Sunday, July 6, 2008
Four Corners
A late morning. A liesurely breakfast - excellent breakfast, I might add. It looks like the whole town is eating out this morning. We wander the streets, enjoying the small town feel of Route 66. We try on hats and I end up buying a Stetson. Now all I need is a gun. The wife says a guitar would be better. But alas, I am not talented in that direction, so I guess I will stick to the gun.
We miss Meteor Crater because we take the wrong road (two GPS units, a laptop with Microsoft maps and a bunch of printed maps in the car and we still take the wrong road - don't say it, I know!). We end up at Sunset Crater instead and then decide to press on.
We get to Four Corners, which is just a spot for you to take pictures and buy souveniers. Apparantly, it allows you to be in four states at once. Of course, this can also be achieved with psychedelic drugs - you can then be happy, sad, euphoric and delusional all at once!
We head south from there to Shiprock to see the rock formations and then back up towards the arches. It's late by the time we reach Moab (we lose an hour too) and we decide to stop for the night. Tomorrow, we will hit the arches.
Our trip has now taken us through seven states so far : Oregon - California - Nevada - Arizona - New Mexico - Colorado - Utah. For a total of 2378 miles ( 3805 Kms). Let's see what the morrow will bring!
We had some funny moments in the car today. We were telling Calvin Sardarji jokes (for the uninitiated, sardarjees are the people with the best sense of humor in India and so we make jokes about them; it's similar to the blonde jokes in America). After a while, we realized that he was refering to sardarjee as "Son Georgie". Our son is becoming Americanized!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
The Grand Canyon
There is a reason that it's called the Grand Canyon. Because it's simply grand. If you havn't seen this, then you have to come here at least once in your life. It teaches you how insignificant you are in the grand scheme of things.
That said, I must say the Grand Canyon was a bit of a disappointment. First of all, I expected it to be golden. I don't know why and yes, I have seen pictures so maybe I am a bit stupid. Secondly, we found out after we got here that the sky walk bridge is on the North rim of the canyon and we were on the south. The distance between the North and South rims is a mere 10 miles; there is only the little problem of a canyon that is 5000 feet deep. There is a road of course, but its about 200 miles and takes about 5 hours. We decided to drop the sky bridge from our plan.
We get an early start and when the sun starts to get hot, we decide to drive down to Sedona to see the Red Rock formations. We get our first experience of 4th of July traffic. It seems that everyone who owns a pair of bikini shorts is wearing them and is out looking for water. We finally make it to the Red Rock National Park. It's beautiful here, but far too hot to hike around.
Calvin is still very excited about Route 66 and we decide to indulge him. We head back to Williams through a Ghost Town and 55 miles of forest roads. The Ghost town is so so, but the forest roads are another matter altogether. It takes us up some mountains to some breathtaking views. We drive slowly, stopping often.
We arrive in Williams in time for the 4th of July parade. All the motels are full, but we get a room for an exorbitant price. Room No. 203 in Route 66 Inn on Historic Route 66! It's full of bikers with tattoos and long hair. I should have got that tattoo in Vegas - I would have fit right in here.
We decide to have a nice dinner to celebrate Geetha's birthday. She turns 25 today - ha ha just kidding, she's actually 29, yet again! We go to Jessica's Family Restaurant - a slightly fancy place but it turns out to be the best Greek food we have eaten. I strongly recommend the Mousaka which is a baked dish of minced meat and eggplant soaked in spices. Calvin is coaxed to try a gyro - a greek sandwich and surprisingly likes it very much. All in all, a great day!
Get your kicks on route 66
If you ever plan to motor west
Take my way, that's the highway that's the best
Get your kicks on Route 66.
It's a lazy morning in Vegas. It's noon by the time we leave and then we drive around looking at the city. I guess Vegas is just not a morning city. We drive through Hoover Dam. It's an engineering marvel - any engineer will gawk at this :-). But traffic is slow and backed up. The heat is way up there with the temperature seldom below 110.
We drive into Williams and Route 66. If you don't know about Route 66, watch the movie Cars. Calvin is excited and is looking around to spot Doc Hudson and the Sherrif. It's a quaint town and it looks like in the movie.
