We came back from our road trip last friday... I know nothing has been posted in a while, but I will finish the trip later on, I promise! But globally, it was awesome! And what remains was either not very entertaining picture-wise, or my camera was full...
In the meantime, have fun doing other stuff!
Fiflo.
mercredi 18 mai 2011
lundi 9 mai 2011
Sea World San Diego
Sunday, May 8th, 7.00 am, PT. We wake up and head to Sea World San Diego.
Nothing really to say. A not so good weather, and a park that eventually is not that great. Some nice Shias with many animals, like dolphins, killer wales and sea lions. Here are a couple pictures.
Dolphins
More dolphins
Seagull?
Some bird...
Seal if I remember correctly...
The sea lion show. Relatively fun, parody of tv shows with sea lions...
The killer whale in action!
We then left for the city of angles, Los Angeles. Driving on the 101, along the coast, we went through the well known orange county, and Santa Monica, were we stopped to see the famous pier.
Nothing really to say. A not so good weather, and a park that eventually is not that great. Some nice Shias with many animals, like dolphins, killer wales and sea lions. Here are a couple pictures.
We then left for the city of angles, Los Angeles. Driving on the 101, along the coast, we went through the well known orange county, and Santa Monica, were we stopped to see the famous pier.
Location:San Diego, CA
Six stop: San Diego
Saturday, May 7th. Nothing really interesting today, mainly driving. We left Las Vegas, and drove towards San Diego. We stopped in the small city of La Jolla, right next to San Diego.
A view of the beach of La Jolla
A memorial for soldiers from the pacific conflicts in world war II
We found our hotel, spent some time in the jacuzzi and then left for downtown, for some drinks.
We found our hotel, spent some time in the jacuzzi and then left for downtown, for some drinks.
Location:San Diego, CA
samedi 7 mai 2011
Fifth stop: Las Vegas (Baby!)
Friday, May 6th, 10.00am MDT. We finally were able to sleep in! Breakfast at IHOP and then we drove down the strip, in order to see what we could not see yesterday. 36C outside, this was the hottest we got so far. We went to the top of the tower, to get a view of the valley. Pretty impressive one must say. An entire city in a desert. We then hit the pool, on the 8th floor of our hotel.
The strip.
Our pool
One of the thrill rides on to of the tower
This day really was not productive, but we needed the rest after our long walks from yesterday. At five, we went downstairs for our buffet, 16$ and all you can eat, followed by the open bar. We experienced Vegas the right way. We later left the hotel to go down the strip, to the Cesar, the planet hollywood and the Venetian.
The Encore
The Paris Las Vegas
The Bellagio and it's fountains
As for the rest, you know the saying. What happens in Vegas...
This day really was not productive, but we needed the rest after our long walks from yesterday. At five, we went downstairs for our buffet, 16$ and all you can eat, followed by the open bar. We experienced Vegas the right way. We later left the hotel to go down the strip, to the Cesar, the planet hollywood and the Venetian.
As for the rest, you know the saying. What happens in Vegas...
Fourth stop: Grand Canyon
Thursday, May 5th, 7.00 am MDT. Breakfast at the hotel. We then decided that getting some sunscreen could be a nice idea. We made a pit stop at walmart, also recharging the anti-shouting nose stripes for Ivan, otherwise I dont think he would survive until the end of the trip... Direction the Grand Canyon, for a hike.
We decided to hit a relatively "easy" trail. The big thin with the grand canyon is that you make the way Down FIRST! And that is really tricky. All the way you can't help but think that you'll have to climb all that again. After 4.5 miles (and 2000 feet hight difference, which is the real problem), we could finally see the Colorado river, constantly digging it's way in the valley 5200 feet under us. We went back on our track to climb our way back up. If you want to go to the river, you need to sleep in the canyon. People have apparently tried to make the round trip in one day and died
The big hole!
Pretty flowers
A long long road
Long, long road...
Almost back up there...
Bird!
Dirt dirt dirt
The way up was not as fun as the way down I must say, but we survived. The sun screen eventually did not rurally work, and I am covered in sunburns (neck, arms, legs...). After this, we first thought we would be too exhausted to do anything, and thought about staying another night around the canyon. But we eventually decided to hit the road towards Las Vegas, given the prices for rooms in the Stratosphere that we found online.
Our hotel
We arrived in Vegas around 9pm. Discovering the valley filled with light (which produces so much light pollution visible from behind the mountains) was incredible. On another hand, this looks like such a waste of energy. After checking in the Stratosphere, we walked all the way to the Bellagio in order to see the fountain, and we wondered around the strip until 2am.
