Feeling Hot Hot Hot!

A few amazing things have occurred over the past week and a half. Firstly, we have now found another free internet place (the Library in Palm Springs), Yosemite and Vegas are amazing and Xavi Alonso has scored the best goal at Anfield and I can't find anywhere I can watch it (Any web addresses showing the goal that would be allowed at a Library would be appreciated).

With the slight dissappointment of California so far, we spent a few days in Yosemite not really expecting much. However, this place is impressive. We stayed in a Canvas hut in the woods and was told the following day there were at least 3 bears roaming the camp site that night. We were also told that one of the trails nearby had been closed due to 3 cougers killing a dear on the trail! Later that day, while walking to the visitor centre the walkway was closed off as a bear was up an oak tree (about 50m up!) and the rangers were waiting for it to come down.

The following day we went for a walk up to glacier point which is a 4.6mile hike up a mountain. The view was great but on the way back we came across a bear with 2 cubs 6feet from the trail. We spent half an hour waiting for them to go before we could pass, however this bear was not moving. Luckily some very 'intelligent' americans came by and started taking photos of the bear while ooing and arrghing over how cute they looked. We took this oppertunity to walk around the bear as, should we need to run, the Americans were slightly 'bigger' allowing us to out run them. Photos will follow we promise....

Nikki has decided she now wants to become a Park Ranger so she can look after the bears (Her new favourite animal).

From there we headed off to Vegas. This is the best place I (Tony) have ever visited. All you can eat breakfeast/lunch/dinner for less than a fiver. We managed to eat enough in one sitting to cover a whole days food (with the exception of a McFlurry before bed). Not bad as our usual diet consists of 'Continental' Breakfast (Muffin), sandwhich for lunch followed by Sub-way/McDonalds for dinner. If it wasn't for the amount of walking we do we would both have put on several stones by now!
Our favourite Casino was the Venetian, a Venice setting with canals running through the whole Casino with Gondalas and a replica St Marks Square. This should be hideous, but for some reason looks very impressive. Best place, especially when the couple next to us said "Wow, this place looks exactly like France".
Nikki booked a trip to the Grand Canyon by Bus. It broke down for 2 hours, took 17 hours of travel to get us 1 hour viewing time. Nightmare, but still enjoyed the day.

Lake Tahoe

We are now at Lake Tahoe. Unfortunately we have not been able to add any photos to the blog for a while but will do so when we get the chance. The hotel (yes hotel!) we are staying at has it's own bathroom/toilet, kitchen, cable tv, double bed - its pure luxury and it comes with swimming pool, hot-tub and private beach access to the lake (2 minutes walk away). Doesn't sound like backpacking, but costs a tenner (no pound sign here) a day. Its also comes with all you can eat breakfast (which doubles up as lunch if enough is eaten) and free internet access, which explains the longer blog.

We visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium which had a new Great White Shark added to the Tuna tank. Obviously Nikki struggled to get me home and we spent most of the day there. On the way back we took a slight unplanned detour that took us to the top of some mountains in Santa Cruz. We stopped at a reserve park with Redwoods and a little hike.

Rach - The hike was 1 mile long and had warnings of cougers that have attacked unprovoked. Seemed a lot spookier with just two as well. We even said we missed you being with us (We need the slower runner to boost the odds!).

On the way up the mountain we drove into the clouds and back down through them, with huge drops either side of the car. I found it exciting, Nikki didn't. Anyway, we got back to San Fran in the end.

Lake Tahoe is nice but not as impressive as we expected, which is probably because we are on the state line with the Casinos on the left (Nevada) and tacksville on the Right (California). We have pretty much just been relaxing on the beach soaking up the sun, however the factor 40 is stopping the tan from developing.

Will add photos soon to prove we are here really.

San Francisco - Its just so Cold and Foggy!!

Now been in San Francisco for a few days, and while we are on line booking the Monterey Bay Aquarium (Its got fish and it sounds like my favourite place in the world. I might live there forever!) I received an email from the old folks with a link to the O2 advert with Stephanie in. Should you want a quick giggle go to www.video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=6085696364036822962.we and search for the o2 frisbee commercial.

Steph - you look far too serious and Nikki finds it amusing you're wearing her clothes!

Just a last word about San Fran - Its cold, cold and cold. We sent our cold clothes back with Rachel - Definately regret that now.

Rach aka Couger - Hope you got back OK. Missing you already (Especially your daft quotes - "I'm not walking 6km, can't we just walk 3 km then come back?")

Canada Nearly over

This is the second to last day now in Canada and we'll be really sad to leave here after such a good few weeks. You will be pleased to hear (I hope!) that we survived the white water rafting, which was excellent, I (tony) had to do most of the paddling so ended up with knackered arms for a few days.

After the Rockies we headed off to Vancouver Island and hired a car to get around. We've been on two whale watching trips as we only saw a bear (sounds strange I know!) on the beach the first time round. Luckily we saw a couple of grey whales on the second trip which was amazing and also saw Killer Whales from the beach!

We're off to San Francisco on Wednesday so will be saying a sad farewell to Rachel who'll be heading home. Photos to follow soon.