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26/11/10
Hi Everyone
Sorry we haven't had any internet connection for a couple of days to send off our blogs and photos (thanks to iHop for free wifi).It will probably be the same from here on in so will keep as good a record as I can to keep you all up to date with what we are up to and send them to you as we can.
Thanks again for the messages.Sorry we can't answer them on the website but we do really appreciate them.
We hope that everyone is keeping well and that the rain has stopped there by now.We are both well although a little tired but it wont be long until we are at the motorhome and will then be able to travel at our own pace when (and if) we feel like it.
We've had a quiet day today. Went looking at RV's, shopping at Camping World and to visit Bob and Barbara who are friends of Noel's parents. Hopefully we are off to a show tonight - depending if we can get tickets this late.
Will send something off again shortly.
Please take care of each other.All our love to everyone!
Pam & Noel
23/11/10
We had a quiet night at home last night and Nan and her daughter Courtney came over for dinner to have a final catch up before we left Minneapolis.Although we had planned an early night it didn't quite work out that way because although Nan & Courtney left at a reasonable hour we sat up chatting for some time and I caught up with some work, washing etc. before we left.This morning was a quiet one while we packed our bags and chatted with Scott before making our way to the airport via downtown Minneapolis to have a quick look around.We dropped the hire car back and checked our bags in then went for a wander around the airport.Our plane was a bit late leaving Minneapolis and we were almost an hour late getting back into LA but as we didn't have to go any further it didn't make much difference to us.We didn't get any sleep on the plane as it was so squashed.Felt more like a Virgin Blue flight to Sydney!At least we had free TV to watch.We were lucky enough to fly over Las Vegas (well to the side of it) so that was amazing to see.We could make out different areas and we could even see Buffalo Bills from the air!It was raining when we landed in LA, not heavily though.We were picked up from the airport by the hotel shuttle and had a quick bite at Denny's next door and off to bed.
24/11/10
Up and at 'em again this morning!I woke up early and got into some work that I had waiting to do while Noel had a bit of a lie in.After breakfast at the hotel Noel went off and collected the hire car.The shuttle bus went to the airport via Avis's depot for him which was great because we thought he would just be going to the airport to be dropped off and then take the Avis shuttle bus from there.I would thoroughly recommend the Travelodge LAX to anyone travelling over this way.It may not be the most modern hotel we have ever stayed in but it is certainly clean and tidy, very reasonably priced, close to the airport without actually being disturbed by the planes but most importantly they can't do enough to help you.It is so convenient and they even do ½ days (8am to 8pm) for travellers to have a rest in between connecting flights.They also have the nicest breakfasts we've ever had with a large variety to choose from AND they even have a staff member in the breakfast room to keep things topped up and to help.Anyway, after that little advert I will get back to it..................We finally left the hotel around 11am after I finished what I had to do (very hard to concentrate when you are in holiday mode half way around the world).Today is the day before Thanksgiving here in USA.Most schools now have a 5 day weekend and quite obviously a lot of people make it a weekend away because everyone was on the roads heading away.The highways were full in both directions and at times we were stopped in the traffic even on the interstate highways.We did see one big accident with what used to be a 5th wheeler.They were using a loader to just pile it up onto a truck.The vehicle towing it wasn't in too bad shape though so not sure what happened. We assume that they were probably just driving too fast (everyone does) and the trailer started to sway and lost control and flipped. There were RVs, 5th wheelers and so many toy haulers on the road it was amazing.Have no idea where they were all heading but I hope they have all got their woollies packed in.It is almost as cold here as it was in Minnesota just no snow around.At least when you walk on the wet concrete here you don't have to be careful of slipping on the ice. We finally arrived in Las Vegas around 6pm - yes 7 hours to get here from LA with about a ½ hr break for lunch in Victorville.For those who haven't done this trip, it should only take 4 ½ hours straight through.That gives you some idea of the traffic.It is the busiest we have ever seen the highways.We went to check into our accommodation at Planet Hollywood which was our big splurge for the trip.We booked a room here to overlook the Bellargio Fountains (as Noel & his Dad had 4 years ago and I was so jealous) staying only one night and then moving to a cheaper hotel tomorrow which is more in our price range.Anyway, when we arrived we were of course much later than anticipated and when we checked in they told us that they were full for the Thanksgiving weekend and because we were only staying the one night they had upgraded us to a suite and hoped we didn't mind.My only reaction to this was "so long as we have fountain views" to which she just said "of course".Well we got to our suite and we had our fountain views alright and so much more!!!!!!!!The suite was about as big as our lounge, dining room and kitchen and then you went into the bedroom.It was amazing.In the main area we had 2 TVs one of them being the biggest screen I have ever seen and Noel plonked himself down in front of that most of the night.We had our own bar (although not stocked), 3 lounge chairs, dining area, card table, air hockey table (yes that's what I said) small bathroom, and 2 large windows to view the fountain and other sights of the strip and beyond.In the bedroom we had another large window to view the fountain, a king size bed, a recliner chair, another TV, writing desk, and bathroom with separate shower and huge bathtub as well as the loo of the course.Just a little bit fancy!! Well as you can imagine we were more than impressed and had a great night feeling like royalty.There was another bedroom (we assume) leading off the main room on the other side of the main room also but that door was locked.We went out for a quick stroll up the strip and had a look around in a few casinos and all the changes to the strip since our last visit before heading back to our suite.
