Hello to you all - again thanks for your comments and keep them coming.
We are coming at you today from a little old silver and gold mining town in NW Nevada called Tonopah (pronounced with the Cletus slackjaw as "Tone a paw")....it's a scene straight out of the Westerns...the dodgy saloon bar, historic old buildings and big mounds of dirt with hillbilly huts perched up on them. It has a great mexican restaurant and bar where we enjoyed a great dinner...plus several margarita!...this place has a good feel about it (could be the margaritas or the radioactive fallout from when it was used as a test site for N Bombs), however we are only here for the night as a stopover to Yosemite national Park where we set up camp for a couple of nights. We are in a quirky little motel where the owner has taken particular care to give lots of local historical information, for example did you know that Tonapah's streets are lined with silver? (apparently a couple of miners left a stockpile of silver in a mound when the mine closed and came back years later to claim their fortune only to find that the local RTA equivalent had used their mound for building roads - how much would that suck to be them!) and also Tonapah was home to secret US airforce base where the original stealth bombers were made and tested - the things we learn and pass onto you hey!!
We have covered over 1000 miles since we last posted back in kayenta. Saturday started early and we headed off to monument valley - a Navajo Reservation with stunning natural features...we will post photos soon....as a separate posting - now we have an adaptor for the SD card and a new computer to boot...this place was amazing and we were there so early we gained free admission!! The car just survived the 12 mile round loop of dirt road..but like Council Cars, apparently rental cars go anywhere!!
Monument Valley was our last official sightseeing stop in the last 48 hours, with the majority of that time being taken up by the aforementioned 1000 miles. However, we cannot describe just how big, diverse and picturesque this little adventure across Utah and Nevada has been. From driving across a large salt lake (not the one near the city of same name) in utah, that resembled a moonscape to hills full of uranium and others with snow caps still on them, to green forests and rapids and recent (in geological terms) volcanic lava flows...by the way Stacey pocketed a lava stone - nt sure what we are going to do with it!! Seriously, one moment you are in the middle of the desert and 5 mins later climbing into an alpine area...unbelievable...a great drive and wish we had time to detour a few more times off the US hwy 6! Might have to get more leave and come back again!
Apart from tonapah we have also stayed in a place called Richfield- where we had our first joyous encounter with the fabled Walmart chain (jeff is in love btw - we bought this netbook we are using now and will hopefully get a laptop before we head home) and travelled via a few little places, Ely, Delta. It was great to be off the usual tourist trail - was even asked ""where's your english from?" and we enjoyed the communal experience of the local navajo cinema where we watched Dumbledick and Harry pothead amongst lots of chatter and people constantly going in and out to get gerkins.
Looking forward to the next few days camping ina national park with the bears (apparently the bears now have a need for wifi so with any luck we can still stay in touch)
Will talk soon if we ar not eaten by a bear,
luv Stace and Jeff
Monday, 20 July 2009
Saturday, 18 July 2009
Arizona...state of desert, more desert, navajo's and canyons...
Hi again
Greetings from the middle of the Navajo nation (in a 4 star hotel run by the Hilton group - very traditional!)
Keep the comments coming in - so we can keep up with what's going on at home and thanks for the driving tips Lisa - got any tips on dealing with fatigued truck drivers that run you and your little Hyundai off the road?? Jowen - you are closer to 40 than I (that was Stacey - what a great sister in law she is - no gifts fro the black men under the eiffel tower for her!) And Dad - as much of a BS artist you are we found a bigger one yesterday - from Michigan!
Yesterday we started with a Helicopter Ride over and in the Grand Canyon - still buzzing from it - was amazing and would do it again...was a great way to experieince the canyon - not as up close as the hike into it that we undertook but a lot more relaxing and exciting with less hassle. The middle of the day we joined part of the organised summer fun that the Americans seem to do quite well - this one was a digital photography course - so watch out Wazza and Jowen - we have new found skills and are ready to compete!!
