After a breakfast for me and my roomie Tina in the Starbucks across the road we came back to the hotel to meet all of our group as some people hadn't arrive at the hotel last night in time for the welcome meeting.
We has a bit of a run through of what's going to happen on the tour for everyone and then headed out of LA. Our first stop was at a supermarket to get all the groceries for the trip. We split ourselves into groups and took part of the list and did the shopping. It was all going so well as we put 3 trolleys full (there are 14 of u in total including the guide) and then the company credit card was blocked and we couldn't pay for anything. About half an hour later and a long phone call to the bank our tour guide Steve managed to get it unblocked and so we could pay, load up the trailer and get on our way.
Our stop for today (barring multiple bathroom stops) was at Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park sign
We stopped here for lunch and we went for a short walk amongst the bolders and the Joshua Trees.
We then carried on driving to our campsite. My roomie Tina had never camped before so I showed her how to put up a tent for the first time! The spot we stayed in was very beautiful and I dipped my toes into the Colorado river that runs behind the campsite.
Day 212: Grand Canyon
To get to the Grand Canyon we drove along parts of the historic Route 66. We stopped in this small road side town, at a drive in called the Snow Cap inn. I think this town literally survived on the fact that Route 66 went through there. All the shops just sold food to tourists passing through or memorabilia.
The guy who worked there had definitly had a strange sense of humour. Whatever you asked for, he some how has a joke for it. Small or large was a choice between a cup and a shot glass. I asked for a straw and was given a bundle of hay! I think he may have spent too much time there working these things out.
When we got to the Grand Canyon we all held hands and walked in a line with our eyes closed (Steve the tour guide was leading us) towards the rim. Kicking our feet on the odd rock was definitely worth it for the stunned silence when we all opened our eyes and saw the Grand Canyon for the first time! I couldn't believe how big it was! I know that sound stupid what with it being 'grand' and all but seriously until you see it and realise that it's over 200miles long as well as being wide and deep that you can begin to understand it.
We spent about an hour admiring it and taking photos before Steve took us back to the campsite to set it up whilst he went to bring pizza in for us and we had that for dinner before we went off to watch the sunset. We had a great little spot on the rim to watch it disappear over the horizon.
Back at camp we lit a fire and made S'mores the American way (with Graham crackers) over the bonfire. So thankful for that campfire as we were about 8000ft up and it was absolutely freezing.
Day 213: Las Vegas
We woke up super early so that we could go and watch the sunrise over the Grand Canyon. After driving to the viewing spot we all sat wrapped in our sleeping bags to watch an absolutely stunning sunrise. The rim of the canyon is at about 8000ft (I think) above sea level and it was freezing, literally! The temperature was 0C!
We came back to camp and after relighting the fire and huddling around that with breakfast and cups of tea we began to thor out and we able to put our tents away and get on the road to Vegas.
We stopped in a mall so some people could buy Vegas appropriate clothes. I went to buy an iced coffee and it took me forever to explain to this guy that I didn't want sugar in it and only a small size. He seemed utterly baffled by both concepts! I guess this is America!
In Las Vegas, we were staying in the Stratosphere hotel which is the tallest building in Las Vegas. We got very lost trying to find the right lift to get up to our rooms (the ground floor is a casino and they don't make it easy for you to navigate) and we had lots of people staring at us. I don't think the guests I the hotel were used to seeing people who stank of campfire and were carrying backpacks!
Once we'd checked into our rooms I went up to the highest point on the stratosphere tower to get a view down the strip.
I then went an chilled out in the pool for an hour.
I spent the longest time getting ready to go out of my entire trip today. An hour and a half! But this is Vegas so you have I look your best!
We all thought we were meeting in Steve's room to go out for dinner but when we got there there was just a note with a room number and a door key. We had a (small) suite to use and he'd ordered us in Italian from the restaurant downstairs. Amazing! This time when we walked through the reception area everyone was staring at us again but tho time because we were all dressed up, chatting, giggling an stepping into a massive limo outside. It was so big you could stand up and dance in it!
Our first stop was off to watch the light show that was projected into the roof covering the two street...
... and then we went to have our photo taken with the La Vegas sign.
It was amazing being in the limo cruising the strip. One of the best pre drinks for a night out ever.
We stopped outside the Bolagio (spelt completely wrong) and watched the amazing fountain display. When the water came crashing down it made such a roar!
It was then off clubbing in Pure at Caesars palace. Obviously, since we were doing Vegas properly, we had VIP entry. No queuing and straight upstairs to a table and a waitress! We went down to dance and me and the two grks I was with got such a pleasure from the bouncer opening the red ribbon to let us back up the stairs and then turning away the other girls who'd tried to follow us. We felt so special.
Once we'd left we wanted to go and see the volcano and the pirate show. Turns out Vegas isn't as 24hours as we thought an these things had closed so we went home without seeing them.
Day 214: Death Valley
We weren't leaving until 10 and so since I hadn't actually gambled in vegas, I got up, got breakfast and then gambled! I started on the 1c machines and then move onto roulette. I only survived about 15 minutes before I got bored. I don't think I'm ever going to become addicted as I get $10 up and then I'm happy to leave it at that and go home!
Once we'd left we drove to Death Valley, one of the hottest places on earth. We were lucky as it was only 42C whilst we were there! We were able to walk out onto one of the salt flats below sea level that was left from an evaporated lake.
We camped the night just out of Death Valley and the exterior of the factual irises on the campsite was themed to look like a Wild West village.
We spent a very large portion of the evening playing a game of president which was such good fun.
Day 215: Yosemite National Park
We got up and drove into Yosemite National park. We gone from below sea level to well above in the space of a day and actually crossed the snow line. Having drunk an entire American size can of energy drink at one of the service stations before the park I was buzzing and made Steve pull over so we could go out and touch it!
We stopped for lunch at the beach on the lake front but to get there we had to walked through knee deep snow! That worked so well with half our group in flip flops! But once we got to the beach we could sunbathe.
When we got back to the bus after lunch the keys were missing! Steve retraced his steps and couldn't find them. We found the spare set but they wouldn't work. We tried to jump start the van off someone else's van but that didn't work and we realised the lights are still working so it couldn't have been the battery! We all resided ourselves to the fact that we wouldn't be going anywhere for a while so I grabbed my bikini out ready for a swim and the others walked back down to beach and then Pearl found the keys in a footprint :) we all cheered! We couldn't be spending all day in the park waiting for it to be repaired!
The van safely started up again we carried on driving around the beautiful Yosemite. I would never have thought of coming here but I can totally see myself coming back here for a weeks holiday. All the hikes around here must be so beautiful.
Stunning waterfalls
Beautiful Yosemite
On our final day of the tour we drove to San Fransisco. We drove around the city and got some good food before we checked into our hotel in the Tenderlion which isn't exactly the classiest of neighbourhoods.
Some of the people in my group, Jen and Nick, where only here today as they flew out tomorrow so we did a bit of a whilstle stop tour of the main San Fransisco sites.
Firstly we went to Lombard Street, the curviest street in the world and we walked up and down it. So touristy! The houses on it were lovely but I bet all other locals avoid that street like the plague!
We had about 10 minutes and then we were off out again to an amazing Thai restaurant for our goodbye dinner/birthday dinner for my roomie Tina as tomorrow's her birthday. We'd bought her a card and a present and she was so happy to get that from us.
The area we were staying in was a bit dodgy and lots of people had an early start/were youner than 21 so we didn't go out. Instead we sat in someone's room watching marriage boot camp showdown! Hilarious!
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