San Francisco - Rest Day

29th July - Lee went off on a tour to Napa Valley wine country so I took advantage and had a day of rest, Still walked about 7 miles but managed to catch upon "stuff". Bugs# 158

San Francisco

27th July- Caught train into city and met three guys - Joe, Joe and Jake - from Ohio. They were visiting too so managed with their help to get to Pier 39. Took a 2 hour open top double decker bus tour around the city to get our bearings. Very interesting city. The biggest disappointment was not being able to go to Alcatraz as they are booked months ahead:( Saw the hippy section (which is called Haight - weird - should be Love lol) This is Jan Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Grateful Dead stomping grounds. The bay area was 20 degrees cooler than the surrounding districts and got really quite cold. The bus itself left a lot to be desired on those bumpy hilly roads and it took my breath away when the driver chucked a U turn in a busy street ...gulp!! The Golden Gate bridge looked dark and spooky and was shrouded in mist. Imuch prefer Fisherman's Wharf on Monterey to SF and in fact I think Monterey is my favourite place so far. Bugs #99

28th July - Caught the train in to SF again and walked over the bridge and bussed it back. The bridge was shrouded in mist again and it was freezing but I didn't feel any urge to jump :).  Later went to THAT street in SF and walked to the top. So steep I swear my toes were touching my shins!!! Never been on such a steep street. Caught the cable car back down and then a trolley car back to the wharf - loved it - reminded me of so many movies. Have walked for miles and miles so far - makes sleeping easy. I like SF in the outer areas but SF itself is not so nice. Having said that I loved the architecture and the Bay itself. With the streets as hilly as they are it would be not be a user friendly place to live. Bugs #132

3 Days catch up - no internet till now

24th July - DISNEYLAND!!!!!!!!!  If I had to choose between Disneyland and Universal Studios, Universal would win hands down.. Maybe we just got there on a bad day. The Matterhorn was closed (in the middle of the summer holidays) - Toon Town was closed - the Pirates of the Caribbean broke down and we got stuck in a tunnel- we couldn't go on It's a Small World because that broke down - they got it up and going later and we did eventually get the ride.   The whole place seemed to be one big shopping mall of Disney clothes, toys etc etc  Universal was brilliant - the queues were well managed and there were fine mist sprays to keep people cool and the rides were just the BEST - especially the Simpson ride  Bugs# 33

25th July - Drove from Anaheim to Pismo Beach.. (202miles - 325 Kms)  Bugs Bunny fans will remember that's where he was trying to go when he took a wrong turn a Albuquerque which was a good enough reason for us to stop there for the night. For those who wonder I don't think Bugs ever made it there.  It was a reasonably good driving experience - I am feeling more comfortable about the size of the vehicle and with the help of some rhyming  tips (left is long - Thanks Pat :) and right is tight) I am getting used to the wrong side of the road bit. That's not to say there hasn't been some OMG and WTF moments but I am getting there :)  Bugs #47

26th July - Drove from Pismo Beach to Monterey- ( great place). Had clam chowder at Fisherman's Wharf. Very picturesque - seals in the harbour honking away - would like to have spent more time there. Then on to San Francisco - or rather the outskirts. Booked into a Super 6 for a few days. It's quite a bit cooler now we are further north - don't know if that's just a coincidence or normal. Driving wise - I have seen absolutely no tailgating - brilliant but indicating seems to be optional:) -   254 miles today - 409 kms. - Bugs #69

I'm a Walmart girl!!

Another day of rest cos we have sore throats - probably airplane germs grrr Went to Walmart and love it - bought a microwave for the camper van - $58 WTF!!  Also 36 bottles water x 500 mls for $3.48 - less than 10 cents each??????  H ave brought Australia and USA together - Foster's beer and squeezy cheese in a can lol   Bugs #32

Face your fears and do it anyway

WELL!!! The 21st was THE day! We picked up the camper van and I cannot convey my anguish at seeing the size of it. Although small by comparative RV sizes it is 3 times bigger than anything I have ever driven before. Add to that in USA they drive on the opposite side of the road and even the indicators and gear shift are on the opposite sides of the steering column. I felt like I was driving the Queen Mary down an alleyway in mirror image!!!! Lee was a great (and scared) instructor constantly telling me when I got too close to trees, cars, cyclists and the general public on the passenger side. We also have a Sat Nav which Lee interpreted brilliantly. So as not to get too complacent and let the fear wear off:(  I then drove from near the LAX pickup point to Venice Beach and then back across LA in peak hour to get to Annaheim. Venice Beach to Annaheim is a distance of about 40 miles- due to traffic holdups it took over 2 hours to get there - every muscle was clenched tight - and I mean EVERY -  the whole time. Would have been nice to pick it up in the countryside and practice first but this was a real baptism of fire. Venice Beach was great and had a yummy lunch at a beachfront pub. Then walked along the seafront - markets- acrobats- some very "interesting" looking people.  Today isthe 22nd and we are having a day of rest before going to Disneyland tomorrow. We are only half a mile from there and last night we could see the fireworks - very impressive (and loud). Bugs #29

Universal Studios

Awesome rides at Universal Studios - 6 hours of walking killed my feet though lol.  Wasn't quite a as hot today but still a lot different to Oz. Just bought some groceries including a 6 pack of Bud Light for Lee at the corner shop - thought it would be about $45 -was actually $22 - amazing - so much cheaper than Adelaide.  Bugs #16

Flight to LA

We left from gate 86 (Maxwell Smart) and flew on VA007 (James Bond)....spooky! The flight was great and seemed to go quickly. Had lots of toys to play with - small screen with TV programs & movies & games. Watched 463 episodes (or thereabouts :) ) of the Big Bang Theory - I love Sheldon :)    Because of the time difference we spent the 18th travelling to LA but also had the full day in LA.  Bought an I Phone (love it) - did lots of walking - Lee hit the clothes shops. It was very hot especially after leaving 1 degree C in Adelaide.  Ended the day with sore feet and a Mexican dinner and a 10 hours sleep
Bugs #6

Now the 19th and spent the day on our feet again. Walked to Hollywood & Vine and the surrounding area.  Once again it was very hot.  Stopped at Fatburger for a surprisingly healthy burger and did our first "star" spotting - chatted with Sophie Monk. Very nice and I will stress she wasn't eating burgers lol - she was there with her brother who was doing the eating. Went to Graumans Chinese Theatre and saw all the stars prints in the cement - James Stewart had the biggest feet. Went to Angels Flight which is a cable car that only goes one stop up a hill - read about it in a Michael Connolley  book - very interesting. We could see the Hollywood sign in the distance and will see it up close tomorrow. They were rolling out the red carpet for the Premiere of Captain America but it was too hot and crowded to hang around. Did a bit of shopping -much cheaper than Australia. Taxi back to hostel - feet to sore :)  Bugs#13