As for the Canyon itself, words cannot describe it - and unfortunately we have no photos yet....We started 2 days ago watching the sunset at the canyon. It was fantastic and the colours of the Canyon walls continually changed as dusk wore on. Yedterday we had a late start at the Canyon itself thanks to the ride in the chopper which meant it was extremely hot when we got there - about 41 degrees celsius!! On our way to the trailhead for the descent into the canyon we witnessed a couple of French (or perhaps Canadian) tourists who had succumbed to heat exhaustion and were awaiting the services to arrive...it wasn't the best encouragement for our trek but we descened anyway - it all seemed very easy and the views were even better than at thetop of the rim - the Canyon seemed even larger than our first impressions (this thing is HUGE - maybe even Grand?!!)...as for the ascent and return to the shuttle bus, that took a bit longer and we were hoping that there was going to be a mule train come past to pick us up - alas it didn't eventuate and we were reliant on our tired little legs to get us back up....and 40 mins later we made it back!!
The drive between the Grand Canyon and here was spectacular as we skirted the eastern rim of the Canyon - which is a lot lower and flat plateau...a scene out of Bonanza - just Navajo's (and their American Express accepting genuine souvenir stores) - no cowboys. This was interspersed with beautiful rolling green hills of forest and then suddenly desert and windswept plains....then it got dark!!
We are in a small Navajo village called Kayenta at the moment near monument valley. After the shenanigans of Vegas and the efforts of the canyon today has been a bit of a rest day- lazing by the pool and catching up on the mundane- aka laundry! Despite our foray into suitacases instead of backpacks and having so far stayed in 4 star hotels we are staying true to our backpacking roots and have converted the room to a chinese laundry that would rival the best China town has to offer. As a side note - last night in HBO was a documentary that showed Australians at their best - the Corby's!! What an eloquent family they are!! A great advertisement for Queensland!
Now off to the supermarket (also genuine navajo store - with inflated prices no doubt) to get supplies for Monument Valley tomorrow.....looks like crackers with philly and tomato again and the coke (as in cola)!! Dad - the coca cola over here tastes different - apparently there is a lot more caffeine in the mix over here - and less bubbles!
Anyway - best be off!!
Cheers
Stace and Jeff
Greetings from the middle of the Navajo nation (in a 4 star hotel run by the Hilton group - very traditional!)
Keep the comments coming in - so we can keep up with what's going on at home and thanks for the driving tips Lisa - got any tips on dealing with fatigued truck drivers that run you and your little Hyundai off the road?? Jowen - you are closer to 40 than I (that was Stacey - what a great sister in law she is - no gifts fro the black men under the eiffel tower for her!) And Dad - as much of a BS artist you are we found a bigger one yesterday - from Michigan!
Yesterday we started with a Helicopter Ride over and in the Grand Canyon - still buzzing from it - was amazing and would do it again...was a great way to experieince the canyon - not as up close as the hike into it that we undertook but a lot more relaxing and exciting with less hassle. The middle of the day we joined part of the organised summer fun that the Americans seem to do quite well - this one was a digital photography course - so watch out Wazza and Jowen - we have new found skills and are ready to compete!!
As for the Canyon itself, words cannot describe it - and unfortunately we have no photos yet....We started 2 days ago watching the sunset at the canyon. It was fantastic and the colours of the Canyon walls continually changed as dusk wore on. Yedterday we had a late start at the Canyon itself thanks to the ride in the chopper which meant it was extremely hot when we got there - about 41 degrees celsius!! On our way to the trailhead for the descent into the canyon we witnessed a couple of French (or perhaps Canadian) tourists who had succumbed to heat exhaustion and were awaiting the services to arrive...it wasn't the best encouragement for our trek but we descened anyway - it all seemed very easy and the views were even better than at thetop of the rim - the Canyon seemed even larger than our first impressions (this thing is HUGE - maybe even Grand?!!)...as for the ascent and return to the shuttle bus, that took a bit longer and we were hoping that there was going to be a mule train come past to pick us up - alas it didn't eventuate and we were reliant on our tired little legs to get us back up....and 40 mins later we made it back!!
