Hi,
We have not been able to write for a few days as we have been staying with my brother and I could not access the blog! (Jane writing) We had a lovely few days in Portland with Dan, Holly and Ruan. Ruan is absolutely gorgeous and very bright and he and Josh have had lots of fun playing in the garden. We went and played pitch and putt which Dan and Adi are both really good at and Josh and I got better as we went round! It was a par 3 and I even managed to Par 1 hole as did Josh. We also visited the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry which had lots of things to do and buttons to push so Josh and Adi were in their element! After this we had lunch at one of the many food carts that Portland is apparently famous for, Josh and I had Vietnamese rice and chicken with a really spicy sauce and it was delicious. Josh has finally got his paper journal of the trip up to date and hence I am typing the blog as we sit at Seattle Airport waiting for the 9 hour flight home. We drove up from Portland this morning which took about 2.5 hours and had lunch in downtown Seattle which looks like a lovely city. It is a shame we did not have more time to explore. We returned the hire car with only petrol fumes left in the tank!!! It is now 4.30 and the flight does not leave til 6.45pm. Josh and Adi are playing a card game while we watch lots of different planes taking off. We arrive in the UK at 11.30 am on Thurs morning before the long drive back to Cornwall. Bye for now.......
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Monday, 13 June 2011
Sequioa National Park, Monteray, Tahoe and Northern California
As we have not been able to write for a few days, this is Jane writing on behalf of Josh! We went to the Sequoia National Park which is high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains about 3 hours north east of Los Angeles. It was about 7000 feet above sea level and we were up in the clouds which was quite beautiful but eary at the same time. Josh was having a sneaky pee behind a tree when a deer jumped out behind him - I do not know who was more frightened! We visited the worlds largest tree, a Giant Sequoia called the General Sherman, which is as tall as the Statue of Liberty and really wide at the base. The smallest branch has a diameter of 6 feet! It is not the tallest tree as the Californian Giant Redwood tree,, which grows on the Californian coast can grow taller. Josh completed a workbook about the National Park and was sworn in as a Junior Ranger and has been wearing his badge with pride.
We then headed back out to Monteray after a night in Fresno which is in the middle of California and was about 85 degrees. Monteray was much chillier on the coast just below San Francisco. We visited the Monteray Bay Aquarium which is the best Aquarium I have ever visited and was fantastic.
From Monteray we headed back into the hills of the Californian Gold Country. We stayed at a place called Sonora which is where The Little House on the Prairie was filmed (for those old enough to remember!). We visited the Sonora Fire Museum which had an old pull along fire engine on display.
After a night in the hotel and a dip in a very chilly pool we went to visit Columbia State Historic Park which is the best preserved Gold Mining Town in California. We saw the old stage coach which was pulled by 4 brown horses, we also dipped candles and Josh will bring his into school to show you. Josh also had a gold panning lesson from a man called Curly! Josh managed to get 4 tiny bits of gold as well as garnets, quartz and peridot so was quite pleased with himself - Adrian and I did not get anything!
From Columbia we set off to Lake Tahoe through the most amazing countryside. We were up amongst the snow and there were really high banks of it on the side of the road. The road was really winding and we all felt a bit car sick by the time we got to a straight bit of road. We reached Lake Tahoe in the evening and stayed with our friends Ed and Kim who were wonderful hosts. Their house is built over 3 floors in the side of the mountain overlooking the lake at 7000 feet above sea level. The air is thinner at this altitude and we got quite breathless going from floor to floor! The next morning we went for a 3 mile hike around Spooner Lake which is one of the smaller lakes around Tahoe. It was beautiful and we watched people catching trout. There was also still snow here. Later we went all the way around Lake Tahoe which is the second deepest Lake in the US and visited the beautiful Emerald Bay. After lunch we played Crazy Golf and Josh came second (Adrian came last!!!). Josh and Ed set a trap to try and catch a Chickaree which is like a chipmunk bit they didn't get anything. There were also bears about although we did not see one. There was a lovely frog chorus each night!
