Destinations I visited in this blog: ( View full size map)
The story of the Trek America Grand Trek: 28 April 2004 to 10th June 2004.
Alex(Ipswich), Alex(Buckinghamshire), Craig(Glasgow), Elaine(Glasgow), Hiroshi(Japan), Jo(Boston), Kim(Korea), Konomi(Japan), Laura(Ipswich), Liz(Brisbane), Sheena(Surrey), Steven(Edinburgh) and Vicki(Buckinghamshire).
Day 15 (Eastons, UT - 12/5/04)
Earliest rise of the trip at 4:30. If you don't know, it's a bit nippy that early in the morning! But it was totally worth it. And we knew it was going to be a particularly celebratory day when Craig and Elaine got engaged! Congrats guys! We all had an awesome early morning helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. Some (Sheena) were more nervous than others. But that's because some watch far to much ER, where helicopters are very dangerous, and cut off limbs, and fall out of the sky Anyway, I digress . . We arrive at Eastons, and it seem like a very nice place (translation: free showers and they even play the radio while you wash!)
Day 16 (Eastons, UT - 13/5/04)
The Toga Party! First some went horse-riding. Jo found this quite traumatic when her horse bolted (while we were still in the campsite). But they were very well behaved after that, and the scenery was beautiful! Then we had a trip to Lake Powell, where a few went kayaking, others sunbathed, and a few fought the tarp on the beach! It was really hot, but the Lake was nice and cool (if you could get that far - sinking sand!) Some hiked, whilst others satisfied their Wal-Mart and Burger-King cravings. Then much effort went into the glorious outfits that were the togas. I cannot express my delight at the discovery of UV paints (not enough campsites supply these if you want my opinion!) A great evening was had by all.
Day 17 (Zion NP, UT - 14/5/04)
Wow! Zion is beautiful! We got there and it was absolutely baking. So, of course the natural inclination was to start hiking! I'll let someone else describe Angel's Landing, because I couldn't quite face it (besides, I had important sketching that needed doing!).
Those who could face it went on a 5 mile hike up 1200 feet to Angels Landing. The views were great but it was tough work getting up there. The last 500 feet was all rocks and we had to grab chains to help us up to the top. There were loads of chipsmonks running around but we couldn't catch one to add to the growing band of stuffed animals on the bus!!
We met a Canadian couple up there and the guy asked us to video his proposal to his girlfriend of 15 years. She said yes and they invited us along to their Vegas wedding but there are probably better things to do in Vegas!
Day 18 (Las Vegas, NV - 15/5/04)
A hotel!!! With beds!! Vegas is crazy, and it's a bit overwhelming being surrounded by so many people after so long in the secluded spots. There are escalators . . .on the streets?!? What, is your stash of quarters too heavy for you to walk between casinos? Here's a tip: If you go into a casino, you will inevitably be stuck in there for hours trying to find an exit (they don't want you to escape you see!) It's all very pretty at night time - so many sparkling lights! Some crazy fools went bungee jumping, others bottled it at the last minute. No comment. The views from the Stratosphere were amazing. FYI, it is possible to walk the entire length of the Strip in about two hours. Expect much pain after attempting this though. It's not actually that far, but when you take into account the extra mileage getting lost in casinos, it soon adds up!
Day 19 (Las Vegas, NV - 16/5/04)
We had a great evening. Started with a group meal at (I don't remember the name, can someone else please fill in the blank??). They serve the hugest portions at this place, and we are all soon very full. Then a huge white limo picks us up and we cruise down the streets of Vegas. Before we know it we're pulling up at a little wedding chapel. What's going on???? Craig and Elaine decided to have a “commitment ceremony”, which we were all witnesses too. It was fortunate that Elvis could take time out of his busy schedule to perform! It was all quite beautiful, and something I think we'll all remember for years to come! So, we hop onto our next limo, which comes complete with poles to dance around (every vehicle should have them!) We watched the fountain show at the Ballaggio to round off the day.
Day 20 (Disney Land, CA - 17/5/04)
They really shouldn't put all the heavy people at the back of the boat, we might just get stuck! I'm still too angry to comment about Disney Land (must think happy thoughts, must think happy thoughts!)
To elaberate on the boat trip: the whole group went on the "it's a small world" boat ride. Unfortunately a rather large American couple (honest it wasn't our fault!) got on the back of our boat and at the first corner we got grounded! At first we thought it was a planned stop on the ride but after the 3rd boat bumped into the back of us we realised it wasn't. After some pushing and pulling we unstuck our boat to a loud cheer from the 8 or so boats now stuck behind us. We must still have been travelling at half the normal speed as by the time we finished the ride the queue of boats behind us was so long you couldn't see the end of it.
Day 21 (Los Angeles, CA - 18/5/04)
Universal Studios - Backdraft rules! Hollywood.
Since it is early season we got on all the rides without any queues. We got wet on the Jurassic Park ride and sick on the Back to the Future ride. Elaine volunteered for a special effects show where she was projected onto a big screen fighting a giant cat and having dinner with the Klumps. No hollywood contract resulted but at least the rest of us got a front row seat!
At night we went on a Hollywood tour that included the sign, hollywood boulevard and the stars hand prints. We stopped of at the Regent Beverly Wilshire (hotel in pretty woman) for a loo break. They didn't seem to mind a bunch of tourists using their posh toilets!
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