The drive between the Grand Canyon and here was spectacular as we skirted the eastern rim of the Canyon - which is a lot lower and flat plateau...a scene out of Bonanza - just Navajo's (and their American Express accepting genuine souvenir stores) - no cowboys. This was interspersed with beautiful rolling green hills of forest and then suddenly desert and windswept plains....then it got dark!!
We are in a small Navajo village called Kayenta at the moment near monument valley. After the shenanigans of Vegas and the efforts of the canyon today has been a bit of a rest day- lazing by the pool and catching up on the mundane- aka laundry! Despite our foray into suitacases instead of backpacks and having so far stayed in 4 star hotels we are staying true to our backpacking roots and have converted the room to a chinese laundry that would rival the best China town has to offer. As a side note - last night in HBO was a documentary that showed Australians at their best - the Corby's!! What an eloquent family they are!! A great advertisement for Queensland!
Now off to the supermarket (also genuine navajo store - with inflated prices no doubt) to get supplies for Monument Valley tomorrow.....looks like crackers with philly and tomato again and the coke (as in cola)!! Dad - the coca cola over here tastes different - apparently there is a lot more caffeine in the mix over here - and less bubbles!
Anyway - best be off!!
Cheers
Stace and Jeff
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Vegas and Bust!
Please send money...Stacey gambled it all away...HELP!!
Just Kidding! Well we finally found a computer so thought we better reassure you all that yes we are alive and well, and although we didn't gamble our life savings aways, we are equally disappointed to report that nor did we win up big despite high hopes and shattered dreams!
We are having an awesome time so far, can't believe how quickly time has flown already. Our first impressions of the US have been all good, we have been blown away by firstly how big everything is..... big freeways, massive cars that the freeways are home to, huge meals and huge prices to go with it!
Unlike the last blog of Croatia - this one has no photos of food...partly because of what it is but predominantly because the cable to connect the camera to the computer is...well...still at minnamurra! So, until we get a new cable at our next Walmart stop there will be no photos at all and you are stuck with our written descriptions. To be fair the food has generally been good and we would recommend a Spanish Tapas bar in Vegas to anyone visiting. The Pho at the Casino also passed...the burger last night didn't (well not yet...)
Have become accustomed to driving on the "right" side of the road, and the car remains intact. We hit Route 66 today - most of it has gone in the name of Progress....and driving out of LAX after a 13 hr flight with 2 hrs sleep was a challenge....we finally got to Vegas and started our stay with watching a tacky free show out the front of our Casino...we got free "VIP" tickets (which means we were the ones that got splashed on when they jumped in the pool in front of us!
Vegas = travelling the world in 3 miles...Paris,Ancient Rome, Ancient Egypt, Asia, New York and Venice - Canal and all...all they need is a Big Ben Casino...the place was offbeat in places, seedy in others (one can't walk down the Boulevarde without having business cards for "Hot babes direct to you" being flashed in your face! Our favourite place was the Venetian and it's fake sky roof and the canal...no need to go to the conference in the real Venice Jo (to those who don't know she's my 40 yr old sister:)) - you can come here!
Vegas equals light wallets, long walks, expensive everything (unless you want seedy) and Croupiers dressed up as entertainers (apparently the Michael jackson interpreter has just retired - he wanted to reinvent himself)...we had janet as our Croupier as the Blues brothers played. We won cash at that seedy place (same place human nature are playing - they think they're good or something??) We also saw a great show - Defending the Caveman...recommended. Vegas is also home to heaven on earth - a GIANT store that is a shrine to that black goodness known as coca cola!!!!
Today we spent most of the day driving West, Route 66 and the Interstate...punctuated with a stop at hoover Dam - that place (and not to mention the bridge they're building to bypass it) is quite impressive. We passed a cool town called Williams (cool by name and therefore must be by nature) and have now reached the Grand Canyon. Spent the afternoon watching the sunset and the everchanging hues created by the retreating sunlight. We took many photos but alas you can't see them. One of the most spectactular views I think you could ever see
We ate at a place tonight called "Spaghetti Western" and we thought that meant it was a take on the old films of the same name - italian food in the West...alas it just meant overpriced and crap - kinda like the films! Not to worry, we made up for having to pay an exorbitant amount by souveniring a "county fair drinking jar" (think jam jar with a handle)...good for beer. But we thought our experience was bad until we saw the poor English family at the table next to us complain that the lasgne was frozen (same meal that stace had) only to have the posters on the wall fall down on their heads!!
