Looking back!

The final posting of another road-trip and one we take fond memories from. We covered several thousand road-miles, exploring old haunts and some new ones ..... from ocean to desert; city to small town, and staying in a range of accommodation ranging from swanky hotels to one humble (but friendly) abode in which our room had a bare concrete floor! But the parts all contributed to the journey's totality and on our final day the weather held ........ and with a sunny sky and temperatures in the eighties, we headed out to the Strip on the hotel shuttle, docking at Harrahs, and then making our way to Caesars Palace, to meander its blingy malls.

At midday, as prearranged, we met with an old Uni friend of mine and his wife and youngest son. (Despite having corresponded by email, we hadn't met since 1971!!)

After a quick lunch at Planet Hollywood, we went our separate ways and we headed for the Bellagio (very nice!) and then towards the MGM ....... where we hit the cinema, again ('Sicario'; a good but sobering tale about the Mexican drug cartels) we resurfaced on the Strip at 6:00 pm and retraced our steps until we stumbled on Bubba Gumps and couldn't resist! Following dinner, we headed back to Rio on foot and just about caught the Bellagio's fountain show, on the way.

Back in our room we discovered that the TV remote problem remained unsolved, but at least we got the Resort Fee waived! So what to choose for a final music track? I was taken by Queen's 'These are the times of our lives' or possibly Springsteen's 'Glory Days'; but our visit to Bubba's swung it with Bryan Adams 'Best years of our Life'!

Planet Las Vegas!

As I compose today's posting, I'm sat at a marble-top desk in our suite at the Rio, in Las Vegas. As always, life in Vegas is surreal! From the corner of my eye I can see the Strip (Caesars, directly opposite) and people whizzing past on the Voodoo Zip-line, suspended between Rio's two high-rise towers!

This morning we began our four-hour drive from Page in rain, again. During the mid-part of the journey it was torrential. We stopped-off  in a place called Hurricane and made a brief detour to a really neat Coffee shop (Red Rock) where they roasted their own coffee and the self-serve coffee counter had been up-cycled from a garage toolbox. The weather cleared and sky turned blue again as we joined the Interstate and had a clear run through some rugged hills, to Las Vegas.

Of course, as soon as we arrived in the City, the lanes multiplied and the likelihood of ever finding the hotel rapidly diminished ...... but we got here! We parked in one of the hotels two free multi-story car parks and wheeled our cases through the hotel mall and casino. We checked into a room on the 14th Floor of the Ipanema Tower and its a nice room (but probably not as nice as the best rooms, the rate for which is $8,800 per night, before tax!)

In summary, the Rio is akin to the Trafford Centre with two high rise apartment buildings on top. But tonight, we have tickets for the Penn and Teller Magic Show! Earlier today, as the rain cleared and we drove across vast horizons, for the last time this trip, XM played the following classic which somehow seemed appropriate. ('I Feel Free' by Cream):

Monument Valley

The locals were delighted with today's weather forecast and only one word was on their lips .... Rain! In fact, a train of fast moving storms were expected to move northward across the region throughout the day. Nevertheless, we were in Page to re-visit Monument Valley and that's what we set off to do. The drive takes about two hours, along Highways 89, 160, and 163 and the roads are pretty straight and flat affording views of massive skies and towering mesas. Most of the land is Navajo territory and there is little sign of any commercial activity, other than small market stalls along the highway. Just before the turn-off for Highway 63, we spotted a mall and pulled-in. Calling-in the local supermarket we noted the absence of a sit-down coffee shop (more 1st world problems!) so we left. Once outside we asked a local guy if he knew the whereabouts of a coffee shop. His answer ..... "There ain't a whole lot of anything round here"! (I was kinda glad we'd brought our own sandwich!) We drove on through intermittent rain and eventually reached the magnificent Monument Valley.

Unfortunately (for me) it isn't administered by the National Parks, but by the Navajo Foundation.(I think the Parks Authority would make a better job and I could use my annual pass!) So we visited the Welcome Centre and then drove a little further to take in the sights. (Some classic scenes from films such as Forest Gump, How the West was Won etc. were shot there)

We decided not to pay the $20 admission charge to the Navajo-run Loop Drive,as rain threatened and it would have taken around two hours to complete, over dirt road. So we visited Goulding's Inn (just inside Utah) instead, which brought back memories of a previous overnight stay there, years ago. The place is also a shrine to John Wayne who made many films in the area.

At this point, my photographer confessed to having 'done something to the camera', such that it wouldn't auto-focus when using zoom. Could it be that the auto-focus function had been switched off? Yes!!

