On Thursday we headed on a trip (full of Silver tops) to the Hoover Dam.
we saw Lake Mead (110 miles long with 550 miles of shoreline and 80 Ft below it's full level), and the concrete monstrosity of the Hoover Dam which creates hydro electric power, and controls the water for 6 states.
We did a tour and saw how it was built and how it works (Far too science based to put on here but I will explain if not knowing is keeping you awake at night!)
We then went for an all you can eat buffet lunch (Vegetables at last) which H and I had a fair stab at!
On the way back a quick stop at Ethel M's Chocolate factory (Mrs Mars) which was disappointing to say the least, and then a 2 hour HOUR drive down the strip dropping all the wrinkly's off. It was a good trip but certainly not my highlight of the last 3 weeks!
Being a cheeky so and so I had managed to blag H and I a lift to LA with Scott and Justin - Guys you are both absolute legends!
They even gave us a mini guided tour of LA (Mulholland Drive and the best Thai restuarant etc) when we got there.
Both Film Majors, Justin has just finished his first movie which will hopefully tour the festivals next year. So in thanks, here's a bit of free publicity! - Please check out their website www.cityonahillmovie.com See you in San Fran for some Soy Beer and Soy Vegetables!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
The One with the Canyons and Injuns
We decided to take a trip which covered the Zion, Grand Canyon and Bryce National Parks.
Our group was small - an Australian Family - Janelle, Lionel, Brendan and Hayden, Taran a 19 year old from Perth, Georgiana, a 22 year old Romanian, Justin and Scott who were filming and photographing the trip for a promotional video and Anderson - our guide - a Navajo Native American, who's Indian name means Troublemakers 4 the Son!
On the first day we headed to Zion National Park which was discovered (and named) by the Mormons. We passed through the Court of the Patriarchs - 3 rocks named Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, past Angels Landing and up to the Temple of Sinawava with its rock formations of the Organ, Altar and Pulpit. He we got off to do our first Hike amid the towering Sandstone canyons.
We did the Riverside walk ( no prizes for guessing that it runs along the virgin River) and then proceeded to do a hike called the Narrows - which runs up the river.
Being the delicate waif that I am, and not at all clumsy, walking up this river was easy! (hmm) The rocks were slippy and the water very cold and at times reaching our thighs. It was only sheer determination dn the fear of getting my camera wet that kept me upright, and to be honest at some times that was nearly not enough!
Back on Tera Firma, out clothes dried quickly in the hot sun as we headed up to Weeping Rock. Here the water seeping through the porous sandstone hits harder rock and forces itself out horizontally over an outcrop making it look like it's weeping . The water has been dated to be over 1200 years old.
From here we walked to Emerald Pools (named for the Algae!), before heading out of the park, past the Zion arch, and on to our home for the next two nights The Village of Many Nations and our Native American TiPi
After Dinner, and around the roaring campfire, Justin and Scott initiated us non Americans to the wonde of S'mores. Roasted Marshmallow sandwiched with a piece of Hersheys (or reeces Peanut Butter Cup) between two Gram Crackers. MMM MMM MMM!
Anderson then told us stories of the native Americans under the sky which was packed full of stars.
Yvette has asked me to tell one of the stories here. But I have also written as many as I could remember in my journal for those who want to be bored by me when I return:
The Story of the Stars:
When Man and woman were first put on the earth God gave the animals the tasks of sorting out light for them.
The day animals wanted it light all the time, while the nocturnal animals wanted it dark all the time. Eventually a compromise was reached with half the day as dark and half as light, with the condition that small lights were put up at night to light the way.
God gave all the animals stars and the nocturnal animals set about placing them carefully in the sky, with the badger and raccoons etc discussing where each start should be place to make animals and stories within the constellations.
The tricky Coyote however got bored, and grabbed the bag of stars and ran off, being chased by all the other animals. As he got away, he climbed a hill and threw the remaining stars up into the sky which fell so densely they looked like a cloud - The Milky Way.
The next day we headed into Arizona to the Grand Canyon. We were on the North Rim, and posed precariously for shots on tops of piles of rocks at Angel Point. We then walked for 20 minutes down into the Canyon on the North Kaibab Trail where the trees in their fall splendor complemented the reds of the rocks.
After lunch (where we were joined by 2 Friendly Mule Deer!) we headed to Cape Royal, where the view was amazing. The vastness of the Canyon was really noticeable and we could just make out the muddy Colorado River meandering it's way through the Canyon.