We better be off to bed now - up early for a helicopter ride through the Canyon, followed by a Digital photography tour of the Canyon (free - Thanks Canon) and a walk into the Canyon itself....and a 4 hour drive!! Told you this place was Big!
Keep the comments coming.
In reply:
Mum/Dad - Yes we are well
Chris - read above - we had nothing in Vegas - it's all yours
Rob - Oh well if they don't let us back in we won't have to work again - I hear we can get permanent residency in Zimbabwe pretty easily....
Deb - Here's the update - sorry it's late and has no photos...and as for Brett...well you get that...it's tough coming back from leave. By the way - have photos of Trailer Parks
Jowen - Great news - would much rather be near the tower than out at Heaffrow...if you need anything let us know (as for ca$h - read Vegas comments)..
Catch yas.
Just Kidding! Well we finally found a computer so thought we better reassure you all that yes we are alive and well, and although we didn't gamble our life savings aways, we are equally disappointed to report that nor did we win up big despite high hopes and shattered dreams!
We are having an awesome time so far, can't believe how quickly time has flown already. Our first impressions of the US have been all good, we have been blown away by firstly how big everything is..... big freeways, massive cars that the freeways are home to, huge meals and huge prices to go with it!
Unlike the last blog of Croatia - this one has no photos of food...partly because of what it is but predominantly because the cable to connect the camera to the computer is...well...still at minnamurra! So, until we get a new cable at our next Walmart stop there will be no photos at all and you are stuck with our written descriptions. To be fair the food has generally been good and we would recommend a Spanish Tapas bar in Vegas to anyone visiting. The Pho at the Casino also passed...the burger last night didn't (well not yet...)
Have become accustomed to driving on the "right" side of the road, and the car remains intact. We hit Route 66 today - most of it has gone in the name of Progress....and driving out of LAX after a 13 hr flight with 2 hrs sleep was a challenge....we finally got to Vegas and started our stay with watching a tacky free show out the front of our Casino...we got free "VIP" tickets (which means we were the ones that got splashed on when they jumped in the pool in front of us!
Vegas = travelling the world in 3 miles...Paris,Ancient Rome, Ancient Egypt, Asia, New York and Venice - Canal and all...all they need is a Big Ben Casino...the place was offbeat in places, seedy in others (one can't walk down the Boulevarde without having business cards for "Hot babes direct to you" being flashed in your face! Our favourite place was the Venetian and it's fake sky roof and the canal...no need to go to the conference in the real Venice Jo (to those who don't know she's my 40 yr old sister:)) - you can come here!
Vegas equals light wallets, long walks, expensive everything (unless you want seedy) and Croupiers dressed up as entertainers (apparently the Michael jackson interpreter has just retired - he wanted to reinvent himself)...we had janet as our Croupier as the Blues brothers played. We won cash at that seedy place (same place human nature are playing - they think they're good or something??) We also saw a great show - Defending the Caveman...recommended. Vegas is also home to heaven on earth - a GIANT store that is a shrine to that black goodness known as coca cola!!!!
Today we spent most of the day driving West, Route 66 and the Interstate...punctuated with a stop at hoover Dam - that place (and not to mention the bridge they're building to bypass it) is quite impressive. We passed a cool town called Williams (cool by name and therefore must be by nature) and have now reached the Grand Canyon. Spent the afternoon watching the sunset and the everchanging hues created by the retreating sunlight. We took many photos but alas you can't see them. One of the most spectactular views I think you could ever see
We ate at a place tonight called "Spaghetti Western" and we thought that meant it was a take on the old films of the same name - italian food in the West...alas it just meant overpriced and crap - kinda like the films! Not to worry, we made up for having to pay an exorbitant amount by souveniring a "county fair drinking jar" (think jam jar with a handle)...good for beer. But we thought our experience was bad until we saw the poor English family at the table next to us complain that the lasgne was frozen (same meal that stace had) only to have the posters on the wall fall down on their heads!!
