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USA Oct/Nov 2010After flying in to Las Vegas, we headed for Cruise America to pick up our RV (campervan). At 25 ft, it would be a bit biggher than the one we had last year in Alaska and a whole lot bigger than our baby 19 fter in 2003. The provisioning was not as generous as Alaska but the service was just as friendly and as helpful. Before long, we were on the road to Zion NP. We pulled into a lovely campgound in Springfield, not far from the Park Entrance. We soon found out how it could look so lovely - 60 bucks a night! But the view was worth it.  Zion cliffs We had been at Zion in our 2003 trip so we chose a couple of different walks the next day.  Zion Hanging Garden We did remember to watch the sunset on the mountain face opposite the campground.  Zion sunset The next day, we braved the winding road through the park, climbing up rather rapidly. And onto Bryce NP. We had not seen Bryce before but had heard glowing reports. Nothing could prepare us for the view from Sunset Point.  Sunset Point, Bryce NP In fact, that was the best view of Bryce so new visitors should start at the end and work their way back to Sunrise/Sunset.  Views in Bryce NP  You could see for miles The weather was brilliantly fine - but freezing! We had not appreciated that Bryce is really high - 9000 ft at the highest point of the Park. I think it had snowed the night before and our walks were rather short as we did not have adequate cold weather clothing.  Zion arch We decided not to stay in the park at 8000 ft but to drop down a bit and find somewhere warmer. We stayed in the next town down the road but it was not much warmer - we awoke to find our water hose had frozen over night! On the way down, we realised why the van had used so much petrol on the way up; it is a very steep climb. We worked that out when we noticed we had dropped 5000 ft in 2 hour's driving. We headed for Lake Mead and explored the red rocks the area is know for - not as impressive as Bryce, though.  Red rocks, Lake Mead region A sign indicating a campground at Echo Bay caught our attention and we aimed for there. What a great decision! A lovely, wooded campground - completely empty apart from the caretaker's RV. Going for a walk down to the marina, we wondered why the hotel and carpark was situated about one mile from the Marina. A friendly security guard informed us that the marina in fact used to be behind the hotel but had to be moved every year as the level of Lake Mead had dropped 150 ft since 1990. If you look closely at the next photo, you will see the original water line on the walls of the surrounding hills.  Back at the camp, we shouted ourselves a 'two bundle' fire and sipped Chardonnay while watching jet trails of planes flying into Vegas. What a special night!  Next day it was onto the bottom end of Lake Mead where we took a paddle steamer tour to the top of the Hoover Dam.   Lake Mead shoreline The volcanic origins of Lake Mead region can be seen in the colours in the photo above. All too soon it was time to leave our RV and head for the delights of Vegas. Our first attraction was the Drags! Nev had persuaded most of the 'party people' that a must was to watch the top fuel dragsters and the Funny Cars. Wow! You did not hear the cars so much as feel them as they shook the grandstand.  Top fuel dragster doing burn outs By coincidence, we ran into a big name in the drag racing industry in the lift in our Vegas Hotel. "I'm John Force', he said 'and I've just won the Funny Car race'. What were the chances of that encounter? A nice guy, too. That night we had the big party for our son Nev. The day after the party we went to a shooting gallery and I fired a MP5 machine gun - what a blast (sic). Then we did a couple of shows - Cirque du Soleil 'Love' (brilliant!) and The Blue Man Group (clever!).  Not Italy, but the ceiling of the Venetian Casino Then it was time to catch the plane to New Orleans with Nev & Anne. For Nev's actual birthday, we shouted him an airboat swamp tour - what a lot of fun. We had a real character for a tour guide and he had plenty of stories to tell, as well as informing us about the bayous and their inhabitants.  Louisiana Alligator  Louisiana Bayou That night we had the Birthday Dinner in our favourite New Orleans restaurant, Muriels, before heading down the road to Frenchman St to catch some of the local blues bars. Only to find they were all closed while the filming of some big USA TV drama series was going on.  Filming on Frenchman St Two big highlights were to come. While attending a free Blues Concert on Lafayette Park, we were able to get tickets for the New Orleans Hornets basketball team that Sue had noticed had a game the next evening. And who were they playing - none other than the red-hot favourites for the NBA title - the Miami Heat. Why were they the favourites? Because the best basketballer in USA had just joined the team that season. I am of course referring to Lebron James, reckoned to be the best player since the legendary Michael Jordan. And what happens - New Orleans wins to go 7-0; their best start ever and also equal best in all the NBA. And we were there! O for Orsum! The next day brought another highlight as we piled into a rental had headed for Mobile, Alabama. Anne had arranged for us to go to a College football game with some Americans she had met on a tour up the Nile. What a lovely couple they proved to be. John was responsible for the Athletic fund for South Alabama College. They had started a football team the year before and were so far undefeated. A feature of the occasion was the tailgating parties, most of who were watching the big local derby - Alabama vs LSU.  Watching the footie on telly USA style! Note the satellite dish.  Southern food - 'if it ain't fried, it ain't cooked!' Then onto the game...............  The band numbered 250! The next day we toured the Battleship Alabama and the aircraft museum - very impressive!  The battleship was saved from the scrapyard and towed from Seattle to Mobile where it was restored.  That's what I call a 'big gun!' The most impressive plane was a CIA variation of the SR71 - the fastest plane ever.  Mean-looking SR71 Then it was back in the car for the rather-boring two hour trip back to New Orleans. The next day, we flew to San Francisco for a few days while the kids headed for home.  Golden Gate Bridge We finished our trip with a cocktail on the top floor of the Marriott Hotel, where we watched the sun go down on San Francisco.  San Fran Sunset |
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