Curiosity satisfied, we set off back for Page and hit the mother of all storms ...... akin to driving through a car wash! After an hour or so, the sky cleared and we were back in Page, having made the most of the day. Listening to XM today we heard 'White Rabbit' by Jefferson Airplane ....... I know I've used it before, but we like it and perhaps its surreal overtones reflect what we saw today, including a torrential downpour in Arizona!

Time Warp!

Whether it was the mystical influence of the local lay line concentration or not I can't say, but we had a bit of an odd journey today. The day seemed quite normal to begin with, clear skies, warm, etc However, after breakfast (another 'musical chairs experience') we noticed the odd cloud on the horizon. Pretty soon the sky was grey and it got a good deal more so as we drove to Jerome, a small once abandoned mining town set high in the hills.

In fact, its regeneration owes much to the Hippie movement and now its a kind of lived-in museum piece. a tourist magnet.

Anyway, it started to rain and we took refuge in coffee / wine bar where we met and chatted with a couple of local guys who were bespoke furniture makers.Around 10:30, we returned to the car and I punched in the address for our next destination, in Page (AZ). I was expecting a three-hour journey, but the GPS advised that it would take at least one hour more. I rechecked and the GPS confirmed its prediction. We set off north on I17 and although traffic was light, the rain was heavy! We redirected onto I40E at Flagstaff and then headed north on Highway 89. Believe me, there is not much of interest on this highway and apart from the odd Navaho trading market, nothing else. By the time we hit Speedy Sams, a gas station in the middle of nowhere, we were ready for Speedy's restrooms and two of his burgers! Then it was off once again towards Page. We passed the Grand Canyon's northern rim and gradually inched closer to Page.

The GPS urged us to take some unpaved alternative routes to Highway 89, but we resisted the temptation to 'off-piste'! We arrived in Page (two hours prior to that predicted by the GPS!) alongside the rain. Our room wasn't quite ready, so we called-in for a coffee, to pass an hour away. Once finally checked-in to our almost new hotel, we soon acclimatised ...... and as for the rain? Well, it happens, sometimes!

Maybe an odd day deserves an odd piece of music, so how about 'Hearts of Stone' by Bill Black's Combo!

Mystic Sedona!

Getting away from Scottsdale proved to be quite a feat, as some of Phoenix's major artery roads were closed for repair work, but the GPS wasn't aware of that! Eventually, we found an exit route and hurtled north on I17. The traffic was pretty heavy, as we steadily gained altitude and the desert became a little greener.

The scenery also changed in other respects, the rocks taking on a redder hue and with the striking mesas beginning to rise on the horizon. We arrived in Sedona at midday, along with half the population of America ..... it was busy! After several attempts to find a car park space, we eventually struck lucky and could join the happy throngs on Main Street. Having wandered a while had lunch a patio with an amazing view.

We shared our table with a fairly forthright (but amusing) lady who had just retired and was in her sixth week of touring the States, by plane and bus. Anyway, she finished her Martini and we all hit the road. We passed a few of the mystical shops which exist in abundance in Sedona, calling into Mystic Gypsy Jenny's! (Apparently Sedona has many intersecting Lay Lines etc)We then drove to Red Rock State Park and took the Loop Road, taking in its stunning views, before heading for our hotel, in Cottonwood.

Our hotel was fully booked, so we decided to eat early, as we planned to dine at Nic's Italian Steak and Crab House. A wise decision, as when the doors opened, the crowds surfaced, but we got in and had a booth! The food and atmosphere were good and afterwards we walked up and down Main Street in the Historic part of town.At the Burning Tree Cellars, a band was playing that could be mistaken as a ZZ Top tribute act ..... and they were good!!. Further along, several wine tasting shops were open, each having their own live acts. We decided that we like Cottonwood!

Who knows, maybe 'Sleepwalk' (by Santo and Johnny) is an appropriate piece of music to mark our time in Sedona?

Where new and old west meet ...... Scottsdale!

Our fourth stay in Scottsdale, a very pleasant town, in which we are enjoying staying in a favourite hotel. It was good to start the day with a pool-side breakfast in sunshine and we planned to have a laid-back day. We began by taking a short drive to the Desert Botanical Garden, a tranquil sanctuary in which the scenery is well worth the effort and heat!

Its a relatively small, but popular venue, and it was surprising to spot a free electric car charging space in the car park.