We camp on the South rim at the Mather campground. The weather is pleasant and the campground is serene and peaceful. Most important, the restrooms are spotlessly clean. I am amazed at the number of birds around. We sleep with the top of our tent open and can see millions of stars. The morning brings a surprise visitor - an elk who is hanging around our campsite. We sit silently watching him and he wanders away after a while.
Take my way, that's the highway that's the best
Get your kicks on Route 66.
It's a lazy morning in Vegas. It's noon by the time we leave and then we drive around looking at the city. I guess Vegas is just not a morning city. We drive through Hoover Dam. It's an engineering marvel - any engineer will gawk at this :-). But traffic is slow and backed up. The heat is way up there with the temperature seldom below 110.
We drive into Williams and Route 66. If you don't know about Route 66, watch the movie Cars. Calvin is excited and is looking around to spot Doc Hudson and the Sherrif. It's a quaint town and it looks like in the movie.
We camp on the South rim at the Mather campground. The weather is pleasant and the campground is serene and peaceful. Most important, the restrooms are spotlessly clean. I am amazed at the number of birds around. We sleep with the top of our tent open and can see millions of stars. The morning brings a surprise visitor - an elk who is hanging around our campsite. We sit silently watching him and he wanders away after a while.
Viva Las Vegas
Viva Las Vegas
We spend the whole day at the casinos. Well, at the children's play area around the casino. Geetha tries her hand at the slot machines - no luck. $8 in slot machines, $250 in rides, food and drink. Not a bad ratio at all, but an expensive day nevertheless. These guys are good! They will take your money and you don't even realize that you have spent it!
We spend our day at the adventure dome. It reverbates with the screams of little children. Mike Kasowski from the Monsters Inc. need not have scared little kids while they slept. He only had to come here and he could have had all the screams he needed to power his city for free. Why do people take pleasure in strapping their little children into seats and pushing them off a high precipice?
Calvin makes a new friend. Lucy is eight and is from California though she was born in Oregon (for some reason this was important to her, so I mentioned it too). They meet while standing in line for a 3D show and hit it off instantly. The rest of the day goes by in a whirl. Lucy likes to run. And she does - from ride to ride. Calvin runs with her. And so we run too. Thankfully, the rides take a few minutes each and we can rest our feet while waiting at the exit gates. We stop only at midnight at closing time. Calvin and Lucy have become inseparable and parting is such sweet sorrow! A good day; the kids had fun!
Internet access is becoming an issue. The hotel provides it at $12 but there is no way for me to access it. I cannot charge it to my room as I am a 'prepaid customer' and there seems no other way to pay. We decide to stop at a Starbucks on the way out. From what I can tell of Vegas so far, the coffee will be free but internet access will cost $10.
We spend the whole day at the casinos. Well, at the children's play area around the casino. Geetha tries her hand at the slot machines - no luck. $8 in slot machines, $250 in rides, food and drink. Not a bad ratio at all, but an expensive day nevertheless. These guys are good! They will take your money and you don't even realize that you have spent it!
We spend our day at the adventure dome. It reverbates with the screams of little children. Mike Kasowski from the Monsters Inc. need not have scared little kids while they slept. He only had to come here and he could have had all the screams he needed to power his city for free. Why do people take pleasure in strapping their little children into seats and pushing them off a high precipice?
Calvin makes a new friend. Lucy is eight and is from California though she was born in Oregon (for some reason this was important to her, so I mentioned it too). They meet while standing in line for a 3D show and hit it off instantly. The rest of the day goes by in a whirl. Lucy likes to run. And she does - from ride to ride. Calvin runs with her. And so we run too. Thankfully, the rides take a few minutes each and we can rest our feet while waiting at the exit gates. We stop only at midnight at closing time. Calvin and Lucy have become inseparable and parting is such sweet sorrow! A good day; the kids had fun!
Internet access is becoming an issue. The hotel provides it at $12 but there is no way for me to access it. I cannot charge it to my room as I am a 'prepaid customer' and there seems no other way to pay. We decide to stop at a Starbucks on the way out. From what I can tell of Vegas so far, the coffee will be free but internet access will cost $10.
From Yosemite to Lost Wages
Our drive takes us through the craggy mountains,lush green vegetation and clear lakes of the Yosemite, past the arid dessert and desolate lonliness of Death Valley and to the glittering lights and large scale commercialism of Las Vegas. I don't think you can pack more into a single day.
