Now this was to be the highlight of DFW – Dallas Cowboys v New England Patriots at AT&T Stadium. This is American Football if you don’t know what this is. I know there are many who don’t like the game because it is so stop-start and they don’t understand the rules and they wear too much padding. But me, I reckon it’s a great game that can be won or lost in a blink of the eye (or about the length of the Stockyards parade in my earlier post).
I purchased the tickets quite some time ago through Ticketmaster ticket exchange where ticket holders sell their tickets for a price they set. This stadium is one the best in the world, this game was a highlight game (Patriots are the current champions with some the game’s greatest players and the Cowboys are a bit like Collingwood). Tickets were not cheap so I spent that little bit more and secured some seats in their club level – think Medallion Club at Etihad.
You visit DFW, you must visit the Stockyards. This is kind of like Sovereign Hill and is the tourist mecca. But also hard to tell if the locals go there as well just for some fun on a Saturday afternoon. There are so many people walking around in cowboy gear – and I’d be pretty certain a fair majority of those were non-Texans. There is the customary get your drink and walk around the streets, a rodeo (which we did not attend), the original stockyards (hence the name), plenty of eating and drinking places, Harley Davidson’s cruising, and the parade.
Well, not really a parade it is a simulation of the herding of cattle down the street from the stockyards. If there were that many cattle in the olden days, there would never have been a Maccas. It’s okay to see the long-horns and cowboys but like a few other tourist parades – blink and you miss it (think those ducks in Memphis). However, if in this part of town you gotta visit.
What does that have to do with anything. Well, Caroline is the expert on all things musical and she tells me the story of Gram Parsons, singer songwriter, who used to venture into the Joshua Tree desert and just think (if you don’t know about this, then think of when Homer Simpson went into the desert and had the coyote talk to him). One time in 1973, Gram Parsons was staying at the Joshua Tree hotel when he passed away, suddenly, one evening. He was at the place of two of his greatest loves – the desert and hard drugs.
Anyway, some relative wanted his body back in Louisiana possibly in order to claim the inheritance. However, Gram Parsons’ manager and some friends knew that Gram’s wish was to be cremated and have his ashes scattered in the desert. So, they stole his coffin from the airport, drove out to a location in Joshua Tree – Cap Rock – and poured petrol over the coffin and lit a match. The police were on the trail and put a stop, not before some ashes got scattered. The rest was shipped back, there was no offence for stealing a body; however, they did get fined $750 for stealing the coffin.
So, part of our trip from the magnificent Palm Springs (where the rich and famous and movies stars used to holiday) was to take a drive out to the Joshua Tree National Park and desert. Not necessarily to pay homage but more to see the desert and the trees known as Joshua Trees. This was another of our tourist treks of great things to see and again well worth the visit.
We left in the morning to beat the heat, although it was only 22 it felt much hotter from the beating down sun. It’s cool because it’s on top of a mountain, down below it was over 30.
There are plenty of walks and great things to see. Kind of eerie and you could quite easily imagine why you would want to just come out and watch the stars and think of anything and listen to the voices. We went for one walk and after about five minutes there was nothing there but us and nature. It was quiet and beautiful. And hot, and I wish I’d taken some water. And we could see our car after turning each rock but maybe it was a mirage because it disappeared as quickly as we saw it.
There were also great views overlooking Palm Springs and the valley and the San Andreas Fault line. If you go to LA and are looking for something else other than Disneyland and Hollywood, take the trip out for a night or two at Palm Springs – easy freeway driving (or you can fly).
Here’s a collection of shots (we stayed at a real ‘cool’ hotel the Ace and could recommend).
The first album is of Palm Springs, which as well as being the home of the movie stars, is probably more known for its architecture; the second is the Joshua Tree National Park.
Leaving Palm Springs
The visitor centre
Nice house
Marilyn Monroe
Downtown
Downtown
Downtown
Typical signage
Out of Palm Springs
Down the street
One of the banks
Another bank
Christmas decorations
Another building
For the architecture
You can never leave
Ace Hotel
From our hotel
Checking out
The ridge is the San Andreas Fault
These guys had spent two days in the desert looking for where Gram Parsons was cremated. That’s Cap Rock where it occurred.
Going back through the weeks when in Seattle we visited the EMP museum, which is near the base of the space needle. This museum is about popular culture but its main focus is music. It was one of the places we wanted to visit and is also maybe not a mainstream tourist mecca, like the space needle, which has a base made from souvenir shops and even a busking pan flute band with ponchos and CDs.
The EMP was quite enjoyable – if you have any interest in that kind of thing. As well as permanent exhibits, they rotate through exhibits. Current exhibits for our visit were all great: Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, the lure of Horror movies, icons of Science Fiction and worlds of Myths and Fantasy. Something for everyone – the music diehards or those interested in two people/band that changed music; and the horror, science fiction and fantasy nerds. And you should have seen the sic-fi and fantasy nerds – they were literally wetting themselves and some were even disputing the fact that some dagger from Lord of the Rings was the actual one.
