Monday in Las Vegas

On Monday Lisa took us to Burbank Airport where we flew out to Las Vegas.
Although we had an hour and half delay, the flight took just 1 hour and we arrived before lunch. LAs Vegas is a different world, very hot during the day, but the hotels are very cold with the air conditioning. They also have oxygen pumped in to the casinos to keep the punters awake.




Andy on the Strip Las Vegas


We saw all of the large hotels, and went into a few of them to see the different themes.
Huge great places that you can easily get lost in.











Jen Outside the Venitian Hotel Las Vegas
















Looking over to the Mirage on the Strip

Chris, Paula, Stacey & Lisa ( under table sorting Cora out)

Jen, Cougs and Cora paddling.

Stacey & Cora on one of the water slides

What a day, time for a nap !!

On Sunday we went to Magic Mountain Water Park as guests of Lisa's dad Chris who is a LA County Sheriff, at their family day out. The weather was hot, the beer and food was free, and we all had a great time. Stacey, Lisa, Paula and Lisa's sister Melanie had a great time on the water slides, while Jen And I made do with paddling. I don't think my knee would have coped with the slides, so the speedos are safe for another day!! We ended the day firstly at Starbucks where Melanie works, ( so we get discount ), that's the way to do Starbucks. Then we went to Qdoba where we picked up some Buritto's to have for supper. A great day out for all of us, thanks to Chris and the LA Sheriff's Department.

Malibu Beach from PCH (Pacific Coast Highway)
New recruit starts first day as Life Guard
Pacific Ocean obscured by tourists
Cora's new Malibu Hat
Light Lunch

On friday we returned to Santa Clarita from Monterey, the journey took us about 6 hours.

We stopped off at Los Alamos where we had another "light lunch" at Charlie's Diner, miles from anywhere. Headed back through the mountains, thro' Santa Barabara, home.

Yesterday, Saturday, Stacey and Lisa drove us to Malibu Beach, where we toured the mall looking for celebs, before walking on the beach. Bought a nice hat for Cora to keep the sun off, see photo, we didn't pick the $200 hats though, bit too pricey!!

Lots of posers with little poochie dogs strolling around, wouldn't know if they were famous or not.

We went into a nice restaurant for dinner/tea, where Lisa's grandparents used to take her when she was younger. Another "light lunch", diet going well, probably only put on stone and a half up to now !!

Then we headed off to Santa Monica, another world!!

Very much like Bond Street at Chrismas, but by the sea. People everywhere enjoying the warm night air, street musicians.

Walked along Santa Monica Pier, before returning home. Cora was a good girl all day despite first teeth breaking through!!

Today we are heading off to Magic Mountain water Park, alias "Wally World" for anyone who saw the National Lampoons Vacation film. We are going as family members of the Californian Police Dept. who have hire it for the day for their officers and families, as Lisa's dad is a deputy sheriff out here in LA.

Tomorrow we fly off to Las Vegas, with the Grand Canyon trip on Tuesday, I'm not sure whether I will take my laptop, so will update blog when I can.

Fishermans Wharf to Cannery Row Monterey.

Jenny at Fisherman's Wharf

Today we had a leisurely time walking around Monterey. We started out at the Fisherman's Wharf, and yes that does say Wharf and not Wife !!
We then strolled along the coastal path to Cannery Row, along the route were seals in the water and some lying on rocks basking. Photos of these can be seen when we're back home boring you to death.

View looking down Cannery Row

We spent a couple of hours in the aquarium at Cannery Row, this seems to be a must if you come here. We saw a Great White being fed by divers, tuna being fed, and all types of jelly fish. There was also an area where you could touch loads of marine life, rays, etc.

Cougar waiting for his salad lunch.

On the way back we stopped for lunch at spanish style restaurant, the salads were enough for 4 people, I only just managed to finish it.

Pismo Beach to Monterey

Today, after breakfast, which you can see Jen eating by the pool in the photos, we drove the Pacific Coast Highway from Pismo Beach all the way to Monterey.
Stunning scenery, but hard to capture while driving, although Jen did attempt this many times.
Mountains to the right and pacific to the left. Very windy roads up the mountain parts and slow going at times, but well worth the effort. Stopped off at several vista points to look at the views, and one of these was elephant seal beach, which had guess what? Yes loads of elephant seals on the beach and in the water. Also tame squirrels that would come right up to you for titbits.
Drove through Carmel in to Monterey, and then had a walk down to Fisherman's Wharf to get some fresh air. Tomorrow we spend the day in and around Monterey.

Santa Clarita to Pismo Beach

Today Lisa & Cora took us to pick up the rental car, and then we headed off to Pismo Beach.
Although somewhat nervous before starting out, even with Stacey's expert driving tuition around Santa Clarita & Valencia, once on the freeway everything was really good. We drove west towards the coast to Ventura about 45 miles from Santa Clarita, and from there north on route 101 up through Santa Barbara, through the californian wine growing country, onto Pismo Beach. What a lovely place !!!
When we arrived, we were told there were 3 whales in the bay, and later when walking around we could see them "blowing" out in the bay. Also porpoise swimming around and coming out of the water.
Our room is on top of a cliff, looking out onto the Pacific, quite a view.
Having left the desert temperature of the high 80's in Santa Clarita, we are now in the high 70's / low 80's here on the coast, a bit more manageable for me.

Arriving in LA

Icelandic Glacier
Greenland Icebergs
Stacey meeting us at airport
Outside the Egg Plantation

Well the adventure has started. Firstly with a great flight, passing over Iceland, Greenland, Alaska and the vast area of Canada before coming into Los Angeles, where we were met by Stacey and Lisa.

On Sunday we had a lie in, and then headed off downtown to a place called the Egg Plantation, where we had an English breakfast, (when in Rome).

We then went on to the street art festival here in Santa Clarita, where they closed the road of for all the local artists to draw on the road.

Forthe last 2 days, I've been immersed in a crash course of driving instruction with Stacey, ready for our trip to Pismo Beach and Monterey tomorrow.