Well that's the end of Tim's U.S. Tour 2009!
We landed in good ol' Blighty yesterday morning at about 10:15am - a full 45 minutes ahead of schedule! If thats not good customer service, I don't know what is. Continental airlines even manage to change the wind, to reduce their flight times.
What a great airline though! Last time I did the Manchester - San Francisco route, Air France cocked everything up before we'd even set off, by delaying our first flight out of the U.K. meaning that we couldn't make our connection... that just started a catalogue of errors, ending up with lost baggage on the return journey! Mind you, they are French. In stark contrast, everything about the Continental experience was brilliant (apart from the "automated check-in" at SFO, where we had to get a Continental advisor to assist us. It took far longer to mess with the computer, than the normal procedure with an employee at the check-in desk).
In true British fashion, the first English person I speak to back on British soil was complaining. He was the attendant at the immigration queue; mind you I can see his point - I was next in line, and just about to walk to the immigration officers' desk as she became free, and she gets up and walks off - lunch time! (Don't worry about the 300 Brits trying to get back into the country luv, you take your time). I bet service like that doesn't come cheap.
Gosh everything is weird here. I had to ride home in the drivers side of Dad's car. What a bizarre experience. I'm suprised we don't just all crash into each other. And what about those circle things in the middle of the roads - seems like a free for all to me! Cars just don't stop!
So I managed to locate my car this morning, and after I'd managed to get in and located the steering wheel, I noticed that was in the passenger side also. There was a complicated arrangement of 3 pedals on the floor, I assumed the far left one was the parking brake. Anyway, I started it up and thought the world had just exploded. It clattered into life like a London bus and didn't quiet down either! Gosh its loud! Plumes of black smoke errupted from the rear in environmentally-friendly clean diesel style (don't worry about the particulates, they are harmless in comparison to that deadly carbon dioxides that comes from petrol).
I attempted to put the shifter into reverse through a strange procedure of pushing down on the shifter (no button to press?) and heard a big crunch, the car jerked, and the engine stopped. I wondered if it had fallen out. After checking under a few pebbles (as I know British cars have very small engines) I couldn't locate it there, I looked under the hood - ah! It was still there!
Remembering something vaguely about the very left pedal being something to do with a complex clutch mechanism and that having something to do with gears(?), and not in fact anything to do with parking, I managed to put the car into reverse after several attempts with different combinations of the left hand pedal. Gosh this is going to be a long day.
Finally making the car move out of the garage, and selecting 1 (I couldn't find D), the car would now move forward and I have managed to get it to Manchester. It went quite slowly, was very loud, and bounced off its rev limiter with lots of noise and smoke all the way - for some reason it seemed like it just simply wouldn't up shift gear. Cars were swerving all over the road in front and coming straight for me - how people manage to move around this crowded little island without crashing I will never know. I will have to take the car to a garage and get it looked at. Think it needs a Smog test.
Claire took us to the Trafford Center today (a large, Valley Fair sized, shopping mall), after she managed not to crash into people driving on the wrong side of the road - how she managed it, as she was on the wrong side as well, I will never know. She must be a very good driver, as she squeezed the car into what could only be described as motorcycle parking - but it looked like everyone was parking there - perhaps the car lots were full. First stop was a reasonable size store called Deben Hams. It was crowded. There were about 7 people in it. Although it didn't sell any meat, and it wasn't a butchers. It was a clothes shop. I didn't see any checked shirts, or gator skin boots. Call that a clothes shop! And where was the personalized service? Not one of the sales representatives asked me how our day was going and if we needed any help. They all seemed to ignore us. How they expect us to buy anything I am not sure. I decided to take the lead and ask one of the representatives how she was doing and if she was having a nice day - but she then had a slightly disgusted somewhat vacant look on her face. Never mind I thought.
The mall got busier though. Literally thousands of people poured in from all over the place. It seemed like a sea of people. I had to jump out their way; they walk as they drive - straight towards you. Brits. I was physically attacked on several occasions by people with strollers and other parafinalia.
Its going to take a long time to get used to this!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
17 Mile Wonder
Today we have been around a bit. To Mon-erey to start with to the pier and downtown areas for some brief shopping, and a wonder aound and admire the fantastic boats which inhabit the marina at Mon-erey. Boats everywhere, beautiful yachts and power boats.
Because (that is so bad practise, starting a sentence with "because" - but thought I'd do it anyway) no-one can really afford the expensive yachts and power boats they all bought on credit during the good times, they are out at work every day paying for them. Although that's probably not the case recently, and now they have plenty of time to be out with their boats; they just can't afford the payments so the banks now probably own most of them. Which, if you think about it, now means we own most of the boats. Which means, following the logic, that I should just be able to get aboard one and drive it. Or do whatever you do with a boat to make it go.
We had some clam chowder samplers along the pier. Well I should say, that I didn't. Clam chowder is disgusting, poisonous, and should be banned. Clam soup. Can you think of anything more hideous to eat? (Not sprouts Karen; they are very nice. No seriously. You should try one).
Mon-erey pier hasn't changed much since Sam and I were here in '06. In fact, the boat we went on whale watching was still taking the Japanese tourists for a trip out into the Bay. Lovely big boat with multiple decks. It was tossed around like a cork the day we went out though, by big rolling waves which the boat crashed over. What fun! Japanese tourists scurrying to keep hold of their hats (its cold out there) and cameras. (The children were flung around but the cameras were safe).
You can tell there's something not quite right about the place though; it was very quiet. Mon-erey is normally teeming with tourists. Even the Japanese ones seemed to be on a recession today...
That wasn't the case as we got onto 17-mile drive though. They appeared out of the woodwork again, and started taking lots of photographs at inopportune moments with the huge leneses and 3 video cameras each one has strapped to them at birth.
17 mile drive is actually a route using various roads in a section of very pretty and expensive land between Mon-erey and Carmel. Probably one of the most expensive places to live in America. Unfortunately the wealthy residents of the area have to live in very large expensive houses, so they all clubbed together and decided to earn some money by charging $9.25 for a car to drive along the 17 Mile Drive route. (Think about it. If you could charge some stupid plebs $9.25 for driving next to your house, you would. The British Government are trying to implement that now anyway. They just call it "Road Pricing" instead). Plus, that $9.25 from each car that drives the route goes to paying the property taxes for the rich people as their compensation for living there. Or for the boat payments that they can't afford because they are forced to live in such expensive houses. I felt like offering the guard $20 I was so sorry for the residents. Luckily though, we had a free pass, as we know someone who knows someone that lives there - so we just said we were visiting, bringing food parcels for them, so the guard let us in. There were no shortage of Japanese tourists paying full price; so it didn't worry us.
After viewing all the rich people in their large houses that must be a real struggle to live in, (with annoying, expansive views of the coast line and ocean - I mean how irritating must it be to have to listen to the ocean hour after hour, and all you could look at was coastline and sea. How boring. It would keep me awake at night, let me tell you, having to listen to waves crashing against the rocks and sugary sandy beaches. Almost like the trains in Flagstaff. No seriously, I sympathise with these people. With their private golf courses - I mean, they almost never have to wait for a tee, or have put up with divots and prols in the way. How boring can life be?), we headed to the other end of 17 Mile Drive, which exits into Carmel. Clint Eastwood's town.
Clint and I went for a few beers at the Hogs Breath. (A Hogs Breath is Better Than No Breath At All). He said "I know what you're thinking punk. You're thinkin' did he fire 6 shots or only 5..." I said "Shut up Clint you're boring me" drunk up and left.
Ok so I didn't. He does drive a beat up old Jag, apparently, in British Racing Green. Poor man. Can't afford a new one, what with the property taxes and massive houses around there. There's no other property you see, he (and lots of other Carmel locals are forced into these mansions). Maybe he should go live on 17 Mile Drive, then the Japanese tourists could contribute to a replacement Jaguar for him. Mind you, he is almost 80. That's too old to be driving anyway.
Carmel is a lovely place too - very quaint. But all the residents of Carmel are so poor they don't like people visiting and looking at their cheap, low quality mansion housing. So they refuse to have a decent road built, which causes traffic jams of stupid plebs and Japanese tourists trying to get in and out. Not sure why they don't just start charging a $10 entrance fee. Then they could all afford to eat at the end of the day, instead of having to paint pictures to sell in the local shops, or act in Hollywood movies.
Didn't see Clint. I'm disappointed. Might not get many more opportunities. He's as old as the hills he owns around Carmel, and probably one of its poorest local residents. At least he's had a good idea though; of removing a few trees from around the 17 Mile Drive area, and building another golf course. Obviously, it will be cheap to play here, to encourage people from outside of the area to visit, and pay the $9.25 entrance fee to the Drive. Something like $800 a round should be about right. That will put his course in competition with the other 7 in that locality, you know, Pebble Beach and all that. Those municipal courses. For plebs.
Following that though, we headed home for some more amazing food from our hosts, and seeing as I may have to start cooking for more than one soon, it was a good idea for me to learn a new recipe. In payment, I have fixed the computer which now works like a dream. I have never seen Windows XP work so good.
Because (that is so bad practise, starting a sentence with "because" - but thought I'd do it anyway) no-one can really afford the expensive yachts and power boats they all bought on credit during the good times, they are out at work every day paying for them. Although that's probably not the case recently, and now they have plenty of time to be out with their boats; they just can't afford the payments so the banks now probably own most of them. Which, if you think about it, now means we own most of the boats. Which means, following the logic, that I should just be able to get aboard one and drive it. Or do whatever you do with a boat to make it go.
We had some clam chowder samplers along the pier. Well I should say, that I didn't. Clam chowder is disgusting, poisonous, and should be banned. Clam soup. Can you think of anything more hideous to eat? (Not sprouts Karen; they are very nice. No seriously. You should try one).
Mon-erey pier hasn't changed much since Sam and I were here in '06. In fact, the boat we went on whale watching was still taking the Japanese tourists for a trip out into the Bay. Lovely big boat with multiple decks. It was tossed around like a cork the day we went out though, by big rolling waves which the boat crashed over. What fun! Japanese tourists scurrying to keep hold of their hats (its cold out there) and cameras. (The children were flung around but the cameras were safe).
You can tell there's something not quite right about the place though; it was very quiet. Mon-erey is normally teeming with tourists. Even the Japanese ones seemed to be on a recession today...
That wasn't the case as we got onto 17-mile drive though. They appeared out of the woodwork again, and started taking lots of photographs at inopportune moments with the huge leneses and 3 video cameras each one has strapped to them at birth.
17 mile drive is actually a route using various roads in a section of very pretty and expensive land between Mon-erey and Carmel. Probably one of the most expensive places to live in America. Unfortunately the wealthy residents of the area have to live in very large expensive houses, so they all clubbed together and decided to earn some money by charging $9.25 for a car to drive along the 17 Mile Drive route. (Think about it. If you could charge some stupid plebs $9.25 for driving next to your house, you would. The British Government are trying to implement that now anyway. They just call it "Road Pricing" instead). Plus, that $9.25 from each car that drives the route goes to paying the property taxes for the rich people as their compensation for living there. Or for the boat payments that they can't afford because they are forced to live in such expensive houses. I felt like offering the guard $20 I was so sorry for the residents. Luckily though, we had a free pass, as we know someone who knows someone that lives there - so we just said we were visiting, bringing food parcels for them, so the guard let us in. There were no shortage of Japanese tourists paying full price; so it didn't worry us.
After viewing all the rich people in their large houses that must be a real struggle to live in, (with annoying, expansive views of the coast line and ocean - I mean how irritating must it be to have to listen to the ocean hour after hour, and all you could look at was coastline and sea. How boring. It would keep me awake at night, let me tell you, having to listen to waves crashing against the rocks and sugary sandy beaches. Almost like the trains in Flagstaff. No seriously, I sympathise with these people. With their private golf courses - I mean, they almost never have to wait for a tee, or have put up with divots and prols in the way. How boring can life be?), we headed to the other end of 17 Mile Drive, which exits into Carmel. Clint Eastwood's town.
Clint and I went for a few beers at the Hogs Breath. (A Hogs Breath is Better Than No Breath At All). He said "I know what you're thinking punk. You're thinkin' did he fire 6 shots or only 5..." I said "Shut up Clint you're boring me" drunk up and left.
Ok so I didn't. He does drive a beat up old Jag, apparently, in British Racing Green. Poor man. Can't afford a new one, what with the property taxes and massive houses around there. There's no other property you see, he (and lots of other Carmel locals are forced into these mansions). Maybe he should go live on 17 Mile Drive, then the Japanese tourists could contribute to a replacement Jaguar for him. Mind you, he is almost 80. That's too old to be driving anyway.
Carmel is a lovely place too - very quaint. But all the residents of Carmel are so poor they don't like people visiting and looking at their cheap, low quality mansion housing. So they refuse to have a decent road built, which causes traffic jams of stupid plebs and Japanese tourists trying to get in and out. Not sure why they don't just start charging a $10 entrance fee. Then they could all afford to eat at the end of the day, instead of having to paint pictures to sell in the local shops, or act in Hollywood movies.
Didn't see Clint. I'm disappointed. Might not get many more opportunities. He's as old as the hills he owns around Carmel, and probably one of its poorest local residents. At least he's had a good idea though; of removing a few trees from around the 17 Mile Drive area, and building another golf course. Obviously, it will be cheap to play here, to encourage people from outside of the area to visit, and pay the $9.25 entrance fee to the Drive. Something like $800 a round should be about right. That will put his course in competition with the other 7 in that locality, you know, Pebble Beach and all that. Those municipal courses. For plebs.
Following that though, we headed home for some more amazing food from our hosts, and seeing as I may have to start cooking for more than one soon, it was a good idea for me to learn a new recipe. In payment, I have fixed the computer which now works like a dream. I have never seen Windows XP work so good.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
2 Buck Chuck
Having been on the 2 Buck Chuck (NOT the wine that doesn't give you a hangover) again, thought I'd write another bit of blog.
Gosh my belly is getting bigger. Its even showing in some of the photos. Oops. Need to get those online too, but the camera battery needs recharging... I'll put it on now.
Done! Right what to say... hmmm...
2 Buck Chuck is Charles Shaw - the grapes from the California Wineries that don't make it into the expensive wine... its thrown together and labelled as Charles Shaw, and is, well you guessed it, priced at $1.99 per bottle. Its actually very nice, (it goes down well anyway) we have been on the Cab Sav this evening - although you can buy a white, and other types of grape I believe. Its better than the supermarket wine you get in England for sure. But then I don't usually drink that anyway, don't you know...
I don't think the Wong's are particularly impressed with it, but then they aren't here. It'll do for me for the moment.
Today, we have been down to the beach at Monterey. That's pronounced Mon-erey for all you neanderthals (t's mid word are silent over here, or replaced with d's. Santa Cruz is San-a Cruz, and butter is budder. Shit is still pronounced shit... Well I needed an example that ended in t...).
Mon-erey is a lovely place, sort of proper California, nice sugary beach, freezing Pacific water (no matter how inviting it might appear, dipping your toe in liquid nitrogen is not a good idea), palm trees, cycle lanes, canneries, world-leading aquarium and sea conservation center (see I'm even spelling in American. Well at least its not French). The weather was sunny and a normal mid 70s temperature - Mon-erey doesn't get that hot, and it can take a while in summer for the fog to burn off. Around here, the fog comes in over night - due to the geography of the place - it gets sucked in from the Pacific, due to the heat in the Valley (Silicon Valley, if you will) during the day, as the valley will get up to 100F regularly. Unfortunately, that puts places like Mon-erey and Aptos (that is pronounced Aptoes, so includes the t and adds an e) under a thick layer of coastal fog - this process of drawing the sea fog in is what San Francisco experiences daily too.
But today, the fog was burned off by 11am, the sun was out and it was warm! The family joined us at the beach, and gave me some children to play with at digging, making dams, and pools. That is good, because it looks odd if my Dad and I dig with no children present. And the beach is the place for making dams, and pools. And Chevys. If you have imagination.
We took a picnic, and literally had sand-wiches. They had authentic American sand. Grains of which are big. As you would expect.
And, although I had sun-creamed up, the liquid nitrogen and sun has removed the top few layers of skin from my feet. Brill.
Today we travelled in a 1991 Mercedes 190E 2.3. The oldest car I've ever seen over here (you see, its German). But a classic nonetheless. The 190Es were legendary in their time. I even had one. Unfortunately, on these roads, you feel like you are on a skateboard. And you aren't much safer. But its a very comfortable skateboard.
Tomorrow, another trip over to Mon-erey is planned, for coffee, and then over on the 17-mile coastal drive to Carmel. We can do the 17 mile drive for free, as we know someone who knows someone... Hopefully we might bump into Mr Clint Eastwood, who used to own most of Carmel, and still owns much of the surrounding land. He bought it all to remove the possibility of development and the urban sprawl of Carmel, which has remained a very quaint (but equally expensive) little place.
Gosh my belly is getting bigger. Its even showing in some of the photos. Oops. Need to get those online too, but the camera battery needs recharging... I'll put it on now.
Done! Right what to say... hmmm...
2 Buck Chuck is Charles Shaw - the grapes from the California Wineries that don't make it into the expensive wine... its thrown together and labelled as Charles Shaw, and is, well you guessed it, priced at $1.99 per bottle. Its actually very nice, (it goes down well anyway) we have been on the Cab Sav this evening - although you can buy a white, and other types of grape I believe. Its better than the supermarket wine you get in England for sure. But then I don't usually drink that anyway, don't you know...
I don't think the Wong's are particularly impressed with it, but then they aren't here. It'll do for me for the moment.
Today, we have been down to the beach at Monterey. That's pronounced Mon-erey for all you neanderthals (t's mid word are silent over here, or replaced with d's. Santa Cruz is San-a Cruz, and butter is budder. Shit is still pronounced shit... Well I needed an example that ended in t...).
Mon-erey is a lovely place, sort of proper California, nice sugary beach, freezing Pacific water (no matter how inviting it might appear, dipping your toe in liquid nitrogen is not a good idea), palm trees, cycle lanes, canneries, world-leading aquarium and sea conservation center (see I'm even spelling in American. Well at least its not French). The weather was sunny and a normal mid 70s temperature - Mon-erey doesn't get that hot, and it can take a while in summer for the fog to burn off. Around here, the fog comes in over night - due to the geography of the place - it gets sucked in from the Pacific, due to the heat in the Valley (Silicon Valley, if you will) during the day, as the valley will get up to 100F regularly. Unfortunately, that puts places like Mon-erey and Aptos (that is pronounced Aptoes, so includes the t and adds an e) under a thick layer of coastal fog - this process of drawing the sea fog in is what San Francisco experiences daily too.
But today, the fog was burned off by 11am, the sun was out and it was warm! The family joined us at the beach, and gave me some children to play with at digging, making dams, and pools. That is good, because it looks odd if my Dad and I dig with no children present. And the beach is the place for making dams, and pools. And Chevys. If you have imagination.
We took a picnic, and literally had sand-wiches. They had authentic American sand. Grains of which are big. As you would expect.
