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Lombard St. San Fran
The crookedest street in the World WELCOME TO MY 2nd VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY.
Fri 4th May: Left Sydney on time. However, just as we were taking off there was a god aweful noise from the under carriage and all of us in Economy Plus looked at each other. The cabin crew were aware of the noise and then the subsequent vibration. Much talking and visits from the Captain and Co Pilot and we continued our journey across to San Francisco. However, the noise was aweful as was the vibration through our section of the plane. There were no emergency lights on nor any other warning system to say "turn around". However, a decision was made 8 hours into the flight that we would put down at Honolulu due to drag on the underside of the plane. The nightmare experience continued at Honolulu when I was told that I wouldn't be allowed to leave Honolulu as I had no set address to go to in San Fran. Naturally, I was a smart alec to the customs official as the whole scenario was a lot of B.S. as far as I was concerned. Anyway, my Beautiful personality and Aussie charm got the better of him and he
reluctantly allowed me to enter the country....and leave as well!! 13 hours later we arrived in San Fran but not before I had meal vouchers for Friday and Saturday plus accommodation in San Fran on Friday night all paid for by United. Due to this delay I decided to stay Saturday in San Fran.
Sat 5th May: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM! Found my way into the city (as I had stayed out at the airport last night), found accommodation at a back packers in the heart of the city, dropped my gear and headed out to investigate the city. Jumped on a cable car and went to Lombard St (crookedest street in the world) then Fisherman's Wharf and wandered around there for the arvo. Jumped another cable car and went back to the hostel. Went and booked a car for 4 days to go over to Yosemite then up to Seattle. Dinner in an All American diner!
Sun 6th May: Picked up the car at 8am 'cos I wasn't looking forward to driving in a city I didn't know, not really knowing where I was going AND driving on the wrong side of the road. Managed all 3 with
San Francisco
Seals on Peir 49 at Fisherman's Wharf not to many glitches. Lost my way a couple of times.....American road numbers are so confusing (140 east or was that west, perhaps north?) but arrived at Yosemite with my sanity in tact. Man what an awesome, magnificent place this is. Won't rabbit on about the beauty or grandeur. I'll let the photos say it all (if I remember how to download them! Rob, where are you when I need you?). Booked into an unheated tent cabin as it was the cheapest accommodation available. Were allocated bear lockers (steel lockers) to put all your food and toiletries as bears have learned what food smells like and also they mistake toiletries as food. Nothing was to left in the cars as they recognise wrappers and bottles and will break into the cars to get them!!
Mon 7th May: Hiked all around the National Park. Absolutley breathtaking. Saw groves of Giant Sequoias and Mirror Lake. Beautiful. Carol, thanks for the tip to visit here. You warned me bout the bears...forgot bout the mountain cats!!!
Tue 8th/Wed 9th May: Left Yosemite for the trip up to Seattle to visit the rellies. Auntie Joy told me it was about 500 miles from
San Fran to Seattle. Unfortunately, it ended up being about twice that so the 2 days I allowed for the journey were 2 very tiring days. Went through some stunning scenery and I felt what I experienced since leaving San Fran was only the Entree beauty-wise for the rest of my journey through Canada. Arrived in Seattle and dropped the car off at the Internation Airport and just crashed at a hotle close to the airport.
Thur 10th May: Called Auntie Joy and she and Melissa came and picked me up. Went for a sightseeing jaunt around Seattle, out to the Snoqualmie Falls in the mountains then back home for pizza dinner.
Fri 11th May. Sat around chatting all morning then decided we should get ourselves organised as Joy and Melissa had booked 2 nights accommodation at a dear little caravan park at Lynden near the Canadian border....about 2.5 hours north inland. Beautiful mountain scenery, typical American.....rolling green hills with fir/pine tree covered mountains. Textbook scenery. Booked into a cute little log cabin in the park and sat and at cheese and bikkies and drinking champers out of plastic glasses!!! Love it.
Sat 12th May: Lazy start
to the day, then jumped into the car for a sticky beak around the place. Went to Lynden village which is where the Dutch immigrants settled when they arrived in America. Several working windmils are still around and it was lovely walking the streets of this quaint village. Back to the cabin and we set up a fire, had campfire food with beers and toasted marshmallows for dessert!!
Sun 13th May: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO YOU! The caravan park put on a pancake breakfast cos it was Mother's Day complete with a Hersheys bar of chocolate. Joy and Melissa drove me up to Vancouver as it was only a little over an hour away from Lynden. Got through customs at the border with no problems, thank goodness. They settled me into the hosel and headed on their way back to Seattle. Thanks guys, for all your hospitality and the taxi over the border. Just have to wait now for Mel to arrive. We're meeting via email as neither of us have phones. Oh, back packing is so much fun!!!
Till next time Beautiful peoples. Luv youse all. Smoochies. xoxoxo
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Carol
non-member comment
Yo sister!
Glad you didn't get eaten by one of them pesky varmints!