We rise early to head to Yosemite. Get breakfast in Lee Vining first before taking the winding route up and down the mountains to the park entrance. Today the plan is to explore the northside of the park. The main spots being Olmsted point from which you can see a rear shot of the world famous stunning Half Dome. To the east of Half Dome lies Clouds Rest with a 10000 ft peak. The view is amazing. A ranger tells me at that moment hikers were climbing up the side...

We left Vegas today and headed for our next stop - Yosemite, 325 miles away.... The route takes us through the desert, cactus everywhere, houses nowhere to be seen. We drove alongside Death Valley. Stopping off in a town called Beatty, which had the widest selection of sweets I have ever seen! We get back on the road and head pass some towns in the middle of nowhere Dyer and Oasis overlooked by the White Mountains range, still snowcapped. Then we cross the bor...

It's about 10.30am. David is already at the house so we head downtown to the Gaslamp Quarter. Get a bite to eat at Nicky Rottens - Beef Tacos. Get some shopping done and exchange funny stories. Then we head over to Balboa Park, with it's impressive gardens, huge zoo and detailed architecture. People getting married and others just hanging put. You get drawn into it's laid-back atmosphere and welcoming tone. So much so I go rock out with two hippies in with their...

I have touched down in San Diego baby!!! The descent is awesome. Flying alongside the skyscrapers downtown and the beach and port upfront. Walking through to the arrivals lounge I'm trying to match up a face to the pictures Nan has given me. No sign of Paul... After getting my bags I turn around and a puzzled guy standing next to an airport worker looks at me and it's Paul! So we head out to the sweet red Mustang 2001 GT, drive back roof down. Oh yeah! Heading ba...

After hopping on the flight to Chicago I discover at the gate I have been moved forward to a Fire Exit seat. So I can slump my legs out infront. I'm joined by another lad - travelling around the States and Canada for atleast 6 months and a girl - on an organised reunion with friends she met travelling in Asia. I create the ultimate megatron like cushion consisting of a blowup head rest, pillow and blanket to catch a few hours sleep on. I'm awoken by a big yogi be...