Geo: 37.6603, -119.851Our driver/guide on the two-hour Valley Floor bus tour was Bill Fontana, a 25 year veteren of the Park who has written books and has a website on the Park. He was full of information, and a little garrulous at times. Got some good pics at the main touristy look outs. We particularly enjoyed watching with binos the many climbers on El Capitan.According to Bill, there is no widespread agreement on the origin of the word "Yosemite", first used by Capt Savage of the Mariposa Battalion in the early 19th C. Bill favours the argument that it is of Chinese origin, sounding like the Chinese words for "harmony".3 1/2 hour drive from Yosemite to Castro Valley, that turned into 4 hours with an accident closing one lane of the freeway. Got in just before ... read more

Geo: 36.3302, -116.574Spent more time exploring the Vegas Strip this morning then departed around lunch time. I am a little sorry we did not allow more time in Vegas. Although we explored several casinos and shopping malls, we barely scratched the surface of even the landmark venues. There's a Wyndham Resort near the Strip (where we have a timeshare equivalent) and we'll return for a week or two in the future.Then on the road. Desolate drive through Death Valley where the lowest point along the highway is 190 ft below sea level. 101deg at the Visitor Centre but dry, with a light, hot breeze. Arrived after dark in Mammoth Lakes, one of the biggest ski fields in USA. We're overnighting here in a two bedroom, two bath Westin suite. We were told bears are often seen ... read more

Geo: 36.0846, -115.172Left Hermosa Beach about 9am and stopped to shop at SteinMart at Rancho Cucamonga, about 45 min away. Good golf gear, especially as it was non-iron. Had a quick drive through the Victoria Gardens shopping precinct, one of Erin's properties. Then at Erin's earlier suggestion we stopped at Bass and Pro, a huge outdoors shop with an amazing fit out.We stopped for gas and food at the Nevada border and were once again reminded that getting petrol in the US is not easy for a foreigner. You can only use a credit card at the pump, or go inside and prepay some cash, estimating what you'll need. It turned out that as a security measure you have to also enter your billing zipcode with your credit card so that option was closed to us.We ... read more

Geo: 33.989, -118.462After we switched the car this morning, Robyn went window shopping while I read up on the car controls. The young ones were out late last night but were up and ready for brunch when we got back to the house at 11am. We had a fine meal at Abigail's at Hermosa Beach and we met Morgan and Maggie, more friends. Then Erin and Pete took Lizzie to the airport while Rob and I hired a couple of "cruiser" push bikes (Rob had gears, none for me) ready for our planned epic ride to Venice Beach along the bike path.It was 20km each way and although there were no hills, the distance and the frequent headwind did cause our muscles to protest. We finished back at Hermosa Beach at 6pm and returned the bikes ... read more

Geo: -27.4025, 153.113Wheels up 10:53am, landed on time at 6:15am local.Can't quite cotton on to QANTAS service. When the dinner service got to us, two of the three choices had run out so it was pasta, or pasta. The attendant tried to console us with the promise that we would be served first at breakfast and could be assured of getting our choice. Whoopee, cereal or eggs, some choice.... read more