We decided to hit a relatively "easy" trail. The big thin with the grand canyon is that you make the way Down FIRST! And that is really tricky. All the way you can't help but think that you'll have to climb all that again. After 4.5 miles (and 2000 feet hight difference, which is the real problem), we could finally see the Colorado river, constantly digging it's way in the valley 5200 feet under us. We went back on our track to climb our way back up. If you want to go to the river, you need to sleep in the canyon. People have apparently tried to make the round trip in one day and died
The way up was not as fun as the way down I must say, but we survived. The sun screen eventually did not rurally work, and I am covered in sunburns (neck, arms, legs...). After this, we first thought we would be too exhausted to do anything, and thought about staying another night around the canyon. But we eventually decided to hit the road towards Las Vegas, given the prices for rooms in the Stratosphere that we found online.
We arrived in Vegas around 9pm. Discovering the valley filled with light (which produces so much light pollution visible from behind the mountains) was incredible. On another hand, this looks like such a waste of energy. After checking in the Stratosphere, we walked all the way to the Bellagio in order to see the fountain, and we wondered around the strip until 2am.
Location:Grand Canyon National Park
Third stop: Monument valley
Wednesday, May 4th, 7.00 am MDT. We decided to sleep in today! One extra hour of sleep, a small breakfast, and we were back on the road, direction Monument Valley driving on the famous Highway 163, pictured In Forrest Gump.
Located on the Navajo territory, this national park is the typical western landscape. Those big "rocks" that stand by themselves are the perfect set for a good western featuring John Wayne. We discovered the place with a wonderful 2 hours drive of 17 miles in a dirt road, that pushed our ride to it's limits.
Gokhan did not want to jump...
Visiting the valley on a horse is possible!
The so called three sisters
This being done, we took the road direction THE Grand Canyon. Driving across the desert of Utah, we became kind of bored at the sight of our surroundings. I must say, desolated desertic infinity is not very entertaining.
We reached the grand canyon and changed time zone again. We checked out the sight for the first time. Breathtaking. This place looks just amazing. I cant wait for tomorrow when we actually go hike in there.
Ivan is happy!
Been there, done this....
We decided to leave for our hotel, and rest a little bit more than usual, given that we will probably walk a lot tomorrow.
Located on the Navajo territory, this national park is the typical western landscape. Those big "rocks" that stand by themselves are the perfect set for a good western featuring John Wayne. We discovered the place with a wonderful 2 hours drive of 17 miles in a dirt road, that pushed our ride to it's limits.
This being done, we took the road direction THE Grand Canyon. Driving across the desert of Utah, we became kind of bored at the sight of our surroundings. I must say, desolated desertic infinity is not very entertaining.
We reached the grand canyon and changed time zone again. We checked out the sight for the first time. Breathtaking. This place looks just amazing. I cant wait for tomorrow when we actually go hike in there.
We decided to leave for our hotel, and rest a little bit more than usual, given that we will probably walk a lot tomorrow.
Location:Navajo territory
mercredi 4 mai 2011
Colorado
Tuesday, May 3rd, 6.00 am MDT. Another early alarm clock, for another busy day. Starting with a stop at Starbucks, this time successful, we left for the Garden of the Gods (amazing red sandstone formations), in the middle of Colorado Springs, next to the old city.
Garden of the Gods
Balance Rock
View of the Rockies from the Garden
More of the Garden
We then headed to the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, in order to take the train up to the top of the Peak. Amazing view over Kansas and Colorado. We unfortunately were unable to make it to the top due to the snow obstructing the rail.
NOT halfway to the top, unlike the sign says
Going up the mountain
Our ride
Near the top
A nice view of the great plains from the top of Pikes Peak
We then left for Utah, following I-25, the Rockies on our right for a while. Reaching for Hwy 160, we crossed part of Colorado through the Rio Grande National Park. Climbing the mountain, passing the ski resorts at 3500 m high, with snow everywhere. We ate in an other barbecue place, in Durango, CO, a small touristy city that kept its old western architectural style.
We reached Utah after night fall, and made a stop at the "entering Utah" sign. Unfortunately the pictures were not that great... After almost hitting a wild horse on the side of the road, we kept driving toward Mexican Hat, where our hotel was for the night.
We then headed to the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, in order to take the train up to the top of the Peak. Amazing view over Kansas and Colorado. We unfortunately were unable to make it to the top due to the snow obstructing the rail.
We then left for Utah, following I-25, the Rockies on our right for a while. Reaching for Hwy 160, we crossed part of Colorado through the Rio Grande National Park. Climbing the mountain, passing the ski resorts at 3500 m high, with snow everywhere. We ate in an other barbecue place, in Durango, CO, a small touristy city that kept its old western architectural style.