At the risk of being repititive, Yosemite is awesome! There are numerous hiking trails that will need weeks and weeks to explore. Calvin tells me that the total length of all the trails in Yosemite exceeds 800 miles and I believe him. He is almost seven years old - he knows everything! We drive right across the park from west to east on SR 120. The exit on the east side is at 9500 feet! It gives new meaning to the word panaromic. (This is only one of many words that have taken on new meaning - desolate, deserted, arid are a few others).
We continue into Death Valley. From 9500 feet the road dips down to -260 feet - the lowest point in the United States. One would expect this place to be flooded with an abundance of water - it is not; instead it is the dryest and dustiest of deserts. The car has a guage for outside temperature so we are constantly reminded of how lucky we are to have air conditioning. We stop a few times anyway just to get out and experience the heat. It is not called Death Valley for nothing - if our car had broken down and we had to walk, I suspect that Pat would right now be loading up my TV into his truck.
It's a long drive to Las Vegas. 540 miles according to the map, but with our 'short cut' through Death Valley, we have cut it down to 450. Las Vegas is impressive in its commercialism. People hurry about with a gleam in their eye. They don't have time to hold the door for you or nod a Hi - they are on their way to win their first million and don't you dare stand in their way! I am surprised at the amount of smoke everywhere. After not smoking for almost a year, I find that the smell of stale tobacco irritates me. And it irritates me that it irritates me - I have to become more tolerant. I know from first hand experience that the most irritating thing to a smoker is the person who has successfully quit and I make a silent promise to myself to become more tolerant.
Our room is on the 21st floor and Calvin is excited. This is the highest he's ever been (we were just at 9500 feet this morning, but that doesn't count, I guess). It's a nice room, but there is no coffee; Geetha and Calvin are still asleep and I am contemplating rum at 7:30AM. Yesterday I was thinking about getting a tattoo. Is it Las Vegas or my mid life crisis?
At the risk of being repititive, Yosemite is awesome! There are numerous hiking trails that will need weeks and weeks to explore. Calvin tells me that the total length of all the trails in Yosemite exceeds 800 miles and I believe him. He is almost seven years old - he knows everything! We drive right across the park from west to east on SR 120. The exit on the east side is at 9500 feet! It gives new meaning to the word panaromic. (This is only one of many words that have taken on new meaning - desolate, deserted, arid are a few others).
We continue into Death Valley. From 9500 feet the road dips down to -260 feet - the lowest point in the United States. One would expect this place to be flooded with an abundance of water - it is not; instead it is the dryest and dustiest of deserts. The car has a guage for outside temperature so we are constantly reminded of how lucky we are to have air conditioning. We stop a few times anyway just to get out and experience the heat. It is not called Death Valley for nothing - if our car had broken down and we had to walk, I suspect that Pat would right now be loading up my TV into his truck.
It's a long drive to Las Vegas. 540 miles according to the map, but with our 'short cut' through Death Valley, we have cut it down to 450. Las Vegas is impressive in its commercialism. People hurry about with a gleam in their eye. They don't have time to hold the door for you or nod a Hi - they are on their way to win their first million and don't you dare stand in their way! I am surprised at the amount of smoke everywhere. After not smoking for almost a year, I find that the smell of stale tobacco irritates me. And it irritates me that it irritates me - I have to become more tolerant. I know from first hand experience that the most irritating thing to a smoker is the person who has successfully quit and I make a silent promise to myself to become more tolerant.
Our room is on the 21st floor and Calvin is excited. This is the highest he's ever been (we were just at 9500 feet this morning, but that doesn't count, I guess). It's a nice room, but there is no coffee; Geetha and Calvin are still asleep and I am contemplating rum at 7:30AM. Yesterday I was thinking about getting a tattoo. Is it Las Vegas or my mid life crisis?
Death Valley
Yosemite is big; Yosemite is beautiful; Yosemite is awesome!! I cannot find words to describe the majesty of this place.
First of all, it's a long and winding road that leads to the entrance. Take the old priests highway (only if you have a good car, of course). The road goes vertically upwards for about three miles. The view is awesome - there is no other word to describe it. And don't miss Glacier point - we didnt take too many pictures because no picture can ever capture actually being there.
