California & South West USA

[sven]

Cortez to Ouray
The main reason for visiting Cortez was the Mesa Verde National Park. This is home to ancient cliff dwellings built by Pueblon Indians and long since abandoned. The road into the park was a surprisingly twisty climb before then having to climb down into the canyons on precarious steps and ladders to visit the ruins. These are photos of the Cliff Palace.
http://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MnqOhDD4mGvpQyth_1vK3-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8k7gITfXzA4/T995BvfYlmI/AAAAAAAAAkA/LCPtaq_PHLs/s800/IMG_2307.jpg" height="533" width="800" /></a>
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Ouray was the venue the destination for the next two nights, which was quickly reached via the San Juan Skyway and the quaint ski resort of Telluride.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KFe7l30hiWbLOm_cVHOJT-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-j75Dz3Deqy0/T995hQ1c9tI/AAAAAAAAAkY/i7h163Nksf0/s800/IMG_0689.jpg" height="533" width="800" /></a>
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[glenn2926]

cmon

Cmon Sven wheres' some more?

 

[sven]

Ouray
Ouray is a beautiful little town known as Little Switzerland as it set in a gorge similar to Grindelwald. We stayed in Black Bear Manor B&B and it was the best B&B I’ve ever stayed in; lovely room, free wine tasting “happy hour”, superb breakfast and friendly owners

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KN1ajwSFCvd5f1Cd6RO4W-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZnnJE1nlnkE/T-IOxJgHnAI/AAAAAAAAAzE/YCMkBGmqBo8/s800/IMG_0742.JPG" height="800" width="533" /></a>
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Having seen some photos Earache had posted on the forum, we wanted to explore some of the unpaved passes, so hired a Polaris RZR ATV for the morning to drive up the 13100ft Imogene Pass. Sadly they were still clearing the snow off the last 500ft before the summit, but 12600ft is a pretty impressive altitude

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/CAaRALabbOu9KZrgoAZad-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--UCK3OPoEuA/T-Hsx09-9KI/AAAAAAAAApE/om3MQaRU1iM/s800/P1030340.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></a>
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A thunderstorm stopped play for a couple of hours when we returned to Ouray, but thankfully the roads dried quickly so we had a quick ride over the Million Dollar Highway to the dying Western town of Silverton.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0ADLEB_YCp9LkaPaRpggdej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Cc46eLOlGHA/T-HsZb0ekvI/AAAAAAAAAo4/QRmK5Ml099I/s800/P1030504.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></a>
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The ride from Ouray to Moab was reasonable interesting and we passed though the hamlet of Bedrock but didn’t see Fred Flintstone or have a yabba-dabba-do time.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/u-6N5hiwydIQuBN6cDcXj-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mGGcFqc14M8/T-IOzgp7zlI/AAAAAAAAAzU/hTD4fAhTpmM/s800/IMG_0746.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>

 

[sven]

Moab
This was the other two night stopover of our trip and although a pretty uninspiring desert town to look at, it does have all the facilities and it thrives on its location between the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Dead Horse Point State Park. It’s also a Mecca for offroaders with something like 8,000 miles of unpaved trails available to ride/driver in Colorado.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YbKqBdqw8Wy4eCLtO9eMT-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-epMQjO5D0Wc/T-ICsz24rfI/AAAAAAAAAuk/3HnOCT02-js/s800/IMG_2422.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
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[sven]

Riding with the Moab Cowboy
Being a (formally) keen mountainbiker, I’d always wanted to ride the Slickrock Trail in Hells Revenge, just outside Moab. Being old and unfit nowadays, we rented another Polaris RZR from http://www.moabcowboy.com/ and went on a sunset tour with Kent, a former deputy sheriff and really knowledgeable guy who knew the geology and history of the area

Hells Revenge was awesome with 60 degree climbs over the slickrock and a stunning sunset

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SZjkGPuhGbTA61Zwvja_Aej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-g6E2tjWWqAo/T-IAOwX7T-I/AAAAAAAAArc/c_9jvZgnC_I/s800/IMG_0770.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0G9r_I8Y_GE4M-DJbJu2Bej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qzPN4gX7ID4/T-IBV6COamI/AAAAAAAAAt4/fx-YpfjislA/s800/P1030857.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
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[ebbo]

Bloody good pictures Sven, you look to be having a great time

 

[Mr K]

Best yet!