We caught a free ten o'clock tour, during which the special adaptive features of several desert plants (enabling them to thrive in the Sonora Desert) was explained by our guide, Carol. (We also noted that much of Arizona is dedicated to Indian reservations and National Parks)

With the energy sapping heat on full throttle, we then drove to the Fashion Mall, downtown, parking in its unlimited free undercover parking garage. Entering Nordstrom, we continued through its vastness (noting a Tesla car showroom on one of the upper floors! to the Food Court, where we bought a sandwich from a bakery. It was freshly made, great quality, and came with a complimentary cookie. Nice! The Food Court also boasted a  (non-singing) Johnny Rocket's and 5 Guys, next to each other. We ducked into the Harkins Cine Complex, to see The Martian on its opening day ..... an entertaining film and good air-conditioning! A late afternoon drive to the Holiday Inn and then out to dinner at the Olive Garden, where yesterday we encountered a real cowboy (boots, stetson and all) checking in for dinner. (For the record we had their famous salad, with chillies, followed by Marsala Chicken'!) We aimed for a laid-back day ...... mission accomplished! As for some music, I was inspired by a Western theme ...... and went for Apache by the Ventures:

Arizona!

Today marked the start of our final week and our leaving Palm Springs and the State of California, but we'll be back! It was already warming-up as we pulled onto I10 East at the start of our 240-mile drive to Phoenix, across the Mojave Desert. The drive is a straightforward affair, mostly, with the scenery becoming ever-more what one expects of a desert: big cacti, high temperatures, scrub, wind-devils etc.

We stopped at Services area half-way through the journey (to eat a Wallmarts wrap!) and were greeted with a sign warning the unwary of poisonous insects and snakes in the area.

It always seems odd to see the occasional small town along the way, usually with populations of less than one-hundred. (Who lives there and why?!) Our attention was also grabbed momentarily by catching a glimpse of the Arizona Desert Project, a concrete canal running across the desert, tapping (more!) water from the Colorado River. After four hours of fairly monotonous driving, Phoenix City sprung out at us! I10 intersects with the City somewhere near 101st Street and then its every man for himself along the seven-lane traffic flow.

The GPS struggled to get the commands out quickly enough and I struggled to keep up; then all became a good deal more tranquil as we pulled into Scottsdale Old Town, a very swanky place to live (and where the car dealerships prove it!). We found our hotel 'The Holiday Inn Express' and it was just as we remembered, a very friendly gaff with comfortable rooms and lots of nice touches ..... free beer and wine tasting, cookies etc. (And our first chance of the trip to eat at an Olive Garden!).

Finally, today's musical accompaniment is provided by the Duprees (You belong to me), which is apparently appropriate for listening to when driving out of Palm Springs:

Moving Uptown!

Another sunny start in Palm Springs and following a lazy beginning, breakfasting and Skyping Jenny from our cool Spanish courtyard, we set off on another journey of discovery. This time we drove onto Highway 111 via Palm Canyon Drives, to another city in the Palm Springs area (Palm Desert, passing street scenes with a retro feel.

Only twenty minutes away, Palm Desert has a classy feel and we soon spotted swanky malls and car dealerships (Bentley, Porsche, Maserati. etc.) before arriving at our goal, The Art Museum in Palm Desert. We were its only visitors and fortunately a wealthy local benefactor had paid-up all admission charges for five years, so we got in free! The collection, set in a cool white space surrounded by a desert sculpture garden, was very appealing and our first spot was a piece by Lichtenstein. Not a huge collection, but enough to make the visit an enjoyable, particularly as the desert garden was an added bonus. We also thought that the adjacent Civic Centre was pretty neat!A nice stop!

It was now midday as we pulled into the nearby Riverside Mall, a series of shops, great movie theatre, and several restaurants st by a lake.

We headed for Starbucks and then retreated to the air-conditioned cinema, to see 'Everest'? The film was very watchable and the ambient atmosphere of the cinema provided a welcome break fro the oven, outside! By late afternoon, we were on our way back to Palm Springs, to bag the laundry, before setting off for another al fresco, early-bird, dinner at Kaisers, surrounded by a fine artificial mist, to keep things cool!. We like Palm Springs a lot! And finally a piece of music and I've chosen the piece that I almost went for yesterday: The Moody Blues "Tuesday Afternoon" (Its a good listen when driving in the desert!)

Staying cool in Palm Springs!

One might think that being in Palm Springs is cool in itself, a city with a laid-back feel and many retro examples of 50's and 60's architecture (some buildings having that Jetson's look about them!) In practice, the wise work hard to seek shelter from the heat when the sun gets going. Today, for instance, the thermometer hit one-hundred and seven degrees, at one point! Anyway, early doors, I went for reasonable walk along Indian and Palm Canyon Drives and took in some of the neat shops and buildings. I was particularly struck by McCormick's Exotic Car Auction, which had some timeless motors on display. Back at Las Brias, we ate breakfast in the Breakfast Room. Fortunately, the hotel was not fully occupied, as the densely packed concentration of tables in the room made the breakfast experience feel like a hybrid of 'musical chairs' and a 'ladies excuse me'! (More First-world problems!) Next, we headed for the Visitor Centre, situated near the Jerome Mountain Tramway. Needless to say, they plugged this attraction, but we resisted the sales pitch and decided instead, to drive to the Joshua Tree National Park; a journey of around one hour on I10 East. We were told that the Park covers an area of eight-hundred-thousand square metres, equivalent to a small State. It was already hot and it felt good to drive through the spectacular desert scenery of rocks and Joshua Tree forests, in our air-conditioned capsule.