We started off going through the history of guitars – the music is very much guitar orientated. This was good, especially if you have any interest in guitars. We used the iPods they give you to listen to the displays and music but gave up after a while otherwise we’d probably still be in the history of guitars hall. Great to see the old guitars. Then moved on to the two key exhibits: Nirvana (excellent) and Jimi Hendrix (maybe not as good but still great).
Then we hit nerdsville – starting off with sic-fi and what I said about some people wetting themselves was not far from the truth. These people knew everything about the weapons on display, the costumes on display, the dalek on display, anything that was on display. This moved into horror, which I am a bit more a fan of and for things like Jason’s mask from Friday 13th, or the Alien and Terminator, and clips from films where they discuss why the films were as good as they were, like the Exorcist – made me kinda want to wet myself.
Then the myths and fantasy and as I mentioned above, there was a group there that knew more about the exhibits than the museum displaying them.
This was a really interesting museum, with a good cafe and some good merchandise. Very interesting architecture as well.
Here’s a few snaps and also some of the space needle. That’s kind of interesting but we didn’t waste money going to the top as the fog would have meant nothing more than an expensive ride in a lift. If you go to Seattle, go to a club to listen to the music, go on a ferry, visit the Pike Place market, see the eye and if interested go to the EMP. However, we have rated that maybe Seattle is not high on the revisit list but we are pleased we did visit.
And we thought we lived in a nanny State in Victoria. Here is a collection of some warning signs I have been taking during our travels.
I have a few more so will do another post later. Also have some more beer, more food, great shots from the Joshua Tree National Park (the desert), and other odds and bods.
Currently in LA after negotiating the freeways, leaving on Sunday (I’m writing this Thursday here) and with the date-line back in Melbourne Tuesday.
Left Monterey Saturday morning and headed north to San Francisco. This is the third trip to San Francisco so have done the touristy things before; however, I did ride the cable trolley on a different route than previously – and found more hills.
San Francisco is hilly – damn hilly. It is also quite touristy but also quite pleasant. I like San Francisco and would go back there just to do nothing (although Caroline loves the shopping). Only problem is parking – we had the car so had to pay for parking at the hotel at a mere $54 a night. And we complain about the cost of parking in Melbourne!
We stayed down near the ferry terminal, which has an excellent market area and is also accessible to the main downtown area of Union Square via shanks pony or the tram or trolley. Another Kimpton Hotel, this time the Harbor Court, which was another nice Kimpton with the wine hour and if you can be bothered, warm milk and cookies at nine. This was a good hotel, although the concierge we mainly dealt with was maybe not as good as others; however, he did warn us to take a coat to the 49ers game.
The 49ers game – that’s pretty much why we took a detour to head back north to San Francisco, just to go to a game of NFL. However, for the atmosphere alone, this is well worth the diversion. I got the tickets when in Melbourne and scored magnificent seats amongst the 49ers faithful (die-hards) seven rows from the front. The game was not great as it was very defensive but the atmosphere was electric, even if the only thing the 49ers shouted all day was Deeefence! And after the 49ers played a rather shitful offensive game (their QB had his worst performance ever) they were jeered from the ground just like Richmond after a loss.
It was also quite historical as this is the last season the 49ers will be playing at this home ground – Candlestick Park. It reminded me so much of the old Princes Park (almost a tear in the eye). No nacho hats but plenty of food options and at the ultra-huge mark-up options as in Melbourne. For those interested in nostalgia and can remember the MCG as far back as me, they also had a peanuts man who I reckon was so similar to the one from the MCG (except as an added bonus he also sold popcorn).
Our only problem for the day was getting to and from the stadium. It is a fair way out of town and the only real option is the bus. Getting there is usually a pretty good express run; however, it was also the day before Veteran’s Day (11/11) so the street was blocked for the veterans day march, which meant no buses could get through until after the march. This caused a lot of angst amongst those waiting, a group even hijacked a hotel shuttle. We waited it out – $4 return is good value on the bus and it was easy to get into the ground – bag searches like the G but also the wand. But getting home, well that had memories of leaving the old Waverley. Trying to find the end of the queue for our bus, then actually waiting for the bus. It took a long time and we were glad we brought the coats as it got effing cold out there. But anyway, we eventually made it on a bus, back downtown ready for an easy night with checkout Monday morning for a trip back down the 101 to Ventura.
