Today we drove through the gorges of Capitol Reef NP. None of this hiking for miles in 40 degree heat rubbish in America. Just a leisurely drive in the comfort of our air conditioned car with the occasional snap out the window. Again, the scenery was amazing.
We camped in a little place called Bluff.
We headed to the Bryce national park today. The scenery was very dramatic. We were about 2800 metres about sea level and we both noticed it with a short walk we did. I think we will get over our colds properly before we do any major hiking.
Driving along we saw several groups of deer threatening to jump out in front of us. They are more of a threat than kangaroos!
We also saw lots of cute little chipmunks darting across the road in front of us. This one stopped to beg for food like a little dog I know. We didnt feed it cos we’re not allowed to.
Some more pics of Bryce National Park. They are not the best photos as we were too lazy to lug our big camera up.
We left Vegas $210 of the casinos money and headed for Zion National Park in Utah. It was really really really hot. We found a camping site in Springdale, which was in the Zion NP. We took the last available site by the river. It sounds like we were lucky to get a camp spot being a Saturday night in the middle of summer.
It was really really really hot as we put up our tent, then went to the shop for some coronas. They are delightfully cheap here, a pleasant surprise after the overpricedness of Australia. Only $13 for a dozen.
We arent really set up for cooking yet, so we went for a Mexican meal in a café next to the campground. It was well good, but well spicy. Coriander is called Cilantro here. We sat and watched the sun set over the rocks.
We decided to blow our budget to smithereens and stay another night in Vegas as Jerry Seinfeld was on at Caesars Palace. He’s a comedian on my to-do list to see, so we just had to do it.
Vegas is not cheap on a Friday night in the middle of summer on the date 8/8/08. Apparently everyone wants to get married on this date and all accommodation booked out. And who wouldnt want to do that? Get married in Vegas I mean, not on that date. I’d never do as tacky as that. But to get married in Vegas is ideal. Quaint little chapel, Elvis, minimum hassle and only $500 and that includes a photographer!
Anyway, it was well worth the extra expense as Jerry Seinfeld was hilarious.
Today it was really really really hot. Apparently it was about 104 degrees F, whatever that means. It felt like about 40 degrees plus out there.
Mike decided he wanted to visit the old part of town where all the poor people stay as that was Vegas when he was here 20 something years ago.
Thats about it, now its time to hit the blackjack tables!
We departed the smoggy shithole that is Los Angeles and headed for the pretty lights of Vegas.
Its my forth trip to Vegas and I never get sick of it. Where else can you get Paris, Venice, New York and Monte Carlo in the same street. Athough the eiffel tower looks more like the leaning tower of pisa in this photo.
We stopped and looked at the bouncy water outside the Bellagio. The water danced in time to “Singing in the Rain”. Very pretty.
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Then we sat outside for dinner at a French Restaurant and watched the bouncy water some more. Then we hit the Black Jack tables. Mike did well, at one stage he was up well and good, and then ignored me when I said to walk away. He soon dwindled it away until there were only a few bucks left. He shoulda taken advice from an experienced gambler! Alas, I had no luck. Sorry Lynda!
At around 9.30pm Wed night we hopped on a big 747 to LA and a flight attendant immediately started plying us with champagne. 2 hours and a bottle of wine later we both passed out drunk. Not sure what was in the drinks but when awoke we had gone back in time.
The weird thing about flying to LA is crossing the international date line. We left Auckland at 9.30pm Wed night and arrived LA at 3.30pm Wed afternoon (6 hours earlier). As I’m typing this it is still earlier than when I flew out later today. if that makes any sense, it is certainly doing my head in.
Here is a photo from the plane coming into LA
It was our last day in NZ and as we said our sad goodbyes to Mum, Dad and Casper, Dad noticed that I still didnt have a warrant of fitness on my car. Mum said “knowing your luck you will get caught today”.
Sure enough as I turned right onto the main road there waiting for me was a police checkpoint. And the cop wasnt happy that my warrant of fitness had expired back in March! I had to do some quick talking and explained that we dont actually live in NZ and we hadnt been driving for that long without one. (Well only the last 1.5 months). Anyway, that was a nice leaving present, a bloody $200 fine!
We spent the last few days staying at Jenny and Barrys farm. Jenny and Barry have animals which they eat. Last night we ate Blackie.
When I asked Jenny how they cope eating animals they have known, she said “I have comfort in the fact they don’t have the stress of going in a crowded truck to the meat works. One minute Blackie was quietly eating grass, the next minute she was gone”
So all Blackie remembers is eating grass then a loud “BANG” as she was shot dead between the eyes, murdered for meat. And the sad thing is the butcher said she was only good for mince.
So last night we had Spaghetti Bolognaise. Other meals Blackie has starred in were Meatloaf, Cottage Pie and Tacos. (Any ideas for mince recipes would be much appreciated).
Blackies life, however, wasn’t all just a bed of green grass.
Not long after Blackie was born she got pregnant at just 4 months old. When Jenny told the vet, he didn’t believe her. She waited another month and called the vet again. This time the vet agreed that Blackie was indeed pregnant and had to abort her child. This meant Blackie had to suffer a birth that could have been avoided a month earlier.
When Blackie was old enough to have children, she got bow legged. The more pregnant she became, the more bow legged she got and looked pretty sad as she waddled about the paddock. After the birth, her legs straightened a bit but she was banned from having any more children. This led to her demise.
So long Blackie and thanks for all the mince!
The food was prepared by professional caterers
although it was difficult to keep Sue from telling them what to do.
In the end she got her own way and helped roll the sandwiches.
We lined the family up for balcony photos
Kate and Josh:
AFter the semi formal photos on the balcony it was time for a quick cuddle and kiss.(disturbed by Sue!)
Sue says its time to party!
Sadly our big aussie road trip is over and we are back in dreary old Sydney. Seriously, it is just like being in London with the amount of drear going on. I think London has more sunny days though.
We have been back for a week trying to sell Dory, but nobody wants to buy her. Brother Paul has decided to take her at a rock bottom price. At least its good to know she will be staying in the family. And I think she will enjoy the warmer climate up in Brisbane.
We are very fond of Dory and will be sad to see her go. She has not only been our transport, but also our home and protector for the last four months.
Heres a poem we wrote at the start of the trip:
This is a story
About a car named Dory
Who grew up in Japan
And had a big Plan
So to Aus she did go
To meet Mike and Jo
And embark on a road trip
Around the coast to the tip
So away they went
Lots of money to be spent
Weve no aim in mind
Just hoping to find
A little bit of Sun
And have loads of fun.