And, although I had sun-creamed up, the liquid nitrogen and sun has removed the top few layers of skin from my feet. Brill.
Today we travelled in a 1991 Mercedes 190E 2.3. The oldest car I've ever seen over here (you see, its German). But a classic nonetheless. The 190Es were legendary in their time. I even had one. Unfortunately, on these roads, you feel like you are on a skateboard. And you aren't much safer. But its a very comfortable skateboard.
Tomorrow, another trip over to Mon-erey is planned, for coffee, and then over on the 17-mile coastal drive to Carmel. We can do the 17 mile drive for free, as we know someone who knows someone... Hopefully we might bump into Mr Clint Eastwood, who used to own most of Carmel, and still owns much of the surrounding land. He bought it all to remove the possibility of development and the urban sprawl of Carmel, which has remained a very quaint (but equally expensive) little place.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
San Franciscan
Its been a while since my last post.
Happy Birthday Sam! (Sorry, I forgot to wish it on the day). How did the party go?
Well I have been over to my Cousin's lovely place in Morgan Hill for the last couple of nights. What a fantastic property, and view over the California valley's and hills. (The garage is a triple American garage - I want one! - which could contain 6 Tahoes with ease. That's the approximate volume of Lake Mead). And what a lovely family! Putting us up (or putting up with us) for the last few nights, and taking us to San Francisco for a couple of days out.
Been all over in fact - did the Fishermans Wharf, Pier 39 thing (and gosh - even had a fish dinner! Well, Salmon steak) and also the California Academy of Sciences museum yesterday which was very interesting - complete with its own Planetarium, and 3-D film about bugs. All 8 of us fitted in Dave's Tahoe with ease. We all layed out on our beds, in our separate rooms, and had a kip whilst the driver got us to our destination. His Tahoe has a snazzier grill, bigger wheels and micro-fibre seating! It made me miss my old Tahoe... sniff... I tell you what, it must have managed about 20 miles to the gallon on the way to SF and back - that's awesome! It is the most comfortable car in the world, the best designed car in the world, and everybody in the world should have one.
Today been over to Valley Fair mall and bought some things. Well someone has to restart the California economy, and Abercrombie & Fitch were charging enough to do just that. Valley Fair is roughly the size of a small country. Like England. Although the weather is better at Valley Fair, and it doesn't rain. But then it doesn't rain much in San Jose.
This evening went out sippin' Mojitos by the beach at Rio del Mar with Auntie June and Uncle Ken. Sam and I did this in '06 and got rather drunk... so drunk in fact, that someone's front garden will never look quite the same again... (it went a sort of a yellow colour with orange bits...) Not today though! We're all sober as dasssirys.
Happy Birthday Sam! (Sorry, I forgot to wish it on the day). How did the party go?
Well I have been over to my Cousin's lovely place in Morgan Hill for the last couple of nights. What a fantastic property, and view over the California valley's and hills. (The garage is a triple American garage - I want one! - which could contain 6 Tahoes with ease. That's the approximate volume of Lake Mead). And what a lovely family! Putting us up (or putting up with us) for the last few nights, and taking us to San Francisco for a couple of days out.
Been all over in fact - did the Fishermans Wharf, Pier 39 thing (and gosh - even had a fish dinner! Well, Salmon steak) and also the California Academy of Sciences museum yesterday which was very interesting - complete with its own Planetarium, and 3-D film about bugs. All 8 of us fitted in Dave's Tahoe with ease. We all layed out on our beds, in our separate rooms, and had a kip whilst the driver got us to our destination. His Tahoe has a snazzier grill, bigger wheels and micro-fibre seating! It made me miss my old Tahoe... sniff... I tell you what, it must have managed about 20 miles to the gallon on the way to SF and back - that's awesome! It is the most comfortable car in the world, the best designed car in the world, and everybody in the world should have one.
Today been over to Valley Fair mall and bought some things. Well someone has to restart the California economy, and Abercrombie & Fitch were charging enough to do just that. Valley Fair is roughly the size of a small country. Like England. Although the weather is better at Valley Fair, and it doesn't rain. But then it doesn't rain much in San Jose.
This evening went out sippin' Mojitos by the beach at Rio del Mar with Auntie June and Uncle Ken. Sam and I did this in '06 and got rather drunk... so drunk in fact, that someone's front garden will never look quite the same again... (it went a sort of a yellow colour with orange bits...) Not today though! We're all sober as dasssirys.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
California Winery
All this California hospitality is certainly winning awards in my book.
Today we have been to Capitola - the nicest smallest City in the world - Sam and I loved it here. Theres hardly any beach bums (unlike some other places), there are plenty of ordinary people - working class types even - and the weather was brilliant after 12:00. Capitola has the feel of a touristy place, but with an honesty about it. More down to earth than other little places. But don't think Capitola is cheap by any means. It is not. Its just the atmosphere which is more real.
The property prices are sky high here, like anywhere else, and its a wonder anyone can afford a place. $400,000 buys you very little property here. Lets face it, that's a big mortgage. Imagine that on $6.50 an hour. That's a lot of hours. Property around this area is so expensive, that even in the good times a few years ago, the State couldn't afford the land to widen the freeway which runs past here. (The State certainly couldn't afford it now; even with the relative drop in land prices as it is pretty much bankrupt, and writing IOUs to its contractors...).
After Capitola, we visited the mall. My Dad actually bought some Levis. The worlds most popular (and perhaps the best) brand of Jeans. This is the first pair of Levis he has ever bought. They are slightly too long, however, because they come down just above his shins. (The white ankle socks cover up most his calves so that's ok, and the sandals are perfect on his feet). Socks and sandals. English people.
Following the new purchases (going to Gottschaulks netted me a pair of ordinary jeans for $6.99), we went back to the house for lunch, and off to Ken and Sue's for dinner and wine this evening.
What fantastic people, and hospitality. Great company and food, Tri-tip, bell peppers, wine, port, cheese, chocolate... To be fair, this is what California is all about. It was an 'awesome' evening (the word the natives use to describe something which is 'really good').
Dinner was served in the wine cellar - a converted, double size American garage, big enough for two Tahoe's (4 English cars, and 83.5 Smart cars) and lined floor to ceiling on 3 sides with wine. And we're not talking Blossom Hill here either. So good was the wine in fact, no one had a hang over this morning. Not that they didn't try hard for one. Boy did some of them try.
Today we have been to Capitola - the nicest smallest City in the world - Sam and I loved it here. Theres hardly any beach bums (unlike some other places), there are plenty of ordinary people - working class types even - and the weather was brilliant after 12:00. Capitola has the feel of a touristy place, but with an honesty about it. More down to earth than other little places. But don't think Capitola is cheap by any means. It is not. Its just the atmosphere which is more real.
The property prices are sky high here, like anywhere else, and its a wonder anyone can afford a place. $400,000 buys you very little property here. Lets face it, that's a big mortgage. Imagine that on $6.50 an hour. That's a lot of hours. Property around this area is so expensive, that even in the good times a few years ago, the State couldn't afford the land to widen the freeway which runs past here. (The State certainly couldn't afford it now; even with the relative drop in land prices as it is pretty much bankrupt, and writing IOUs to its contractors...).
After Capitola, we visited the mall. My Dad actually bought some Levis. The worlds most popular (and perhaps the best) brand of Jeans. This is the first pair of Levis he has ever bought. They are slightly too long, however, because they come down just above his shins. (The white ankle socks cover up most his calves so that's ok, and the sandals are perfect on his feet). Socks and sandals. English people.
Following the new purchases (going to Gottschaulks netted me a pair of ordinary jeans for $6.99), we went back to the house for lunch, and off to Ken and Sue's for dinner and wine this evening.
What fantastic people, and hospitality. Great company and food, Tri-tip, bell peppers, wine, port, cheese, chocolate... To be fair, this is what California is all about. It was an 'awesome' evening (the word the natives use to describe something which is 'really good').
Dinner was served in the wine cellar - a converted, double size American garage, big enough for two Tahoe's (4 English cars, and 83.5 Smart cars) and lined floor to ceiling on 3 sides with wine. And we're not talking Blossom Hill here either. So good was the wine in fact, no one had a hang over this morning. Not that they didn't try hard for one. Boy did some of them try.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Sea to shining Sea
Made it! Coast to Coast, Sea to Shining Sea. 4600 miles of road, 100s of gallons of fuel, 3 cars, 23 Bud Lights, 18x 3 course meals, and two parents later...
Set off from Bishop, CA yesterday morning, and drove the 300+ miles through Yosemite and over the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The Yosemite Falls waterfall was impressively low on water... in fact, to say 'waterfall' is an exaggeration. More of a trickle. The last time we were here (early June) it was in full flood and was impressive in its majesty...
The roads through the park and over the Sierra's were windy and very interesting - who said the Americans only build straight roads! You're wrong... Of course the Five-o were out making sure you weren't having a good time. There is some absolutely incredible scenery driving along the Tioga pass - we couldn't stop much (as there wasn't the time) and not very many places to do so (that weren't full of Japanese tourists), but the photos simply wouldn't have done it justice anyway.
Well they say the hospitality in America is legendary, and that it is, but even more so at 415 Sailfish Drive. Had a good cup of English Tea. Well several. Its been that long. Plus a few buns with real butter. I just looked at them and my waist expanded again. And some delicious Spag Bol done with Italian Sausage.
I can also now wash my clothes -woohoo! - (I've only worn my undies 3 or 4 times, they don't smell (much). No wonder Mum and Dad were asleep in the car all the way... I guess that was information y'all didn't need...)
Well today, we're off shopping around the local area then to Ken Wong's for dinner and wine tasting. Should be fun! At least someone else is driving!
Set off from Bishop, CA yesterday morning, and drove the 300+ miles through Yosemite and over the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The Yosemite Falls waterfall was impressively low on water... in fact, to say 'waterfall' is an exaggeration. More of a trickle. The last time we were here (early June) it was in full flood and was impressive in its majesty...
The roads through the park and over the Sierra's were windy and very interesting - who said the Americans only build straight roads! You're wrong... Of course the Five-o were out making sure you weren't having a good time. There is some absolutely incredible scenery driving along the Tioga pass - we couldn't stop much (as there wasn't the time) and not very many places to do so (that weren't full of Japanese tourists), but the photos simply wouldn't have done it justice anyway.
Well they say the hospitality in America is legendary, and that it is, but even more so at 415 Sailfish Drive. Had a good cup of English Tea. Well several. Its been that long. Plus a few buns with real butter. I just looked at them and my waist expanded again. And some delicious Spag Bol done with Italian Sausage.
I can also now wash my clothes -woohoo! - (I've only worn my undies 3 or 4 times, they don't smell (much). No wonder Mum and Dad were asleep in the car all the way... I guess that was information y'all didn't need...)
Well today, we're off shopping around the local area then to Ken Wong's for dinner and wine tasting. Should be fun! At least someone else is driving!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Water. So pure...
Walking around in over 100F heat makes you love water. I have never been so glad to taste fresh (bottled) water... And not bottled tap water... Tap water just doesn't taste good here, bottled water is much better! Must be those Streisand, and Celine shows I've recently been attending...
Las Vegas has changed a lot in the last 2 years. If you think the place didn't have wow factor before (how you could possibly think that I don't know) you will certainly think so when the City Center complex is completed. Its a City within a City, and being built by MGM Mirage. It will change the Las Vegas skyline, and will dward virtually everything else near it. The LV skyline has considerably changed even over the last two years with the building of Encore (Wynn's second tower), which Sam and I watched being built from our hotel room window in Treasure Island, the Palazzo which is now open and completed (the second Venetian tower), and the removal of a few of the older places.
Unfortunately though, these newer hotels don't seem to be offering free shows, like Treasure Island, or Circus Circus. Las Vegas is maturing. Its all about the nice hotel rooms, gambling, and conferences - not to mention Cirque du Soleil, and other pay-for acts.
Today, we drove from Las Vegas to Bishop, California through Death Valley. Death Valley itself is an awesome place. There is no noise. At all. You can hear your own heart beat. And there is absolutely nothing around for miles. Apart from the odd toilet. When I say "toilet" I mean hole in the ground. See photos. (Not of the hole in the ground). There is a mix of colours, sandy, reds, greys, and browns of rocks, and occasionally broken with a bit of vegetation. The huge plains are surrounded by large mountains, with sand dunes - but not very often.
I did notice a Smart car on the journey, on its way out of Las Vegas. You could fit four of those in the footprint of the Flex. Eight in the Tahoe. One would fit in the glove box, and another behind the passenger sun visor.
Bishop, CA, is a lovely town. Real small town America. Old fashioned. What I would call real America. People say hello to you in the street, everyone is very polite here. You don't get stabbed in the eye, like in Worksop for looking at someone. Amazing. And the service is brilliant! There are shops selling cowboy boots and hats (although they were shut when we walked through). It is a one horse town though. This was confirmed to us on the road in when we saw just one horse.
Something else we saw (although I didn't have my camera with me at the right time d'oh!!!!) was the new Mini 4x4 in testing. Two of them, one after the other waiting at some lights. All painted in funny colours to disguise the body work. Some random bloke had a video camera with him and started shooting - this will probably find its way onto YouTube later today! But we were there!
Tomorrow we are off through Yosemite to Uncle Ken's in Aptos. Looking forward to seeing everyone again! And drinking more beer. Although there will be a noticeable drop in temperatures - we're used to 100F now! Its only late 60s at the coast! L.A. is struggling to make anything above 73F. Rubbish!
Las Vegas has changed a lot in the last 2 years. If you think the place didn't have wow factor before (how you could possibly think that I don't know) you will certainly think so when the City Center complex is completed. Its a City within a City, and being built by MGM Mirage. It will change the Las Vegas skyline, and will dward virtually everything else near it. The LV skyline has considerably changed even over the last two years with the building of Encore (Wynn's second tower), which Sam and I watched being built from our hotel room window in Treasure Island, the Palazzo which is now open and completed (the second Venetian tower), and the removal of a few of the older places.
Unfortunately though, these newer hotels don't seem to be offering free shows, like Treasure Island, or Circus Circus. Las Vegas is maturing. Its all about the nice hotel rooms, gambling, and conferences - not to mention Cirque du Soleil, and other pay-for acts.
Today, we drove from Las Vegas to Bishop, California through Death Valley. Death Valley itself is an awesome place. There is no noise. At all. You can hear your own heart beat. And there is absolutely nothing around for miles. Apart from the odd toilet. When I say "toilet" I mean hole in the ground. See photos. (Not of the hole in the ground). There is a mix of colours, sandy, reds, greys, and browns of rocks, and occasionally broken with a bit of vegetation. The huge plains are surrounded by large mountains, with sand dunes - but not very often.
I did notice a Smart car on the journey, on its way out of Las Vegas. You could fit four of those in the footprint of the Flex. Eight in the Tahoe. One would fit in the glove box, and another behind the passenger sun visor.
Bishop, CA, is a lovely town. Real small town America. Old fashioned. What I would call real America. People say hello to you in the street, everyone is very polite here. You don't get stabbed in the eye, like in Worksop for looking at someone. Amazing. And the service is brilliant! There are shops selling cowboy boots and hats (although they were shut when we walked through). It is a one horse town though. This was confirmed to us on the road in when we saw just one horse.
Something else we saw (although I didn't have my camera with me at the right time d'oh!!!!) was the new Mini 4x4 in testing. Two of them, one after the other waiting at some lights. All painted in funny colours to disguise the body work. Some random bloke had a video camera with him and started shooting - this will probably find its way onto YouTube later today! But we were there!
Tomorrow we are off through Yosemite to Uncle Ken's in Aptos. Looking forward to seeing everyone again! And drinking more beer. Although there will be a noticeable drop in temperatures - we're used to 100F now! Its only late 60s at the coast! L.A. is struggling to make anything above 73F. Rubbish!
Dyson Dam
You know I was watching Nascar the other day and it occurred to me. What a pointless sport. I mean, I’d class football (soccer) in this too, but at least it has a set of complicated rules. Nascar is simply drive fast turn left. In a country where turning left is quite a complicated affair, depending how many lanes are making the same manoeuvre, but you can turn right just about at any time (green lights, red lights (watch the pedestrians)), you’d have thought Nascar would go the other way and make right turns. Its more natural. They even make it easy for the drivers and weight the steering to the left. I mean honestly. Badminton is a more complicated sport. And a lot more interesting to watch.
The other thing I forgot to mention the day before yesterday, was the Japanese tourist who got stung at the Grand Canyon. It was funny. Well sort of. It was funny from the point of view it didn’t happen to me, and he screamed like a big girls blouse. But the bee was about 15 hands, and came with its own saddle. I just don’t think it wanted to be ridden that day.
So today, took the folks to Hoover Dam early before the traffic started up and before it got to above 100F. It was hot at 8:30 this morning, late 90s. There isn’t much water left in Lake Mead – its dropped considerably even since we were there in 2007. I reckon the water level has dropped the same amount again. If you look closely at the walls of the canyon you can see where the level was at. Must be all this global mourning. Michael Jackson has a lot to answer for.
The bypass road that they were building in 2007 is still being built. You’d have thought they would have got on with it by now though. But, as you can see from the photos, the road bridge itself will be a masterpiece of engineering. Like I said before, it has to be. Otherwise it simply wouldn’t get noticed, and people would just drive off the edge instead.
Today, we also did the Freemont Street experience (in the daylight), which is the old part of Las Vegas. Not seen this before. It was interesting to see how Vegas used to be. We went and had a Starbucks – Mum wanted to sit outside and catch a few rays (it was, after all, only 107F), but I insisted we remain inside in air conditioned luxury. Boring I know, but the skin had peeled clean off my face, arms and legs at Hoover earlier this morning, couldn’t cope with a re-run of that.
You may notice the Ford Flex in the photos. Or you may not. As it isn’t that noticeable. Just to clarify yesterday when I was talking about Ford’s iconic US design; I wasn’t referring to the slab of foil which is the Flex - that is about as interesting as a lunch with Gordon Brown, the unelected one eyed Scottish tw*t who runs our country. I can say that, and don’t have to apologise.
Following the Freemont Street experience, Circus Circus was the next port of call. Its about the only child friendly hotel on the Strip, and was pretty good for that. Incidentally, it is noteworthy to point out that smoking is allowed when gambling over here. Managed to catch a small show, before heading off to Paris for dinner. Steak and chips again. Still, it was nice Steak and Chips.
The other thing I forgot to mention the day before yesterday, was the Japanese tourist who got stung at the Grand Canyon. It was funny. Well sort of. It was funny from the point of view it didn’t happen to me, and he screamed like a big girls blouse. But the bee was about 15 hands, and came with its own saddle. I just don’t think it wanted to be ridden that day.
So today, took the folks to Hoover Dam early before the traffic started up and before it got to above 100F. It was hot at 8:30 this morning, late 90s. There isn’t much water left in Lake Mead – its dropped considerably even since we were there in 2007. I reckon the water level has dropped the same amount again. If you look closely at the walls of the canyon you can see where the level was at. Must be all this global mourning. Michael Jackson has a lot to answer for.