Awesome> Know Moab only thru MTB magazines.

PS: Your lass can certainly hold her ale.

 

[sven]

Moab to Bryce Canyon and St George
A pretty dull ride 50 miles north and then 50 miles south brought us to Hanksville and what promised to be a scenic ride through Capitol Reef National Park on UT24 and the Grand Staircase Escalante on UT12. UT12 is one of the highest rated US Scenic Byways but, as Jockser mentioned in his trip report, nearly all the corners in the first section through the forests are ruined by overbanding in the corners (“tar snakes”) which had the RT sliding around in places. We had an overnight in Tropic in a lovely log cabin before visiting Bryce Canyon the next day.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sQpR0LQ1AQ0sJF_IdI7Fl-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v0w7o-wXFqw/T-IAe5tFT3I/AAAAAAAAAsU/sIRH5euTOok/s800/IMG_0908.JPG" height="449" width="800" /></a>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DO4Hfh8tpjNl-dSt0Jq27uj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7CrIGMwRGAE/T-IAh1SeEJI/AAAAAAAAAsc/GxYOw-CKa9M/s800/IMG_0925.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
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Next morning it was off to Bryce Canyon, somewhere I’d always wanted to see since I was a kid and it lived up to my expectations

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/e59-S-krk_fLMwDftYuNOOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G-SnAdBg4QU/T-IDzfrdOFI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/_ILl-qqBAPY/s800/IMG_2605.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BWtbvUgzjso2z5qIDSSS4-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PiYPVC5jrCM/T-IEveP4eDI/AAAAAAAAAwI/G0zaxlcIQTU/s800/IMG_2687.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/a1QgcmXb2uCoCFtHQHv0Suj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nr0VijQJbfI/T-IAzFypf2I/AAAAAAAAAtA/72YOpDeZ6PI/s800/IMG_0935.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/a9zVRmerOddfra3MclZOK-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ax9MMh3FQ6c/T-IE_F0Oe0I/AAAAAAAAAwQ/AKVe4RyIfmc/s800/IMG_2699.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kkDRApg7X1I4B06ppOCqV-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K7XVF4XrtkQ/T-IFVs7R_-I/AAAAAAAAAwg/JhHLqdtIJYI/s800/IMG_2702.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vShLDpKL8uUSF9OZI1ykguj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fHazAVf4xBU/T-IFf1QBhGI/AAAAAAAAAww/uecEMjLz25s/s800/IMG_2703.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/z2dWWFhy4uS27lYNArIpSej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sffO6r86Y9Y/T-IAzmOoZZI/AAAAAAAAAtE/ZLRYfuqbmQ8/s800/IMG_0949.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TW2T6eZ22myo_xwfzybuJuj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BHDrvCHAZ7o/T-IAyjAM8jI/AAAAAAAAAs8/0XyzfA7R1UQ/s800/IMG_0957.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/e59BTubeF1fbkQj2y7wvOej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9LoG2nfFHLU/T-IA36zOfII/AAAAAAAAAtU/8OQn5o_ujfc/s800/IMG_0972.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UcSVCyyGuZUoSuDf6WTtCuj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8cUZSlSa6wQ/T-IA_IPCViI/AAAAAAAAAtk/j0qmawMrVTk/s800/IMG_0973.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

After Bryce, we had a spectacular ride through Zion National Park. This really was a park of two halves as a tunnel connected the two box canyons in the park. The first canyon was relatively cool with grey rocks and the second descended into the red sandstone of the desert as temperatures headed towards 100F. We actually passed through a town called Virgin on the way to St George for our overnight stop, but Trudi didn’t know what the word meant

