Grand Canyon and Vegas

After lake Havasu, we had of course a very very slow start. Unfortunately we wanted to make it all over to the Grand Caynon. Lucky in case you are the CoDriver, cuz that day I definitely didnt want to drive.
After stopping in Williams for a night we made it to Grand Canyon NP on Memorial Day. On our way we quickly realized how many cops were on the road that particular day. Thus, no wonder we got a ticket on our way back. Grand Canyon is a cool place. We went for around 3 miles along rim and visited some lookouts by car. We got the hint to arrive real early before the crowds arrive. which was a real advantage.
Next via the Hoover Dam and more cops to Vegas were we spend the last 2,5 days gambling and partying. Unfortunately noone won big but on the other hand noone lost real much, too. So I guess thats ok. We stayed at the Tropicana hotel which is a perfectly located on the strip. Frist night we went to Hooters for dinner (what a surprise). Afterwards we just strolled along the strip to check out all the different casinos. Next day, same thing.... and here we are back in Austin


So lets sum up the facts.
Total days: 14
Total miles driven: 2970
Total time driving: 65+ hours
Things seen: you just read it all ;-)

National Parks and Lake Havasu

Last week we spent almost every day in a different national park. First we were off to vistit yosemetie np with its huge half dome. We hiked around at the bottom of yosemetie valley before we drove up glacier point road, which had been just opened that day. Perfect timing. Up on the top there was still snow around. What a difference to the desert a week ago.

In between the NPs it was shitload of driving. Next to visit was Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP. We drove down til roads end of impressive Kings Canyon. In the afternoon we went to Sequoia to see all the monster trees. Beside that we were surprised by some wildlife as we saw a bear very closeby later on.


Well, lake Havasu was not really on our way, but after all we have heard about it we definetly had to go there. This lake was the biggest party place all of us have seen. Boats tight together over the whole lake, girls as crazy as on spirngbreak and loads of beer was exactly what we needed as a timeout. Unfortunately my camera did not survive the day as it when for a swim when Steffen was pushed into the water. At the end of the day we had to sleep in the car because all the motels where 150 $ and more for the night.So, of course during the night the cops arrived, looking at my hammered coopilot and first officer in the back. Lucky they only told us to keep the doors closed and switch the lights off. How come you guys dont remember ;-)

Heading north

Sunday we arrived right in time at Santa Barbara to see the final games of an AVP Volleyball tournament. Although the weather was pretty bad again and the place was not crowded at all, it was a nice exprience.
Later that day the weather got worse and worse unitl we finally had to stop right at the start of route #1 because it was impossible to contiune driving.

It paid out next day, as after an early start, we made it all the way up to Napa Valley north of SanFran. With stunning views along world famous highway one we had to stop almost every minute. Along the way we saw a lot of different wildlife too. Seals, dolphins, squirrels ....



Next day sightseeing in San Francisco. After driving over the Golden Gate at night the day before, this day started with day views of the bridge with the skyline in the back. Later we drove down lombard street (where we found a nice parking), visited fishermans warf and saw a all the other SanFran sights.



Tuesday was all about the Napa Valley. We tasted vine, vistited the see CIA and had a big late breakfast at Thomas former exchage family.

Roadtrip California + Las Vegas Part 1

Hi yall, this is the first update off our Roadtrip to Cali. Pics still to come....

Like every good road trip, ours started the night before departure with goodbye wings at Pluckers and Dollar Beers @ Cain and Abels. But first, Thomas and I had to move out of our apparment. Thats when we both realazied how much stuff we still have left to bring back home to Germany. Will be interesting to see how things work out in two weeks.


On wednesday we flew in to San Diego where the first surprise was the weather. Beeing used to the Texas heat, Cali so far is quiet cool. The sky was quiet clody, definetly not a good beach day.
First we were off to the rental car office. While crusing around in search for the AAA we realized something on the transmission of the car is broken, thus, we had to exchange it later on the day. Afterwards, we visited all of San Diego´s Beaches including one with seals covered all over. At night we saw the Mavs loose in Game 5. So after the game we went back to our room quite dissapointed.


Next day we visited San Diegos main attraction Sea World. We saw Shamu, took a rollercoaster ride and attened all the other animal shows. In the afternoon we drove up the coast to Los Angeles southern beaches Newport, Huntington and Long Beach (where we had a greece dinner).

Friday we had a very long day as we visited our second national park. Joshua Tree National Park is packed with cool looking trees. We went for a short hike to the largest trees of the park and afterwards we drove to all the main sites. Since the park is located in the desert between LA and Las Vegas the temperatures hit 100. Then we experienced LA´s traffic, when it took quite a while to get even close to our motel, located in East Hollywood. After watching another disapointing Mavs loss and having dinner, we closed the night with a midnight stroll around Hollywood Boulevard's main attractions, the Chinese Theater and the Star Walk.

Saturday the weather at the coast improved. Therefore, after a short morning visit to downtown, we drove through Beverly Hills and walked up and down the boutiques at Rodeo Drive, before finally arriving at some of LA's top beaches at Santa Monica and Venice. We relaxed a little while in the sun and took some bad ass pictures of Steffen the new Baywatch Trainee. The last hours we drove up highway nummber one, which impressed with its stunning views. Late surprise this day, was a group of dolphins we only spoted because we got lost while looking for our motel.