Category: LA Plus

Nearly the end.  We fly home tomorrow, so today is the last day.

The Getty Museum in Malibu was the main expedition.

You can probably spot that for the first time the sky isn’t blue – perhaps trying to prepare us for home!

And even worse in Malibu, although at least it’s warm.

Another traffic jam on the way back – even mid- Sunday afternoon.

Watching the game.  Still don’t fully get it, although at the time of writing the Dodgers have just gone 8-11 down after leading all night.

And a roast dinner for our last evening.  Thanks, Huw, for everything.

We’re getting towards the end of what has been a fantastic holiday, and so beginning to wind down a bit.  Had a bit of a shock when we woke up – grey skies!  However, happily not for long.

The Huntingdon Library in Pasadena is about 40 minutes (+ traffic jams!) away.  Being a Saturday it was bad, but not too bad.  Look up the Huntingon if you’re interested, but it’s essentially a combination of a library (Gutenberg Bible + other stuff), a couple of art galleries and a National Trust  house and garden.

The house.

And used as a film set.  For those familiar with the West Wing, this is where the limousines drop off visitors to the White House.  Apparently in 24 hours of filming, they have hundreds of vehicles arriving dropping off various actors in different costumes at different times of day, which covers an entire series.

Bonsai trees in the Japanese garden.

General view.

Then Huw took us for a drive through the cemetery opposite his house.  Rita Hayworth and Bing Crosby amongst others.

And, of course, it’s Halloween.  One of Huw’s neighbours has been hard at work for ages.  They obviously do it properly here.

Then Bethan and Pat came over in the evening.  And the Dodgers have just pulled back to 2-2 with the Astros – life is exciting!

After the long trip, today we had a short one.  Pacific Coast Highway 1 which could have taken us all the way to San Francisco but we only ventured as far as Santa Barbara.

First stop Malibu.

Where it’s impossible not to look cool.  Well, nearly impossible!

View out of the cafe.

Then off to Ventura.  I’m sure I remember a song called Ventura Highway, but haven’t bothered with Google.  Anyway, apparently it is widely known (in Ventura) that sea mists are common.  So it bears a passing resemblance to Wales (except it’s warm and not raining :o).

Then further up to Santa Barbara.

And a gorgeous sunset over somewhere a bit crummy!

So a few more reflections as we near the end of the holiday.  Today it’s about driving.

– it has been remarkably easy and stress-free

– our experience has been a remarkable degree of calmness and obedience.  Virtually every other driver we’ve come across has been courteous, obeyed the rules and shown a total lack of aggression.

– traffic jams in LA were an interesting experience to begin with.  Now I think they’re totally insane.

– I still don’t really get Stop signs.  You’re driving along minding your own business with no-one else around and you come to a Stop sign so you stop.  And everyone does.
– I’ve just about worked out the rules for who goes first.  If in doubt, rely on European aggression and just go and no-one seems to mind

– most speed limits seem to end in a 5 rather than in 0 as they do at home

– petrol is insanely cheap

– roads have been empty, apart from in LA

– hardly anyone overtakes.  So when we left Zion the other day, 20 miles later everyone was still in the same order

– haven’t yet had a ticket (as far as I know)!

But not the end of the holiday.  We’re now back in LA after an amazing trip.  So it’s a bit random today.

View from the apartment in Vegas – not the most scenic but very comfortable and close to the Strip.

More bonkers hotels – note the Pyramids and the Sphynx at the Luxor Hotel – who cares that they’re 400 miles apart if you happen to be in Egypt.

Excalibur.

Then we’re off back to LA across the desert.  250 miles of tedium (and traffic jams in LA), but broken by Peggy Sue’s diner in the middle of nowhere.  A 50’s replica diner.

With not much of a view over lunch.

Nearly there – downtown LA.

So time for another reflection.  Out of the 4 places, Sedona was incredible, but frankly doesn’t get a look in in this company.

So how to choose between the remaining 3?

I had intended to choose the best photo from each, but that’s impossible.  So 1 from each.

Grand Canyon – majestic.

Bryce – wonderful rock formations.

Zion – stunning scenery and colours.

It isn’t possible to choose.  So take all 3 together and be amazed in different ways.

Unremittingly Bonkers.  That just about sums it up.  It appeared out of the desert after two hours of boredom.

And we did our tour of the various hotels.  Starting with New York.  It was worth it to hear Eileen order a New York Skyhigh on sourdough in her best English accent!

Note the choice of bread.

Paris – obviously.

Bellagio – stunning.

Oops – that’s the pension gone!

Caesar’s Palace – this is inside, not out.

Couldn’t resist this one.  That really is 5 all-you-can-eat buffets in 24 hours for $49.99.  We passed.

Venice.

Then nightfall and it gets busy.

The amazing fountain show outside Bellagio.

And if you wondered what had happened to Donny Osmond, the Righteous Brothers, Britney, Diana Ross etc – they’re all here.