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZgYCuuFIBBNofTERmc2UHOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BtYUTyO_4tQ/T-IA9s2Y32I/AAAAAAAAAtc/i6kJ2L_lpMI/s800/IMG_0984.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/05f4TOF2le72Y_iQz3NPhOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CZaTPd30O2k/T-IBAA5AplI/AAAAAAAAAts/fzAACOeekGQ/s800/IMG_0993.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

 

[sven]

St George to Death Valley
The Hoover Dam was on my bucket list, but was very disappointing and definitely not worth the detour

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/myzOR685sgpfJpGhMHY9v-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2iBH-aHeJ1c/T-TD4pMd0OI/AAAAAAAAA2A/JIZEWku5saU/s800/IMG_1000.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

We than headed onto the Las Vegas strip for about ten minutes to see what the fuss was all about and that was about nine minutes too long

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NRNYrp3ct9lGFHa1omghCuj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7h_HLY773IE/T-TEyh7W8tI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/vnjBcGttoBg/s800/P1040254.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

It was then time for another blast through the desert to Pahrump, before heading into Death Valley for the night. We first climbed up to the 8000ft Dantes View viewing point before heading below sea level to Furnace Creek Ranch for the night

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GHGp9X7m8CRsPWItPHfaaej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t4Y3j4q4ZQ8/T-TBZX4ENfI/AAAAAAAAA0o/M9dqcUYnIwk/s800/IMG_2709.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VIWNi2lEy0Ff5v_qoyFwK-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zfgw34oQAVE/T-TBUyk0_UI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/QzHXy9avKT4/s800/IMG_2713.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mGFEVZ8FLEAq6Mazaze0ZOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tA7gkrm5D8k/T-TBXDvZxQI/AAAAAAAAA0g/yGkd-LifMu8/s800/IMG_2722.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/R-kfCMpD0XQ1YhIJ4QLw1Oj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nNHZnXAuLmw/T-TD6gRA9tI/AAAAAAAAA2I/zfANCuaIloo/s800/IMG_1013.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YeEqsOHlEFApTeAuT_I_X-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S0Wviu0yxtQ/T-TD7fDVy0I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/1ACOAE2GtMY/s800/IMG_1020.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tSZpd6dx8HB2Rwh7uLIM5ej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-doFBIflyiUs/T-TEAjoYVWI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/9Z-Tf8m8jqY/s800/IMG_1021.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/e1S-zSVtq7yaOi6GJxjlcej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PbBHCZ0fuIs/T-TECYeHenI/AAAAAAAAA2g/Tk44WoEYRzM/s800/IMG_1024.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dSLZcCxGf_NY788_Ud_PEej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-reYcHE3RJHQ/T-TEHi_p2rI/AAAAAAAAA2s/ybXwUkHg9Po/s800/IMG_1034.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XU51lcT9y2Sect58CbCE7-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Bh8UeXEXFik/T-TEHDfhfmI/AAAAAAAAA2o/gLRjdRka17U/s800/IMG_1035.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

 

[sven]

Death Valley to Yosemite
We left Furnace Creek early to avoid the 100F+ temperatures as we first headed to Badwater Basin, the lowest place in the Western hemisphere

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/l4Gl4hEL-CTtMiIG3uAtiOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jp50pLsV7xU/T-TBxm5wXMI/AAAAAAAAA04/O5OMg1GWF0w/s800/IMG_2730.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Eeu-_ulAiWdTaYzziGJbFOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vXS5K8ls6SQ/T-TBojE03gI/AAAAAAAAA0w/skji9cN_Gwg/s800/IMG_2729.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DoYM4_5RaiI0ca6SdPBW6uj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jVXo17l_tFI/T-TEOhdPN3I/AAAAAAAAA3A/Ka0KvLhlPWc/s800/IMG_1040.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pIxR8Qo9ugS-2KaIYhHuPej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IyvvPOeAuAs/T-TEMxHBAvI/AAAAAAAAA24/9NYjX1O-3Ls/s800/IMG_1045.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-75duwUBRD3EmDBd-633Uej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9I540PFs5-k/T-TEPSOYeSI/AAAAAAAAA3E/ebEPC7Tqdtg/s800/IMG_1048.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