The bypass road that they were building in 2007 is still being built. You’d have thought they would have got on with it by now though. But, as you can see from the photos, the road bridge itself will be a masterpiece of engineering. Like I said before, it has to be. Otherwise it simply wouldn’t get noticed, and people would just drive off the edge instead.
Today, we also did the Freemont Street experience (in the daylight), which is the old part of Las Vegas. Not seen this before. It was interesting to see how Vegas used to be. We went and had a Starbucks – Mum wanted to sit outside and catch a few rays (it was, after all, only 107F), but I insisted we remain inside in air conditioned luxury. Boring I know, but the skin had peeled clean off my face, arms and legs at Hoover earlier this morning, couldn’t cope with a re-run of that.
You may notice the Ford Flex in the photos. Or you may not. As it isn’t that noticeable. Just to clarify yesterday when I was talking about Ford’s iconic US design; I wasn’t referring to the slab of foil which is the Flex - that is about as interesting as a lunch with Gordon Brown, the unelected one eyed Scottish tw*t who runs our country. I can say that, and don’t have to apologise.
Following the Freemont Street experience, Circus Circus was the next port of call. Its about the only child friendly hotel on the Strip, and was pretty good for that. Incidentally, it is noteworthy to point out that smoking is allowed when gambling over here. Managed to catch a small show, before heading off to Paris for dinner. Steak and chips again. Still, it was nice Steak and Chips.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
A Little Less Conversation
Welcome, Ma and Pa, to Las Vegas! The city where anything goes.
Had a fairly uneventful drive over to Las Vegas from Flagstaff this morning, although passed over the Hoover Dam which is a spectacular piece of engineering. More about that tomorrow as I think we are going for a visit in the morning.
Got to Vegas and changed the car again - for a Ford Flex. There was no way 3 people's luggage was going in the 300C. The Ford Flex is a lowered SUV. Its almost good enough quality to release in Europe unchanged - with a dirty diesel engine of course. The interior is well designed, with a button for everything, and some fake wood. The leather seats actually feel, well, leathery... usually they just feel plasticky. This one has a 3.5 V6 ecoboost engine. It has V8 power with V6 fuel efficiency. V6 efficiency. LOL. That's like arguing that a chocolate orange is actually a fruit of sorts... (mind you, its the closest I get to fruit).
Anyhow, the Flex has 7 seats, and like most Fords, an annoying squeek - and no I'm not referring to my conversation. True to its brick like form, totally unnecessary 4 wheel drive powertrain, and V6 engine, its getting roughly 9mpg around town (what happened to that efficiency. Should have been 3 cylinder power, and W12 efficiency...). Ford design for the U.S. is great though, I love it. They have some very well designed cars looks wise - if only they were made better, and Ford U.K would follow the design lead.
Chip Foose has even sold out to Ford and done a limited edition Flex! The Chip Foose Edition!
The A/C could do with being better though. Las Vegas is HOT. The kind of hot you get when you open the over door and get that whoosh of hot air released. Its like that. All the time. The Flex reckoned on 113F today, but I reckon 107F ish. Ford have a tendency to exaggerate their claims. Rather like me?! According to their advert, they are "better quality than Honda or Toyota" (... of the 1950s).
Whilst the interior passes the European test, the outer body is still made of tin foil and balsa wood. The metal is so thin it buckles in the heat. It looked like a Flex this morning, but had kind of turned into a blob of molten foil by this evening.
I took Ma and Pa up the Stratosphere this afternoon, which was very high. There are fairground rides on top of it, including one of those rides which goes straight up, and ones that spin round and hang over the side. Mum quite liked the spinny one that hung over the edge, and went on twice. Dad preferred the one that went straight upwards and did a freefall. He wanted to go on a few times, but I was bored with watching. I just cried like a big girl's blouse and wouldn't go on anything. Wouldn't be the first time.
The Stratosphere certainly gives a different perspective than the Eiffel Tower. Clearly the Stratosphere looks over Las Vegas, and the Eiffel Tower looks over Paris, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand... (Obviously I wasn't talking about the Eiffel Tower. That would look over real Paris, France. But who would want to go there. Its full of Japanese tourists).
This evening we went for an Italian meal in the Venetian, which was lovely. First bit of real veg I've had for two weeks. It was funny watching the other tourists perform. A couple turned up with some very young children. To keep the children happy at the meal time, they brought out a personal DVD player for them to watch. I'm not an expert with children or anything, and need a lot of coaching in this area - but what exactly are they teaching their children? That its ok to watch a DVD at the a restaurant dinner table? Foreigners!
After the meal, we wanted to take in the Treasure Island show, Sirens of TI. Unfortunately it was cancelled due to a slight possibility of a breeze in the air. That was a bit disappointing for us (although I have seen it before once from the street (residents section) and once from a suite room), Ma and Pa were disappointed they couldn't see it, as were the hoards of Japanese tourists making the Earth tilt.
Breakfast is an interesting time in America. Particularly in these hotels. I have noticed that it is against the law (section 35589.4 of the Nevada State penal code) not to have an egg with breakfast. That could be sunny side up, over easy, over medium, over well, scrambled with almost anything you want, poached, hard boiled, or raw. (In Texas. If you don't eat it raw you're shot like the dog you are). When I say 'it', I mean 'them'.
An example - this morning, a lady was taking breakfast, and proceeded to get her cereal in a bowl with milk, and get a plate with lots of fruit... and a hard boiled egg. Which was cold. With her fruit. Hmmmm. I just haven't lived.
One this is for sure, its handy having the old folks here - Mum reminded me to turn my light off in the hotel room as we were leaving for one of this afternoons activities. At least the power generation is clean in Las Vegas. Mainly from coal. (Hoover's power goes to parts of L.A. I believe).
Had a fairly uneventful drive over to Las Vegas from Flagstaff this morning, although passed over the Hoover Dam which is a spectacular piece of engineering. More about that tomorrow as I think we are going for a visit in the morning.
Got to Vegas and changed the car again - for a Ford Flex. There was no way 3 people's luggage was going in the 300C. The Ford Flex is a lowered SUV. Its almost good enough quality to release in Europe unchanged - with a dirty diesel engine of course. The interior is well designed, with a button for everything, and some fake wood. The leather seats actually feel, well, leathery... usually they just feel plasticky. This one has a 3.5 V6 ecoboost engine. It has V8 power with V6 fuel efficiency. V6 efficiency. LOL. That's like arguing that a chocolate orange is actually a fruit of sorts... (mind you, its the closest I get to fruit).
Anyhow, the Flex has 7 seats, and like most Fords, an annoying squeek - and no I'm not referring to my conversation. True to its brick like form, totally unnecessary 4 wheel drive powertrain, and V6 engine, its getting roughly 9mpg around town (what happened to that efficiency. Should have been 3 cylinder power, and W12 efficiency...). Ford design for the U.S. is great though, I love it. They have some very well designed cars looks wise - if only they were made better, and Ford U.K would follow the design lead.
Chip Foose has even sold out to Ford and done a limited edition Flex! The Chip Foose Edition!
The A/C could do with being better though. Las Vegas is HOT. The kind of hot you get when you open the over door and get that whoosh of hot air released. Its like that. All the time. The Flex reckoned on 113F today, but I reckon 107F ish. Ford have a tendency to exaggerate their claims. Rather like me?! According to their advert, they are "better quality than Honda or Toyota" (... of the 1950s).
Whilst the interior passes the European test, the outer body is still made of tin foil and balsa wood. The metal is so thin it buckles in the heat. It looked like a Flex this morning, but had kind of turned into a blob of molten foil by this evening.
I took Ma and Pa up the Stratosphere this afternoon, which was very high. There are fairground rides on top of it, including one of those rides which goes straight up, and ones that spin round and hang over the side. Mum quite liked the spinny one that hung over the edge, and went on twice. Dad preferred the one that went straight upwards and did a freefall. He wanted to go on a few times, but I was bored with watching. I just cried like a big girl's blouse and wouldn't go on anything. Wouldn't be the first time.
The Stratosphere certainly gives a different perspective than the Eiffel Tower. Clearly the Stratosphere looks over Las Vegas, and the Eiffel Tower looks over Paris, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand... (Obviously I wasn't talking about the Eiffel Tower. That would look over real Paris, France. But who would want to go there. Its full of Japanese tourists).
This evening we went for an Italian meal in the Venetian, which was lovely. First bit of real veg I've had for two weeks. It was funny watching the other tourists perform. A couple turned up with some very young children. To keep the children happy at the meal time, they brought out a personal DVD player for them to watch. I'm not an expert with children or anything, and need a lot of coaching in this area - but what exactly are they teaching their children? That its ok to watch a DVD at the a restaurant dinner table? Foreigners!
After the meal, we wanted to take in the Treasure Island show, Sirens of TI. Unfortunately it was cancelled due to a slight possibility of a breeze in the air. That was a bit disappointing for us (although I have seen it before once from the street (residents section) and once from a suite room), Ma and Pa were disappointed they couldn't see it, as were the hoards of Japanese tourists making the Earth tilt.
Breakfast is an interesting time in America. Particularly in these hotels. I have noticed that it is against the law (section 35589.4 of the Nevada State penal code) not to have an egg with breakfast. That could be sunny side up, over easy, over medium, over well, scrambled with almost anything you want, poached, hard boiled, or raw. (In Texas. If you don't eat it raw you're shot like the dog you are). When I say 'it', I mean 'them'.
An example - this morning, a lady was taking breakfast, and proceeded to get her cereal in a bowl with milk, and get a plate with lots of fruit... and a hard boiled egg. Which was cold. With her fruit. Hmmmm. I just haven't lived.
One this is for sure, its handy having the old folks here - Mum reminded me to turn my light off in the hotel room as we were leaving for one of this afternoons activities. At least the power generation is clean in Las Vegas. Mainly from coal. (Hoover's power goes to parts of L.A. I believe).
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Steak and Ellis
Went to see the Grand Canyon today. What an amazing sight! I was awe-struck! This is what we should have done last time instead of spending the winnings on a chopper ride. Still, that experience was unforgetable for other reasons, so in that respect it was worth the money.
The GC is an absolutely awesome sight though, standing on the South Rim and looking across the 10 miles to the North Rim (215 miles by road). It goes on as far as the eye can see East and West, and is simply breathtaking. Definitely one of the wonders of the world.
I was up early this morning (blasted trains) 5:45am. Couldn't even get breakfast til 6:30am! Anyway it provided the opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon early, to avoid the millions of tourists who descend there every day.
And today was no exception. Japanese tourists - everywhere. I think they are what makes the Earth tilt on its axis every year as they fly from one tourist attraction to another. I'm suprised the Canyon is still as big as it is, and the South Rim hasn't been worn away with the Japanese tourist footfall. Them and their cameras. Boy I thought I had enough photos.
Just been for dinner at a Sizzler a cheap looking place, where it still lifted $21 out of my pocket for a steak and fries. But I did stock up on the greenery at the salad bar. That and a pile of Ranch to cover it up. The guy taking the money had a smile so fake, he reminded me of Ellis from Die Hard. He clearly hated his job. Still the food was nice.
Starting to get headaches now - I think its all the caffeine. Better cut it out and drink the water.
There goes another train and its fog horn. Its because of all the fog that just hangs out right next to my hotel room window. They need the fog horn to see through it.
Drove a little section of Route 66 and visited Williams where the cartoon movie Cars is based. Very nice little oldy worldy place.
5h trip to Vegas tomorrow and to meet up with the oldies. I wonder how they got on today! Its 106F according to the Weather Channel...
The GC is an absolutely awesome sight though, standing on the South Rim and looking across the 10 miles to the North Rim (215 miles by road). It goes on as far as the eye can see East and West, and is simply breathtaking. Definitely one of the wonders of the world.
I was up early this morning (blasted trains) 5:45am. Couldn't even get breakfast til 6:30am! Anyway it provided the opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon early, to avoid the millions of tourists who descend there every day.
And today was no exception. Japanese tourists - everywhere. I think they are what makes the Earth tilt on its axis every year as they fly from one tourist attraction to another. I'm suprised the Canyon is still as big as it is, and the South Rim hasn't been worn away with the Japanese tourist footfall. Them and their cameras. Boy I thought I had enough photos.
Just been for dinner at a Sizzler a cheap looking place, where it still lifted $21 out of my pocket for a steak and fries. But I did stock up on the greenery at the salad bar. That and a pile of Ranch to cover it up. The guy taking the money had a smile so fake, he reminded me of Ellis from Die Hard. He clearly hated his job. Still the food was nice.
Starting to get headaches now - I think its all the caffeine. Better cut it out and drink the water.
There goes another train and its fog horn. Its because of all the fog that just hangs out right next to my hotel room window. They need the fog horn to see through it.
Drove a little section of Route 66 and visited Williams where the cartoon movie Cars is based. Very nice little oldy worldy place.
5h trip to Vegas tomorrow and to meet up with the oldies. I wonder how they got on today! Its 106F according to the Weather Channel...
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Supplementary - Bloody Trains!
Trains should be scrapped, and will be the official policy of the Tim Chapman Government.
Those sodding freight trains that run passed my bedroom window for the next two nights, apparently run all night and have to blow their stupid horns every time as well. That means no sleep for me, because they run about every hour.
Brill. Not a happy bunny.
Can't get through to the Best Western in Las Vegas where Mum and Dad are scheduled to be at, because the bloody phone line has been engaged since I started calling at about 7pm. Its now 8:40.
Those sodding freight trains that run passed my bedroom window for the next two nights, apparently run all night and have to blow their stupid horns every time as well. That means no sleep for me, because they run about every hour.
Brill. Not a happy bunny.
Can't get through to the Best Western in Las Vegas where Mum and Dad are scheduled to be at, because the bloody phone line has been engaged since I started calling at about 7pm. Its now 8:40.
Tahoe Gone
What a fun day!
It started off well with a nice morning setting off from Tuscon. Would have liked to have spent more time there, it looked like a nice city from what I saw of it anyway.
Along the interstate I spotted the oldest Jeep Cherokee I have ever seen. What was I saying about American cars not having longievity. This was from the pre-built-in-obselescense days clearly. It must have been a hundred years old.
I also had the opportunity to clock the length of some of these freight trains - over a mile long some of them! (Having arrived at the Pony Soldier Inn, in Flagstaff, they run right past my window about every five minutes blasting their horns, so I have the lucky opportunity to see them close up from my bedroom window, and get a quick nod from the driver on his way past. Lets hope they don't run all night).
It occurred to me, as stuff does when you're driving for hours on end, why V8s are so important here. No seriously bear with me. I do love V8s, we all know that - there's nothing like a V8. Its the best engine there is, in my view. Anyway so here are my reasons for needing a V8:
1. Air Con. In 100F temperatures little air conditioners (as some of you will have no doubt found out in England over the last couple of weeks) are bloody useless. Need Big A/C. Need a V8 to power it - but here's why. In the hilly parts of the U.S. there are very long steep inclines, and at 65mph, a 4 cylinder car can easily overheat due to its increased rpm - particularly with the air conditioning on, there are actually signs telling owners of piddly 4 cylinder cars to turn the A/C off when going up the hills to avoid over heating! The signs read "Owners of cheap piddly 4 cylinder cars: turn air conditioner off to avoid over heating. Next time, buy a V8".
2. Cheap ass fuel. As I mentioned yesterday the Cheap Ass grade (labelled as Regular 87) is quite frankly rubbish. Therefore, a detuned V8 is about the only thing that can cope with it. Highly tuned European cars, BMWs and such like, have to run on 91.
3. Air quality. As the air quality laws are so stringent over here (there are so many cars and trucks that they have to be), the catalytic converters / tuning requirements sap so much power out of the engine, that a 2.0 litre 4 cylinder car loses most of it before it gets to the wheels. A big V8 is needed to get even reasonable power. Diesel has been a no-no in most places due to the fact is a very dirty fuel. Hence, everyone drives V8s!
So the other thing that has happened today is I've swapped the Tahoe for a Chrysler 300C.
That's that's right folks - the Tahoe has GONE!
So I was driving along as you do, and noticed an inordinate number of cops along the I-17 from Tuscon. I mean inordinate. Loads of them. Everywhere. Like flies.
I was going to be talking about this evening how this really deters the speeding motorist - which is does - and how they don't need stupid speed cameras to do it. But they have those as well.
So I was travelling along the I-17 minding my own business with the Blackberry, and bucket of Starbucks, with cruise on at the speed limit - 75. It was quite busy, I was in the right hand land (there were two lanes) and there had been people passing me at 80 or so, or faster for quite some time.
I need to point out two things, before I mention Billy-Bob and Cletus, Camp Verde's finest.
1. The drivers door mirror on American cars is plain mirror - it does not make anything smaller (like most European cars), and there is no blind spot mirror built on, presumably because if you check a blind spot mirror, and pull out hitting something, then Tiberius or Elrod think they can sue the manufacturer for providing a device which isn't completely fail safe. Therefore, your field of vision with the mirror is quite limited, and it is sometimes difficult to judge how fast someone is bearing down on you, and also their distance from the car. I thought I was used to it by now (having covered 3500 miles so far) though - clearly not.
2. There is a rule out here, that if you see an emergency vehicle with their lights flashing in the hard shoulder, you have to move over into the left hand lane, or slow down.
So I was travelling along quite nicely, until I went by Cletus in his cruiser who was stopped in the median. It was down hill at that point, so I checked Sat Nav bird who reckoned I was doing 77. Checked the rear view mirror and Cletus had pulled out from the median a few cars back. Oops I thought, better get practising my best British accent again. "I say old chap, what is the meaning of all this? You colonials. From good old blighty you know. Queens country. What what". So I slowed down, be foot on the brake, not hard on it mind, just enough to slow down to 70 or so. As I had been spending so much time looking for Cletus in the rear view mirror, who I had now noticed was coming up my outside, to be in the attack position - I call the attack position too close for me to pull into the other lane without causing him to slow down, but not along side me. So there was room for me to pull out, but I would have caused him to brake - I had failed to notice (until it was too late) that there was Billy Bob, sat in the shoulder, well over onto the gravel mind, with his lights on. He wasn't attending an incident, he was just sat there. So I went by him.
Out comes Cletus with his roof lit up like a Hanukkah tree right up me chuff. Oh balls. Cleared throat ready to deliver my speech. What what. Pulls over. Cletus radios Billy-Bob. Billy-Bob pulls up behind him. His lights on. Cars whizzing past.
So I switch the engine off, and winds down the window. "Oh good morning Officer. Jolly good. What can I do for you what what". Cletus peers in, with suger round his mouth and a coffee in one hand: "Weeeeeellll you loook abooouuuut as confoooosed as a goat on Aaaastro turf. Hic". His concern was that I had passed Billy Bob withough pulling into the other lane, causing Cletus to brake. Obviously I didn't profess my innocence at the whole thing, just let my best British accent do the talking "Jolly what officer. I do apologise Sir. Will watch my emergency vehicles in the hard shoulder. Jolly good show point taken what what. Be on my way then. What". Cletus: "Yeesssssirrrreeeeeee juuust as soooon as ahhhhh check out yer license and registration. Hic". Cletus walks back to the car, and gets another bite of his suger donut, and puts his coffee down to type something into the computer. He comes back.
