USA Road Trip - Heading Home - The Epilogue


How the West was done....
Oh what fun we had! We have brought back some good memories after our whizz around the West. We probably tried to see too much in the three weeks but it is a long, costly flight and we needed to make the most of our time on the ground.


Staying three nights in San Francisco was about right, plenty to see and do. The Peitite Auberge was a great place to shake off the jet lag. We should have flown direct rather than fly via LAX but flights to Los Angeles were cheaper. We also originally planned to drive South to North on Highway One.
Adding Yosemite to our itinerary was well worthwhile. It is a stunning place. Where we stayed, near the Park entrance at Yosemite Lodge, meant we could go into the Park early and then leave late to avoid the traffic queues. The Park must be very busy in High Season. Buying our National Park Pass before we left saved us both money and time at the various Entry Gates.
One the coast, travelling Highway One from North to South was the right decision. It was so much easier to swing on and off the road at viewpoints from the right-hand lane. We could happily have allocated more time in the Monterey/Carmel area.
The loveliest part of the coast around Big Sur etc. went by in a flash so we should have spent more time between Carmel and Cambria as well.
It was interesting to see Santa Barbara and our tandem ride was fun but the Peppertree Motel was a bit remote from the Town Centre. However, it was right next to Chucks Restaurant which was a some consolation.
Taking flights to and from Vegas saved driving but was a bit stressful. Getting to an Airport to return a car and navigate security is a time trial best kept to a minimum.  We probably should have driven from Grand Canyon to San Diego with an overnight stop on the way. Two separate nights in Las Vegas was a bit illogical but it meant we got to see the Hoover Dam. The trip around the Canyons to Zion, Bryce and Grand was superb and the places we stayed were all fine. We could have stayed further from the canyons if we had more time and saved on costs. San Diego was a good place to chill out but we would probably stay in La Jolla if we returned. According to the song 'it never rains in Southern California'. Well it does rain and the winds can be cold off the Ocean but worth a look anyway.

Back to LAX and on to LHR
Bahia Resort Hotel
We left the Bahia Resort Hotel with plenty of time, we thought anyway, for a pre-flight break at Santa Monica prior to returning the Honda to Alamo. The San Diego Freeway going North was a race track and it was not a relaxed drive. There is no hiding place on the inside lane as all carriageways rush along at the same pace. Respite came as we got close to LA where we slowed to a stop and then a crawl. We still tried to get to Santa Monica but, in the end decided to make a run for the Airport.
The new International Terminal is very nice indeed and there were no heavy security checks. We queried why there were no bins for luggage, no need to put toiletries in bags, my lap top could stay in my rucksack? Just for today the man said! We made our way to air-side feeling a bit guilty with our boots on and belts fastened. We are so conditioned to accept all the checks and controls that it was rather baffling. Must be like being on day release from prison. Oh well, we now had even more time to kill (no pun intended). Let's have a nice lunch. And, good lunch it was. At the next table were a couple of US Farmers from Bakersfield and time flew by as they gave us the low-down on what, and how, they grow in California. Almonds we knew about but Cotton Candy flavoured grapes? We did not miss the plane as it was slightly delayed but TW had to rush to get her goodies for the flight. Air New Zealand also have hierarchical boarding and we were again the nobodies tagged on the end. I think they should just board from the back. We were punished by having to walk past all the premium passengers settled in their comfy chairs as we headed for steerage. Anyway, it was an excellent flight and I found plenty to watch on the little telly as we headed East into the night. My neighbours were Chinese Americans who sat quietly. TW's neighbour was an outgoing Aussie with a fondness for alcohol and serious man spread. Seemed like a good chap nevertheless. He had a colourful career spray tanning models and he was off to the O2 in London to ply his trade. He had flown in from Brisbane in the morning and after a few bevvies at LAX he was back on a plane. Fortunately he fell asleep. Whilst he headed off to spray bikini models we were off to Southall to pick up our little car and to brave the Friday traffic on the M25.

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