Day 14 LA

Well, after spending 15 hours doing 3 miles through LA today wasn't much different.

We started the day heading up to sunset boulevard and mulholland drive to take a few snaps before heading to Santa Monica.

Hey Sam, best photo in t'world, skillage or what?

Heidi did a fantastic holding Hollywood between her fingers like you see on those web sites.  Worded a treat!!!!!

We then spent the next 6 hours getting 20 miles downtown to Santa Monica.  Having a lovely Italian lunch, our only meal of today, a beer and sangria we headed to the pier to conclude our 2,500+ mile track across the US.

Oh yes we saw a muckle car on the way in.

We then headed to the pier and went on a seriously scary ride.

Heidi totally relaxed.

And of course those who have been know all about the success of Forest Gump's mate, Bubba.

Then of course the reason for the visit...

We then met Dan, a mate of Gerry, who you've heard of already, our hero!  Dan was a lovely guy, lots of banter and interest in history, so yes we sold him a Hadrian Wall holiday - or at least the website.

So we fly Friday morning at 11 arriving back in UK a 8.30 Saturday morning, in time for heidi to go on holiday again on Sunday.

Thanks for you comments, it's been great doing the blog and see you all soon.  See you soon kids, missing you all and looking forward to your cuddles.  And fighting.  And arguing.  And doing nowt.

Tris & Heidi Hughes xx

It's amazing the things you get up to in Vegas!! Thought what goes on in Vegas better come out!!

Janet told me (in the words of Katy Perry) "get up and shake the glitter off your clothes now that's what you get for waking up in Vegas" 

Day 13 Las Vegas to LA

We said goodbye to Las Vegas and headed back down to Needles in California to join up with Route 66. It was so nice to be back on straight empty roads again.

Headed to Barstow not much to see except beautiful desert scenery and to Tristans excitement more trains!! (I think he's becoming obsessed) 

More towns that have suffered by interstate 

A boy Crater...National Landmark whose lava flow crosses Route 66

Tiny dust storm. 

Stopped for lunch at the famous Bagdad Cafe of movie fame....no idea but the Germans know it well !!

Tris texting Janet which is regular occurrence at lunch time!

It's that famous you get to take a photo with the owner!

I have to take the picture he shouts...."train did you get it!"

Bottle tree Ranch in Helendale.

Emma Jean's Holland Burger....for fans of "Kill Bill" a science was filmed here!

Cajon pass

Photo below of Swarthout Canyon Road.

Heading to Pasadena and the heavens opened again!!!!

Got knackered at this point as it was taking an hour to do a mile as the Americans LOVE traffic lights! It was late so decided to leave Route 66 at Pasadena and head to hotel. I then had 40 mins of gripping onto the door handle and closing my eyes. The traffic was crazy and the lanes and the idiot ****** cars

First time (can you believe) that Tris and I got a bit shirty with each other about directions due to the mad Californians drivers!!!! ......wish I was back in Kansas.....

Day 10 - Day 11 Las Vegas

Starting with Day 9 evening, on our arrival to Vegas.  Very hot, very busy, very well lit up.

Day 10, Monday 18th August, was a bit of a write off with us surfacing around 4pm and managing to eat and drink New York New York's finest pizza and lemonade before heading back to our room to finish Thor II on the ipad, left over from the flight.

Today, Tuesday, was a better day but first a couple of poor Vegas shots.

Today however was our Black Canyon rafting starting at the Hoover Dam and heading 12 miles downstream.  Day started well with a great tour guide and pleasant company on the boat.  We got the history of the Dam and its purpose, for managing the Colorado flow, electricity generation a secondary issue.

Not our raft but that's what we were on!  Prime location starboard front outside.

Look to the sky, if you can pinch or expand you can see the flying flamingo's. Or geese or pigeons or something.

Our lunch and first planned swim stop of the day.  You may notice the lack of blue sky, this is when things got a little ugly, ha ugly, that was the problem the night before too.

Lunch time Nevada style, 4" of rain a year they get, they didn't tell it all came on the same day!

Here is a heron.  Flying.

And here is the rain.  P@@@@@g down.

The last two pictures where taken, perhaps an hour from our lunch stop where it started.  We took refuge under an overhang and watched as waterfalls were created on the canon sides, typical for a honeymoon.

On the up side our rafting colleagues were all good sports and we made a new friend, Jane who was the only other English person.  A little camera shy, sitting by Heidi.  Travelling alone we're meeting later at her place, as she has a suite, kitchen, dining room, washer, dryer, freezer...   

So that's our day so far, were back in the room, showered half dressed and ready to hit the streets for some lunch/tea and say hello to Jane.