SO, I'm on the US Mainland and have been for a long while now. I've been having such a busy time I haven't had a chance to write anything.

Two days after arriving in LA and Kirsten putting me up in her flat, Charmaine met me and we took the car up to San Francisco on Highway 1. The views were incredible - although Charmaine was nervous of the windy roads so high up! We had 4 days in San Fran and had a good look around. Saw the

After Charmaine left I nursed my aching heart (J) for a week in Santa Monica youth hostel. Really great location. Right on the beach so got to do some cycling and jogging along the promenade. Cycled to Venice and Hermosa (which was pretty long and tiring in the heat, but hey, the Pacific makes up for it!)

It was then to West Hollywood to spend time with Han and meet her boyfriend Tom. LOVE West Hollywood. The properties are quite small and close together but the area is all gentrified and there's a real community feel. I met the neighbours and had a great time with them out on the town. The locale offered some nice pubs and a cool nightclub (where the bouncer was slightly scary - the only bouncer I've ever met smaller than me, but OMG! I would NOT mess with him - rather intimidating!)

It was then off on the big road trip that was originally going to stretch all the way to DC until I realized this would in fact cost thousands of dollars and take a LOT longer than 3 weeks. SO I 'settled' for an in-depth exploration of the sites of the South West states and have to say am very glad I did - incredible part of the world!! Take a look at the photos to get an idea of where I was - if you look at the photo map it gives you an idea of locations. Utah especially was breathtaking with an incredible canyon formation literally around every corner. I really understood why ancient peoples were moved by this landscape and why the Mormon's called it God's Country. I really did love it.

I have to be honest and say there were times that were a bit lonely. I didn't get much chance to chat so any body who happened to start a friendly conversation with me regretted it as soon as I started blabbering uncontrollably! But, hey, meant that I had some interesting conversations with people along the way and have made some cool friends.

It's now 3 weeks, over 5000 miles and more than 10 National Parks later and I'm back in LA leaving for Vancouver in a few hours on a VERY long journey by Greyhound. I'm looking forward to someone else doing the driving and me catching up on sleep!

I only have just over 3 weeks left of my trip and am cramming a lot into that time: Vacnouver, Chicago and then the East Coast, but because I was 'stuck' in LA for a while waiting to see if my London flat got let out, it's meant that everything's shifted later and I'm going to be busy busy for the next few weeks. It's most probable that the next time we 'speak' I'll be back in SA and it will be your last update - you'll be relieved to hear :)

Thanks for reading and catch up soon!
Cat