California

California 2002

Wendy decided that California was finally ready for us.

Even my computer nerdy-ness was forgiven as the Internet relinquished 2 fly-drive tickets to San Francisco for £270 ea. We picked up the hire car from the airport and headed straight to Lake Tahoe to catch the last of the winter snow. We checked into a clean, smart motel and chilled out for the day.

Situated directly on the California / Nevada border, the state laws regarding gambling were obvious. On the Nevada side were high rise gambling hotels ( Harrah's, Lakeside, Caesars, Buffalo Bills ), while the California side was characterised by a sprawl of motels and more motels.

The weather was fabulous and despite a very poor ski season in the Sierra's (due to a dearth of snow), conditions were actually pretty good. We enjoyed some excellent skiing.

Overnight, the conditions changed as a massive storm front approached from the Pacific. It snowed all night, day and night again. The car 'disappeared' in almost 5' of deep snow . . . and this was in the valley ! Tahoe Lake could be seen from most of the slopes and provided a spectacular backdrop to the tree-lined pistes.
Returning to the motel, the exertions of the day were felt.

The next 2 days were arguably the best 2 days skiing I have ever experienced .

Wendy kitted out. . Lake Tahoe in the background.

Deep powder everywhere. If it wasn't steep, you came to a standstill. Whole runs were skied without ever seeing the ski tips as the powder reached up to chest level in places. Goggles were a must. Bright sunshine.

This was more fun than seeing Andy Mills lose his bottle on a couloir in Canada.

Even the locals agreed that these were the best days of the whole season. All good things must come to an end and we headed to Yosemite National Park for the next phase of our trip. Instead of the usual 4 hrs from Tahoe, it eventually took us 9 hrs since the short cut into the Park from Nevada was closed for another 3 weeks.

It was a very tedious journey. . . . and not without incident. I had assumed that the speed limit of 55 mph was merely a suggestion. The blue flashing lights were about to re-appraise me. Out stepped Wilber T Chickinshit and in a drawl inquired

"Wh't are ye bo'y, some kinda Doomsday Machine ?"

My first citation ensued with a promise to pay in 30 days !!

Ready for action..

On the outskirts of Yosemite, we found a lovely olde-worldy hotel to stay. Directly opposite was the Iron Door Saloon ( a throwback to the wild west and straight out of Deliverance ). It was like being on a film set. A 3-fingered band was playing and it turned out to be great night.

As we drove into Yosemite, the sun came out as we headed to the visitors centre. What a fabulous place. We spent the morning going 'oooh' and 'ahhh'. In the afternoon we walked around one of the high altitude lakes before heading back to the hotel and a final drink at the Iron Door Saloon.

Our plan was to head to Napa Valley for a couple of days before finishing off in San Francisco. On route to Napa, we took a short diversion to Jefferson Airforce Base in Sacramento.

Luckily, I had my ID card and was able to blag my way in and we headed straight to the PX ( US Military Shopping Complex ) to do some low cost shopping. Wendy's eyes opened like saucers - top quality Levi Jeans at only $10 was a reflection of the savings to be made.

After 2 hours, we were shopped out and we set off to Napa. We arrived with plenty of time to look around, find a motel, book the Wine Train and drive all the way around the valley.

Yosemite - how cool ?

Fortune continued to smile on us as the weather remained sunny and now very warm.The train is the definitive way to experience the valley - lunch was taken onboard and a resident wine buff talked his way through the very generous wine tasting.

We had been warned that motel accommodation in San Francisco ( especially near Fisherman's Wharf ) was hideously expensive - $125-150 a night ! While we were waiting for the Wine Train, Wendy spotted a discount brochure.

On further inspection, we found an offer of accommodation in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf for $66. I phoned up and sure enough it was available. I booked 4 nights - yahoo.

After the wine tasting on the train, I was in no fit condition to drive so Wendy took the reins and guided us expertly to San Francisco. After a torturous crossing of the Golden Gate Bridge, we eventually found the motel.

Impressive rock !

Napa vineyards.

Gladly, we parked up and left the car in situ for the next 4 days.

We took the obligatory walk around the Wharf and Pier 39 before enjoying a fabulous dinner in one of the Fish Restaurants. We also each purchased a five-day travel ticket, which not only enabled us to use all public transport (including the trams), but also included entry into all the sights we wanted to see.

The first of these was Alcatraz . The audio tour was surprisingly good and the weather, which had worsened, showed just how miserable the conditions there must have been.

We visited the cells, dining block, exercise yard, everywhere . . top attraction.

Public transport was excellent and the bus into town left 10 yards away from the motel. We ate in Chinatown, visited the Museum of Modern Art (mostly crap), hung on for dear life on the trams, shopped in Maceys, crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, visited Saualitso and generally had a great time. We even managed to find a comedy club for Wendy to cringe at.

Ride the Tram.

Alcatraz.

All too soon the curtains came down on a great trip. We packed up ( new suitcase required for the extra baggage !) and wended our weary way home.