I will say just two words : Visit Yosemite!
Tomorrow, we drive through Yosemite again, and then hit Death Valley. If we don't come back, Pat has first dibs on my TV. We then go on to 'Lost Wages'. If we win, then everyone gets a TV.
First of all, it's a long and winding road that leads to the entrance. Take the old priests highway (only if you have a good car, of course). The road goes vertically upwards for about three miles. The view is awesome - there is no other word to describe it. And don't miss Glacier point - we didnt take too many pictures because no picture can ever capture actually being there.
I will say just two words : Visit Yosemite!
Tomorrow, we drive through Yosemite again, and then hit Death Valley. If we don't come back, Pat has first dibs on my TV. We then go on to 'Lost Wages'. If we win, then everyone gets a TV.
Day 2 : Of Oars and Glory Holes
We Stayed at the Hardman House in Carson City. I would recommend it to anyone who travels this way. Carson City is another matter altogether - there's nothing much to it that we could see.
We made our way to Lake Tahoe; Kings Beach on the Northern shore. What is it about water and the sun that makes women look so beautiful? Or maybe it's the bikinis :-). Joking apart, Lake Tahoe is beautiful - we are coming back!
The drive to Sonora is scenic; and it turned out to be entertaining in ways I hadn't expected. It started with the wife yelling - "You should pick up a 'hore from that store" I couldn't believe my ears and turned the car around double quick before she could change her mind. It turned out to be a store selling oars (see pic). Turning around had it's advantages. We found another store. Well, what can I say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so judge for yourself! And both these were in a town called Angel's Camp. I'm not kidding, angels, no less. All I needed was a store selling MILFs to complete the picture.
We are staying at the Gunn House Hotel in Sonora. It's a historic hotel built in 1850. It's beautiful. And what hospitality! The owner walked us to our room!! Right across from the hotel is the Bombay restaurant - yes, you guessed it, an Indian restaurant. It's the last thing I expected to find in Sonora, a town of 5000. As we were driving in, I had asked Geetha what she wanted for dinner and she said 'Chicken Biriyani" (for the uninitiated, it is a popular Indian dish). Well, she got her wish! And damned good biriyani it was too! We are going back there tomorrow - maybe for some kababs.
My bottle of rum is taking a beating. I will soon need another one. Thanks Pat, for introducing me to the world of 'Mount Gay''. Yes, that's the name of the rum - it's made in Barbados and it's called Mount Gay! Ha ha. From the very straight and narrow, I am quickly turning bi-curious!
We made our way to Lake Tahoe; Kings Beach on the Northern shore. What is it about water and the sun that makes women look so beautiful? Or maybe it's the bikinis :-). Joking apart, Lake Tahoe is beautiful - we are coming back!
The drive to Sonora is scenic; and it turned out to be entertaining in ways I hadn't expected. It started with the wife yelling - "You should pick up a 'hore from that store" I couldn't believe my ears and turned the car around double quick before she could change her mind. It turned out to be a store selling oars (see pic). Turning around had it's advantages. We found another store. Well, what can I say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so judge for yourself! And both these were in a town called Angel's Camp. I'm not kidding, angels, no less. All I needed was a store selling MILFs to complete the picture.
We are staying at the Gunn House Hotel in Sonora. It's a historic hotel built in 1850. It's beautiful. And what hospitality! The owner walked us to our room!! Right across from the hotel is the Bombay restaurant - yes, you guessed it, an Indian restaurant. It's the last thing I expected to find in Sonora, a town of 5000. As we were driving in, I had asked Geetha what she wanted for dinner and she said 'Chicken Biriyani" (for the uninitiated, it is a popular Indian dish). Well, she got her wish! And damned good biriyani it was too! We are going back there tomorrow - maybe for some kababs.
My bottle of rum is taking a beating. I will soon need another one. Thanks Pat, for introducing me to the world of 'Mount Gay''. Yes, that's the name of the rum - it's made in Barbados and it's called Mount Gay! Ha ha. From the very straight and narrow, I am quickly turning bi-curious!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Day 1: Tiny Little Bacteria will not stop us
Day 1:
Scheduled departure : 4:00 AM.