We also saw a ledge where two crazy Ozzies had recently done handstands- right on the edge of a 10,000 Ft drop. Luckily they did not become one of the statistics in the book from the gift shop " Over the Edge: Death in the Canyon"
That evening we went to the main Tipi for stories of the Mountain Men and Native Americans with Buzzard Eater (a mountain man - like Davy Crockett) - complete with home made Skunk hat, and Little Buffalo who played the haunting Native American Flute. Anderson also told us more stories about the Navajo.
Sadly we were soon packing up camp and heading to our third destination Bryce Canyon - my favourite of the three by far.
Here's the Geography Bit - The canyon is made of limestone and has been eroded by Freeze Thaw weathering to produce thousands of Pinnacles called Hoodoos which change colour in the sun.
Legend has it however, that these are the Legend people To-when-an-ung-wa who were bad and turned to stone by the Tricky coyote.
We walked around the rim looking at the Hoodoo's standing to attention like the Terracotta army and then after lunch walked down into the Canyon itself.
We passed the Temple of Osiris and Thor's Hammer (which we renamed Thor's S'more as it looked like a giant marshmallow on a stick) and then spent an imaginative afternoon spotting things in the HooDoo's - although only Lionel could see the deformed BullDog riding a horse!!!
Sadly it as time to go and as we returned to the bright lights of Vegas our hearts sank after all the natural beauty we had experienced was replaced by tacky nonsense and Neon Lights. This was the most amazing trip - and has given us the taste for more!
Our group was small - an Australian Family - Janelle, Lionel, Brendan and Hayden, Taran a 19 year old from Perth, Georgiana, a 22 year old Romanian, Justin and Scott who were filming and photographing the trip for a promotional video and Anderson - our guide - a Navajo Native American, who's Indian name means Troublemakers 4 the Son!
On the first day we headed to Zion National Park which was discovered (and named) by the Mormons. We passed through the Court of the Patriarchs - 3 rocks named Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, past Angels Landing and up to the Temple of Sinawava with its rock formations of the Organ, Altar and Pulpit. He we got off to do our first Hike amid the towering Sandstone canyons.
We did the Riverside walk ( no prizes for guessing that it runs along the virgin River) and then proceeded to do a hike called the Narrows - which runs up the river.
Being the delicate waif that I am, and not at all clumsy, walking up this river was easy! (hmm) The rocks were slippy and the water very cold and at times reaching our thighs. It was only sheer determination dn the fear of getting my camera wet that kept me upright, and to be honest at some times that was nearly not enough!
Back on Tera Firma, out clothes dried quickly in the hot sun as we headed up to Weeping Rock. Here the water seeping through the porous sandstone hits harder rock and forces itself out horizontally over an outcrop making it look like it's weeping . The water has been dated to be over 1200 years old.
From here we walked to Emerald Pools (named for the Algae!), before heading out of the park, past the Zion arch, and on to our home for the next two nights The Village of Many Nations and our Native American TiPi
After Dinner, and around the roaring campfire, Justin and Scott initiated us non Americans to the wonde of S'mores. Roasted Marshmallow sandwiched with a piece of Hersheys (or reeces Peanut Butter Cup) between two Gram Crackers. MMM MMM MMM!
Anderson then told us stories of the native Americans under the sky which was packed full of stars.
Yvette has asked me to tell one of the stories here. But I have also written as many as I could remember in my journal for those who want to be bored by me when I return:
The Story of the Stars:
When Man and woman were first put on the earth God gave the animals the tasks of sorting out light for them.
The day animals wanted it light all the time, while the nocturnal animals wanted it dark all the time. Eventually a compromise was reached with half the day as dark and half as light, with the condition that small lights were put up at night to light the way.
God gave all the animals stars and the nocturnal animals set about placing them carefully in the sky, with the badger and raccoons etc discussing where each start should be place to make animals and stories within the constellations.
The tricky Coyote however got bored, and grabbed the bag of stars and ran off, being chased by all the other animals. As he got away, he climbed a hill and threw the remaining stars up into the sky which fell so densely they looked like a cloud - The Milky Way.
The next day we headed into Arizona to the Grand Canyon. We were on the North Rim, and posed precariously for shots on tops of piles of rocks at Angel Point. We then walked for 20 minutes down into the Canyon on the North Kaibab Trail where the trees in their fall splendor complemented the reds of the rocks.
After lunch (where we were joined by 2 Friendly Mule Deer!) we headed to Cape Royal, where the view was amazing. The vastness of the Canyon was really noticeable and we could just make out the muddy Colorado River meandering it's way through the Canyon.
