Rachel and Matt’s World Tour

Monterey Aquarium was excellent. Some huge tanks, lots to see. We both liked the Otters best because they were so hyperactive and very funny to watch. Take a look at the Monterey Aquarium pics. I stroked a Manta Ray, and Matt touched some starfish which was pretty cool.

After we left the Aquarium we started the long drive to San Fran, then had a sudden change of heart and detoured 200 miles east to go to Yosemite National Park instead – so thats where we have been for the last couple of days.

The park lived up to all our expectations – very close to how we pictured the American wilderness. Saw lots of Deer and chipmunk type creatures – We think we saw Bear sh*t in the woods! – just because the dollop on the trail was so big its hard to imagine what else could have done it. No sighting of bears or mountan lions unfortunately.

Day one we eased ourselves in with a gentle trail around the Lower Yosemite Falls – which turned into rock climbing up to the splash pool. Good fun, got some good pics – See Yosemite Park pics.

Day two we threw ourselves at one of the most strenuous trails in the park – a 3.4 mile hike up from 4,000ft above sea level on the Valley Floor, to over 7,000ft above sea level at the top of the Upper Yosemite Falls. And oh my God am I suffering now! It was a 7 hour round trip, back and forth up a steep rocky and sandy trail, total of 6.8 miles. The views at the top were well worth it. On the way down we heard some guy hollering warnings and Matt saw a 3ft wide rock careering down the cliff face about 50 ft behind us. That woulda hurt! See Yosemite Falls pics. You must have a look to appreciate the height and distance we covered!

Now we are finally off to San Fran today – unless the mood takes us somewhere else!

Love

Rachel & Matt

It’s been a long drive today through some of the most awesome scenery I have ever seen.

We left San Simeon this morning and after a few minutes saw ‘Elephant Seal Vista’. We stopped – expecting of course not to see any seals at all – first glimpse of the beach – saw this guy…

but that wasn’t it – there were loads of them! Take a look at the pics. We also saw the cutest little chipmunk.

We carried on up the coast and I cannot describe some of the amazing views – you’ll have to take a look at the pics – sorry but I got very snap happy, its just incredible.

At Monterey you pay $10 to access the ’17 mile drive’ around the Peninsula – Matt was very pleased with the views of apparently legendary golf courses, I was very impressed by yet more views of amazing coastline (and got even more snap happy).

Now bedding down for the night in another cheap motel and eating pizza. Just keeping it real.

Laters x x

Yesterday we left LA, and drove up to Pismo Beach, a small town, around 150 miles drive.
Ria, we saw the Rock ‘n Roll Cafe/Winnebago Diner, but didn’t stop for dinner. Wish we had now! We had an expensive and not too great Italian instead.

Pismo Beach was only an overnight stop and after taking a walk along the beach this morning, we continued up the coast.

1st stop today was Morro Bay. It was a beautiful place with a great golf course! We took in a nature museum and then moved up further to Hearst Castle.

One word, extravagant! When one of the Richest men in the world decides to build his ideal home, and money is no object this is the result.

The “castle” is situated on top of a mountain, almost 500m high, and takes a 4 mile drive to get there from the visitor centre. We were both in awe of the scale of the place, it blows the houses we saw in Bel-Air away! Hopefully the pics will give a good impression of how big the place is. Even the guests houses (3!) have 7 bedrooms!

After Hearst Castle we drove back to San Simeon, and saw our first decent Sunset of the trip so far.

Tomorrow we’re off to Big Sur, so even more great views are expected!

Matt

Went to see how the other half live yesterday.

Strolled down the Walk of Fame – and the rest of Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards. The criteria for a star is apparently just to be famous for 5 years – then you may get an invite from the powers that be to pay $25,000 for your star. Not very stringent – explains why some stars are there – The munchkins, Ryan Seacrest – really?

Took a tour of the stars homes – weird chinese couple were following in their car – pointless without the commentary as some stops were really pushng it. Anyone heard of Hollywood Tan programme?

Some of the homes were incredible. Cruising Bel-Air and Beverley Hills we apparently saw someone famous – a girl on the mini-bus started screaming “Dr Phil” and waving at a guy outside his home. I guess she got his name right cos he waved back.

Off out now – driving further up the Pacific Coast Highway to Pismo Beach.

Will keep the posts coming – thanks for all your comments – keep those coming too.

Love Rachel

Barters – 21

Well we made it to LA without any major disasters.
We managed to get to the plane on time and I didn’t crash the hire car!

Sadly our planned relaxing afternoon at Malibu beach was wrecked by some of the thickest fog i’ve ever seen!

This photo was the only glimpse of the sea we got in about 10 miles of driving.

Anyway, we’re off out to eat half a cow followed by a few beers.
Hopefully the weather will be better tomorrow!

Matt