Actual departure : 8:48 AM. :-)
Both Geetha and I are still sick. And Calvin is developing a cough too. What a bummer! Well, tiny little bacteria are not going to stop us. We have been planning this for many months and we decide to go anyway.
A long drive. 539 miles. For those who think in kilometers thats 862Km. We went through three states. Started in Oregon, travelled through California and ended up in Carson City in Nevada. Geetha did most of the driving so I got to sleep a bit. And we passed through Reno - we have to come back there for a few days :-) And my dear wife tells me that it is the home of the 'bunny ranch' Funny, how she knows stuff like that and I don't- I wonder where she learns it.
And hey, did you know that gas costs just $4.11 in Nevada. Compare that to $4.67 in California and $4.26 in Oregon. Did I say 'just' 4.11? How quickly one gets accustmed to things. And the Toyota RAV 4 has a small fuel tank - 13 gallons - which gives us a range of just under 300 miles. I need to buy a 10 gallon spare gas can before we hit Death valley next week.
Carson city has a lot of lights; and casinos; and one hell of a lot of old cars. I think there must be some kind of antique car rally and the town is chock full of old cars driven by even older people. The people themselves hardly ever catch your eye, and when they do it is with a poker face. All that gambling must have got to them.
Scheduled departure : 4:00 AM.
Actual departure : 8:48 AM. :-)
Both Geetha and I are still sick. And Calvin is developing a cough too. What a bummer! Well, tiny little bacteria are not going to stop us. We have been planning this for many months and we decide to go anyway.
A long drive. 539 miles. For those who think in kilometers thats 862Km. We went through three states. Started in Oregon, travelled through California and ended up in Carson City in Nevada. Geetha did most of the driving so I got to sleep a bit. And we passed through Reno - we have to come back there for a few days :-) And my dear wife tells me that it is the home of the 'bunny ranch' Funny, how she knows stuff like that and I don't- I wonder where she learns it.
And hey, did you know that gas costs just $4.11 in Nevada. Compare that to $4.67 in California and $4.26 in Oregon. Did I say 'just' 4.11? How quickly one gets accustmed to things. And the Toyota RAV 4 has a small fuel tank - 13 gallons - which gives us a range of just under 300 miles. I need to buy a 10 gallon spare gas can before we hit Death valley next week.
Carson city has a lot of lights; and casinos; and one hell of a lot of old cars. I think there must be some kind of antique car rally and the town is chock full of old cars driven by even older people. The people themselves hardly ever catch your eye, and when they do it is with a poker face. All that gambling must have got to them.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Day -1 : Getting Ready
Got those highway blues, cant you hear my motor runnin
Flyin down the road with my foot on the floor
All the way in town they can hear me comin
Fords about to drop, she wont do no more
And I smell my motor burnin
Underneath the hood is smoke
Cant stop, and I cant stop
Got to keep on movin or Ill lose my mind
Oh, rockin down the highway...... - The Doobie Brothers
Friday is here at last. So much work to do and so little time. Geetha is sick and I think I'm getting it too. We decide (like the Doobie brothers) that the Ford just won't cut it and we rent from Hertz. Mike at Hertz likes Indian food - no connection but he ups me to a Toyota RAV, brand new with a built in GPS. neat.
We have decided to travel light, so that means just 8 suitcases and a few odd boxes. I decide that the holiday has started and bring out the Mount Gay Rum. funny name, but the rum is the best I have had this side of the Pacific. Of course, the best rum to be had is in india - mcDowell's No.1.
Flyin down the road with my foot on the floor
All the way in town they can hear me comin
Fords about to drop, she wont do no more
And I smell my motor burnin
Underneath the hood is smoke
Cant stop, and I cant stop
Got to keep on movin or Ill lose my mind
Oh, rockin down the highway...... - The Doobie Brothers
Friday is here at last. So much work to do and so little time. Geetha is sick and I think I'm getting it too. We decide (like the Doobie brothers) that the Ford just won't cut it and we rent from Hertz. Mike at Hertz likes Indian food - no connection but he ups me to a Toyota RAV, brand new with a built in GPS. neat.
We have decided to travel light, so that means just 8 suitcases and a few odd boxes. I decide that the holiday has started and bring out the Mount Gay Rum. funny name, but the rum is the best I have had this side of the Pacific. Of course, the best rum to be had is in india - mcDowell's No.1.
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