We also saw a ledge where two crazy Ozzies had recently done handstands- right on the edge of a 10,000 Ft drop. Luckily they did not become one of the statistics in the book from the gift shop " Over the Edge: Death in the Canyon"
That evening we went to the main Tipi for stories of the Mountain Men and Native Americans with Buzzard Eater (a mountain man - like Davy Crockett) - complete with home made Skunk hat, and Little Buffalo who played the haunting Native American Flute. Anderson also told us more stories about the Navajo.
Sadly we were soon packing up camp and heading to our third destination Bryce Canyon - my favourite of the three by far.
Here's the Geography Bit - The canyon is made of limestone and has been eroded by Freeze Thaw weathering to produce thousands of Pinnacles called Hoodoos which change colour in the sun.
Legend has it however, that these are the Legend people To-when-an-ung-wa who were bad and turned to stone by the Tricky coyote.
We walked around the rim looking at the Hoodoo's standing to attention like the Terracotta army and then after lunch walked down into the Canyon itself.
We passed the Temple of Osiris and Thor's Hammer (which we renamed Thor's S'more as it looked like a giant marshmallow on a stick) and then spent an imaginative afternoon spotting things in the HooDoo's - although only Lionel could see the deformed BullDog riding a horse!!!
Sadly it as time to go and as we returned to the bright lights of Vegas our hearts sank after all the natural beauty we had experienced was replaced by tacky nonsense and Neon Lights. This was the most amazing trip - and has given us the taste for more!
Sunday, September 24, 2006
The One in Las Vegas
Full of Cold - (don't you just love air con) but didn't let it stop me in Vegas.
Our hostel is in Downtown by the Fremont Street experience with it's cheaper casinos and street performers.
In the day we walked the whole length of The Strip with its completely tacky over sized hotels. But to be honest - that's jus what you expect - and it's totally fab.
We passed the Mandalay Bay, The Luxor (with it's Giant Sphinx and Egyptian Needle - Sarrie felt very at home!), the Excalibar (an Arthurian Castle - where we won a pack for cards by playing arcade games where you punch ducks!), the New York New York - my absolute favourite, with it'd miniature Manhattan Skyline, with looping rollercoaster, Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park and Greenwich Village inside. The details was great. They even had fake steam coming out of fake man hole covers!
The MGM Grand (with real lions in an enclosure inside), The Bellagio with its famous dancing fountains, The Paris with a mini Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triumph, and the Venetian complete with Grand Canal and gondolas inside.
Caesars Palace - which we managed to get completely lost in- you seriously need never leave the hotel they are full of shops and restaurants as well as the Casinos.
Treasure Island - with its rubbish pirate show every night. The Pyrotechnics were great - the lame innuendos were not!
The Strip goes on and on. The last big one is Stratosphere which is 909 feet high, with rides that drop over the edge of the tower at the top. Despite being scared of heights, I went on the aptly named Insanity which hangs over the edge of the tower and spins round tilting you to there floor (866 feet up) Glad I've done it - you did get great views of the strip and the surburban sprawl of Vegas.
We also ran into a couple who had just got married at the Little White Chapel, and went inside with them to have a look. It's no Leavesden Road that's for sure! - very tacky, but they were pleased to have avoided the expense of a big wedding at home. We watched one couple get married at Drive Thru! (would you like fries with that?!)
We also ventured out at night - riding the Manhattan Express at New York New York (Rollercoaster), had a boogie in Coyote Ugly (but not on the bar!), and even tried our luck at Roulette - Richard - number 23 is certainly NOT LUCKY!
Over all we had our fill of bright lights and glitz, and are now heading out into the country for a 3 day camping trip.
Our hostel is in Downtown by the Fremont Street experience with it's cheaper casinos and street performers.
In the day we walked the whole length of The Strip with its completely tacky over sized hotels. But to be honest - that's jus what you expect - and it's totally fab.
We passed the Mandalay Bay, The Luxor (with it's Giant Sphinx and Egyptian Needle - Sarrie felt very at home!), the Excalibar (an Arthurian Castle - where we won a pack for cards by playing arcade games where you punch ducks!), the New York New York - my absolute favourite, with it'd miniature Manhattan Skyline, with looping rollercoaster, Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park and Greenwich Village inside. The details was great. They even had fake steam coming out of fake man hole covers!
The MGM Grand (with real lions in an enclosure inside), The Bellagio with its famous dancing fountains, The Paris with a mini Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triumph, and the Venetian complete with Grand Canal and gondolas inside.
Caesars Palace - which we managed to get completely lost in- you seriously need never leave the hotel they are full of shops and restaurants as well as the Casinos.
Treasure Island - with its rubbish pirate show every night. The Pyrotechnics were great - the lame innuendos were not!
