Living N Loving America

Had a real good lay in today - Up at 9:30, by 11 we were on our way to Long Beach for the afternoon. We put the roof down but Liz was chilly so Nige being the poser he is gave her his t-shirt, so he was cruising the interstate bear chested! (Not a good idea when you have a chest infection!!) A lorry driver kept waving at us, so Myself & Liz gestured at him to pull his horn - which he did - so we all gave him a little cheer! We parked up at Rainbow Harbor and took a walk along the harbor front passing the shops and restaurants. The Queen Mary is docked opposite so a few photo opportunities were taken, we spotted a couple of seals in the water too, then ... read more

After breakfast we headed to San Diego zoo for the day, as soon as we got in, a tour bus was leaving that takes you round the zoo on a half hour trip showing you the main attractions so we jumped on it and took the tour. As soon as we returned to the start point we decided the parts we wanted to see and headed in those directions. First up was the Lions and pandas, then the polar bears and hippos- we then thought we would take the 'Skyfari' (cable car) back down - we got on working out the weight limit at just about dead on! The minute they closed the gates and we moved - Liz & Andy both said they wanted to get off but the employee just said a firm 'NO' ... read more

We was up by 7am, loaded our cool boxes with food and drink and 45 minutes later was on our way to breakfast at a 5 & Diner, this is a typical 50's style diner, the decor is all from the 50's, the music is from the 50's and some of the tables even have their own little juke boxes! We filled ourselves up ready for our little adventure that lay ahead! Another half hour or so and we arrived at the salt river tubing centre, Liz had started to change her mind, and this reminded me of my Mum a couple of years back who we practically had to drag there yet in the end she loved it. We hired our tubes, jumped on the bus that takes us to the higher elevation and began ... read more

Nige, Andy & Keith were up at the crack of dawn to hike 'Lone Mountain' a couple of miles from Keith & Sylvia's. Myself & Liz cooked perfect poached eggs on toast - Definitely going to get us one of those gadgets! We then thought we would take the Mustang for a spin as Liz wanted to drive it, so we wrote a note to leave for when they returned, and were about to leave as they came back, totally sweaty! We continued on our expedition, put the roof down and drove around the estate, then stumbled across the entrance to Lone Mountain - So Liz thought it would be funny if we attempted to hike it!! Off we went in the heat, with only murray mints and a pack of fags as our supplies! And ... read more

Another early start - When will I get a lay in!! Up at 06:45, and in the car by 07:15 towards Mcdonalds Ranch for Liz & Nigels horse riding trip. Myself and Andy decided it wasn't our thing! Nige was first to mount his horse 'Rodeo' and Liz was next up onto 'Patches' They got accustomed to what would be their new found friends for the next hour, and off they trotted! Myself and Andy stayed in the area and had a wander around the ranch grounds. Even getting mildly attacked by the local dogs!! I then shaded under a tree, whilst Andy took some photos of the surroundings. An hour later Liz and Nige returned, with huge smiles on their faces. They both really enjoyed it. Even the part where the guide got their horses ... read more