We left Death Valley at Stovepipe Wells and climbed over an 8000ft pass to Lone Pine. This is where they used to film all the Westerns in the 1930’s due to its easy access to Hollywood.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/I1E2NB4z2oEdbt5Ff4mYMuj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FUnEM9nPDGM/T-TERS8lvpI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/m9h_GzrHR7I/s800/IMG_1049.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

After following the Sierra Nevada mountains north for about 100 miles to Mono Lake, it was time to cross the Tioga Pass to Yosemite for the night.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FCeIwGtLL5jWgPdBBScf1ej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JL1hAo6F1pM/T-TB0mAjhmI/AAAAAAAAA1A/7VKFHzVRQHQ/s800/IMG_2739.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6Q6pqIMSZcbLGZWhN5-y0uj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pXlRxJCHDMI/T-TCFJdU1eI/AAAAAAAAA1I/U0hdB5Iob5c/s800/IMG_2742.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NqHBo3ptEBZOtJhZRibsruj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VwuN1HeCBLs/T-TCQcUVHpI/AAAAAAAAA1U/0Oc2e9kjOfw/s800/IMG_2743.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xDpqr0K5o-5mbFCzd17gvuj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VnmE7_YufJc/T-TCQALGbVI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/YubULM7L0gs/s800/IMG_2762.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eAz6ksclZhqiut3dl2tYP-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--rQnCFhmkdY/T-TCaVvXW1I/AAAAAAAAA1g/Mtctats82yU/s800/IMG_2771.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/z6Au78QK8iWEHgZinih5sej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DXZhQca-RRk/T-TCnwn6FLI/AAAAAAAAA1o/l9PsDidRcG0/s800/IMG_2786.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BaxHlSmelQ8-DSJnrQ9wl-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ECl0bZeX70o/T-TCp4qMZ7I/AAAAAAAAA1w/OQCYnLb4NT4/s800/IMG_2798.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BLqetrtDAHugOPoWzJuWoej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wOrwvpKHaUk/T-TCs4J3AMI/AAAAAAAAA14/hZyxeFGxK0Y/s800/IMG_2806.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>

 

[sven]

Yosemite to San Francisco
Yosemite was something of a disappointment as you could see very little in the valley because of the trees. To compound this, the Yosemite Lodge was like stopping at a Haven or Butlins concentration camp with Motel 6 standard rooms at five star hotel prices. The shops, bar and restaurants were pretty expensive too

We made a swift exit the following morning and ate breakfast at the diner/bar attached to the Yosemite Westgate Lodge in Buck Meadows. This was a beautiful looking motel which, to rub salt into the wounds, was the one I originally booked before deciding to stop in Stalag Luft Yosemite

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/36tUSzTyOoHXOznNBCv_QOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cbI7PdjB_QU/T-V5zGgnc8I/AAAAAAAAA34/XN-tDubxIiA/s800/IMG_2808.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NHrUUY9PFwjD4IQe9tvla-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9G0fJzGalEk/T-V54cjejoI/AAAAAAAAA4I/8spMqhY-rJ0/s800/IMG_2812.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gcd7CsxWcA6FEUdnbZM5wuj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zDZllRoZIVA/T-V50RNJbVI/AAAAAAAAA4A/2z9imnOnLgc/s800/IMG_2834.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kE4sf9ACZ-iJ4lQu5sdDBOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oNKZkhoAwis/T-WGhvBPGcI/AAAAAAAAA9k/WbI1Xhe-aQk/s800/IMG_1061.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/CEXek-EctxLU9Lc0vk2Bk-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eFkYsSb1TdU/T-WGjOhdbyI/AAAAAAAAA9w/3DQs5qKp2h8/s800/IMG_1077.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GNhubOa0BcMQoHoVY9-CgOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X9qdoFfbALY/T-WRIS5RG0I/AAAAAAAAA_g/KE8QP_dYaZ0/s800/P1040441.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JFU-DzkWZYUS-tSuBYYtb-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tr3yOzXd5_Y/T-WRHUPYd9I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/NGbCMCmKELk/s800/P1040449.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

