Nigel Harte

Arriving at around midnight I felt distinctly unsafe. There were people everywhere but it just didn't feel right. The following day I walked along the promanade and encountered more homeless people than I had seen in all the other cities combined. One guy was really keen for me to give him my jacket. As the day got busier and more people filled up the walk way they seemed to fade into the fabric of the life parade. Walked to the Santa Monica Pier and back and along the way saw some incredibly beautiful homes. Sunset on the boulavard was beautiful, straight out of a movie.... read more

I like San Francisco. It has a particular feeling about it that draws me in. After walking along the waterfron I walked back into the CBD to the extra tall buildings, sculptures and plazas. I found a classic coffee shop where the hussle and bussle inside made me feel as part of the community straight away. The owner knew most of the people, was ribbing and shouting orders to the barrista while grinding beans. At the same time he is having a conversation with two of the customers. I got my coffee, sat in the sun outside and just soaked up the gongs on around me. Wonderful. The waterfron leading to Fishermans Wharf is so refreshing after the desert setting of dalhart. The sea is re-energising and it was so nice to smell that smell again. ... read more

What a beautiful clean modern city Salt lake City is. It is truely impressive by anyones standards. The buildings are modern and incredibly well maintained. The streets are the same along with inner city parks. Had a blast here after arriving by train at about 2.00am in the morning. My bed in the hotel was just the nicest bed I have ever slept in. It just totally engulfed me. Almost decided to stay in bed for my whole time there but then decided against that for fear of missing the sights of the Inner City. Lucky I did arise from my bed sanctuary because I found Temple Square, the world epi-centre for the Mormon faith. Regardless of your faith I believe anyone would be impressed by this space, the gardens and the buildings. Found the Mormon ... read more

This morning (Friday 2nd December) I was awoken by my phone ringing at 4.05am. It was a recorded message from Amtrak to say that my train had been cancelled!! Yup, I was wide awake. First things first, get a coffee! Second, think things through, yeah right, at 4.00am in the morning? I'm a morning person but 4.00am is pushing even my boundries. Thirdly make the call to the number provided, yeah good idea, find out what is really happenning. Phew!!! The woman on the phone (a real woman that talked to me) tells me that the train is running late and just go to the station a couple of hours later that scheduled. Hmmm, that's good news but now I'm really awake. OK more coffee, rebook the shuttle. I'm thinking that I'll sleep later... after dark.... ... read more

Greetings to you and welcome to my Colarado Road Trip. Aaron and I woke up Saturday morning and said to each other "Let's go". So we did 'cos we can. To get to anywhere and see the landscape look slightly different takes about 3 hours driving @ 70mph (120kmh). We essentially drove straight to Colorado Springs where we found the "Garden of the Gods", an impressive array of rocks. In the mid afternoon the colours were amazing set against the backdrop of a bright blue sky. In the shadows it was freezing but in the sunlight I could unwrap the layers. We stayed in a motel in a village outside the city so we wouldn't be tempted by the sin and debauchery that goes on after dark in big cities. Manitou Springs was cool and we ... read more