25/11/10
Happy Thanksgiving Day!It is something that is really celebrated here and some things in Las Vegas closed early although most things just continued on as usual.We noticed that some venues closed for the day though like smaller shops and restaurants etc.We had to leave our suite (boo hoo) so packed up and left around 9am and headed out towards Hoover Dam.We stopped at the Railroad Pass Casino for a buffet brunch which was really nice and then travelled on to Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam.Although we have been as far as Lake Mead before and have flown over the dam on a helicopter, we hadn't been to the dam itself before because we have always been in the motorhome and had been told the roads are a bit tight so haven't chanced it.Being in a car gave us this opportunity and it was worth it.The bridge over Black Canyon and the Colorado River south of the dam wall is now open to traffic and we drove across the bridge first which was a real disappointment because they have high concrete walls on both sides and you can't see anything.You can walk across the bridge though although we didn't do this as we couldn't get into the car park. The bridge is much shorter than it looks from the ground or the air though.This is now the only road that connects Nevada and Arizona as the road across the dam wall is now a dead end and we had to travel for miles before we could turn around to come back again.We then drove down to and across the Hoover Dam wall and parked the car although we had to wait for someone to leave before we could park.Everyone obviously had the same idea as us today and it was packed.Every car park was full.All of the shops, visitors centre, tours etc. were closed today because of Thanksgiving which was a shame but there was on advantage to this, you now have to pay $7 to park in the car parks there but because no one was working you didn't have to pay today.It is an amazing engineering masterpiece and I can now finally tick it off my bucket list.After spending some time walking across the wall and going to lookouts and taking heaps of pictures (don't worry I wont put them all on the website) we made our way back to Las Vegas and checked into the Imperial Palace.This is a really nice budget priced hotel right in the middle of the strip and it is really great but not a patch on our suite of last night.We were hoping for another upgrade but not that lucky!We wandered up the strip for awhile then decided to head up to Freemont Street.We arrived in time to see the 8pm show then wandered around and saw the various shows and buskers etc.They have a new ride above Freemont street that is like a flying fox that runs under the roof screen and above the crowd.Of course Noel couldn't resist this and had to have a ride which he thought was great.He had his turn during the 9pm show which he was impressed about.We then hung around to watch the 10pm show also before heading back on the Duece and into our room and off to bed.
- comments
Stephanie Hey Pam and Noel Sounds like you are both still having a fantastic trip. Very lucky to be upgraded into such a fancy hotel suite! Do think that much has changed in the past two years since you've visited US? What is the food like? Apparently hotdogs are definately the way to go. Looks like you have been fortunate with good weather too! we had a few sunny days and now the rain is back. Freemont street is very impressive and putting a flying fox in the middle it just genious!!! what a good way to get around the mall. Have you meet many interesting people so far? Why do you call the hwy police chips? I was waiting at the servo the other day and saw a man come out to check his mail box in a dressing gown and high heel shoes!! very strange. Tim is doing well, you spoke to him the other day, thankfully the rain hasn't been enough to stop him working. The boys are going the Jeep Swap-Meet this weekend so Sam & I are going to a Muse concert :) Aside from that the dogs are all good and Tim put up Christmas lights at our new house! Keep having fun, love you all Steph, Tim & Thumpa xoxox