Today was a winding road

Sunday was a VERY long day. We woke up at 3 am to get an early start on our trip to Yosemite National Park. The day was mostly wonderfully perfect, EXCEPT for the part when I threw up twice by the side of the rode. The early start combined with messing with my routine, combined with very winding rodes = puke city.

6 am, up near Glacier Point. With the sun just having come up we had an amazing view of the Half Dome, and at least three waterfalls. Yosemite is beautiful, and even better when you beat the crowds.

Stephen

ME!

Glacier Point, Overhang rock

Tunnel Valley View

Fallen Tree in the Mariposa Grove Trails where we did a long hike (in flip flops) to see the Giant Sequoia trees. I loved them!!

California Tunnel Tree.

An all around awesome day of site seeing in Yosemite. We even managed to get home and have a couple beers in the pool.

CANADA in 3 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Say it Frenchy!

Well, what can I say about San Francisco... It was COLD....foggy...windy...did I mention it was cold. But it was also a fantastic trip. We barely scraped the surface, I would have loved a week to fully explore the city. We arrived in San Fran Friday night just in time to hit the Wharf and see the sun set over Alcatraz.

The next day we got up early to pick up our GO CAR for the day. Little yellow GPS guided cars that tell stories along the way. The Go Cars were super fun, but the scenery was a tad foggy.

Golden Gate Bridge.

I only had to get out and push on one particularly steep hill, kind of made it more funny.

After we gave back the Go Cars we went to the BEST restaurant called Capurro's, and had delicious steamed mussels and a seafood bowl. It was a fantastic unforgettable lunch, and I got to wear a cool bib.

Saturday night after a little shopping we went for dinner in China town.

Sunday morning, post card row, the painted ladies.

Tour of Alcatraz. This would be my room with the 'Paint by Numbers'.

Finally the afternoon we were leaving the fog lifted and we could see the whole bridge.

I would LOVE to go back!!!!!!!!!!

Viva Las Vegas

Vivaaaaaaaaaaaaa Lasssssssssss Vegas- Welcome to Fabulous LAS VEGAS-

We arrived late Thursday night and was welcomed by sin city. We checked into the MGM Grand, and decided to go for a quick wonder. The next day we set out very early for a VERY long drive to the Grand Canyon, and grand it was. The sheer size of it is awe-inspiring. We were also lucky enough to have a little piece of it all to ourselves. After running into a local canyon resident, I asked him for some advice. He gave us directions to Shoshone Point on the South Rim, a place barely on the map so that it remains completely crowd free. Apparently they take celebrities there to view the canyon alone.

After the long drive back, of course we needed 1/2 yard glasses of frozen drinky drinks.
MGM Grand in the background.
'O' the Cirque Du Soleil show we saw.
In front of Ceasers Palace.
At the pool where we spent most of Saturday, many pina coladas had.
Bellagio water show for the 4th of July.

My favourite casino, the Venetian.

The Venetian's ceiling was a foe sky, blue with white fluffy clouds.

The MGM Grand has a lion habitat, he was beautiful.

Next weekend is San Francisco.

the desert

I am in the desert. It is so ridiculously hot and sunny- both usually characteristics I don't complain about, but this is a suffocating, brain stifling heat. When I think of California I think of 'The OC', or beaches in Malibu, not the desert where little bush's grow, and an open car window means a constant flow of hot air.

Ah, good old USA. And to be more specific Hanford, California. After 4 airports, 3 airplanes, many airport and plane meals, and very little sleep later, I had arrived.

Actually the above heat comment was more for last week when I started writing this. This week actually isn't that bad, still hot and sunny, but not pass out hot.

The first weekend I was here, Steve and I went to Los Angeles, and stayed in Santa Monica near the beach. We had a great weekend of sightseeing and relaxing. On Saturday we went into Hollywood to see the sign, the star walk of fame, and even saw MJ's star. We also went to Wilshire Blvd, and Rodeo Drive for those Pretty Women fans. The tour ended at the markets near Venice Beach.

MJ's Star
My star :) Apparently I'm musical

Steve and I at Santa Monica Beach.

On Sunday we drove to Malibu. Had brunch at a beach cafe and then spent a couple hours reading and walking on the beach. Didn't see Charlie though.

The Friday we left I also went to the base in Lemoore to see what all the fuss was about. I even got to sit in the pilot seat. I must say, I had a rather handsome tour guide ;)

Ingies is 60!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to you!!!! Happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Ingiesssssssssssss, happy birthday to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And many moreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, hip hip hoooray, hip hip horrrrrray, noucha hip hip hoarrayyy, or something like that, you get the point, this is what I would sing if I was with you, and bake a betty crocker special, and make dom pedros (and add extra kahlua for myself) hahah. LOVE YOU the Ingies!!!!!!!!!!!! Good job with the Dragon Blades Gold!!!!!!!!!!!
Daughter xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

well...

I'm leaving on a jet plane tomorrow... heading towards the thriving town of Hanford. My OZ chapter is complete. (for now)

Goodbye OZ friends!!!

An unfinished painting...

Ahhhhhhhhh.... let me first say that I am watching the thrid season of Dexter, and it gives me this unbelievably giddy happy feeling of tv watching enjoyment like non other.

Second of all, I CAN'T PAINT. I have two days left here, no, make that a day and a half, and I know my painting isn't finished, but I just stare at it not wanting to actually get out the paints. My mind is elsewhere, not wanting to end the project in front of me. Is it bad to leave to America and Canada with an unfinished painting sitting in Australia? Feelings of inadequacy plague me right now.