Cletus: "Weeeeeelllll I think we miiiiight have a problem here siirrrr. Hic".
I faff about, in a typically British manner, looking for my rental documents and handed them over to Cletus. Apparently the Tahoe's registration tag is listed on a 4-door Pontiac, not a Tahoe...
After a while of eating some more Krispy Kremes (I never got offered one), and drinking some more coffee, Cletus decided to let me go with a warning on passing the Emergency vehicles thing. Even though I had slowed down, apparently Cletus had given me enough room to move over - but as I didn't, that's why he had pulled me over. He could tell I wasn't from around those parts, so let me off with the warning. The registration tags thing confused me though. I asked them if I could be pulled over again for that, to which they replied definitely if someone runs the plate again.
So I went to Flagstaff airport and got the Tahoe changed for a 300C, as apparently, according to the guy at the rental desk, they are checking out big SUVs with blacked out rear windows for drugs busts, and just make excuses to stop them. I mean strictly speaking the officer was right; I failed to yield to the emergency vehicle in the hard shoulder. But at least it was only a warning! However, as I don't particularly fancy being a target thought I'd change it. Seeing as there are probably quite a few by-laws I don't know the ins and outs of that I could easily get tickets for. He reckoned that the registration tags were all legit, but that worried me too. So time to see what the 300C is like, although already disappointed. Its the base 3.5 litre V6 (feels quicker than the Tahoe) but its small, plasticky and with no kit. And very small wheels.
That's the first time in 12 years of driving I have ever been pulled over! By Billy-Bob and Cletus though - how cool is that?!? LOL.
It started off well with a nice morning setting off from Tuscon. Would have liked to have spent more time there, it looked like a nice city from what I saw of it anyway.
Along the interstate I spotted the oldest Jeep Cherokee I have ever seen. What was I saying about American cars not having longievity. This was from the pre-built-in-obselescense days clearly. It must have been a hundred years old.
I also had the opportunity to clock the length of some of these freight trains - over a mile long some of them! (Having arrived at the Pony Soldier Inn, in Flagstaff, they run right past my window about every five minutes blasting their horns, so I have the lucky opportunity to see them close up from my bedroom window, and get a quick nod from the driver on his way past. Lets hope they don't run all night).
It occurred to me, as stuff does when you're driving for hours on end, why V8s are so important here. No seriously bear with me. I do love V8s, we all know that - there's nothing like a V8. Its the best engine there is, in my view. Anyway so here are my reasons for needing a V8:
1. Air Con. In 100F temperatures little air conditioners (as some of you will have no doubt found out in England over the last couple of weeks) are bloody useless. Need Big A/C. Need a V8 to power it - but here's why. In the hilly parts of the U.S. there are very long steep inclines, and at 65mph, a 4 cylinder car can easily overheat due to its increased rpm - particularly with the air conditioning on, there are actually signs telling owners of piddly 4 cylinder cars to turn the A/C off when going up the hills to avoid over heating! The signs read "Owners of cheap piddly 4 cylinder cars: turn air conditioner off to avoid over heating. Next time, buy a V8".
2. Cheap ass fuel. As I mentioned yesterday the Cheap Ass grade (labelled as Regular 87) is quite frankly rubbish. Therefore, a detuned V8 is about the only thing that can cope with it. Highly tuned European cars, BMWs and such like, have to run on 91.
3. Air quality. As the air quality laws are so stringent over here (there are so many cars and trucks that they have to be), the catalytic converters / tuning requirements sap so much power out of the engine, that a 2.0 litre 4 cylinder car loses most of it before it gets to the wheels. A big V8 is needed to get even reasonable power. Diesel has been a no-no in most places due to the fact is a very dirty fuel. Hence, everyone drives V8s!
So the other thing that has happened today is I've swapped the Tahoe for a Chrysler 300C.
That's that's right folks - the Tahoe has GONE!
So I was driving along as you do, and noticed an inordinate number of cops along the I-17 from Tuscon. I mean inordinate. Loads of them. Everywhere. Like flies.
I was going to be talking about this evening how this really deters the speeding motorist - which is does - and how they don't need stupid speed cameras to do it. But they have those as well.
So I was travelling along the I-17 minding my own business with the Blackberry, and bucket of Starbucks, with cruise on at the speed limit - 75. It was quite busy, I was in the right hand land (there were two lanes) and there had been people passing me at 80 or so, or faster for quite some time.
I need to point out two things, before I mention Billy-Bob and Cletus, Camp Verde's finest.
1. The drivers door mirror on American cars is plain mirror - it does not make anything smaller (like most European cars), and there is no blind spot mirror built on, presumably because if you check a blind spot mirror, and pull out hitting something, then Tiberius or Elrod think they can sue the manufacturer for providing a device which isn't completely fail safe. Therefore, your field of vision with the mirror is quite limited, and it is sometimes difficult to judge how fast someone is bearing down on you, and also their distance from the car. I thought I was used to it by now (having covered 3500 miles so far) though - clearly not.
2. There is a rule out here, that if you see an emergency vehicle with their lights flashing in the hard shoulder, you have to move over into the left hand lane, or slow down.
So I was travelling along quite nicely, until I went by Cletus in his cruiser who was stopped in the median. It was down hill at that point, so I checked Sat Nav bird who reckoned I was doing 77. Checked the rear view mirror and Cletus had pulled out from the median a few cars back. Oops I thought, better get practising my best British accent again. "I say old chap, what is the meaning of all this? You colonials. From good old blighty you know. Queens country. What what". So I slowed down, be foot on the brake, not hard on it mind, just enough to slow down to 70 or so. As I had been spending so much time looking for Cletus in the rear view mirror, who I had now noticed was coming up my outside, to be in the attack position - I call the attack position too close for me to pull into the other lane without causing him to slow down, but not along side me. So there was room for me to pull out, but I would have caused him to brake - I had failed to notice (until it was too late) that there was Billy Bob, sat in the shoulder, well over onto the gravel mind, with his lights on. He wasn't attending an incident, he was just sat there. So I went by him.
Out comes Cletus with his roof lit up like a Hanukkah tree right up me chuff. Oh balls. Cleared throat ready to deliver my speech. What what. Pulls over. Cletus radios Billy-Bob. Billy-Bob pulls up behind him. His lights on. Cars whizzing past.
So I switch the engine off, and winds down the window. "Oh good morning Officer. Jolly good. What can I do for you what what". Cletus peers in, with suger round his mouth and a coffee in one hand: "Weeeeeellll you loook abooouuuut as confoooosed as a goat on Aaaastro turf. Hic". His concern was that I had passed Billy Bob withough pulling into the other lane, causing Cletus to brake. Obviously I didn't profess my innocence at the whole thing, just let my best British accent do the talking "Jolly what officer. I do apologise Sir. Will watch my emergency vehicles in the hard shoulder. Jolly good show point taken what what. Be on my way then. What". Cletus: "Yeesssssirrrreeeeeee juuust as soooon as ahhhhh check out yer license and registration. Hic". Cletus walks back to the car, and gets another bite of his suger donut, and puts his coffee down to type something into the computer. He comes back.
Cletus: "Weeeeeelllll I think we miiiiight have a problem here siirrrr. Hic".
I faff about, in a typically British manner, looking for my rental documents and handed them over to Cletus. Apparently the Tahoe's registration tag is listed on a 4-door Pontiac, not a Tahoe...
After a while of eating some more Krispy Kremes (I never got offered one), and drinking some more coffee, Cletus decided to let me go with a warning on passing the Emergency vehicles thing. Even though I had slowed down, apparently Cletus had given me enough room to move over - but as I didn't, that's why he had pulled me over. He could tell I wasn't from around those parts, so let me off with the warning. The registration tags thing confused me though. I asked them if I could be pulled over again for that, to which they replied definitely if someone runs the plate again.
So I went to Flagstaff airport and got the Tahoe changed for a 300C, as apparently, according to the guy at the rental desk, they are checking out big SUVs with blacked out rear windows for drugs busts, and just make excuses to stop them. I mean strictly speaking the officer was right; I failed to yield to the emergency vehicle in the hard shoulder. But at least it was only a warning! However, as I don't particularly fancy being a target thought I'd change it. Seeing as there are probably quite a few by-laws I don't know the ins and outs of that I could easily get tickets for. He reckoned that the registration tags were all legit, but that worried me too. So time to see what the 300C is like, although already disappointed. Its the base 3.5 litre V6 (feels quicker than the Tahoe) but its small, plasticky and with no kit. And very small wheels.
That's the first time in 12 years of driving I have ever been pulled over! By Billy-Bob and Cletus though - how cool is that?!? LOL.
Friday, July 3, 2009
"God is Great, Beer is Good, People are Crazy"
If I hear that song, just one more time... (it is good, I'm getting to like this Country music!).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaMgb0JMTeo play this while reading the blog, its the soundtrack to my day! (Don't bother with the video. Don't know who the bloke is, but the song is good! That and it is played incessently on every radio station here).
Well, Ma and Pa will be setting off for the 'States shortly, good luck to them! (Landing in Las Vegas, on July 4th. PMSL. It won't be busy. Much. "We're not in Kansas anymore Toto" - still can't figure out which one is Toto hmmmm when I reach a conclusion I'll let you know).
Driven the 270 plus miles from El Paso to Tucson, Arizona today, and changed yet another time zone, thats -8 hours now. It suprised even me! Got here at 13:30 instead of 14:30! My stomach has to wait that extra hour for tea - again! (To be fair, its that fat, it could wait a whole lifetime and not need any more tea).
As I arrived here at roughly 13:30, I was going to check out Sabino Canyon, but unfortunately rain stopped play. Yes those dastardly thunderstorms are following me around... Its still 99F out there, according to the Tahoe (and that's always right). 105F in Las Vegas and sunny for the moment, and 78 in Flagstaff - the next stop. Yes the Tahoe went to those two places and reported back. Its pretty good like that. Two nights in Flagstaff, tomorrow, Sunday and a trip to the Grand Canyon with any luck. Rain or Shine. Then to Vegas, via Route 66 Monday.
The gas here is like dishwater. Put some "regular" in the Tahoe, and it drank that in no time. It sort of looked up and me from under those big dopey eyes and said "Yeh? And? Y'all be wantin' to give me something decent to drink an' I'll take my time". For those that don't know, it goes like this: There are 3 grades of gas available. 87 Regular, 89 Plus, and 91 Super Unleaded (sometimes I've seen it as high as 93. lol. 93). Bear in mind our regular unleaded is 95. Our Super is 97 / 98 / 99. No wonder the Tahoe only gets 18mpg on it! And it performs like a giant dog. With three legs. Been putting 89 in, but had to go for the 87 at a smaller station along the way. 89 is noticeably better - but still pretty rubbish. The Boxster has a hissy fit if I put even 97 in it (it likes Tesco 99); don't think it would bother starting on anything as low as 87! "Du Idiot! Das ist nicht gut genug! Die Qualität ist nutzlos!"
During the drive over, the landscape changed as I entered Arizona, and become more mountainous and with large sandstone bolders everywhere, making the plains of New Mexico look positively boring in comparison. And they were. The thunderstorms are impressive too; due to the scale of the environment, you can see them coming for miles. They have big dark low clouds (pretty much like British thunderstorms but with bigger, American clouds) and like a funnel below them of haze - which of course is the big, American, rain. As they pass over the mountain tops, they light up the scenery below with the lightening. Its impressive, American lighten- ok, so you get the idea. They are good to watch, ok?
The American June bugs don't half make a racket. They sit in the big American trees - ok I'll stop with the American biggness now. You all wonder why things are bigger here, though - this country is VAST things have to be big, even the thunder and rain; otherwise it simply wouldn't get noticed in the vastness of it all, and its a vastness you have to experience to understand, you simply can't experience that in England - so the June bugs sit in the trees chirping away with their wings or whatever. They sound like crickets, only its a constant racket, and is a faster (bigger, Amer- ok ok) chirping. Chirpchirpchirpchirpchirpchirp - kind of like that. Its weird too, because the sound doesn't really carry very far. So you can hear it a few metres from the tree, and it gets louder and louder as you walk under the tree, in fact almost deafening - then gets softer as you walk away. Considering its volume under the tree, and that of a couple of metres away. Weird.
I think I have probably soaked up too much heat / Country and Western / American enthusiasm for life or drowned myself in Bud Light over the last week and a bit, but I wanted to make a point of saying something else too:
My blog is supposed to be about an intelligent, witty, intelligent, stylish, vibrant, (did I mention intelligent?) and slightly sarcastic take on life as I find it in America. My favourite country on Earth. And so to continue. Tomorrow. With guns. And big trucks. And Country music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaMgb0JMTeo play this while reading the blog, its the soundtrack to my day! (Don't bother with the video. Don't know who the bloke is, but the song is good! That and it is played incessently on every radio station here).
Well, Ma and Pa will be setting off for the 'States shortly, good luck to them! (Landing in Las Vegas, on July 4th. PMSL. It won't be busy. Much. "We're not in Kansas anymore Toto" - still can't figure out which one is Toto hmmmm when I reach a conclusion I'll let you know).
Driven the 270 plus miles from El Paso to Tucson, Arizona today, and changed yet another time zone, thats -8 hours now. It suprised even me! Got here at 13:30 instead of 14:30! My stomach has to wait that extra hour for tea - again! (To be fair, its that fat, it could wait a whole lifetime and not need any more tea).
As I arrived here at roughly 13:30, I was going to check out Sabino Canyon, but unfortunately rain stopped play. Yes those dastardly thunderstorms are following me around... Its still 99F out there, according to the Tahoe (and that's always right). 105F in Las Vegas and sunny for the moment, and 78 in Flagstaff - the next stop. Yes the Tahoe went to those two places and reported back. Its pretty good like that. Two nights in Flagstaff, tomorrow, Sunday and a trip to the Grand Canyon with any luck. Rain or Shine. Then to Vegas, via Route 66 Monday.
The gas here is like dishwater. Put some "regular" in the Tahoe, and it drank that in no time. It sort of looked up and me from under those big dopey eyes and said "Yeh? And? Y'all be wantin' to give me something decent to drink an' I'll take my time". For those that don't know, it goes like this: There are 3 grades of gas available. 87 Regular, 89 Plus, and 91 Super Unleaded (sometimes I've seen it as high as 93. lol. 93). Bear in mind our regular unleaded is 95. Our Super is 97 / 98 / 99. No wonder the Tahoe only gets 18mpg on it! And it performs like a giant dog. With three legs. Been putting 89 in, but had to go for the 87 at a smaller station along the way. 89 is noticeably better - but still pretty rubbish. The Boxster has a hissy fit if I put even 97 in it (it likes Tesco 99); don't think it would bother starting on anything as low as 87! "Du Idiot! Das ist nicht gut genug! Die Qualität ist nutzlos!"
During the drive over, the landscape changed as I entered Arizona, and become more mountainous and with large sandstone bolders everywhere, making the plains of New Mexico look positively boring in comparison. And they were. The thunderstorms are impressive too; due to the scale of the environment, you can see them coming for miles. They have big dark low clouds (pretty much like British thunderstorms but with bigger, American clouds) and like a funnel below them of haze - which of course is the big, American, rain. As they pass over the mountain tops, they light up the scenery below with the lightening. Its impressive, American lighten- ok, so you get the idea. They are good to watch, ok?
The American June bugs don't half make a racket. They sit in the big American trees - ok I'll stop with the American biggness now. You all wonder why things are bigger here, though - this country is VAST things have to be big, even the thunder and rain; otherwise it simply wouldn't get noticed in the vastness of it all, and its a vastness you have to experience to understand, you simply can't experience that in England - so the June bugs sit in the trees chirping away with their wings or whatever. They sound like crickets, only its a constant racket, and is a faster (bigger, Amer- ok ok) chirping. Chirpchirpchirpchirpchirpchirp - kind of like that. Its weird too, because the sound doesn't really carry very far. So you can hear it a few metres from the tree, and it gets louder and louder as you walk under the tree, in fact almost deafening - then gets softer as you walk away. Considering its volume under the tree, and that of a couple of metres away. Weird.
* * *
I think I have probably soaked up too much heat / Country and Western / American enthusiasm for life or drowned myself in Bud Light over the last week and a bit, but I wanted to make a point of saying something else too:
My blog is supposed to be about an intelligent, witty, intelligent, stylish, vibrant, (did I mention intelligent?) and slightly sarcastic take on life as I find it in America. My favourite country on Earth. And so to continue. Tomorrow. With guns. And big trucks. And Country music.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Ey! Gringo!
Didn't get much sleep last night with the A/C being a thermostatic one in the Best Western Sonora Inn. It kept switching on then switching off then switching on then switching off... then the fridge would start when the A/C went off, as the temperature in the room rose, then the A/C would start to cool it off... Oh man!
So I drove, somewhat tired (in fact, had a short kip along the way) the 378 miles to El Paso, which is right on Mexican border and another hour behind the U.K. (-7h for those not keeping up). Its a very interesting place, another vast city which looks small on the map, spanning countless square miles of land. There is a vibrant mix of American and Mexican cultures everywhere...
As I didn't have any lunch, apart from what seemed like a normal packet of crisps, (you know U.K. size packet, which after I had consumed them all, I read contained 320 calories! 320! I didn't know you could fit that many calories into a packet of crisps!) I am looking forward to dinner. Unfortunately I have to wait another hour because of the time difference. But whilst I'm here, it should be Mexican (again). Perhaps this time, they will use a different cheese (Monterrey Jack preferably)... But I do love the food. Did I mention that?
The road to El Paso, the I-10, apart from being littered with the remnants of car / truck tyres which have blown up, from Sonora to El Paso is basically very straight, very long, and very much of nothing in between. Literally nothing. Maybe a one horse town or two. By 'town' I mean, like, with a house and a gas station. ('Gas' for you English people who have never been out of England, comes from the American word, Gasoline, meaning 'Petrolium' but considering we shorten our word to 'Petrol' they decided to shorten theirs to 'Gas'. They call normal gas, 'Propane' here. Which it is).
Anyhow... So driving the I-10 is considered (to the locals) to be the most boring thing one can spend 6 hours of one's life doing. And they are not wrong. It is occasionally punctuated by something interesting which may happen. I was roughly an hour out of Sonora heading West this morning, when I noticed the Five-O pulled up on the opposite side of the road (the opposite side of the road - this is a two lane in each direction Intersate with a grassy median) - he moved off as I went by. Oh-oh I thought. Checked with Sat Nav Bird, she reckoned on 83mph, as I was going down hill. Still, I slowed up to 80 (the legal limit). I thought bloody hell they are keen round 'ere. Started practising my best British accent "Ah hellllooo officer. Yes I was just admiring the view when I noticed my speedometer had mooomentarily crept above the requirements. Therefore I adjusted my course, as you will have gathered. What what. Jolly good show, old fellow, I will be on my way, shall I. What what. From the Queeeeens country you know. What what". When I noticed a rather large Jeep shaped object flying down the hill and hurtling towards me at what seemed like a crazy speed. Must have been doing a ton. He passed me, and before I finished thinking the sentence "Jolly good show old chap, but a bit fast, what what", the Five-O came hurtling after him right up his behind, the roof lit up like a Christmas tree, and pulled him over.