Two hours later we exited the Park and headed for Cathedral City and its historic Mary Pickford Movie Theatre.

Arriving there, we were pleasantly surprised to discover free undercover parking and an imminent showing of  'The Intern'. Pat ordered 'spicy dogs', a bucket of Coke, and enough popcorn to render our house! We sat through the (pleasantly funny) film accompanied by our junk food bonanza, supported on an ingenious, cantilevered, junk food holder! It was still hot late into the afternoon, as we arrived back at the hotel. To round off the day, we went for an early bird special dinner at Kaisers ..... very nice!! A couple of tracks remind me of today's drive, the first by the Moody Blues, 'Tuesday Afternoon'; the second, which finally won out, 'Bo Diddley', by the man himself:

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Starbucks everywhere ...... or so we thought!

Having witnessed the Super-Lunar Eclipse, last night, I slept easy and come morning was ready to tackle the Fitness and Breakfast. rooms. Reinvigorated and with an abundance of sunshine to look forward to, I was ready to check-out and face the bill! We loaded-up our goods and chattels before calling on the local Vons Supermarket (part of Safeway's and I could use my Club Card!) and then at a nearby gas station, where I was asked to enter my credit card PIN number ..... first time, so far! Then it was time to pull out of San Diego and head for Palm Springs. The Interstate had seven lanes of traffic flowing in both directions, but as we moved further East things became a little more sensible. Hitting the desert and seeing the first hints of the Southwest's characteristics emerging, we decided to break our journey, to Skype Jenny, from a Starbucks. So, stopping at the first sizeable mall, we searched around, bu to no avail. Accordingly, we brought-up 'Points of Interest' on the GPS and followed its instructions to another mall, nearby. Alas, the Starbucks was no more (a first in my experience!). A third attempt was also thwarted!! By now, the moment for coffee had passed and we resumed our journey ...... for approximately one minute, when we encountered a Starbucks! Skyping done, we drove on, passing what must be the biggest wind-farm in the world and arrived in Palm Springs at around 2:00 pm.

The external temperature was around one-hundred degrees, but our hotel (The Las Brias) is a well-situated oasis close to downtown! We ate dinner at Fisherman;s Market; a bit of a bizarre place patronised by locals and tourists, alike. But the food was good. We took a walk down Palm Springs Avenue and spotted a statue of Sonny Bono, once of Sonny and Cher, once the Mayor of Palm Springs!

Finally, if Palm Springs was good enough for Elvis's honeymoon, well its good enough for us and that's the giveaway for today's music ...... the man himself and 'Jailhouse Rock'

Balboa Park

A street cleaning waggon passed-by this morning, at 6:00 am.; the road was already pristine and it was Sunday! The early morning mist outside soon evaporated leaving the sky a bright blue and the temperature rising quickly. Our minds were set on visiting Balboa Park, San Diego's own take on Central Park and twice its size (sorry Keith!). Arriving at 10:00 am we parked at Inspiration Point and caught the free shuttle to the Visitor Centre, nestled in the central museum complex. One could easily be mistaken from the surrounding architecture for thinking that you were in Seville or Barcelona.

The intricacies of the Park having been explained to us, we set off to see some of the attractions ...... its a big park! We took in the Botanical House and walked round several museum buildings and reproduction of the Globe Theatre, passing the Japanese Garden and the enormous outdoor organ-recital amphitheatre, where a free concert is given on Sunday afternoons. (Of course the Park also boasts a world-class zoo,too!)

We visited the 'Houses of the World' exhibit ...... a series of cottages, reflecting an earlier age, in which the contents reflect the country they represent. 'England' was an interesting 'take' on our culture and we were offered a nice cup of Tetley tea, inside!

On the village green, the international theme continued in live weekend event, focused on Asian culture. Several Asian cultures were represented in dancing, music, and street food. We watched for a while and then driven by the heat, we walked to a nearby bar for lunch. A very cool place in every sense of the word! Refreshed, we watched and listened to the organ recital a while, before boarding the shuttle and heading for home. Balboa Park reflects the city as a whole ..... terrific! Later, we dined on the terrace by the Marina and then set watching the City skyline, as the rare supermoon eclipse developed. I was torn today between posting a piece of organ music, Springsteen's 'Balboa Park' or something from Holst. I went for Bach!!