The Strip goes on and on. The last big one is Stratosphere which is 909 feet high, with rides that drop over the edge of the tower at the top. Despite being scared of heights, I went on the aptly named Insanity which hangs over the edge of the tower and spins round tilting you to there floor (866 feet up) Glad I've done it - you did get great views of the strip and the surburban sprawl of Vegas.
We also ran into a couple who had just got married at the Little White Chapel, and went inside with them to have a look. It's no Leavesden Road that's for sure! - very tacky, but they were pleased to have avoided the expense of a big wedding at home. We watched one couple get married at Drive Thru! (would you like fries with that?!)
We also ventured out at night - riding the Manhattan Express at New York New York (Rollercoaster), had a boogie in Coyote Ugly (but not on the bar!), and even tried our luck at Roulette - Richard - number 23 is certainly NOT LUCKY!
Over all we had our fill of bright lights and glitz, and are now heading out into the country for a 3 day camping trip.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
The one with the 3 day Train Trip!
Believe me - 3 days on a train did not fill me with a sense of anticipation and excitement but it was actually really good fun!
We stopped for 11 hours in Buffalo (shopping with no money is NOT FUN,- but we did find a cinema with tickets just $3 - one pound fifty!) then traveled through the night to Chicago, on a train full of Amish families - they really look like something out of history in their bonnets and pinafores, and the men with their long beards (but no military moustaches!)and wide brimmed hats
Running late, we only had a 3 hour stop in Chicago which meant we couldn't see any of it (boo!)and then we boarded for the biggy. 36 hours on the train to Salt Lake City.
But to be honest it was great. Loads of room on the seats, you get to see the countryside, there were family films and a observation deck for views.
On the lst day we traveled through the Colorado Rockies - topped with Snow, with the trees showing their autumnal (fall!) colours, especially the bright yellow Aspens.
We traveled alongside the Colorado River (and got mooned by several fishermen!) and eventually ended up in Salt Lake City with its Mormon Temple lit up in the middle of Town.
From here it was a nine hour bus ride to Vegas - which rose out of the desert like a mirage.
Sleeping in a bed, and having a shower that night were pure bliss!
We stopped for 11 hours in Buffalo (shopping with no money is NOT FUN,- but we did find a cinema with tickets just $3 - one pound fifty!) then traveled through the night to Chicago, on a train full of Amish families - they really look like something out of history in their bonnets and pinafores, and the men with their long beards (but no military moustaches!)and wide brimmed hats
Running late, we only had a 3 hour stop in Chicago which meant we couldn't see any of it (boo!)and then we boarded for the biggy. 36 hours on the train to Salt Lake City.
But to be honest it was great. Loads of room on the seats, you get to see the countryside, there were family films and a observation deck for views.
On the lst day we traveled through the Colorado Rockies - topped with Snow, with the trees showing their autumnal (fall!) colours, especially the bright yellow Aspens.
We traveled alongside the Colorado River (and got mooned by several fishermen!) and eventually ended up in Salt Lake City with its Mormon Temple lit up in the middle of Town.
From here it was a nine hour bus ride to Vegas - which rose out of the desert like a mirage.
Sleeping in a bed, and having a shower that night were pure bliss!
Sunday, September 17, 2006
The One with the Water
Had our first experience of Amtrak trains - pleasantly surprised - Loads of leg room, seats that recline - should make the long trips comfortable at least.
The train took 9 hours to reach the Canadian side of the falls. As we crossed the river we got our first look at the gorge, with the falls marked downstram by the massive cloud of smoke like mist rising above it.
We headed down that evening for our first glimpse, but it wasn't until the next day that we got to feel its full force.
Maid of the Mist
Dressed head to toe in our sexy blue plastic bags (the chic of the river - everyone's wearing them darling!) we boarded the boat with half of Korea and made our way downstream.
There's nothing quite like the power of nature to make you feel completely helpless and inferior.
The first sign of getting close was when the wind picked up and the blue macs started billowing like sails on the sea. Then the spray hit you - disorienting you and you could really feel the boat struggle against the pure power of the moving water.
Crossing to the other side of the boat the spray was less fierce ad you got a clear view of the water tumbling over the rock face - complete with picturesque rainbows!
Also - who Sarrie had his photo taken - he was recognised by a South African - who used to play for the Cats! - How Random
That night we came back to see the falls lit in rainbow Colours and watch the fireworks.
The train took 9 hours to reach the Canadian side of the falls. As we crossed the river we got our first look at the gorge, with the falls marked downstram by the massive cloud of smoke like mist rising above it.
We headed down that evening for our first glimpse, but it wasn't until the next day that we got to feel its full force.