That was fun!
The other thing that happened, well it didn't really happen per se, its just something I noticed. Well you couldn't actually avoid noticing it. A ridge appeared to the right hand side (North). It was about a mile away from the road, and probably no more than 100Ft high. It stretched from 12 o'clock to roughly 5 o'clock - which is a sodding long way. And along the top of that ridge, was the biggest wind farm I have ever seen.
So I checked the fuel economy to make sure the Tahoe was suitably guzzling fuel to offset the offset emissions from the wind farm, and confirmed that I was doing even less mpg - 18 to be exact at 80mph, on the flat.
I have covered roughly 700 miles last 2 days. Got 300 more tomorrow, 250 Saturday then should arrive in Flagstaff, Arizona on 4th July (same day Mum and Dad land in Las Vegas), which means I should be able to visit the Grand Canyon on the 5th with any luck. Just follow the tourists...
Right off for a shower and hopefully something to eat if I can wait long enough. Perhaps a Bud Light or two first...
So I drove, somewhat tired (in fact, had a short kip along the way) the 378 miles to El Paso, which is right on Mexican border and another hour behind the U.K. (-7h for those not keeping up). Its a very interesting place, another vast city which looks small on the map, spanning countless square miles of land. There is a vibrant mix of American and Mexican cultures everywhere...
As I didn't have any lunch, apart from what seemed like a normal packet of crisps, (you know U.K. size packet, which after I had consumed them all, I read contained 320 calories! 320! I didn't know you could fit that many calories into a packet of crisps!) I am looking forward to dinner. Unfortunately I have to wait another hour because of the time difference. But whilst I'm here, it should be Mexican (again). Perhaps this time, they will use a different cheese (Monterrey Jack preferably)... But I do love the food. Did I mention that?
The road to El Paso, the I-10, apart from being littered with the remnants of car / truck tyres which have blown up, from Sonora to El Paso is basically very straight, very long, and very much of nothing in between. Literally nothing. Maybe a one horse town or two. By 'town' I mean, like, with a house and a gas station. ('Gas' for you English people who have never been out of England, comes from the American word, Gasoline, meaning 'Petrolium' but considering we shorten our word to 'Petrol' they decided to shorten theirs to 'Gas'. They call normal gas, 'Propane' here. Which it is).
Anyhow... So driving the I-10 is considered (to the locals) to be the most boring thing one can spend 6 hours of one's life doing. And they are not wrong. It is occasionally punctuated by something interesting which may happen. I was roughly an hour out of Sonora heading West this morning, when I noticed the Five-O pulled up on the opposite side of the road (the opposite side of the road - this is a two lane in each direction Intersate with a grassy median) - he moved off as I went by. Oh-oh I thought. Checked with Sat Nav Bird, she reckoned on 83mph, as I was going down hill. Still, I slowed up to 80 (the legal limit). I thought bloody hell they are keen round 'ere. Started practising my best British accent "Ah hellllooo officer. Yes I was just admiring the view when I noticed my speedometer had mooomentarily crept above the requirements. Therefore I adjusted my course, as you will have gathered. What what. Jolly good show, old fellow, I will be on my way, shall I. What what. From the Queeeeens country you know. What what". When I noticed a rather large Jeep shaped object flying down the hill and hurtling towards me at what seemed like a crazy speed. Must have been doing a ton. He passed me, and before I finished thinking the sentence "Jolly good show old chap, but a bit fast, what what", the Five-O came hurtling after him right up his behind, the roof lit up like a Christmas tree, and pulled him over.
That was fun!
The other thing that happened, well it didn't really happen per se, its just something I noticed. Well you couldn't actually avoid noticing it. A ridge appeared to the right hand side (North). It was about a mile away from the road, and probably no more than 100Ft high. It stretched from 12 o'clock to roughly 5 o'clock - which is a sodding long way. And along the top of that ridge, was the biggest wind farm I have ever seen.
So I checked the fuel economy to make sure the Tahoe was suitably guzzling fuel to offset the offset emissions from the wind farm, and confirmed that I was doing even less mpg - 18 to be exact at 80mph, on the flat.
I have covered roughly 700 miles last 2 days. Got 300 more tomorrow, 250 Saturday then should arrive in Flagstaff, Arizona on 4th July (same day Mum and Dad land in Las Vegas), which means I should be able to visit the Grand Canyon on the 5th with any luck. Just follow the tourists...
Right off for a shower and hopefully something to eat if I can wait long enough. Perhaps a Bud Light or two first...
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Supplementary - Sonora, TX
You have to realise that sometimes I write stuff on my Blackberry when I'm out and about and save it for publishing to the blog later. This is one of those occasions!
Sonora, Texas, is a little transit town right out of the Old West. This IS the Old West actually.
See the pictures. How quiet is this place?!
Anyway, so I'm staying at the local Best Western and fancied a bite to eat this evening, as I generally do most evenings. (Lunchtimes and Breakfasts too, come to mention it). I go and ask the front desk where would be good to eat, and she recommended the Mexican-American restaurant next door.
Well. What a place!
Picture this: sun setting, big pickup trucks in the parking lot, with big tyres, dents and big manly tools just thrown in the back. Authentic dirt sprayed up the sides from the wheel arches. This is it! The place I wanted to visit! Good ol' small town Texas!
Walking into the restaurant, I nearly fell over as I walked in - couldn't see a thing with my Oakleys on. The place had a few people in there, wasn't packed out or anything. I shown to a booth, complete with ripped vinly seats (the foam showing through in places), and thick dark 70s wood veneer table.
This is the kind of place where knives are for steak - where they serve beer and frozen glass separately so you have to pour it yourself (oops, just realised! The glass is for girls! Men drink from the bottle! Got it right for the second attempt).
I'm sure they forgave me; with my foreign accent, European clothes, and that funny black thing that lit up when I pressed the keys.
No joke, as I'm writing this - the soundtrack is "Wild Thing" by the Troggs. OMG this place is fantastic!
The food was delicious even if they did use copious amounts of that fake cheese which comes from a tube and has never seen a cow let alone been from one in a previous life, and considering the place was from the 70s, the prices were bang up to date. Another $20 meal!
Although I love Mexican food - and the people are lovely too, everyone I've met has been very nice actually - I'm just not used to the politeness! - I was expecting West Texas (Don't Mess With Texas) to be Steak Houses and gritty American bars, with horses tied up outside. Well I was hoping that was the case anyway.
Sonora, Texas, is a little transit town right out of the Old West. This IS the Old West actually.
See the pictures. How quiet is this place?!
Anyway, so I'm staying at the local Best Western and fancied a bite to eat this evening, as I generally do most evenings. (Lunchtimes and Breakfasts too, come to mention it). I go and ask the front desk where would be good to eat, and she recommended the Mexican-American restaurant next door.
Well. What a place!
Picture this: sun setting, big pickup trucks in the parking lot, with big tyres, dents and big manly tools just thrown in the back. Authentic dirt sprayed up the sides from the wheel arches. This is it! The place I wanted to visit! Good ol' small town Texas!
Walking into the restaurant, I nearly fell over as I walked in - couldn't see a thing with my Oakleys on. The place had a few people in there, wasn't packed out or anything. I shown to a booth, complete with ripped vinly seats (the foam showing through in places), and thick dark 70s wood veneer table.
This is the kind of place where knives are for steak - where they serve beer and frozen glass separately so you have to pour it yourself (oops, just realised! The glass is for girls! Men drink from the bottle! Got it right for the second attempt).
I'm sure they forgave me; with my foreign accent, European clothes, and that funny black thing that lit up when I pressed the keys.
No joke, as I'm writing this - the soundtrack is "Wild Thing" by the Troggs. OMG this place is fantastic!
The food was delicious even if they did use copious amounts of that fake cheese which comes from a tube and has never seen a cow let alone been from one in a previous life, and considering the place was from the 70s, the prices were bang up to date. Another $20 meal!
Although I love Mexican food - and the people are lovely too, everyone I've met has been very nice actually - I'm just not used to the politeness! - I was expecting West Texas (Don't Mess With Texas) to be Steak Houses and gritty American bars, with horses tied up outside. Well I was hoping that was the case anyway.
Henmurray Mania
Just watched Andy Murray win the quarter at Wimbledon from my motel in Sonora. Congratulations to him.
Not done anything particularly special today, except had a lapse at some music on the drive over here. These things happen I suppose. http://www.alanjackson.com/home/SS_vid.php
Recommend you listen to this (yes its a country song, but it set me off), then hit the 'back' button and read the rest of the blog (to cheer yourself up).
What can I talk about. Hmmmm. Oooh! Oooh! I know. Cars! (I apologise if this is boring for some readers).
So one of the things I've realised whilst driving the Tahoe, is just how much character these American cars have. Not just Tahoes; all American made motors. Stuff just breaks when it feels like it. The rear window opens on the Tahoe separate from the whole tailgate, just in case you have a pair of step ladders handy, or fancied doing a slam dunk with the shopping to try and get it in the trunk - boot. The other day in New Orleans, I opened the rear glass window, and off popped the gas strut, nearly took me bloody eye out. It probably didn't like the weather in New Orleans. Bear in mind that the Tahoe was built in 2009. That's this year and stuff is breaking already. Brill!
They don't, as a rule, handle particularly well - this would have something to do with forgetting about shock absorbers when they insert the springs. Either that, or shock absorbers are far to expensive to bother with anyway - so you just kind of float and bounce down the street. All the cars do it. It makes you laugh to look at some of the bouncing cars - but then you realise you're doing it too, then you get sea sick. You stop laughing for fear some bile might come out.
But they do look great. They sound great too, with their big V8s. There's nothing like the sound of a V8. Its better than the sound of a V12 or any other engine in my opinion. V8 has rumble. They do 9 mpg up hills (flat out accelerating the Bora will not do that little). They have personality.
My Bora (Jetta, for US readers) is, conversely, the second most boring car in the world. After the Passat (that's so boring, I've never seen one in America). I mean, it literally does everything I ask it to do, and still gets 50mpg. It never goes wrong (I've said it now), and just does everything no worries. It goes round corners, accelerates, all the electrics work... and its like 7 years old. Its boring. Find a 7 year old American car (if you can), and the wheels will have fallen off. Or it will be rusting in a field. They just aren't built to last. "Built in obselescence" was the theory. It worked all right.
The closest I get to character, is the Boxster. But that does everything I want, and exceeds all expectations. Well the glove box has fallen off, so it does have a little character - but to be fair, I couldn't afford it if it suddenly developed real personality...
So enough (almost) about cars.
Traveling to Sonora today, and yet again all you see strewn all over the pavement (that means "road" over here) are bits of exploded tyre... The I-10 is the place where tyres come to die a horrible, explosive death. But people do use them to destruction over here - they don't worry about replacements with 4mm left; oh no. They use them until the metal bands appear. Then continue to use them. Then wonder why they explode. But I tell you what, its character. Its fun not knowing whether you will get to your destination or whether your blow out will send your car careening into the nearest ravine. It puts the P in Personality. Certainly makes life interesting.
The roads certainly lull you into a false sense of security. You can be texting away, emailing, or composing your next blog post, you know, generally minding your own business, and the road suddenly throws up a bend! Before you know it, you've crossed the yellow line, gone over the rumble strip, and are doing a General Lee over the median... Yeee Haaaaaaahhhhh!
I almost dropped my Blackberry into my 8 gallon Starbucks bucket (cup), in suprise when I saw the speed limit change on I-10 too. It went from 70mph to 80mph! (65mph at night). Couldn't believe it! I don't think the Tahoe could either. It lurched forward, almost hungry for the speed. As quick as the speed came, the gas went though, sending the fuel tank needle hurtling over to the big fat E. Time to get my big fat wallet out (its full of receipts) and get some more.
The landscape changed too, soon out of Houston. It went from being very very flat for the last week and 3 days, to being hilly. Not Andrea and Garry hilly (mountainous), but Tim hilly. Like small hills. That the Tahoe can make it up. I think the Tahoe must be like me which is probably why I like it so much. It has a big belly. And no beard. ("Do I really have to go up there? Going to need some food").
The only other thing to mention, is that in Houston, I kept seeing signs and adverts on TV for Cigar parlours for men. How brill is that?!???!?!?! It almost made me want to take up cigar smoking just so I could go along!!!! (I'd have to wear a Stetson, and a .44 though).
I love this country!
Not done anything particularly special today, except had a lapse at some music on the drive over here. These things happen I suppose. http://www.alanjackson.com/home/SS_vid.php
Recommend you listen to this (yes its a country song, but it set me off), then hit the 'back' button and read the rest of the blog (to cheer yourself up).
* * *
What can I talk about. Hmmmm. Oooh! Oooh! I know. Cars! (I apologise if this is boring for some readers).
So one of the things I've realised whilst driving the Tahoe, is just how much character these American cars have. Not just Tahoes; all American made motors. Stuff just breaks when it feels like it. The rear window opens on the Tahoe separate from the whole tailgate, just in case you have a pair of step ladders handy, or fancied doing a slam dunk with the shopping to try and get it in the trunk - boot. The other day in New Orleans, I opened the rear glass window, and off popped the gas strut, nearly took me bloody eye out. It probably didn't like the weather in New Orleans. Bear in mind that the Tahoe was built in 2009. That's this year and stuff is breaking already. Brill!
They don't, as a rule, handle particularly well - this would have something to do with forgetting about shock absorbers when they insert the springs. Either that, or shock absorbers are far to expensive to bother with anyway - so you just kind of float and bounce down the street. All the cars do it. It makes you laugh to look at some of the bouncing cars - but then you realise you're doing it too, then you get sea sick. You stop laughing for fear some bile might come out.
But they do look great. They sound great too, with their big V8s. There's nothing like the sound of a V8. Its better than the sound of a V12 or any other engine in my opinion. V8 has rumble. They do 9 mpg up hills (flat out accelerating the Bora will not do that little). They have personality.
My Bora (Jetta, for US readers) is, conversely, the second most boring car in the world. After the Passat (that's so boring, I've never seen one in America). I mean, it literally does everything I ask it to do, and still gets 50mpg. It never goes wrong (I've said it now), and just does everything no worries. It goes round corners, accelerates, all the electrics work... and its like 7 years old. Its boring. Find a 7 year old American car (if you can), and the wheels will have fallen off. Or it will be rusting in a field. They just aren't built to last. "Built in obselescence" was the theory. It worked all right.
The closest I get to character, is the Boxster. But that does everything I want, and exceeds all expectations. Well the glove box has fallen off, so it does have a little character - but to be fair, I couldn't afford it if it suddenly developed real personality...
So enough (almost) about cars.
Traveling to Sonora today, and yet again all you see strewn all over the pavement (that means "road" over here) are bits of exploded tyre... The I-10 is the place where tyres come to die a horrible, explosive death. But people do use them to destruction over here - they don't worry about replacements with 4mm left; oh no. They use them until the metal bands appear. Then continue to use them. Then wonder why they explode. But I tell you what, its character. Its fun not knowing whether you will get to your destination or whether your blow out will send your car careening into the nearest ravine. It puts the P in Personality. Certainly makes life interesting.
The roads certainly lull you into a false sense of security. You can be texting away, emailing, or composing your next blog post, you know, generally minding your own business, and the road suddenly throws up a bend! Before you know it, you've crossed the yellow line, gone over the rumble strip, and are doing a General Lee over the median... Yeee Haaaaaaahhhhh!
I almost dropped my Blackberry into my 8 gallon Starbucks bucket (cup), in suprise when I saw the speed limit change on I-10 too. It went from 70mph to 80mph! (65mph at night). Couldn't believe it! I don't think the Tahoe could either. It lurched forward, almost hungry for the speed. As quick as the speed came, the gas went though, sending the fuel tank needle hurtling over to the big fat E. Time to get my big fat wallet out (its full of receipts) and get some more.
The landscape changed too, soon out of Houston. It went from being very very flat for the last week and 3 days, to being hilly. Not Andrea and Garry hilly (mountainous), but Tim hilly. Like small hills. That the Tahoe can make it up. I think the Tahoe must be like me which is probably why I like it so much. It has a big belly. And no beard. ("Do I really have to go up there? Going to need some food").
The only other thing to mention, is that in Houston, I kept seeing signs and adverts on TV for Cigar parlours for men. How brill is that?!???!?!?! It almost made me want to take up cigar smoking just so I could go along!!!! (I'd have to wear a Stetson, and a .44 though).
I love this country!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Tim's Blog. Stardate 62998.1.
Today was supposed to be the $84 “Level 9” tour of the Houston and Johnson Space Centers. Unfortunately things went awry as soon as I arrived. They had, apparently, over subscribed the Level 9 tours, due to a computer malfunction. How very ironic. (Well it would be, if they understood irony here. That makes it even more ironic. You could almost cut the irony with a knife in fact).
The Level 9 tour, by the way, is limited to 12 people per tour, and there are 2 tours per day. They last all day. The tour consists of a guided visit through all the working areas of the facilities, the opportunity to lunch with the astronauts – and is not open to persons under the age of 14. And was my only reason for visiting Houston.
Due to the computer error, it meant that I could not go on the tour. So they refunded my $84, and also gave me a free entry into the rest of the facilities (a $24 value) – and boy am I glad it was free.
The Space Center experience (apart from the Level 9 tour) is designed solely for children – and I can understand why they do this, (most of the children that visited today will be adults when we next go to the moon) it’s a theme park really. (Plus they have to raise funds somewhere, as I'm quite sure the lefties in charge now can't see the point in space exploration when there's a perfectly good healthcare system to take over and ruin). Sure there was a little bus ride through the Johnson Space Center, where the real work goes on, but I could only watch from behind glass as the Level 9 people proceeded through the actual working facilities, guided by a few professional looking, um, professionals. Having been twice to the Space Center theme park that is Kennedy in Florida, I had no real desire to repeat the experience at the smaller venue in 100 degree heat in Houston. Incidentally, Kennedy makes a good visit adult or child. Houston, really - just for the children. (Unless you go Level 9). There were bouncy castles in the main exhibition hall. Cameron would have loved it! But its not really for the adults.
My face print on the glass, and the odd fart was the closest I got to find out about the new programme to the moon, and how the recession and the lefties were going to affect Nasa’s future…. But I did find out some very useful information though, Amy (sitting behind me on the tour bus who was from the local high school) was in love with Eric.
Anyone who knows me, understands how much I like this country, its people, and its culture. In fact, I should have been born here – I could be a foreign Ambassador. (In fact, I have thought of my perfect job – being in charge of getting American cars made better for European roads. The American companies are hell bent on trying to crack the UK market, and keep wondering why they fail so miserably at it – I could sort this out for them! I can fix it! Just send the Tahoe!!! Or maybe not... but I could fix that too!). Anyway, I blame my parents for having me in England. Its all their fault.