Sunrises, sunsets, magnificent scenery – again.  There’s no real point in taking more photos as they bear a striking resemblance to yesterday and the day before.  But its irresistible so here you go.  A couple of walks classed as easy today, and stuck closer to the river (Virgin, since you ask).

This part is called The Narrows right at the top of the Canyon.  The only way through is to walk in the river – and loads of people do with special waterproof walking shoes.  We didn’t.

Stopped for lunch, obviously.

With a decent view.

And found a friend …

… who clearly can’t read!

More pics.

And if you’ve got to wait for a bus, where else?

More pics – apologies if it’s repetitive but it is an amazing place.

And what makes it more amazing is the accessibility, cleanliness and all round convenience.  All the paths today were paved and well marked, so wheelchairs and pushchairs can do it.  A shuttle bus takes you round and drops you off at various walking places.  Others are more adventurous than us – one guy on the bus had been out for 2 days.

Added to that, there are loos everywhere, and taps so you can continually replenish your water bottle for free.

Brilliant!

Anyway, it’s getting to that time of the holiday where we can reflect.  My first reflection is BIG.  Everything is super-sized, including:

– food portions

– holes in the ground

– rocks
– caravans.  By no means the largest either.

– motor homes – again only a modest example compared so some.

– and parking spaces which seem to be about 50% larger than UK ones.  And I’ve no idea why, but no-one ever reverses into a parking space.

Vegas tomorrow – might be a bit different.

I assume you’ve all guessed what’s coming.  As sure as day follows night, a sunset is followed by a sunrise (literally).  So here is the view over morning coffee except the other way round to last night.  From the back terrace …

… and the front.

Back to Zion today – about 40 minutes drive from where we’re staying for another feast of scenery and colour.

That’s Eileen in the hat.

Described as a moderate hike in the guide, but reasonably tough for us, we found a decent spot for lunch.

And just for interest, the pointy white peak just to the left of centre has a top to bottom drop of 4,000 feet.

That was us just about done, so back to 1444 Mountain View Drive, Hurricane, Utah for a rest.

Then headed out to a town nearby, St George, for dinner.  It had its Mormon Tabernacle …

… and a drive-through ATM!

Couple of observations:

– in the restaurant, Eileen was allowed to order a second glass of wine – but only after she’d finished the first one!

– the way to get decent American food is to get food that isn’t American (Thai tonight)

– perhaps not surprisingly it’s the starriest sky we’ve ever seen.

And another feast for the eyes, so read on!

Eileen couldn’t be bothered, but I decided to have another early start and see sunrise over Bryce,  so here you go – pretty much the same as yesterday, although a different vantage point.  Still b****y freezing – literally.

Next stop – Zion.  Less than 2 hours away, so quite a short hop for us.  Again, staggeringly amazing, and in a different way.

Brilliant autumnal colours …

… And more magnificent scenery.

We hardly scratched the surface, but have another couple of days for further exploration.

And then …  you know Eileen is quite good at finding places to stay.  Well this one presented us with a real dilemma when we arrived – do you take in the sunset from the front terrace …

… or the back!

One thing we did learn – Utah is a State where you can only buy wine from a liquor store  – which close on Sunday’s.  Ho hum …

We’ve seen some rocks (Sedona) and we’ve seen a big hole in the ground.  How about some rocks in a big hole in the ground?

There has been a paucity of sunrises and sunsets recently, and so showing a huge amount of dedication and commitment, today we get both.

It’s dark and cold – that is 21 Farenheit, so about -6 in real money.  (And only 81F cooler than LA a week ago.)

But worth it.  Only a 10 minute drive and a 5 minute walk ..

With a quick before sunrise …

… and after.

Found another friend.  If I had planned to get the sunrise on his ears it would have been genius – pure chance!

Back to the hotel to thaw out.  Then back to Bryce for a 3 mile spectacular (and very steep in parts) walk down into the Canyon.

Note the coat and gloves – appearances were deceptive.

That is Eileen in the blue coat.

Made it.  Basically we went on a loop to the patch of green forest in the middle.

And finally, as promised …

Couple of points for today’s:

– actually ate reasonably well

– nearly got nicked for speeding.  3 of us driving in a small convoy and for some reason only picked on number 3 – I was 2!  Phew.

And just referring back to Ernest – the place to take photos changes throughout the day depending on where the sun is.

Anyway, continuing the adventure we drive about 150 miles north, leaving Arizona and into Utah and Bryce National Park.  Stopping for a picnic on the way.

And finding a friend.

In Bryce we were assured the natives were reasonably friendly, although note the advice if you have to fight off bears or lions …..

Then a bit of sightseeing.  We’re quite high up.

And getting even higher.

But worth it.  A few more.

A whole day in Bryce tomorrow, so more to come.  Two quick things:

– at this altitude it is predicted to be -6 tonight.  Sunny tomorrow, but no higher than +9.  So the coats and gloves that have accompanied us though the desert will come into their own.

– the food is unremittingly awful, and the portions gargantuan.  Happy days.