We reached Utah after night fall, and made a stop at the "entering Utah" sign. Unfortunately the pictures were not that great... After almost hitting a wild horse on the side of the road, we kept driving toward Mexican Hat, where our hotel was for the night.
lundi 2 mai 2011
Second stop: Colorado Springs, CO
Monday, May 2nd, 6.00 CDT.
The alarm clock is ringing. After falling asleep to Mr President's speech, announcing the death of Oussama Ben Laden, and being awaken by ivan's snoring a couple time, we woke up early to hit the road direction Colorado springs! After tasting the horrible coffee from the hotel, a hunt for a Starbucks was launched, unsuccefull...
Our trip brings us to Kansas City, and we end up in a small restaurant, one of the most famous in The city, as the pictures of different famous people testify ( Sarah Palynn, Jimmy Carter, Mc Cain... that gives you an idea of the place...). Arthur Bryan's as it's called, is a small restaurant, serving ribs. We were however quite disappointed by the food.
The place
The Rib Tips
Then started our crossing of the state of Kansas, from west to east, to reach Colorado. Around 500 miles across the great plains, or in the
middle of nowhere, to be more precise. (More pictures later
Entering Colorado. Really no differences with Kansas!
We reached Colorado Springs around 8.30 pm MDT, and grabbed dinner in an Irish pub downtown, the John Quinn. Then, with another long day ahead of us, and the change of time zones, we decided to call it a day.
Fiflo.
The alarm clock is ringing. After falling asleep to Mr President's speech, announcing the death of Oussama Ben Laden, and being awaken by ivan's snoring a couple time, we woke up early to hit the road direction Colorado springs! After tasting the horrible coffee from the hotel, a hunt for a Starbucks was launched, unsuccefull...
Our trip brings us to Kansas City, and we end up in a small restaurant, one of the most famous in The city, as the pictures of different famous people testify ( Sarah Palynn, Jimmy Carter, Mc Cain... that gives you an idea of the place...). Arthur Bryan's as it's called, is a small restaurant, serving ribs. We were however quite disappointed by the food.
Then started our crossing of the state of Kansas, from west to east, to reach Colorado. Around 500 miles across the great plains, or in the
middle of nowhere, to be more precise. (More pictures later
We reached Colorado Springs around 8.30 pm MDT, and grabbed dinner in an Irish pub downtown, the John Quinn. Then, with another long day ahead of us, and the change of time zones, we decided to call it a day.
Fiflo.
Location:Colorado Springs, CO, USA
dimanche 1 mai 2011
First stop: Saint Louis, MS
Sunday, May 1st, 4.30 pm CDT.
We arrive in saint Louis, MS, after a 20 hours, 1150 miles drive from our beloved worcester, MA. Smooth drive in our nice Nissan sentra from AVIS, only perturbated by the rain we found along the way.
Our nice ride! Go khan trying desperately to close the trunk.
After checking in a best value inn, we decided to visit downtown a little bit, at least see the famous saint louis' arch. With only one night in the city, and no real sleep, it was pretty difficult to think about what we wanted, if not just a real meal and a nice comfy bed!
Saint Louis big arch.
Chris is astonished in front of this big arch!
That was pretty much it for downtown, and we just decided to go and grab food some place. Gokhan suggested the Blueberry hill, a relatively famous local restaurant. Once there, the menu saying #1 burger in saint Louis, we really did not have that much choice! Also a small local beer called Schlafly. Pretty nice meal overall, and really nice place, with it's own atmosphere and character.
Yum!
The place really was nice, with a rock and roll atmosphere, several rooms, darts, and a gigantic collection of goodies, probably worth a fortune!
The Beatles section of the restaurant!
That was all for the day, and with another long day of driving ahead of us, we decided to call it a day.
Fiflo.
We arrive in saint Louis, MS, after a 20 hours, 1150 miles drive from our beloved worcester, MA. Smooth drive in our nice Nissan sentra from AVIS, only perturbated by the rain we found along the way.
After checking in a best value inn, we decided to visit downtown a little bit, at least see the famous saint louis' arch. With only one night in the city, and no real sleep, it was pretty difficult to think about what we wanted, if not just a real meal and a nice comfy bed!
That was pretty much it for downtown, and we just decided to go and grab food some place. Gokhan suggested the Blueberry hill, a relatively famous local restaurant. Once there, the menu saying #1 burger in saint Louis, we really did not have that much choice! Also a small local beer called Schlafly. Pretty nice meal overall, and really nice place, with it's own atmosphere and character.
The place really was nice, with a rock and roll atmosphere, several rooms, darts, and a gigantic collection of goodies, probably worth a fortune!
That was all for the day, and with another long day of driving ahead of us, we decided to call it a day.
Fiflo.
Location:Saint Louis, MI, USA
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