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MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Hi All,
Hope you all had a fantastic xmas.We have had a very busy month since we arrived here.The first few days were in Seattle (which is a fantastic place - definitely worth a visit). We were really lucky as it didn't rain once (apparently it rains pretty much every day there!) so we managed to do everything we wanted to - went up the space needle, rode a ferry boat (for Grey's anatomy fans - unfortunately there was no McDreamy on board), did a boat tour of the island and just generally explored the city. We then spent a few days in Vancouver, where it was absolutely freezing but still good fun.
We then headed back to LA to pick up the hire car.After a very scary start, hitting LA freeways at rush hour and in the dark, we soon settled in to driving on the wrong side of the road and headed to San Francisco.As you have probably seen from our photos, the weather was horrible, so we just stayed a couple of days and did the main touristy things such as Alcatraz (which was really interesting), wandered around Fishermans wharf and rode a tram.
We then went via Fairfield, where the Jelly Belly factory is.We had a tour and each got a free sample - all the sweets were also cheap so we bought 21b of Jelly bellys for $9! (we are pretty fed up with them now!)
The next destination was Yosemite National Park, this is where we experienced snow chains! Ben did very well - he was great doing it on the way in but as it was dark on the way out I was on Black bear watch so it seemed to take twice as long to put them on.Yosemite was fantastic though, we were a bit limited due to the snow but well worth a visit.On the way to Yosemite we also stayed in this tiny town (1 motel, 1 bar and 1 mexican restaurant) where the town mayor was the local dog - but they treated us like royalty and spoiled us rotten!
Next on the list was Kings Canyon, although only about 1% of the park was accessible due to the snow, so we only stayed about 3 hrs.We then went to Death Valley (where there was a sun at last!).Death Valley was probably our favourite park - we stayed overnight in the park and then headed to Bryce Canyon the next day (again hitting snow).
The plan was to then spend a few days in Flagstaff and Prescott on the way to Phoenix for xmas but due to the snow a lot of the highways were closed so we headed off early and ended up spending about 4 nights in phoenix. Not a lot to do there but it was sunny so we mostly spent time sunbathing and by the pool.
For xmas eve and xmas day night we checked into a fantastic hotel in Phoenix. Christmas day was spent either sunbathing, swimming in the heated pool or lounging in the Jacuzzi! We then ate our xmas dinner outside (the chef there was from Ringwood so he cooked a good English roast).Unfortunately today (boxing day) we then had to head back to reality and we are currently about an hour from the Grand Canyon in the usual cheapie motel.
The plan over the next week or so is to do the Grand Canyon, head to Las Vegas for new years and then back to LA for a few days before flying to Fiji.
I know I have written a lot so will stop waffling on now!I hope you all have a fantastic new year. Thank you for all your messages and keep us up to date with all the gossip and news.
A quick note to the soon to be Mr and Mrs Barnes - I hope the wedding days goes smoothly and you have a fantastic time. X
Lots of love
Lois and Ben xxxxxxx
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