Today we have ended up in Klamath Falls which is in Southern Oregon. The drive through north east California was very long and straight! There was lots of hills and it was really like how I would have imagined the wild west of cowboys and indians. We visited the Lava Bed National Monument which is a beautiful volcanic landscape and although the volcano has not erupted for 1100 years it is still active and is anticipated to erupt again soon! It is also the site of the only Indian War in Califorina where the Modoc Indians fought the US Army to try and stay on their lands (unsuccessfully). We also saw indian rock writing and had a lesson from a Park Ranger about the local wild hunting birds which included Golden Eagles, Prairie Falcons and the Great Horned Owl.
Tomorrow we are off to Bend via Crater Lake which is apparently the deepest lake in the US.
Josh will pick up the writing again from here (depending on internet access!)
We then headed back out to Monteray after a night in Fresno which is in the middle of California and was about 85 degrees. Monteray was much chillier on the coast just below San Francisco. We visited the Monteray Bay Aquarium which is the best Aquarium I have ever visited and was fantastic.
From Monteray we headed back into the hills of the Californian Gold Country. We stayed at a place called Sonora which is where The Little House on the Prairie was filmed (for those old enough to remember!). We visited the Sonora Fire Museum which had an old pull along fire engine on display.
After a night in the hotel and a dip in a very chilly pool we went to visit Columbia State Historic Park which is the best preserved Gold Mining Town in California. We saw the old stage coach which was pulled by 4 brown horses, we also dipped candles and Josh will bring his into school to show you. Josh also had a gold panning lesson from a man called Curly! Josh managed to get 4 tiny bits of gold as well as garnets, quartz and peridot so was quite pleased with himself - Adrian and I did not get anything!
From Columbia we set off to Lake Tahoe through the most amazing countryside. We were up amongst the snow and there were really high banks of it on the side of the road. The road was really winding and we all felt a bit car sick by the time we got to a straight bit of road. We reached Lake Tahoe in the evening and stayed with our friends Ed and Kim who were wonderful hosts. Their house is built over 3 floors in the side of the mountain overlooking the lake at 7000 feet above sea level. The air is thinner at this altitude and we got quite breathless going from floor to floor! The next morning we went for a 3 mile hike around Spooner Lake which is one of the smaller lakes around Tahoe. It was beautiful and we watched people catching trout. There was also still snow here. Later we went all the way around Lake Tahoe which is the second deepest Lake in the US and visited the beautiful Emerald Bay. After lunch we played Crazy Golf and Josh came second (Adrian came last!!!). Josh and Ed set a trap to try and catch a Chickaree which is like a chipmunk bit they didn't get anything. There were also bears about although we did not see one. There was a lovely frog chorus each night!
Today we have ended up in Klamath Falls which is in Southern Oregon. The drive through north east California was very long and straight! There was lots of hills and it was really like how I would have imagined the wild west of cowboys and indians. We visited the Lava Bed National Monument which is a beautiful volcanic landscape and although the volcano has not erupted for 1100 years it is still active and is anticipated to erupt again soon! It is also the site of the only Indian War in Califorina where the Modoc Indians fought the US Army to try and stay on their lands (unsuccessfully). We also saw indian rock writing and had a lesson from a Park Ranger about the local wild hunting birds which included Golden Eagles, Prairie Falcons and the Great Horned Owl.
Tomorrow we are off to Bend via Crater Lake which is apparently the deepest lake in the US.
Josh will pick up the writing again from here (depending on internet access!)
Up above the clouds in Sequoia National Park
Josh under the Tunnel Log which we drove our car through
Adrian and Josh dwarfed by the base of the General Sherman
Another sneaky pee behind a rock!
Jane and Josh's cocktails in Monteray
Beautiful Jelly Fish in the Aquarium
The Leafy Sea Dragon
Turtle
83 degrees out and about 3 degree in!
Exhausted from a days adventures!