One of the great things about America is the differences between people – all of the different cultures that have come together to make the place what it is today; the most multi-cultural country on the planet. One thing that everyone here remembers, regardless of colour or creed, is that they are American – and that means more to them than anything; and it’s a good thing. Being proud of one’s country is a great thing.
British people could learn a lot from this.
Unfortunately, as I have travelled around, I have been getting the feeling that America is somehow losing some of her national pride, or, hmmm, just not as outgoing as she was before? Perhaps it’s the constant battering she receives from the idiotic Enviro-Euro-Commies, or the recession? Or maybe its just me… maybe she is as patriotic as before, and I’m just not noticing anymore… July 4th is this coming weekend, so hopefully I’ll get to see some good fireworks and patriotic celebrations. America has a lot to be very proud of, and I'll be celebrating it right along with them.
So I was listening to K I L T radio this morning (The Station That Plays the Most Country Music – and no, Rutter, Hootie and the Blowfish were not on. (But their lead singer was!) aaaggggghhhhh they are not Country!) – not sure why its KILT radio? Perhaps when you lift up the covers, all you see is a bunch of assholes? They sounded ok to me though. (The people, not the assholes). Pretty entertaining. In Texas, you have to listen to Country. It’s the law. That and really its your only choice on the radio, they simply don’t broadcast anything else...
Speaking of the law. The five-o are out in force in Texas for sure, they’re bloody everywhere. They aren’t wearing Stetsons though, as you would expect… how disappointing.
Speaking of bloody. I have just been for the most expensive hair cut I have ever had ($14!!!!!). That and my scalp is now in shreds on the floor. The warm feeling on my head and down my neck as the lady sliced the clippers back and forth burying the head deep into my scalp was the blood pouring from new wounds. Actually she was a lovely lady, of Spanish descent who was telling me about her regular French customer (lets call him Jack) who spoke fluent Spanish. Jack, apparently, worked for one of the local oil companies.
By the time she had finished, she had trimmed my eyebrows as they were so long (was saving those to fold over the ever growing forehead) and removed most of the skin from the neck with the obviously blunt rusty clippers. But it looks good at least. Nothing a few plasters and a tetanus shot won’t fix.
I don’t have a beard anymore either. In some vain and frankly rather pathetic attempt at looking my age, I have shaved it all off. That and with a little encouragement from a third party who will remain nameless Claire.
Not sure it has worked, although she apparently likes it… Grey is a colour though. And a distinguished one at that.
The Level 9 tour, by the way, is limited to 12 people per tour, and there are 2 tours per day. They last all day. The tour consists of a guided visit through all the working areas of the facilities, the opportunity to lunch with the astronauts – and is not open to persons under the age of 14. And was my only reason for visiting Houston.
Due to the computer error, it meant that I could not go on the tour. So they refunded my $84, and also gave me a free entry into the rest of the facilities (a $24 value) – and boy am I glad it was free.
The Space Center experience (apart from the Level 9 tour) is designed solely for children – and I can understand why they do this, (most of the children that visited today will be adults when we next go to the moon) it’s a theme park really. (Plus they have to raise funds somewhere, as I'm quite sure the lefties in charge now can't see the point in space exploration when there's a perfectly good healthcare system to take over and ruin). Sure there was a little bus ride through the Johnson Space Center, where the real work goes on, but I could only watch from behind glass as the Level 9 people proceeded through the actual working facilities, guided by a few professional looking, um, professionals. Having been twice to the Space Center theme park that is Kennedy in Florida, I had no real desire to repeat the experience at the smaller venue in 100 degree heat in Houston. Incidentally, Kennedy makes a good visit adult or child. Houston, really - just for the children. (Unless you go Level 9). There were bouncy castles in the main exhibition hall. Cameron would have loved it! But its not really for the adults.
My face print on the glass, and the odd fart was the closest I got to find out about the new programme to the moon, and how the recession and the lefties were going to affect Nasa’s future…. But I did find out some very useful information though, Amy (sitting behind me on the tour bus who was from the local high school) was in love with Eric.
Anyone who knows me, understands how much I like this country, its people, and its culture. In fact, I should have been born here – I could be a foreign Ambassador. (In fact, I have thought of my perfect job – being in charge of getting American cars made better for European roads. The American companies are hell bent on trying to crack the UK market, and keep wondering why they fail so miserably at it – I could sort this out for them! I can fix it! Just send the Tahoe!!! Or maybe not... but I could fix that too!). Anyway, I blame my parents for having me in England. Its all their fault.
One of the great things about America is the differences between people – all of the different cultures that have come together to make the place what it is today; the most multi-cultural country on the planet. One thing that everyone here remembers, regardless of colour or creed, is that they are American – and that means more to them than anything; and it’s a good thing. Being proud of one’s country is a great thing.
British people could learn a lot from this.
Unfortunately, as I have travelled around, I have been getting the feeling that America is somehow losing some of her national pride, or, hmmm, just not as outgoing as she was before? Perhaps it’s the constant battering she receives from the idiotic Enviro-Euro-Commies, or the recession? Or maybe its just me… maybe she is as patriotic as before, and I’m just not noticing anymore… July 4th is this coming weekend, so hopefully I’ll get to see some good fireworks and patriotic celebrations. America has a lot to be very proud of, and I'll be celebrating it right along with them.
So I was listening to K I L T radio this morning (The Station That Plays the Most Country Music – and no, Rutter, Hootie and the Blowfish were not on. (But their lead singer was!) aaaggggghhhhh they are not Country!) – not sure why its KILT radio? Perhaps when you lift up the covers, all you see is a bunch of assholes? They sounded ok to me though. (The people, not the assholes). Pretty entertaining. In Texas, you have to listen to Country. It’s the law. That and really its your only choice on the radio, they simply don’t broadcast anything else...
Speaking of the law. The five-o are out in force in Texas for sure, they’re bloody everywhere. They aren’t wearing Stetsons though, as you would expect… how disappointing.
Speaking of bloody. I have just been for the most expensive hair cut I have ever had ($14!!!!!). That and my scalp is now in shreds on the floor. The warm feeling on my head and down my neck as the lady sliced the clippers back and forth burying the head deep into my scalp was the blood pouring from new wounds. Actually she was a lovely lady, of Spanish descent who was telling me about her regular French customer (lets call him Jack) who spoke fluent Spanish. Jack, apparently, worked for one of the local oil companies.
By the time she had finished, she had trimmed my eyebrows as they were so long (was saving those to fold over the ever growing forehead) and removed most of the skin from the neck with the obviously blunt rusty clippers. But it looks good at least. Nothing a few plasters and a tetanus shot won’t fix.
I don’t have a beard anymore either. In some vain and frankly rather pathetic attempt at looking my age, I have shaved it all off. That and with a little encouragement from a third party who will remain nameless Claire.
Not sure it has worked, although she apparently likes it… Grey is a colour though. And a distinguished one at that.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Belts, buckles, and sarcasm
Well this is the second attempt as the thunder here in Houston, just knocked out the r-ow-ters (Think Michael Jackson, Ouch! Without the ‘ch’.) Whatever they are. I’ll ask Jon. And caused my connection to Blogger to be reset and lose all I had typed – and I’d just finished. So here goes again:
Speaking of MJ, its still all over the news here. (Farrah Fawcett’s funeral will be held Tuesday, but that’s not real news, its only on the ticker at the bottom of the screen). It proves unequivocally though, and all the scientists agree, that Global Mourning does exist. I was quite happy to drive my car before this, but now I think I’ll have to get a smaller fuel efficient one… with a 4.6liter V8 instead of the 5.3…
Gosh I love this country! Driving here is just brill. I mean, you can see for miles down the roads here. Literally miles. The bridges are incredible. This morning, driving out of N’Awlins, I feared for my life crossing the Mississippi. The bridge was that old, that they were building a new $433,000,000 one right next to it, and driving in the piles right at the side of the old ones which were currently holding up the dual lane roadway… Unfortunately the two lanes of traffic going my direction had ground to a halt, right above the murky waters of the Mississippi. (How many times can I get Mississippi into this blog). The bridge had seen one too many hurricanes for its own liking, let along mine, and was groaning and allowing its once firmly supported roadways to flex and bounce like ribbons… There was no where to go either – couldn’t open either side door due to the proximity of the wall, and the other traffic… just had to grin and bear it.
Speaking of bridges heading out of Louisiana, I travelled along a bridge which must have been 30 miles long. Literally. There were no exits off that one either (but there were safety lanes), but if you had exited, you would have ended up in swamp. This one had the wow factor for its impressive length.
Headed into Texas, where the only thing bigger than the cars, are the burgers, hats, and belt buckles.
It seems like the Americans have the same problems us Europeans have with regards to roads with 3 lanes too. “Awww Hank, cant we just stick to the miiddle, these laynes aw faw too cunfusin’” “whaaaay huney I think we should do that” – I’m pretty sure that’s how the conversation goes over here, because that’s where they end up. Riiiiight in the middle. They do allow overtaking and undertaking here, but only in some States and its very confusing as to when it is acceptable and when it isn’t. Just don’t do it when the five-o are looking, I think is the general rule... D’uh Po-leese have themselves a variety of tactics, including pursuit cars with varying effectiveness – Dodge Charger; pretty effective, Chevy Suburban (same as a Tahoe but longer and weights even more) probably less so, you kind of notice when one of those is bearing down on you… and you don’t have to be going too fast either, or it wouldn’t be doing very much bearing…
One of the benefits of driving over there that I have found, is that I’m not tired. Doing 300+ miles in the U.K. and I’d be ready to eat someone’s head, then promptly fall asleep. Over here, I’m bright as a daisy. That could either be the Tahoe, or the roads, and I’m not sure which. I do love the Tahoe, it is The Best Ve-hicle in the world, and I do honestly think everyone should have one. It is brill! If you haven't driven a Tahoe, you simply haven't lived. (Well its not to much drive as encourage but that's the kind of honesty I like).
Speaking of speeding too, heading into Houston (still about 20 miles to go to downtown) the five-o were ready at a section of Interstate that went from 70mph to 60mph for no good reason. Oh yes were they ready. Swarming all over the traffic like flies around shi-is that the time? Better get on with the story. I slammed the old anchors on and performed and elk manoeuvre to avoid being noticed (not really, if the Tahoe even smelled an elk anywhere nearby, it would just roll onto its side shaking in fear at the mere thought of having to change lanes quickly – perhaps that’s another reason why people stay in the middle. American cars just aren’t built for steering).
Everything is bigger in Texas. If you English people thing America is big, then Texas, I guarantee – is bigger still. The gas – petrol – stations are bigger with more lanes, the roads get bigger with more lanes, the junctions between roads get bigger – even Sat Nav Bird sounded impressed, in her inimitable specifically chosen American accent “ooooh take me down the next exit right ooooh” – (ok, maybe that was just my imagination, but I swear it was what I heard). The roadways are built in such a way as to direct traffic in the most efficient way possible – to get people from place to place quickly (unlike Britain where the roads are built to cause as much congestion as possible, and if that’s not enough, the traffic lights are phased in such a way as to cause the maximum wait times and stress). Giant traffic lanes swoop in from the left and right, and run onto the main freeway as extra lanes, then they will have exits both from the left and right which swoop away to different other roads – its art work! Magnificent! They make Spaghetti Junction in Birmingham look positively straight and boring in comparison.
The main ring road around Houston is called the Beltway. It is very wide (6 lanes each way), and has a very long way to go round, like its namesake leather accessory item which circum-navigates the middle of the levi-wearing locals. Is there any wonder though, when you can buy a triple Whopper Meal (make it a Large) from Burger King right off the menu? Its not even special order!
Not that I’m saying all Americans are fat you understand. That would be slanderous, and plainly wrong. There are very many beautiful people here as well. I mean the kind of beautiful even Hollywood struggles to reproduce. Jessica Simpson beautiful. They make me feel quite uncomfortable in fact. The Jessica Simpsons seem to have partners that think they are better looking than David Hasselhoff thinks he is. And that’s a lot of thinking.
Of course, I am happy again these days – well happy in the sense I have a new partner, and she needn’t be worried by Jessica Simpsons. They do fine with David Hasselhoffs.
One other thing that did happen this evening was, on my way back from dinner, I entered the lift (in some cultures, that phrase would be banned) – elevator – with a couple who had just been in the hotel pool. They looked Mexican but spoke with an American accent. Lets call them Meximericans. So I said to the meximericans “Chilly out there isn’t it” (thought I’d test the water - makes me laugh – just the sort of thing Sam would have slapped me for actually), the lady meximerican started laughing, she clearly understood the sarcasm, but the bloke meximerican looked at me like I was the most stupid human being he’d ever seen (and that was very very very stupid) and said “What? Its like 103 out there today”.
And on that note, I will leave you. Tomorrow I am heading to the Houston Space Center to have an $84 lunch with some Astronauts.
See y’all soon, y’hear?
Speaking of MJ, its still all over the news here. (Farrah Fawcett’s funeral will be held Tuesday, but that’s not real news, its only on the ticker at the bottom of the screen). It proves unequivocally though, and all the scientists agree, that Global Mourning does exist. I was quite happy to drive my car before this, but now I think I’ll have to get a smaller fuel efficient one… with a 4.6liter V8 instead of the 5.3…
Gosh I love this country! Driving here is just brill. I mean, you can see for miles down the roads here. Literally miles. The bridges are incredible. This morning, driving out of N’Awlins, I feared for my life crossing the Mississippi. The bridge was that old, that they were building a new $433,000,000 one right next to it, and driving in the piles right at the side of the old ones which were currently holding up the dual lane roadway… Unfortunately the two lanes of traffic going my direction had ground to a halt, right above the murky waters of the Mississippi. (How many times can I get Mississippi into this blog). The bridge had seen one too many hurricanes for its own liking, let along mine, and was groaning and allowing its once firmly supported roadways to flex and bounce like ribbons… There was no where to go either – couldn’t open either side door due to the proximity of the wall, and the other traffic… just had to grin and bear it.
Speaking of bridges heading out of Louisiana, I travelled along a bridge which must have been 30 miles long. Literally. There were no exits off that one either (but there were safety lanes), but if you had exited, you would have ended up in swamp. This one had the wow factor for its impressive length.
Headed into Texas, where the only thing bigger than the cars, are the burgers, hats, and belt buckles.
It seems like the Americans have the same problems us Europeans have with regards to roads with 3 lanes too. “Awww Hank, cant we just stick to the miiddle, these laynes aw faw too cunfusin’” “whaaaay huney I think we should do that” – I’m pretty sure that’s how the conversation goes over here, because that’s where they end up. Riiiiight in the middle. They do allow overtaking and undertaking here, but only in some States and its very confusing as to when it is acceptable and when it isn’t. Just don’t do it when the five-o are looking, I think is the general rule... D’uh Po-leese have themselves a variety of tactics, including pursuit cars with varying effectiveness – Dodge Charger; pretty effective, Chevy Suburban (same as a Tahoe but longer and weights even more) probably less so, you kind of notice when one of those is bearing down on you… and you don’t have to be going too fast either, or it wouldn’t be doing very much bearing…
One of the benefits of driving over there that I have found, is that I’m not tired. Doing 300+ miles in the U.K. and I’d be ready to eat someone’s head, then promptly fall asleep. Over here, I’m bright as a daisy. That could either be the Tahoe, or the roads, and I’m not sure which. I do love the Tahoe, it is The Best Ve-hicle in the world, and I do honestly think everyone should have one. It is brill! If you haven't driven a Tahoe, you simply haven't lived. (Well its not to much drive as encourage but that's the kind of honesty I like).
Speaking of speeding too, heading into Houston (still about 20 miles to go to downtown) the five-o were ready at a section of Interstate that went from 70mph to 60mph for no good reason. Oh yes were they ready. Swarming all over the traffic like flies around shi-is that the time? Better get on with the story. I slammed the old anchors on and performed and elk manoeuvre to avoid being noticed (not really, if the Tahoe even smelled an elk anywhere nearby, it would just roll onto its side shaking in fear at the mere thought of having to change lanes quickly – perhaps that’s another reason why people stay in the middle. American cars just aren’t built for steering).
Everything is bigger in Texas. If you English people thing America is big, then Texas, I guarantee – is bigger still. The gas – petrol – stations are bigger with more lanes, the roads get bigger with more lanes, the junctions between roads get bigger – even Sat Nav Bird sounded impressed, in her inimitable specifically chosen American accent “ooooh take me down the next exit right ooooh” – (ok, maybe that was just my imagination, but I swear it was what I heard). The roadways are built in such a way as to direct traffic in the most efficient way possible – to get people from place to place quickly (unlike Britain where the roads are built to cause as much congestion as possible, and if that’s not enough, the traffic lights are phased in such a way as to cause the maximum wait times and stress). Giant traffic lanes swoop in from the left and right, and run onto the main freeway as extra lanes, then they will have exits both from the left and right which swoop away to different other roads – its art work! Magnificent! They make Spaghetti Junction in Birmingham look positively straight and boring in comparison.
The main ring road around Houston is called the Beltway. It is very wide (6 lanes each way), and has a very long way to go round, like its namesake leather accessory item which circum-navigates the middle of the levi-wearing locals. Is there any wonder though, when you can buy a triple Whopper Meal (make it a Large) from Burger King right off the menu? Its not even special order!
Not that I’m saying all Americans are fat you understand. That would be slanderous, and plainly wrong. There are very many beautiful people here as well. I mean the kind of beautiful even Hollywood struggles to reproduce. Jessica Simpson beautiful. They make me feel quite uncomfortable in fact. The Jessica Simpsons seem to have partners that think they are better looking than David Hasselhoff thinks he is. And that’s a lot of thinking.
Of course, I am happy again these days – well happy in the sense I have a new partner, and she needn’t be worried by Jessica Simpsons. They do fine with David Hasselhoffs.
One other thing that did happen this evening was, on my way back from dinner, I entered the lift (in some cultures, that phrase would be banned) – elevator – with a couple who had just been in the hotel pool. They looked Mexican but spoke with an American accent. Lets call them Meximericans. So I said to the meximericans “Chilly out there isn’t it” (thought I’d test the water - makes me laugh – just the sort of thing Sam would have slapped me for actually), the lady meximerican started laughing, she clearly understood the sarcasm, but the bloke meximerican looked at me like I was the most stupid human being he’d ever seen (and that was very very very stupid) and said “What? Its like 103 out there today”.
And on that note, I will leave you. Tomorrow I am heading to the Houston Space Center to have an $84 lunch with some Astronauts.
See y’all soon, y’hear?
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Warning, may contain fish!
Differentiating the nuances that exist between states as you roll through, can be tricky to the causal observer. However, Louisiana and New Orleans in particular are contrasting to say the least.
I absolutely love New Orleans (N'Awlins). Its a brilliant place. It has so much character, history, and an amazing atmosphere about it.
