1998 - California, Nevada & Arizona

After a few days in Mexico City, a dodgy flight on Delta and a day of doing nothing in Los Angeles, I joined my parents, brother and sister on a coach tour of California and Nevada. This is not my normal cup of tea but if my parents are paying for it... This was a traditional coach tour with commentary, nice hotels, scenery, a slightly odd tour manager and interesting passengers.

Saturday 9 May - We started the tour in Anaheim with trip to Disneyland. It is a lot smaller than I imagined. Afternoon drive to Palm Springs.

Sunday 10 May - Palm Springs to Scottsdale near Phoenix. "Rawhide Wild West" theme park for dinner and line dancing.

The fake cowboy town.

Okay. Line dancing at its best.

Monday 11 May - Drive to Flagstaff via Sedona. We stopped at Montezuma Castle National Monument. Once we got to the Grand Canyon National Park, I took a helicopter flight out over the Grand Canyon. Luckily I had front seat so had spectacular views, although the photos do not really do it justice.

Montezuma Castle National Monument.

The scenery at Sedona.

The Grand Canyon.

It's a large hole.

A seriously large hole.

The Hammond family at the Grand Canyon.

Tuesday 12 May - To Las Vegas via Hoover Dam. The tour leader would not stop so we did not get much of a look at the dam unfortunately. We met friends of my sister and had dinner with them at Hilton Flamingo (way too much pink).

Scenery on way to Las Vegas. Photo taken through bus window, hence the reflection.

The top of Hoover Dam.

Wednesday 13 May - A free day in Las Vegas. Donated more dollars to casino profits. Do not like the place at all.

The Strip, Las Vegas.

Luxor, Las Vegas.

Thursday 14 May - A long drive from Las Vegas to Fresno via Barstow and Bakersfield. Scenery quite interesting if you like deserts.

Friday 15 May - Fresno to Yosemite National Park. This is an alternative route due to snow. A very good guided tour of the park. Incredibly beautiful scenery in the park. Back to Sonora.

One of the many waterfalls in the park.

The classic view of the park.

The classic view from higher up the hill.

The classic view with a bunch of tourists in the way.

Saturday 16 May - From Sonora to Lake Tahoe via Columbia. More snow. Dinner cruise on lake. A very good meal and lots more snow when got back to shore.

The lake and restaurant.

Sunday 17 May - Clear skies, lots of snow on ground. To San Francisco via Sacramento.

Yup. It's snow.

Monday 18 May - A day trip around city, including Golden Gate bridge.

View over the city of San Francisco.

One of the more famous bridges around.

Tuesday 19 May -A free day in the city.

Wednesday 20 May - San Francisco to Solvang. Could not use coast road due to slips.

The church in Solvang.

Thursday 21 May - From Solvang to Los Angeles via Santa Barbara. We stayed in Hollywood. Grubby place. I hate it. However, there was a great steak house right next to hotel. The ribs were huge!

Santa Barbara.

The Mission in Santa Barbara.

Mann's Chinese Theatre, Hollywood.

Summary - As I said, not my cup of tea. But I saw some new places and some of the scenery is spectacular.