Stage Coach at Columbia State Historic Park
Josh panning for gold with Curly
Amazing views through Stanislaus National Forest
Snow on the roadside
View of Lake Tahoe and surrounding mountains from Ed and Kims deck.
The intrepid explorers!
Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe
We will post more photos tomorrow as have to go to supper now before the restaurants shut!!
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Universal Studios
We had a great day at Universal Studios. The first thing we did was go on the Studio Tour where we saw King Kong 360 3D - Mum had her eyes closed through some of it! We also saw where TV shows and movies are made including wild west sets and one from the Grinch. We also went into a tunnel where the sides moved and you felt like you were spinning (Mum closed her eyes again!). They also made it rain and seem like a flood was coming towards us as well as Jaws jumping out of the lake at us!
Dad and I did the Simpson ride which was great but Dad felt really sick after. We also went on the Jurassic Park ride and got really wet - Mum stayed and took photos, she was too chicken to go on the ride.
The Waterworld show was amazing, there were men on jet skis zooming around and an aeroplane flew into the arena! The acting animals were also really good, especially the bit where the dog was supposed to play dead but didn't because the woman had to keep pushing his head down until she gave him a treat and he played dead. Then another woman came near him with a big thermometer and he got up and ran away. The special effects show was also awesome.
Dad and I did the Simpson ride which was great but Dad felt really sick after. We also went on the Jurassic Park ride and got really wet - Mum stayed and took photos, she was too chicken to go on the ride.
The Waterworld show was amazing, there were men on jet skis zooming around and an aeroplane flew into the arena! The acting animals were also really good, especially the bit where the dog was supposed to play dead but didn't because the woman had to keep pushing his head down until she gave him a treat and he played dead. Then another woman came near him with a big thermometer and he got up and ran away. The special effects show was also awesome.
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Seaworld
Friday, 3 June 2011
San Diego Zoo
Spent the day at San Diego Zoo and walked for miles - good to counteract the food!! I (Josh) was the photographer for the day and took over 200 photos and I will attach a couple of my favorites.
My favorite animal was the Otter and I took some great action photos. I also got a great picture of a Polar Bear doing a big poo - it was bright orange because they had been eating lots of carrots.
Mum and Dad took me to a Mexican restaurant where mum had her first Margarita but I didn't like my food.
Today we are going to Seaworld to see Shamu.......
Josh
My favorite animal was the Otter and I took some great action photos. I also got a great picture of a Polar Bear doing a big poo - it was bright orange because they had been eating lots of carrots.
Mum and Dad took me to a Mexican restaurant where mum had her first Margarita but I didn't like my food.
Today we are going to Seaworld to see Shamu.......
Josh
Thursday, 2 June 2011
The explorers depart!
Early start 4:30. Tiring fly 11 hours 5447 miles to La. Picked up rental car - Dodge Avenger - photo to follow. Dad hit the deadly right pedal and we set off to San Diego. I slept all the way, there was loads of traffic. Hotel OK but has gym, pool and hot tub.
Up early again this morning - great first breakfast. Pancake from pancake machine was yummy! Off to San Diego Zoo today.
Josh
Up early again this morning - great first breakfast. Pancake from pancake machine was yummy! Off to San Diego Zoo today.
Friday, 27 May 2011
Finished work!
Hooray! I have finished work today and am really looking forward to my holiday. Now just have to clean the house, pack the clothes, get the money, sort the dog out, get hair cut............... womans work is never done! Adi still working and will probably stroll in just before we leave on Tuesday afternoon
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Getting ready to go!!
Well, Josh finished school today and Jane only has one more day at work before finishing for a month. Adrian is breaking his back to finish his current job before we go. I think her will still be at it at lunchtime on Tuesday!! We leave at 3 after dropping the dog at kennels - wound on leg permitting! Off to London for Tues night then off to USA - ash cloud permitting on Weds morning! Keeping lots of fingers crossed. First stop Los Angeles to collect hire car then we are of to San Diego for 3 days.
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