You walk through the French Quarter (the bit that would be the last part to flood in a disaster - as they open different flood gates to avoid the French Quarter getting hit) you smell a strange smell - it lingers throughout the whole of the area. Its a mixture of cigars, cajun spices, and beer... and later in the day, sweat.
The streets are very narrow, one way only and some even get closed to traffic. The streets are in a grid (like most US cities), but there are unusual shops, and bars everywhere. The architecture is very strange too - wooden buildings, french looking buildings - some in good condition, some not. Its very eclectic. People are friendly, and the five-o (NOPD) are everywhere keeping the order. I felt perfectly safe walking around - like everywhere I have been so far, I have never felt threatened or vulnerable as a tourist alone. Must be my muscular, taught physique which keeps the potential miscreants at bay.
Anyway, the French Quarter and Market Area can be walked through, taking in the atmosphere and sights as you go. There is the Church of St Louis to visit along the way, and you can wander aimlessly into different shops, trying to avoid the voodoo ones - had enough bad luck, thank-you.
There is so much to see here, there is no way I could have fit it all in today. It would have been good to visit the cemetaries (they are closed on Sundays from 12:00), and perhaps take in a walking tour (but I didn't have enough cash because my ever so helpful bank have cancelled my atm card).
Visiting New Orleans is definitely worth doing for anyone - I highly recommend it. It is a very different American city. As it is slipping deeper into the Gulf of Mexico however, sooner rather than later would be my advice. The powers that be have decided to build bigger walls to keep the sea, and river out, but how long this will last, or whether it will even work is beyond me. According to the lady on reception, the 9th district is the one demolished by Katrina - and has essentially been wiped off the map. This not an area which can be viewed from the expressway.
Then there's the heat. It was 100F in the parking garage. It felt like 105F outside in the sun - humidity 67%, which is not as high as it can get. I was sweating as soon as I'd turned the engine off. No wonder everyone down here has a sun tan.
To cool down, I popped into a local jazz bar with a live band. And selected ice cold Bud Light as my cool down drink of choice. Well, ice cold Bud Light (well you wouldn't want a warm beer would you?) is good for cooling down, quenching thirst, calming down, and having with dinner. Its very versatile!
For lunch, I went to another music bar, this time on the banks of the Mississippi. Had a small bowl of Jambalaya (too hot for warm food really). My opporunity to sample real local cuisine. It did contain fish (I knew this before I chose it) but it was rather nice. Lots of flavour (not so much fish). One of the bar staff, was cutting his way in to a vat of some sort of shell fish. He offered me one, but I declined... I know its supposed to be nice, but I couldn't think of anything much worse - this not really liking fish thing is quite limiting! Wouldn't have been able to handle the fish gumbo which is a real shame. I just don't like fish that much!
Having had problems with the bank, travellers cheques, and running out of cash, I have since discovered that casinos offer incrediby useful tourist services. Mum and Dad would be well advised to note this. They offer the discerning travller the following free services:
1. Travellers Cheque cashing
2. ATMs
3. Air Conditioning
4. Toilets
Casinos are your friend!
I absolutely love New Orleans (N'Awlins). Its a brilliant place. It has so much character, history, and an amazing atmosphere about it.
You walk through the French Quarter (the bit that would be the last part to flood in a disaster - as they open different flood gates to avoid the French Quarter getting hit) you smell a strange smell - it lingers throughout the whole of the area. Its a mixture of cigars, cajun spices, and beer... and later in the day, sweat.
The streets are very narrow, one way only and some even get closed to traffic. The streets are in a grid (like most US cities), but there are unusual shops, and bars everywhere. The architecture is very strange too - wooden buildings, french looking buildings - some in good condition, some not. Its very eclectic. People are friendly, and the five-o (NOPD) are everywhere keeping the order. I felt perfectly safe walking around - like everywhere I have been so far, I have never felt threatened or vulnerable as a tourist alone. Must be my muscular, taught physique which keeps the potential miscreants at bay.
Anyway, the French Quarter and Market Area can be walked through, taking in the atmosphere and sights as you go. There is the Church of St Louis to visit along the way, and you can wander aimlessly into different shops, trying to avoid the voodoo ones - had enough bad luck, thank-you.
There is so much to see here, there is no way I could have fit it all in today. It would have been good to visit the cemetaries (they are closed on Sundays from 12:00), and perhaps take in a walking tour (but I didn't have enough cash because my ever so helpful bank have cancelled my atm card).
Visiting New Orleans is definitely worth doing for anyone - I highly recommend it. It is a very different American city. As it is slipping deeper into the Gulf of Mexico however, sooner rather than later would be my advice. The powers that be have decided to build bigger walls to keep the sea, and river out, but how long this will last, or whether it will even work is beyond me. According to the lady on reception, the 9th district is the one demolished by Katrina - and has essentially been wiped off the map. This not an area which can be viewed from the expressway.
Then there's the heat. It was 100F in the parking garage. It felt like 105F outside in the sun - humidity 67%, which is not as high as it can get. I was sweating as soon as I'd turned the engine off. No wonder everyone down here has a sun tan.
To cool down, I popped into a local jazz bar with a live band. And selected ice cold Bud Light as my cool down drink of choice. Well, ice cold Bud Light (well you wouldn't want a warm beer would you?) is good for cooling down, quenching thirst, calming down, and having with dinner. Its very versatile!
For lunch, I went to another music bar, this time on the banks of the Mississippi. Had a small bowl of Jambalaya (too hot for warm food really). My opporunity to sample real local cuisine. It did contain fish (I knew this before I chose it) but it was rather nice. Lots of flavour (not so much fish). One of the bar staff, was cutting his way in to a vat of some sort of shell fish. He offered me one, but I declined... I know its supposed to be nice, but I couldn't think of anything much worse - this not really liking fish thing is quite limiting! Wouldn't have been able to handle the fish gumbo which is a real shame. I just don't like fish that much!
Having had problems with the bank, travellers cheques, and running out of cash, I have since discovered that casinos offer incrediby useful tourist services. Mum and Dad would be well advised to note this. They offer the discerning travller the following free services:
1. Travellers Cheque cashing
2. ATMs
3. Air Conditioning
4. Toilets
Casinos are your friend!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
You know you're a redneck when...
... your checked shirt finishes 6 inches before your pants start. (That's an American joke, by the way).
The day started well in Panama City Beach. (PCB. Sounds like something you make circuits on, or a new type of venereal disease). Anyway, so I went down for the free continental breakfast (after my fourth massage spa of course) and was happily chewing away at my frosties watching Michael Jackson's first autopsy, when a large lady appeared. She carried a clear plastic box with a green lid which had vents in the top. On closer inspection, it was revealed to be a box containing live crickets. I don't know about you, but I prefer waffles and coffee for breakfast... (or one of Shanes magnificent sausage sandwiches on white with a bit of brown sauce. He never offered me live crickets though. Maybe he's missing something).
Anyway, after that (mis)adventure this morning (it put me right off my frosties, let me tell you), it was time to hit the road again. It hurt my fist. Yep they make the roads out of tarmac here too. (Oh no has it been that long since I've had a proper face to face conversation with someone I know, I've resorted to humour like that???).
Panama City Beach (see photos) was out of this world though. What a fantastic little place! When I say "little" - its used as a noun, not an adjective. The beach was amazing - lovely white sugary sand, that crunched under foot. Roger was right! Unfortunately I was only passing through PCB, really (plus what the hell do you do on a beach on your own apart from get pulled out to sea on the rip tides), but the 10 minutes or so I spent walking on there were beach heaven! (Although it was 8:30 in the morning, the temperature was already up to 87F and the reflection from the sand meant my skin was peeling off my body after about 2 minutes). Florida could well be my favourite U.S. state. This would definitely be a place I'd like to come back to - the beach alone is worth the trip, and the shopping area of town looked very nice too; but I didn't explore this.
So I carried on along my 320 mile trip from PCB to New Orleans (or N'Orlins to the locals). Man! There are some big trailers (caravan type things) out here. They seem to attach to some sort of mounting mechanism (pretty much in the same way as a trailer attaches to an articulated lorry) on the back of your pickup - should you have a pickup, of course. They don't attach to Tahoes for example. I'm pretty sure in square footage terms, some of these trailers are as big as my house.
One can also see why the cup holder was invented. The roads can get pretty boring and long. (Although not boring today, as there was plenty of traffic). Having a nice cup of tea to drink along the way is almost a requirement. Unfortunately, one thing Americans can't do is make tea. So I settled for coffee instead. This is possible even though the outside air temperature is at 41C, because the inside of the car is at -5C. The AC is so good in the Tahoe, even the beer is frozen. And yes, stored in the boot. Sorry trunk.
Along the way I passed a few funny signs. One of which was for Bagdad. The sign was shortly after a mock-Navy Jet was stood at a Rest Area. Thought better of visiting Bagdad in the currently climate...
Finally arrived in New Orleans though. It wasn't what I expected somehow. My expectations were of a hurricane damaged landscape with a small section in the middle still standing which was Bourbon Street, and untouched. Erm no.
New Orleans is a massive sprawling city like many other American cities. In fact, I entered into the New Orleans suburbs 16 miles before getting to the downtown (centre) bit. There are some large buildings which mark out downtown quite clearly on the landscape, just like in Miami, or New York City. The surrounding areas are all low lying buildings - so from 16 miles away the road is higher (sort of roof line) of the houses below it, which gives you a great view of the entire place. One thing about it, is that it is very very very flat. Oh and there are a lot of brand new buildings in the suburbs too... It is easy to see how a hurricane could just cause so much damage - there is no land mass to speak of to stop one. New Orleans is sort of nestled between the Gulf of Mexico, and a massive lake, Pontchartrain.
I didn't see much in the way of hurricane damaged places though, maybe that is because I had to keep one eye on the road, or maybe it was because most of it has been cleared up now. Or it could be that my route into the city wasn't a particularly badly hit part.
The shower is so powerful at the Best Western Bayou Inn, that it has rubbed my hair clean off. I needed a hair cut previously, but this has solved the problem! Nice one! (Just got to remember to put sunscreen on my head now).
Chilis for dinner. Nothing to report there, except the bstards wouldn't accept travellers cheques and I'm getting pretty annoyed at this now. Things have certainly changed over here since 2007.
Stats:
69% oil life left
19mpg average (24 UK mpg?)
2,000 miles covered
105 U.S. gallons used
3 Dennys + 1 independent cooked breakfast
10 bud lights + a few more
The day started well in Panama City Beach. (PCB. Sounds like something you make circuits on, or a new type of venereal disease). Anyway, so I went down for the free continental breakfast (after my fourth massage spa of course) and was happily chewing away at my frosties watching Michael Jackson's first autopsy, when a large lady appeared. She carried a clear plastic box with a green lid which had vents in the top. On closer inspection, it was revealed to be a box containing live crickets. I don't know about you, but I prefer waffles and coffee for breakfast... (or one of Shanes magnificent sausage sandwiches on white with a bit of brown sauce. He never offered me live crickets though. Maybe he's missing something).
Anyway, after that (mis)adventure this morning (it put me right off my frosties, let me tell you), it was time to hit the road again. It hurt my fist. Yep they make the roads out of tarmac here too. (Oh no has it been that long since I've had a proper face to face conversation with someone I know, I've resorted to humour like that???).
Panama City Beach (see photos) was out of this world though. What a fantastic little place! When I say "little" - its used as a noun, not an adjective. The beach was amazing - lovely white sugary sand, that crunched under foot. Roger was right! Unfortunately I was only passing through PCB, really (plus what the hell do you do on a beach on your own apart from get pulled out to sea on the rip tides), but the 10 minutes or so I spent walking on there were beach heaven! (Although it was 8:30 in the morning, the temperature was already up to 87F and the reflection from the sand meant my skin was peeling off my body after about 2 minutes). Florida could well be my favourite U.S. state. This would definitely be a place I'd like to come back to - the beach alone is worth the trip, and the shopping area of town looked very nice too; but I didn't explore this.
So I carried on along my 320 mile trip from PCB to New Orleans (or N'Orlins to the locals). Man! There are some big trailers (caravan type things) out here. They seem to attach to some sort of mounting mechanism (pretty much in the same way as a trailer attaches to an articulated lorry) on the back of your pickup - should you have a pickup, of course. They don't attach to Tahoes for example. I'm pretty sure in square footage terms, some of these trailers are as big as my house.
One can also see why the cup holder was invented. The roads can get pretty boring and long. (Although not boring today, as there was plenty of traffic). Having a nice cup of tea to drink along the way is almost a requirement. Unfortunately, one thing Americans can't do is make tea. So I settled for coffee instead. This is possible even though the outside air temperature is at 41C, because the inside of the car is at -5C. The AC is so good in the Tahoe, even the beer is frozen. And yes, stored in the boot. Sorry trunk.
Along the way I passed a few funny signs. One of which was for Bagdad. The sign was shortly after a mock-Navy Jet was stood at a Rest Area. Thought better of visiting Bagdad in the currently climate...
Finally arrived in New Orleans though. It wasn't what I expected somehow. My expectations were of a hurricane damaged landscape with a small section in the middle still standing which was Bourbon Street, and untouched. Erm no.
New Orleans is a massive sprawling city like many other American cities. In fact, I entered into the New Orleans suburbs 16 miles before getting to the downtown (centre) bit. There are some large buildings which mark out downtown quite clearly on the landscape, just like in Miami, or New York City. The surrounding areas are all low lying buildings - so from 16 miles away the road is higher (sort of roof line) of the houses below it, which gives you a great view of the entire place. One thing about it, is that it is very very very flat. Oh and there are a lot of brand new buildings in the suburbs too... It is easy to see how a hurricane could just cause so much damage - there is no land mass to speak of to stop one. New Orleans is sort of nestled between the Gulf of Mexico, and a massive lake, Pontchartrain.
I didn't see much in the way of hurricane damaged places though, maybe that is because I had to keep one eye on the road, or maybe it was because most of it has been cleared up now. Or it could be that my route into the city wasn't a particularly badly hit part.
The shower is so powerful at the Best Western Bayou Inn, that it has rubbed my hair clean off. I needed a hair cut previously, but this has solved the problem! Nice one! (Just got to remember to put sunscreen on my head now).
Chilis for dinner. Nothing to report there, except the bstards wouldn't accept travellers cheques and I'm getting pretty annoyed at this now. Things have certainly changed over here since 2007.
Stats:
69% oil life left
19mpg average (24 UK mpg?)
2,000 miles covered
105 U.S. gallons used
3 Dennys + 1 independent cooked breakfast
10 bud lights + a few more
Friday, June 26, 2009
Supplementary - Black Angus
Black Angus Steak House for dinner.
I was greated by an ugly looking fish. No seriously. Fish isn't a metaphor. Not sure what his name was (I'm assuming 'it' was a 'he' but 'it' could just as easily have been a 'her'). He was a Paku, a big 15 year old brute. He was about 3 feet long and two feet high (and about 1 inch wide!). That is unless he was actually only 3 inches tall, and two inches high - and it was the walls of his glass prison that were 3 feet thick, giving the illusion he was big...
Well he (lets call him, um, 'Tiny') could do 0-60 faster than anything I've ever seen that big. He must have been about Tahoe size (in fish terms) and he was much faster - relatively. Not sure how economical though. Maybe a rat or two, he looked capable of devouring pretty much anything that was put in his tank. Miles-per-rabbit?
The other thing that happened was my waiter, Josh, (who wasn't 2 feet high) got a dressing down of a rather arrogant lady.
Let me put you in the picture some more.
So I was eating my dinner (caesar salad, this toasted sourdough bread loaf in oil - delicious - steak and fries, literally steak and fries - no veg, not even a hint at veg, glad I ordered the caesar), and in walks a very tall and not-particularly-skinny lady, and a very short gentleman. The lady was American, and the guy was spanish - and couldn't speak a word of English. Anyway, so I'm eating away and Josh-the-waiter goes over and does his intro. She stops him, and nastily says "Pardon me? Don't you mean 'you'". I'm like "huh" and he's like "huh" (And so one time? I was at Band Camp? I realise not everyone will appreciate this little jokette) What he had said to offend the poor woman was "Hi my name is Josh, and I'm going to be helping us today" instead of "Hi my name is Josh, I'm going to be helping you today". Strictly speaking, I suppose she was right, but OMG what an obnoxious woman! He's just trying to do his sodding job, and be polite about it! Polite to people LIKE YOU luv. Later on she was joined by a couple of guests, and was explaining to them how she'd sorted him out, and her guest says "oh so you're not in a good mood" and she replies "no, I just have a lot of rules".
ARRRGGGGGGHHHH Its people like that, who REALLY get on my wick! Like that irritating woman in the tube when Sam had her purse stolen... stop me if I've told you this one before!
Time for more Bud light and a spa by the sounds of things!
I was greated by an ugly looking fish. No seriously. Fish isn't a metaphor. Not sure what his name was (I'm assuming 'it' was a 'he' but 'it' could just as easily have been a 'her'). He was a Paku, a big 15 year old brute. He was about 3 feet long and two feet high (and about 1 inch wide!). That is unless he was actually only 3 inches tall, and two inches high - and it was the walls of his glass prison that were 3 feet thick, giving the illusion he was big...
Well he (lets call him, um, 'Tiny') could do 0-60 faster than anything I've ever seen that big. He must have been about Tahoe size (in fish terms) and he was much faster - relatively. Not sure how economical though. Maybe a rat or two, he looked capable of devouring pretty much anything that was put in his tank. Miles-per-rabbit?
The other thing that happened was my waiter, Josh, (who wasn't 2 feet high) got a dressing down of a rather arrogant lady.
Let me put you in the picture some more.
So I was eating my dinner (caesar salad, this toasted sourdough bread loaf in oil - delicious - steak and fries, literally steak and fries - no veg, not even a hint at veg, glad I ordered the caesar), and in walks a very tall and not-particularly-skinny lady, and a very short gentleman. The lady was American, and the guy was spanish - and couldn't speak a word of English. Anyway, so I'm eating away and Josh-the-waiter goes over and does his intro. She stops him, and nastily says "Pardon me? Don't you mean 'you'". I'm like "huh" and he's like "huh" (And so one time? I was at Band Camp? I realise not everyone will appreciate this little jokette) What he had said to offend the poor woman was "Hi my name is Josh, and I'm going to be helping us today" instead of "Hi my name is Josh, I'm going to be helping you today". Strictly speaking, I suppose she was right, but OMG what an obnoxious woman! He's just trying to do his sodding job, and be polite about it! Polite to people LIKE YOU luv. Later on she was joined by a couple of guests, and was explaining to them how she'd sorted him out, and her guest says "oh so you're not in a good mood" and she replies "no, I just have a lot of rules".
ARRRGGGGGGHHHH Its people like that, who REALLY get on my wick! Like that irritating woman in the tube when Sam had her purse stolen... stop me if I've told you this one before!
Time for more Bud light and a spa by the sounds of things!
Westward (Ho!)