Here’s a collection of shots from San Francisco and the football
Seems like ages ago we left Spokane and the dog conference – a few more posts to come on that, stay with me – and it’s probably good too as it’s snowing in that neck of the woods now. And you know the best part of that, I am writing this poolside in Palm Springs where it has been a magnificent day and will be just as magnificent tomorrow. Only problem, poolside beer costs more than the el-cheapo we have been having – but, who cares … Here’s a photo, which I took right now (and you should have seen the sunset change colour as I type)
Anyway, thought it was about time I gave a little more about Spokane, which is inland and the fourth largest city in the Pacific Northwest – we visited the others above it being Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland. I don’t think there is really much in Spokane apart from an international airport, skiing and obviously conferences.
There is an excellent river and walking paths and it felt pretty safe in the areas we ventured downtown. Spokane is also where the Gonzaga University is situated (famous for basketball and last season they had two Aussies on the roster). Hint, if not sure of where to go aside from the regular tourist places, go to a city where there is a large university as these towns are generally pretty well looked after.
Spokane, surprisingly (??), also had some excellent eating places. And one more thing, there are car parks everywhere a building once was (it’s not a city of high-rise or anything new – apart from the convention centre). Oh, and as well as being known for the above-mentioned, I bet you did not know that Spokane has the largest radio flyer wagon cart in the world.
And that’s pretty much for Spokane. Unless you are going to a conference or want to try skiing elsewhere, or maybe want to fly in from elsewhere, this is probably the closest you will ever get to Spokane.
Left Yosemite a week ago and so much has happened in between – not like the drive between Yosemite and our next stop Monterey. This was a pretty much unexciting drive mainly on the 152 with a stop for Starbucks lunch at Los Banos. Starbucks are the new Maccas on road trips – cleaner and better quality food and drinks – and a better quality of clientele. Actually Los Banos might be a kinda interesting town as we passed several liquor stores that also sold sporting goods and ammo; and several sporting goods stores that sold liquor and ammo. Anyways, pretty much a lot of the flat lands were farming – and farming just about anything you could think of it, it was like all these plains were where the USA vegetables come from. Took one picture on the drive, which has no gardening, just dry hills near the San Luis Reservoir. (No map – work it out for yourself if you want – Google Maps Fish Camp, CA to Monterey, CA)
Arrived early in Monterey, which is on the coast and we had to touch back onto the 101, and also next door to Carmel where Clint Eastwood was the mayor. This is also where Pebble Beach is (we went to drive around there but you have to pay – no wonder they are rich so we didn’t give them any more) and Cannery Row – famous from the Steinbeck novel and sardines – and now nothing but a tourist trap. They have done a good job fixing all the old sardine canneries but if only they hadn’t filled them with every tacky kinda souvenir shop you could think of. Great things such as the mirror maze and wax museum – you name it, they had it. Here’s a couple of shots – note Caroline’s face, which pretty much sums up what we thought of Cannery Row.
From Cannery Row
Cannery Row
Caroline liked Cannery Row
Cannery Row
Cannery Row
From Cannery Row
As close as we got to Pebble Beach
We stayed out of the downtown area, never got to Fisherman’s Wharf, but did enjoy the shopping centre across the road from our Comfort Inn, which was another of those old-fashioned drive-in motels that comes with complimentary neighbour noise and a buffet breakfast – range of people at this hotel but I don’t think any generally caught their breakfast – also a few overseas visitors. This area is very popular with the tourists because this is also where one of the world’s most spectacular drives starts or ends, depending on whether travelling north or south. And that’s what drew us there and why we stayed two nights. I couldn’t imagine how busy this area would be over summer.
We travelled down Highway 1 from Monterey, through the Big Spur and turned around in Cambria, which was an excellent little strip-village off the highway, and many lunch choices. This covered the best areas of the drive and there was everything. Coming from north to south is also ideal as that puts you on the beach side when driving for the best views and turnouts. But interestingly, we came back south-north and it does give you a different view, it was like a new drive. Also interesting to see how long it takes. I didn’t do an exact time but it was over four hours to reach Cambria with all our stopping and a little over two on the way back – so it depends on how much you want to stop. There also seems to be a few who appear to want to see how quickly they can do the drive, which is primarily single lane each way at about 55mph. And there are also quite a lot who have done the ultimate road-trip in hiring a convertible – and yeah, the weather was good and that would be kinda cool to do.
So, the highlights on the trip was the absolutely magnificent view of the ocean, how close you get from the top of the cliffs, the amazement of driving through a forest at the Big Sur and then more great ocean – only a stone’s throw from Australia across the Pacific. But we also saw stacks of sea lions (now would be the time to go back to the Sea Lion caves) and a beach where the elephant seals come in before winter, and a gopher, and some fantastic houses on the edge of the cliffs, and sea eagles. And yes, it was well worth the drive. This and Yosemite were two of the things we wanted to see and do and have not been disappointed. And yes, the Great Ocean Road has nothing on this road-trip. Here’s a few pictures but it is really the views, sounds, smells in our heads that you can never put in a picture.