We managed to resist the temptation to watch the England-France match in the diner and swiftly headed to San Francisco. Thankfully, after the toilets that were LA and Las Vegas, SF lived up to its reputation and was a beautiful city. We stayed at the Marina Motel on Lombard Street which had a garage beneath each room and had an extremely good curry at Viva Goa just up the street (although it was the first curry in three weeks, so perhaps we were easily pleased)

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/c6o3nOLRa4uQDO8I4kJyiuj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HMmzXXwMTq8/T-WRIUVeroI/AAAAAAAAA_k/K2k-BUp3bJg/s800/P1040489.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/b8hL2CDnDOqM-1eJPDPqDOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_Q9CJ_IM788/T-WRVb9_2bI/AAAAAAAAA_0/kFeCyxxVjPY/s800/P1040499.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZIfmIK80vZUfguGbf6e-luj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BhxsSPZb7sw/T-WRZC_2S7I/AAAAAAAABAA/YxffP2txXNQ/s800/P1040502.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kETyB-OLa3s6yrm_367zqej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cbRD1adrOTI/T-V6EAkeeNI/AAAAAAAAA4U/nGq1iBsIYAk/s800/IMG_2838.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tQNJ_wXhhD8h7sN3Ye7X8-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gxNCvdfrzDY/T-WGjCL6gLI/AAAAAAAAA9s/sLUguQGdA98/s800/IMG_1090.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mZucBO623q2VBQMphWDQKOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vwuQ4RDcX2g/T-WGpWVpJEI/AAAAAAAAA98/x7p6UJKSxcY/s800/IMG_1104.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ROC2ixMbu_SKJLAL-cByWOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wy6ooHC8Uoc/T-V6Gw1Dt1I/AAAAAAAAA4c/xCR43kswaUI/s800/IMG_2845.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HbOIEMXvJrqUqWJcswDxjuj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AYroCIe6Ldc/T-WGr28NybI/AAAAAAAAA-I/w0V54RCT_XE/s800/IMG_1111.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/L5G5pxqlUgTQdd6il6SDKej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IzjJkZ7fEa4/T-WRdL3lV7I/AAAAAAAABAM/D9w47cw2jeM/s800/P1040527.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Xy4UaoS-081AodU1DIlrx-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8ojEfFMJ4qI/T-V6LfJa0DI/AAAAAAAAA4k/r_GzyUQJId0/s800/IMG_2864.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NY02mH01qI3Hu1ap3fn7VOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rP_nqjg4ikM/T-V6Wc1hg-I/AAAAAAAAA4w/U8olvIUXdls/s800/IMG_2866.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NXQZfcTB6qYNbnOK4b0Z3ej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t4LJybw4NMM/T-V6bAsV26I/AAAAAAAAA48/L08-iRQ-_Es/s800/IMG_2889.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EAGi6XAZxTRUazfVPYmRiej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iDqep0Wu4nQ/T-V6iwNUwUI/AAAAAAAAA5I/bm4q0eOmOE4/s800/IMG_2896.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VozcCPDhXVzB9y2KTlmDvuj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XZ5pk8A3IMI/T-V6q9TZ_bI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/IDNs4uk9nn0/s800/IMG_2898.JPG" height="800" width="533" /></a>
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Next stop Alcatraz...

 

[Mr K]

Great stuff.

 

[Bigboy]

Thanks

Hi Steve

What a great post , I also wanted to go and see what you have so generousness shared with us ..........Maybe I will some day.



