileen fancies a chicken salad for breakfast.
Just off to collect hire car, then start exploring and driving around LA.
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Thursday 12th October – we’re off

So here we go.  Just waiting to board at Heathrow.  Eileen has already been selected for a special interview by US immigration – not too bad.
For those in the UK, think of us at about 3.30 am your time as we navigate US immigration again.  Then the holiday really starts.