For the rich – and the tourists do not like it
What a house
No zoom but the water is swarming with pods of sea lions
This visit needs no special post title, and it doesn’t need many words either. The park was magnificent. Being off-season it also was not crowded – the guy in one of the shops told us Yosemite has over 4 million visitors a year.
Our accommodation was very good and easy access to the park without actually being in the park. However, due to it being off-season there was minimal staff in the two restaurants open in the resort (you kind of don’t have a lot of choice unless prepared to drive to the next town) and this meant service was slow but there was nothing wrong with the quality when it did arrive.
Anyway, back to the park and the views kind of creep up on you then all of a sudden coming from the southern entrance, which we did, you go through a tunnel and reach the view from the earlier photo. It’s like a picture, in fact most of the park looked like a picture. And we were lucky with great sunny weather and some snow overnight but the roads we wanted were open and chains weren’t needed.
There are multiple places to camp inside the park and heaps of trails to walk. We followed one to Mirror Lake as it apparently makes for a great scene. However, as there hasn’t been any snow yet, there also isn’t any water in the lake. But the dry lake did still make a scenic and peaceful picnic spot.
Saw a few deer walking around and they had no fear of people but we didn’t see any bears. Although on the red sign in the album it mentions speeding kills bears and they put these signs out at all locations where a bear has been killed by a car during the year. So far this year a notice said over 100 bears had been killed on the roads.
We also didn’t see everything there is to see in the park but what we saw was pretty damn good. I hope you enjoy the photos (which I could have posted earlier but the resort had slow internet that you had to keep renewing every hour).
Brideveil Falls - not much water until after the snow
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That's the tunnel ahead
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Sunset
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Snow on our balcony
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From Tunnel View
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From the valley floor
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From the valley floor
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From Mirror Lake
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A dry Mirror Lake
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Don't feed the bears
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One of the creeks with a trickle
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Reflection
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The Ahwhanee - historical and you need to be rich
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Plenty of tame deer
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Don't run over the bears
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El Capitan - to the right of the top of the tree is a rock climber
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From our balcony
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Tenaya Lodge lobby
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The rock climber
And here’s a copy of the park map. We stayed at the bottom of the park at Fish Camp. The photos come from the drive along Wawona Road and in the Valley Floor. yose-2011
Back on the road after a wonderful night at Gold Beach. As mentioned, the breakfast was an experience. Hotels with complimentary breakfast attract either business people, travellers like us or folks or have no time to catch their breakfast. Unfortunately we were caught up in the latter. But the breakfast was okay and it does make for an interesting morning.
Another cheap fill of petrol, pumped and cleaned by the young lad who did a good job. We were away early as we had a long drive and there was no reason to linger over breakfast. The highway south was a good drive and we checked in to several turn-outs for a look at the view.
Then we crossed the border from Oregon to California. You could feel you had actually entered somewhere new (or different. or old?)- a bit like crossing from Victoria into NSW on the old Hume. The roads needed more work, there were hitchhikers everywhere that all seemed to be heading to a G20 demonstration and wondered why no-one was stopping.
The coastal towns were older and mostly bigger, the traffic busier and faster, and the lunch stop was McDonalds in Eureka – this was on our original plans for a stop and quite pleasing we changed. But, maybe there were some good parts (unlikely).
Forgot to mention we also gained an hour as daylight saving ended so we could head away earlier than usual, which would be valuable as the next leg was one hell of a leg.
Before we reached Eureka we did have the tacky tourist stop at The Trees of Mystery. Going into the forest and seeing the size of the trees (200ft or more and some you could drive a car through – we did not bother going to where you can drive through the tree) and a ride in the Gondola for a magnificent view and the customary souvenir shop at the end (the only thing missing was the photo of your visit – very common in USA tacky-tourism; on a previous trip we got kicked back in the line for photos at Empire State Building as we had no intention of buying them but that doesn’t matter, you still have to have it taken). The Trees of Mystery have been around for a very long time and you could tell and as the trees are over 600 years old or more, will probably be around for many more years to come.
After Eureka we doubled back to the Highway 299 to head inland to Redding, which would be a nice stop-over and would make our day 4 to Sonoma an easy drive. This drive was one hell of a drive, windy (as in lots of bends), long, a bit of traffic every now and again, a few bridges under repair, and long, and did I say windy and steep (over 3000ft). But we made it, with one bit of excitement when we were coming through a nice little town, which name escapes me, but it was that nice there were bigfoot museums and shops (this is bigfoot country) but a deer also walked across the road in the centre of the downtown.
As mentioned, a rest at Hampton Inn in Redding (this was a busy place) and dinner at the Cattlemen’s where the steaks were excellent – as is the norm in USA. And we had complimentary breakfast so what would be in store for us on Day 4?
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