Bigboy

 

[sven]

San Francisco to Carmel
I’d always wanted to visit Alcatraz since watching the movie The Rock (sad I know), but the crowds where overwhelming and I couldn’t wait to get off the island

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2Xz9gDi5KaugCYDqeQrcK-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-isYoPZIgCjw/T-V7EVnDK4I/AAAAAAAAA54/mfdkfefh5xQ/s800/IMG_2927.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cLXesm542UgvngSBNzzG4-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hXeBVn99WTI/T-V7ax_giWI/AAAAAAAAA6c/B2pOONGrHUs/s800/IMG_2950.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LkzDn_LVeqh9KjU3Gxfd8-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eBojMiDlwmM/T-V8HdWCOZI/AAAAAAAAA7U/dsxD0m1RhFo/s800/IMG_2997.JPG" height="800" width="533" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YiTIKuyaD_YKBHsoQHA4r-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3P7GHeqBUYw/T-V8byMVJHI/AAAAAAAAA70/T-1sOmczA1Y/s800/IMG_3001.JPG" height="800" width="533" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_oSpMwg2FrANUsLlQ_NTRuj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FiaTnggt8rA/T-V8V5QqIdI/AAAAAAAAA7o/YJQHmp-7Ndg/s800/IMG_3002.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gh_OEn_YWtnGsYFvZROwB-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zxRaqk7gF8c/T-V8oJ4uF9I/AAAAAAAAA8I/0nTbS27Q0-4/s800/IMG_3005.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/m2p-OsqF0DP2HEQqbaJ5mOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zTOCXvUEtAM/T-V80E50WvI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/mbExRWuyj9k/s800/IMG_3010.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5ogFz_eUuI30AWuJa8oJQ-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-shk0DIawzAY/T-V9FAzLQtI/AAAAAAAAA8s/aS3ws5DgrZw/s800/IMG_3020.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YoQLPQqQWOSPxxs9DUGoOOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-q3ucH9c_0Gc/T-V9I1Mj-zI/AAAAAAAAA88/kLj3OqawLBY/s800/IMG_3022.JPG" height="800" width="533" /></a>

After Alcatraz I had an appointment at the Apple store on Chestnut Street to have my goosed iPad inspected. I couldn’t believe it when they diagnosed it as being f*cked and replaced it with a new one, despite it being purchased in the UK – excellent service!
We then had a quick 120 mile blast down the Pacific Coast Highway to Clint Eastwood’s town Carmel for the night. It’s an extremely nice place with lots of quaint buildings, but very expensive. The prices in the estate agents ranged from $2million to $18.5 million

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FK7mfyYjpzA_X58bVON0sej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MHamw9ogLps/T-WGsQeN6ZI/AAAAAAAAA-M/yFUixYIxZxU/s800/IMG_1138.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9W4F1BQV_CA_sjLzy9s1Yej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-knVm-n15FEY/T-WGtXE96BI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/gZvHsWawUrw/s800/IMG_1149.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Nnsm18PlPQq93Sb_VUnVnOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-a-ou6pTx0Y8/T-WG0lbRJqI/AAAAAAAAA-s/y28kL5v7eP8/s800/IMG_1157.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YlehNjKGkMZ3R-4W7piEu-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RPuLj5CXFek/T-WG0tSsaSI/AAAAAAAAA-k/ziRtkxdMVww/s800/IMG_1158.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ask9bB9-ylz51hI5UC2OGOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-45CZXUWCGMA/T-WG06DimjI/AAAAAAAAA-o/665N5acRHeY/s800/IMG_1159.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

 

[sven]

Carmel to LA
Immediately south of Carmel is the spectacular Big Sur section of the Pacific Coast Highway. Lunch was at the Lucia Lodge whose views are really hard to beat