So driven today from Savannah to Panama City, Florida. Its a 399 mile (sorry, actually its more like 417, but I'm talking from when I set off from Dennys (!) this morning, a few miles out of Savannah) trip on Interstate mainly.
It was more stressful than the highways I have been used to, mainly because its higher speed and there's more traffic, and there are similar motorway type issues that we face in the UK, with people not moving over, getting right up your behind so far you can almost taste their engines, and the Five-O popping up everywhere...
So far as I can see though, there are two major plus points of these 70mph super highways:
1. All traffic, more or less, is doing 70mph +, including the trucks. Which means as the road is only 2 lanes in either direction (between major metropolitan areas - in major metro areas, there can be as many as 7 lanes), there are less pinch points of traffic backing up when trucks are trying aimlessly to overtake each other, at a significantly lower speed than other traffic.
2. There are NO SPEED CAMERAS!!!!!!!!!! (Not that anyone particularly speeds much, 70-80mph seems to be the norm).
There were some road works along the route. If you think the 50-zone on the M1 south of Nottingham is long, THINK AGAIN. The Road Work zone on the I-95 must have been 4x that length. At least it wasn't limited to 50 though! (55!). And of course, there are no super-irritating and blood-pressure increasing average speed cameras. Just the Five-O waiting around every corner... oh and speed fines double when workers are present... (a good incentive not to speed methinks, particularly as there is a posted minimum fine of $100. I believe the system is an incremental charging rate dependent upon the number of mph over the limit you were doing - but don't quote me, hopefully I won't get to find out).
Two other key things have happened today, my trip has changed direction; I'm now heading West instead of South. In fact, I can't travel much further South in the U.S. (as I have now past the long bit of land which juts out down below the rest of the United States, which makes up the majority of Florida) without falling into the Gulf of Mexico.
The other thing which has happened, is that I've changed timezone and am now 6 hours behind the U.K. That means my stomach is having to wait another HOUR before it can have food. Something it has forgotten existed, until I typed this blog just now. Now I'm hungry :-P
The Tahoe is performing admirably, I hardly noticed the 7 hours I spent in there today, really! Its like driving an armchair. The only minor negative point is that the economy (pmsl - economy is not an adjective when talking about the Tahoe) dropped from 21mpg to 18mpg on the Interstate... just shows you what the difference is from driving at 50-60mph to driving at 70-80mph.
The thermometer tipped 100F earlier, but has since gone back to 97F.
Oh the only other thing to say is that my Ramada room is totally different to the one in Viringia Beach! This is cheaper, AND its amazing! It has like two separate areas - a sofa, a king bed, a 32inch plasma, and most of all, a massive spa bath (as well as a normal bathroom, with bath and shower over!)!!! Photos will be online later, when I've frozen a few budlights, and got the spa filled. Well, if its there....... ;-) Pity Claire's not here to enjoy it with me :-( ooops too much info for normal readers!
Sorry Janice!
Going for dinner now, hopefully steak. I think there's a Black Angus near here.
It was more stressful than the highways I have been used to, mainly because its higher speed and there's more traffic, and there are similar motorway type issues that we face in the UK, with people not moving over, getting right up your behind so far you can almost taste their engines, and the Five-O popping up everywhere...
So far as I can see though, there are two major plus points of these 70mph super highways:
1. All traffic, more or less, is doing 70mph +, including the trucks. Which means as the road is only 2 lanes in either direction (between major metropolitan areas - in major metro areas, there can be as many as 7 lanes), there are less pinch points of traffic backing up when trucks are trying aimlessly to overtake each other, at a significantly lower speed than other traffic.
2. There are NO SPEED CAMERAS!!!!!!!!!! (Not that anyone particularly speeds much, 70-80mph seems to be the norm).
There were some road works along the route. If you think the 50-zone on the M1 south of Nottingham is long, THINK AGAIN. The Road Work zone on the I-95 must have been 4x that length. At least it wasn't limited to 50 though! (55!). And of course, there are no super-irritating and blood-pressure increasing average speed cameras. Just the Five-O waiting around every corner... oh and speed fines double when workers are present... (a good incentive not to speed methinks, particularly as there is a posted minimum fine of $100. I believe the system is an incremental charging rate dependent upon the number of mph over the limit you were doing - but don't quote me, hopefully I won't get to find out).
Two other key things have happened today, my trip has changed direction; I'm now heading West instead of South. In fact, I can't travel much further South in the U.S. (as I have now past the long bit of land which juts out down below the rest of the United States, which makes up the majority of Florida) without falling into the Gulf of Mexico.
The other thing which has happened, is that I've changed timezone and am now 6 hours behind the U.K. That means my stomach is having to wait another HOUR before it can have food. Something it has forgotten existed, until I typed this blog just now. Now I'm hungry :-P
The Tahoe is performing admirably, I hardly noticed the 7 hours I spent in there today, really! Its like driving an armchair. The only minor negative point is that the economy (pmsl - economy is not an adjective when talking about the Tahoe) dropped from 21mpg to 18mpg on the Interstate... just shows you what the difference is from driving at 50-60mph to driving at 70-80mph.
The thermometer tipped 100F earlier, but has since gone back to 97F.
Oh the only other thing to say is that my Ramada room is totally different to the one in Viringia Beach! This is cheaper, AND its amazing! It has like two separate areas - a sofa, a king bed, a 32inch plasma, and most of all, a massive spa bath (as well as a normal bathroom, with bath and shower over!)!!! Photos will be online later, when I've frozen a few budlights, and got the spa filled. Well, if its there....... ;-) Pity Claire's not here to enjoy it with me :-( ooops too much info for normal readers!
Sorry Janice!
Going for dinner now, hopefully steak. I think there's a Black Angus near here.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Life is like a box of chocolates...
Never a truer word said I think.
Two surprise deaths in the world - Michael Jackson, and Farrah Fawcett. Only yesterday Farrah was on the local news here, having finally (after 30 years in the relationship) announced she had agreed to marry her life partner.
It just brings it home again and again, that life is TOO SHORT to waste, if you haven't already had first hand experience of this fact. Get on with doing what you want!
Two surprise deaths in the world - Michael Jackson, and Farrah Fawcett. Only yesterday Farrah was on the local news here, having finally (after 30 years in the relationship) announced she had agreed to marry her life partner.
It just brings it home again and again, that life is TOO SHORT to waste, if you haven't already had first hand experience of this fact. Get on with doing what you want!
* * *
Woke up this morning and decided to go get a proper breakfast again. Drove 7 miles to the nearest Dennys! Fantastic.
Picked up a couple of leaflets for things to do in Savannah. One of the best ways to see the town is actually on foot, so went to book in for a walking tour. Unfortunately, the particular tour I wanted (a general tour) there was only me who signed up for it, so I had to go on the Civil War tour instead. Not my usual thing really, but it was actually quite interesting! It opened up a whole new world of history to me! Not to mention that I was in famous company. There were three of us on the tour, plus the tour guide. Brad Pitt and his wife Eva Mendez were the other couple, and Hazel was our tour guide. I'm quite sure that Hazel had personal experience of the Civil War, and had met most of the generals and political figures she talked of. She was that old. Either that, or she had been in the sun far too long, bless her. Lovely lady though. (Actually it did me a favour. She was very spritely - for an older lady - and I was struggling to keep up in the heat, 94F (34C), felt a bit light headed on a couple of occasions. Either that, or she had slipped Rohypnol into my water when I wasn't looking).
Savannah is certainly one of the nice cities to visit in America, and gives you a good insight into the past, and how America has changed in the last couple of hundred years. The architecture is a contrasting mixture of old colonial buildings, and modern concrete and clay building plonked in between - when they thought it was a good idea to rip up the old stuff and build new stuff in the 60s. Unfortunately their ideas of new buildings in the 60s, were not good ideas - and the result is a bit of a mish mash. But it is interesting! (if you like that sort of thing) and its a nice, friendly, honest, and clean place. Somewhere definitely worth visiting if you're ever in the vicinity.
Sorry - I keep getting critisised for being boring, but this is how I experience the world! I can jump out of a plane in the biggest drop zone in Europe, somewhere over Spain. I can bungee jump in England! But I can't do a Civil War Waking Tour of Savannah in England! Oh no, you have to be here for that!
One of the other interesting factoids that I learned, was that during the Civil War, the buildings all had a concrete facade put over them, covering all of the windows, thereby making the building look like one big concrete slab. (They have replicated this well with the 60s buildings, but not sure whether it was intentional...). It was only more recently, when the concrete facades were removed, that the windows were discovered on a lot of these buildings - and the windows kind of make the design really.
Savannah is also famous for its squares. These are sections of land interspersed with the buildings, which are full of trees, benches and usually have a monument of one war or another at their centre. They make the place interesting and give some relief from the heat under the trees. It has 21 squares (24 originally). One of which is Chippewa Square, where the famous scene from Forrest Gump was filmed. The bench where Forrest sat to give his pearls of wisdom is not there - it has been replaced by a flower bed, and there is little evidence that Hollywood had ever visited. See the photos. The other fact about the movie was that traffic flow was diverted in the opposite way around the square (which is more of an oval). Not sure why this was, and will probably never know.
So far, this region feels like real America, not the tourist sort you get in Florida (to be fair, if I lived in Florida, I'd get pretty sick of the British tourists, and their "tipping, what's that? I'm not paying 15%" / "this place is too big" / "this place is too brash" / "its not like England" closed off mindset (but yet they still come over here?) (yes we are not all like that, but some unfortunately are)) its more a genuine American place, where real people live and work, and enjoy their lives. Like Buxton is to Brits. Or Wakefield. (Only a little bigger). This is where you would come (and I'd include Charleston in this as well) to experience the proper, down to earth, good old fashioned America, a little off the beaten tourist track for us - although Savannah is a tourist town much more so than Charleston, I haven't met foreign tourists like me yet).
Liking this traveling thing though, I'm seeing a lot in a short time - and seeing everything I want to.
Fuel Used: 1 Hartland Scramble, 2.1 litres of water.
Spanky's for dinner again tonight. Liked it so much last night (that and the small fact there is very little other choice in a 7 mile radius of here, plus drinking several budlights, you gotta only be a short weave away from the hotel in the big truck). Special Pizza. Hmmm. Legendary. Unfortunately as I couldn't wait for it to be made, thought I'd order an appetizer. Hot bread and cheese dip. It was two baguettes of bread and a whole vat of that warm melted cheese, which is not really melted cheese at all. Unfortunately, it smelled delicious, and after the first bite, by stomach realised it had not eaten since 9am, and proceeded to devour the two baguettes like its throat had been cut. That meant I couldn't finish my pizza. You do realise why there are rather people though - the flavours were incredible! If we had food as good tasting as this to eat every night in England, I'd be the size of a house! If there's one thing they know how to do here, its cook. (That said, thus far I have only seen one lady who was rather too large for her struggling chair, and she was a software engineer. If I was a software engineer, I think I'd rather focus on eating too).
* * *
One thing I forgot to mention yesterday, was part of the trip down on the Interstate 95, which is a 70mph road. I was doing around 70, when from out of nowhere a massive logging truck was up my chuff, wanting to get passed! He must have been doing closer to 80mph. And I'm not talking about a small UK rig, I'm talking a massive Kenworth with a huge pile of logs on its trailer. That's something I have yet to get used to - the trucks can go as fast, or faster than you! They ain't stuck at 56mph. The funny thing was, up his behind was the five-o! They didn't bat an eyelid. This "Arrive Alive Drive 55" thing is a myth! Should be more like "Get to where your going in one piece. Get out of the way of logging trucks!"
As I'm driving down these two lane highways (two in each direction, separated by a grassy median) I keep having visions of a cop coming the opposite directions, passing me, me looking in the rear view mirror to see him blues and twos on, doing a power slide across the median grass and mud everywhere, coming after me in a Smokey and the Bandit-esque scene... but that's not happened. Well not yet anyway...
Interstate time tomorrow, the I-95 and I-10 two roads all the way to Panama City, Florida, where I have another night in a Ramada. Not particularly looking forward to that, considering my last Ramada experience...
Supplementary - hot sauce
The chicken fingers in hot sauce last night were lovely. But not so nice this morning. I don't think my insides are coping well with it. Ouch.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Did somebody say McDonalds?
Boy I must surely have eaten my way through about 4m calories today. This Southern hospitality is legendary.
Right where to start! At the beginning would be the best bet.
Cape Fear - it is real, I have been, and it is nice...
One thing you notice, on your travels through America as you do, is that you come across signs in the road saying Slow - Inmates Working. What a very brilliant idea! Get those slow prisoners doing works at the road side - mowing the lawns, tidying up, that sort of thing. Get them earning their £30k per year it costs to keep them! (Though, I would have thought in this litigious country there were laws against calling people 'slow'... Go figure).
I heard on the radio (the second source of this information, following the USA Today newspaper) that America's largest car reliability survey rates Lexus as #1, Porsche as #2 (nothing unusual there) and guess what was at #3....??? No go on, guess?? CADILLAC! Yes Col, a Caddy is the 3rd most reliable car in America! What did I tell you?! They are the future! (and present for you).
Still travelling the 17 South today (its a long road), and had an option of visiting Bolivia - decided to take the bypass instead...
Visited Myrtle Beach on the way down to Savannah - which was another Blackpool style place, pretty grotty really - but the beach looked amazing. Rolling breakers on a soft sandy beach...
After Myrtle was Charleston, the first place I've visited and thought "yeah this is really nice" on this trip. The other places have been nice enough, but Charleston was really nice. Its where Hootie and the Blowfish are from! But apart from that, the architecture was traditional American, sort of mixture of red-brick buildings and wooden fronted cowboy-town style. In amongst all of the churches of course, and well looked after (for the most part). I have never seen so many churches though! They are like mosques in Bradford! (You can never have enough...) Charleston itself is a few streets of shops, and interesting little places. It had a kind of honesty about it - there was no pretentiousness or trying hard to be something, like so many places in L.A. or Orlando. The people seemed a lot more genuine and normal as well, and very hospitable.
It has been warm today though touching 91F in places (33C) and fairly humid... just walking around Charleston, and I was sweating buckets and needed a shower and a change of clothes... I think its going to get worse though, the Southern states are experiencing a heat wave at the moment, and high humidity making the temperatures seem about 115F (46C) in places, according to the news.
McDonalds for lunch with a Big Mac and large fries! (Oh no!). Must have put on another few pounds. Need to go for another run! Lets see what the morning brings.
At the Travelodge in Savannah, Georgia, for the next two nights. Its a bit off the main drag (about 6 miles actually) but CHEAP. And pretty nice, certainly much nicer than Howard Johnson (hojo), Wilmington, and Ramada Virginia Beach anyway! Having said that, the hojo manager did open the breakfast facilities this morning specifically for me, as I was a little late...
Had dinner this evening at Spankys. (Yes Spankys, no jokes please). It was really nice - can't half tell I'm in the South though, y'all). The waiter recommended their southern fried 'spuds' and hot (southern fried) chicken fingers. Delicious! (Just another 5,000, southern fried, calories). The waiter was fine - southern hospitality is legendary, although if he called me boss just one more time, he was likely to receive the contents of my bud light glass on his head. (To be fair, there wasn't much left in the bottom), but calling me boss - or bo-w-s, did get old quite quickly...
It is very plain to see though, that there has been a total phase shift in terms of customer service / hospitality down here. So far, I haven't had a bad experience in this department, in fact, everything has been great - Americans do know how to do service and hospitality very well - but the South is legendary, and it is plain to see why...
This Blog was brought to you by ROCK107 "The Only Station That REALLY ROCKS!"
(No rocks were harmed during the making of this advertisement. Finance available on request. Only $599 down, subject to credit score).
Right where to start! At the beginning would be the best bet.
Cape Fear - it is real, I have been, and it is nice...
One thing you notice, on your travels through America as you do, is that you come across signs in the road saying Slow - Inmates Working. What a very brilliant idea! Get those slow prisoners doing works at the road side - mowing the lawns, tidying up, that sort of thing. Get them earning their £30k per year it costs to keep them! (Though, I would have thought in this litigious country there were laws against calling people 'slow'... Go figure).
I heard on the radio (the second source of this information, following the USA Today newspaper) that America's largest car reliability survey rates Lexus as #1, Porsche as #2 (nothing unusual there) and guess what was at #3....??? No go on, guess?? CADILLAC! Yes Col, a Caddy is the 3rd most reliable car in America! What did I tell you?! They are the future! (and present for you).
Still travelling the 17 South today (its a long road), and had an option of visiting Bolivia - decided to take the bypass instead...
Visited Myrtle Beach on the way down to Savannah - which was another Blackpool style place, pretty grotty really - but the beach looked amazing. Rolling breakers on a soft sandy beach...
After Myrtle was Charleston, the first place I've visited and thought "yeah this is really nice" on this trip. The other places have been nice enough, but Charleston was really nice. Its where Hootie and the Blowfish are from! But apart from that, the architecture was traditional American, sort of mixture of red-brick buildings and wooden fronted cowboy-town style. In amongst all of the churches of course, and well looked after (for the most part). I have never seen so many churches though! They are like mosques in Bradford! (You can never have enough...) Charleston itself is a few streets of shops, and interesting little places. It had a kind of honesty about it - there was no pretentiousness or trying hard to be something, like so many places in L.A. or Orlando. The people seemed a lot more genuine and normal as well, and very hospitable.
It has been warm today though touching 91F in places (33C) and fairly humid... just walking around Charleston, and I was sweating buckets and needed a shower and a change of clothes... I think its going to get worse though, the Southern states are experiencing a heat wave at the moment, and high humidity making the temperatures seem about 115F (46C) in places, according to the news.
McDonalds for lunch with a Big Mac and large fries! (Oh no!). Must have put on another few pounds. Need to go for another run! Lets see what the morning brings.
At the Travelodge in Savannah, Georgia, for the next two nights. Its a bit off the main drag (about 6 miles actually) but CHEAP. And pretty nice, certainly much nicer than Howard Johnson (hojo), Wilmington, and Ramada Virginia Beach anyway! Having said that, the hojo manager did open the breakfast facilities this morning specifically for me, as I was a little late...
Had dinner this evening at Spankys. (Yes Spankys, no jokes please). It was really nice - can't half tell I'm in the South though, y'all). The waiter recommended their southern fried 'spuds' and hot (southern fried) chicken fingers. Delicious! (Just another 5,000, southern fried, calories). The waiter was fine - southern hospitality is legendary, although if he called me boss just one more time, he was likely to receive the contents of my bud light glass on his head. (To be fair, there wasn't much left in the bottom), but calling me boss - or bo-w-s, did get old quite quickly...
It is very plain to see though, that there has been a total phase shift in terms of customer service / hospitality down here. So far, I haven't had a bad experience in this department, in fact, everything has been great - Americans do know how to do service and hospitality very well - but the South is legendary, and it is plain to see why...
This Blog was brought to you by ROCK107 "The Only Station That REALLY ROCKS!"
(No rocks were harmed during the making of this advertisement. Finance available on request. Only $599 down, subject to credit score).
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