Maid of the Mist
Dressed head to toe in our sexy blue plastic bags (the chic of the river - everyone's wearing them darling!) we boarded the boat with half of Korea and made our way downstream.
There's nothing quite like the power of nature to make you feel completely helpless and inferior.
The first sign of getting close was when the wind picked up and the blue macs started billowing like sails on the sea. Then the spray hit you - disorienting you and you could really feel the boat struggle against the pure power of the moving water.
Crossing to the other side of the boat the spray was less fierce ad you got a clear view of the water tumbling over the rock face - complete with picturesque rainbows!
Also - who Sarrie had his photo taken - he was recognised by a South African - who used to play for the Cats! - How Random
That night we came back to see the falls lit in rainbow Colours and watch the fireworks.
Friday, September 15, 2006
The One in New York.
Well after a rather bumpy flight we touched down at JFK aiport last Saturday - and i have been humming Frank Sinatra, and NYC from Annie ever since. It was a beautiful sunny (if rather humid day) and by the time our 2 hour train ride into the city was over we only had limited energy so we started with Times Square.
New York has been everythig I dreamt it would be. Bustling, busy, yellow cabs, NYPD blue cars, Fire Trucks, Non Stop honking. Buildings that dwarf you into insignificance, Deli sandwiches bulging with Pastrami, and friendly people. Really friendly. I mean when they say "Have nice Day" they really mean it!"
We have done all the touristy bits, Empire State, Statute of Liberty, Ellis Island, had lunch in Katz's (where Harry met Sally and Meg Ryan did that scene!), Bus tours, Staten Island Ferry, Macy's, Bloomingdales, Central Park and have even wandered through Greenwich village in search of Monica and Chandler et al!
Evening wise, we have been to see History Boys on Broadway (really recommend it), and had my first taste of a Baseball game as we watched the Yankees play the Devil Rays. Fantastic experience, especially as it is only glorified rounders!
What stands out for me most, however, was Ground Zero on Monday. As you're all aware it was the 5th Anniversary of 9/11. We headed early down to Ground Zero, and the metro stopped and we all sat in silence at the two times when the planes hit. When we got there relatives of those who died were reading out the names - it was really moving. That evening on the way back to Manhattan on the Staten Island Ferry two bright blue lights shone up in the sky near by to where the twin towers had stood. It was really eerie. You could see how the skyline once looked, and yet the lights joined the heavens, and were obviously transparent leaving a ghostly appearance. It certainly made the whole city think.
We're off early tomorrow to Niagra, followed by a 3 day trip to Vegas! I'll add photos soon, as we are using free internet in the apple store and I'm not allowed to plug things into the computer here!
New York has been everythig I dreamt it would be. Bustling, busy, yellow cabs, NYPD blue cars, Fire Trucks, Non Stop honking. Buildings that dwarf you into insignificance, Deli sandwiches bulging with Pastrami, and friendly people. Really friendly. I mean when they say "Have nice Day" they really mean it!"
We have done all the touristy bits, Empire State, Statute of Liberty, Ellis Island, had lunch in Katz's (where Harry met Sally and Meg Ryan did that scene!), Bus tours, Staten Island Ferry, Macy's, Bloomingdales, Central Park and have even wandered through Greenwich village in search of Monica and Chandler et al!
Evening wise, we have been to see History Boys on Broadway (really recommend it), and had my first taste of a Baseball game as we watched the Yankees play the Devil Rays. Fantastic experience, especially as it is only glorified rounders!
What stands out for me most, however, was Ground Zero on Monday. As you're all aware it was the 5th Anniversary of 9/11. We headed early down to Ground Zero, and the metro stopped and we all sat in silence at the two times when the planes hit. When we got there relatives of those who died were reading out the names - it was really moving. That evening on the way back to Manhattan on the Staten Island Ferry two bright blue lights shone up in the sky near by to where the twin towers had stood. It was really eerie. You could see how the skyline once looked, and yet the lights joined the heavens, and were obviously transparent leaving a ghostly appearance. It certainly made the whole city think.
We're off early tomorrow to Niagra, followed by a 3 day trip to Vegas! I'll add photos soon, as we are using free internet in the apple store and I'm not allowed to plug things into the computer here!
Friday, September 8, 2006
The One With The Packing....
Having been planning this trip forever (or so it may seem to whichever of you poor souls have had to listen to me chatter on about it!) I have been rather overwhelmed by how quickly it has come around. It is 8.30pm, the night before my trip, I still have a long list entitled "To Do" and my room looks like a bombsite.
More worryingly how will I ever fit everything into my rucksack!
More worryingly how will I ever fit everything into my rucksack!
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