Pacific

First the metro took us to the west and the Pacific.  Nicki braved the cold and washed her feet but a lovely sunny morn. Then manoeuvred over GG Park enjoying the hundreds of Sunday exercisers.  The metro then bought us back to the fisherman's wharf where we strode up to Coit tower on telegraph hill, phew. Down and up and the crookedest street in the world. Very steep with lots of drivers testing their skill.  The Calafornia st cable car,  back to Fisherman’s wharf and try to get Nicki a tee shirt, it's been a  tough day.  Worst still,  having to plan our leaving!
I need to say how courteous everyone is here in america especially drivers,  I still find it hard to believe how everyone holds back on the streets.

Golden Gate

Down Market Street to the Saturday morning farmers market, after a stroll the F streetcar took us to the Blue Gold ferry terminal.  On Angel island we walked over to the immigration museum.  Gate crashing a great tour then make our way back for the return.  Next the 28 took us to the Golden Gate Bridge,  the photos show how nice the morning had turned out,  and a stunning vista. The conservatory in the GG Park was smaller than we thought but it was followed by coffee and cake on the edge of the park, so the day was still going good. After a spruce up at our hotel it was cocktails at 46th floor Hilton before our evening meal.  Using public transport lots but legs feeling it!

Fisherman’s Warf

48 square miles to go at and a map like a maze, but we were determined to sort out the transport systems. We’d paid 30 dollars each for a 3 day passport for unlimited travel and Dave was determined he was going to crack it. Walked to Pier 1 on the bay then got the ‘F’ tram to Fisherman’s Warf. Had a really good amble around Pier 39 including the sea lions and a tour of a Second World War submarine, then we got the 28 across to the Golden Gate. We decided to save the walk over the bridge until tomorrow, hoping for better weather, so got off in the Golden Gate Park to visit the museum of Sciences which was geared towards families....and was especially full of children. The Rainforest and Sea life worlds were great. Then it was the 44, 38 and then the 47 back to Fisherman’s Warf for a crab supper. Finally, our first amazing trip on the cable car back to the hotel.

San fran

After another look at the monarchs we had a walk along Monterey beach. Very pretty with lots of birds on the rocks.  Then highway one to half moon bay, an odd patch of rain on the way but lots of sea mist.  Another stroll then to the airport,  no issues dropping the car then take the 'bart' into san fran. We have 3/4 days here but our evening outing to get eats and it's very gloomy around town,  lots of homeless.  Reminds me of Gotham!

Monterey

Something was wrong! It was dull outside. Still we made our way to the local bird sanctuary. As luck would have it, Karen a local was about to take her monthly newcomers introduction walk and she offered to take us under her wing. So 5 of us had a brilliant stroll along their boardwalk with over 20 new species.  Another drive and we landed at Carmel where we watched sea lions,  seals and otters, then into Monterey. Coffee and cake then arranged accommodation at the Monach butterfly sanctuary inn. I'm adding a picture but it just looks like a dark mass as they were clustered together for the winter.

Morro Beach

Weather back to full sun and blue skies as we headed on 101 towards Cachuma Lake, 2000ft in the sierras above the coast. Did a 5 mile hike over to the dam and back, very dry and hilly. Saw lots of birds of prey overhead, apparently they are hawks. Excercise done, picnic overlooking the lake, back to drive and stop off at ‘authentic’ 1890s town, Arroyo Grande for a spot of cake and coke. Joined coastal road 1 again for a bit alongside some seaside resorts, a bit like Morcambe Bay but with the sun and blue ocean! Nicki wanted a sea front stop so picked out Morrow Bay! Very beautiful harbour, fishing boats and the imposing Morrow Rock. Sunset from our room window over the Bay was awesome, but too many cables in the way for a great photo. Will explore a bit tomorrow before the next 200 miles up to Carmel and Monterey. We decided to get the car washed too! Looks almost as good as when we picked her up 3 1/2 weeks ago.

Santa Barbara

After a very restful night in a great place called Franciscan Inn, near the seafront, we began the walkers trail around the old town. Picked up lots of the history of the town, basically native Americans followed by Franciscan missionaries, Spanish entrpepreneurs and then Americans. The town has kept the Andalusian theme and is really relaxed and easy to get around. The old Courthouse is still in use even though it is definitely original, comp,eye with wall frescoes. Great views from the top of the tower and into the clock room. Got a trolley bus back to the coast then legged it to a bird refuge along the coast. Warm, but getting cloudy and grey! Falling into the tourist trap of long, late lunch at the harbour restaurant, watching the paddle boarders and the pelicans sweep past. Yes! An afternoon siesta! Tomorrow we start up the coast but not able to stick to Coastal road all the way because of the landslide around Big Sur. we’ll break it up into 2 more stops before we hit SF on Thursday. Car will need a clean before it’s return!

Santa Barbara

It's been a no pictures day today,  so far.  After a good breakfast at Stovepipe we hit the road, and was able to confirm to ourselves again,  america is big. We traveled through rocky desert for most of the day with only the last 40 miles becoming lush and green. Taking only a couple of short stops we arrived in Santa Barbara around 3pm. Sunny, about 20 degrees and beautiful,  no not Leek. Got ourselves a nice room for 2 nights so a no car day tomorrow.

Death valley

Dave’s nifty driving around Vegas got us on our way west and into the wild open stretches once more. Desert travel and a road runner across the highway, but little else. Soon got the idea of Death Valley as we dropped towards sea level and beyond! Usual drill...get to the Visitor Centre, see the film, choose the best bits to visit. Badlands was kind of awesome, but bleak. Only 3 very small towns to choose from for the night and Stovepipe Wells had it all, saloon, general store, motel style rooms and a swimming pool for Nicki....62 lengths! Great burger and salad, were getting predictable. Nicki’s first wine in 3 weeks. Well it is Saturday night. Hoping for karaoke? Tomorrow we hit the coast and Santa Barbara...what a contrast that will be.

More Raz

After breakfast we took the car over to the National atomic  testing museum , it was very popular for tourists to come to Las Vegas to watch the flash and plume of bomb tests.  The Strip is 4 miles long so we caught the shuttle up to the other end of town to the Mandalay.  Staked my reputation,  and managed to get Nicki to part with  $50 to enter the Shark Reef Aquarium. It was the best we've ever seen,  reputation saved. We then strolled back down the strip,  luxor, Excaliber, New York New York,  we can walk no more. Delicious Italian then back to Circus Circus. Not sure what the car was but it was getting a lot of atention. 

Old Town

Couldn't resist not using the car for a day so out to hoover dam early morn.  Down to the power house then around the top, the dam was  finished early and under budget,  truly amazing. Into Las Vegas old town next ( Fremont) to the Mob museum. It was murder and we were fleeced for the next 4hrs. A one block walk saw us in old town center , an interesting place in daylight but after our dining the sun had set, bling and swing.
Great day topped with a hot drink and early night,  party.

Las vagas

Great evening meal and breakfast at Jacobs Lodge. Chatted to father and son in law who were on a hunting trip. Apparently, they’d won one of the 7000 lottery tickets to allow them to hunt and take home 1 full size deer. Seemed a bit strange as we’d just been taking pictures of deer next to the road! Set off early for 4 hour drive to Las Vegas. Out of Arizona and back into the gambling state of Nevada. We hit the city and were completely overwhelmed at first, but soon got ourselves a room for 3 nights on the ‘strip’. Circus Circus hotel is vast, but they are all like mini towns. We walked our socks off, but have only done about a third. It’s mind blowingly glitzy and clever. The Venetian looks like a Venice complete with gondolas and canals inside the hotel.