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3zPscWlaXp9A6hIc1EKuPej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EfUqntrm9I0/T-Yi8H9fcHI/AAAAAAAABBE/podWS45jNbA/s800/IMG_1179.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4n2OKZ24NR4MkAEpC4Qk9Oj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nJbl1m8hW2c/T-Yi3ph6SnI/AAAAAAAABA0/6iZ6mvxxaxE/s800/IMG_1183.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gkNy1K0lbCQlf4SH9EN8Fuj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vrAaQvr_nh8/T-YjrWjKd3I/AAAAAAAABB0/zeGZr4ns-Q0/s800/IMG_3025.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fI6GMDDh2aBGXz0JxDzqM-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WXMrSIEJM_o/T-YjtePBUVI/AAAAAAAABCA/j_7CTh_KzWE/s800/IMG_3028.JPG" height="800" width="533" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/E9DaS6pwCWd8KpAzU1Eg5-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4_jrI08kL_A/T-YjrHigwxI/AAAAAAAABBw/Ly6WByJnjvQ/s800/IMG_3032.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tkVeDnEWbLg_sK87H7OSKej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-emY7r7uzePI/T-YkBUkp5KI/AAAAAAAABCQ/ouzOSvZC9Fk/s800/IMG_3041.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bd51GHqe4MCeHH4k-EmjDOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ixkSIif6SDE/T-Yj5_3TzSI/AAAAAAAABCI/04a6uh6d1k0/s800/IMG_3047.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UAY5Wr1jJn0cO9XiflqNPej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x7IME10PeDo/T-YkGOxbpmI/AAAAAAAABCY/aGPoQKD8Hwo/s800/IMG_3058.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/S31qcjv4QAhtK0baeqGR0Oj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nTvE4gI61Sw/T-YkP5lZkVI/AAAAAAAABCg/oXXFz8IiXzY/s800/IMG_3076.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Flyk8sBoAN1y89e676V8Muj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h3J3lzWqtZQ/T-YkXMacnRI/AAAAAAAABCs/OX4WqZ8LYUw/s800/IMG_3098.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wXwvwBHnCWJsClDWtbbDM-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_NU-9yy8KYg/T-YlbTfZOHI/AAAAAAAABDA/hkdEiaH3ejw/s800/IMG_3108.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MzKVdSt9PVrQreAAARdxWej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TSNsBfeoeSg/T-YlY59R7LI/AAAAAAAABC4/baSc--PBBK4/s800/IMG_3116.JPG" height="533" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wzitd6XYxwhfChS9hDl4f-j5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hFMWiQwqKAw/T-Yi6ZQd8pI/AAAAAAAABA8/IA73ZL6KOFY/s800/IMG_1192.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qU7Et3UaYqSWewQ5r_B88Oj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8gA7k_G2V5A/T-Yi_y7GdCI/AAAAAAAABBQ/zlioU02RQe4/s800/IMG_1193.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a>

The last night was spent in the very posh town of Santa Barbara. The first photo shows our hotel for the night – the Motel 6 just to the left of the Hyatt
We had a blowout dinner in Holdren’s Steakhouse and had the best steak I’ve ever eaten – a superb filet mignon washed down with an excellent bottle of red

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Sy2LpRJ8O63pKlq5z67Grej5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lfUVlM3UbeU/T-YjAylOlkI/AAAAAAAABBU/s7g3nlqSHcA/s800/IMG_1196.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2pR1Z3tdd7RNUNbjuxPrgOj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0LpZ5ni0yoU/T-YjB8R-FZI/AAAAAAAABBc/vlfgfajSqvU/s800/IMG_1202.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SQ7bQ37r0u1YU5_amAbj3uj5eLC3bo00c8tvX8iiYhY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_Fy-zSfXpQA/T-YjD0vZhKI/AAAAAAAABBo/nTcTpKf5o4o/s800/IMG_1209.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

The next day it was an easy 100 mile ride back to LAX which just confirmed what a toilet LA is.

To summarise, we covered 3300 miles in 16 days, spent £7200 on the whole trip and averaged 59.6mpg. Expensive, but well worth it for a belated 40th birthday present as the sights in the National Parks are unlike anything you can see in Europe, although the Rockies are not as spectacular as the Alps

 

[Nutty]

Fan bloody tastic. I've really enjoyed following this.

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

This looks like one of those trips you have to tick off

Thanks for sharing a great review

It's also reassuring to have it confirmed there is no need to rush to LV.

 

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

Sven,

Most excellent trip report and pictures . Thankyou for taking the time to post. Really enjoyed that and will start looking down the back of the sofa for cash to start saving for a trip like this.

Another must do.

 

[Jockser]

Nice write-up & pics Steve

It truly is very different to this side of the pond, isn't it ?

 

[David Lee]

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to make this ride report.

Great holiday for you both and it's been a great read