We better be off to bed now - up early for a helicopter ride through the Canyon, followed by a Digital photography tour of the Canyon (free - Thanks Canon) and a walk into the Canyon itself....and a 4 hour drive!! Told you this place was Big!
Keep the comments coming.
In reply:
Mum/Dad - Yes we are well
Chris - read above - we had nothing in Vegas - it's all yours
Rob - Oh well if they don't let us back in we won't have to work again - I hear we can get permanent residency in Zimbabwe pretty easily....
Deb - Here's the update - sorry it's late and has no photos...and as for Brett...well you get that...it's tough coming back from leave. By the way - have photos of Trailer Parks
Jowen - Great news - would much rather be near the tower than out at Heaffrow...if you need anything let us know (as for ca$h - read Vegas comments)..
Catch yas.
Sunday, 5 July 2009
A New Adventure...coming soon
Hi all...watch this space. In a weeks time we will be heading of to the USA!! Bring it on. Can we survive the next week at work?? We're all booked and have even chosen a factory outlet mall to hit on the way from LAX to las Vegas...shopping is obviously a favourite American pastime and we intend to enjoy a bit of it.....
If you don't hear from us next week...here's hoping it's because we've won millions at Vegas!
See you soon
Jeff and Stacey.
If you don't hear from us next week...here's hoping it's because we've won millions at Vegas!
See you soon
Jeff and Stacey.
Sunday, 19 October 2008
Dalmatia Photos
Hello All,
weather for much of the cruise with only yesterdays rough winds and rain and high seas causin of Southern Dalmatia for much of the past week. We have been blessed with unseasonal goodWell we are back in Dubrovnik after having worked hard cruising around the islands off the coastg discomfort and sea sickness to many of the passengers, and to the rest of the crews delight poor old Mario the cook who was found feeding the fish over the side of the boat!.
We have added a couple of choice pics of some of the islands we have visited below.
weather for much of the cruise with only yesterdays rough winds and rain and high seas causin of Southern Dalmatia for much of the past week. We have been blessed with unseasonal goodWell we are back in Dubrovnik after having worked hard cruising around the islands off the coastg discomfort and sea sickness to many of the passengers, and to the rest of the crews delight poor old Mario the cook who was found feeding the fish over the side of the boat!.
We have added a couple of choice pics of some of the islands we have visited below.
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Cruising the Croatian Coast
Hello all
After a few days sailing we have stumbled across an internet cafe so we can bring to you our latest episode of travelling. The bear and I had an argument and it"s now overboard somewhere in the adriatic...stacey somehow made it back...such is life!
We are both enjoying the sailing....not that theres any sails involved...its all motorised....but it has been fantastic and we have another 5 days onboard...today we were swimming in the adriatic in a little cove on a relatively deserted island. The swim required us to dive off the top of the boat...because well, you know you just have to do these things...the water is certainly warmer than Krka National Park and just as clear.
After kilometres of walking and sightseeing each day it has been a nice change to just lay on the deck, relax and catch a few rays of sun. We have been fed 3 course meals for lunches, completely undoing all our good work over the past couple of weeks. We of course then had to wash it down with a gelato once we made it to shore.
Yesterday we visited the Miljet national park.... an island consisting of two large salt water lakes and we docked this afternoon at Hvar. Looking forward to a good night on the town with a few of our shipmates!
Its just about beer o clock so better go..... will add more pics again next time. Dont forget to keep those donations coming!
After a few days sailing we have stumbled across an internet cafe so we can bring to you our latest episode of travelling. The bear and I had an argument and it"s now overboard somewhere in the adriatic...stacey somehow made it back...such is life!
We are both enjoying the sailing....not that theres any sails involved...its all motorised....but it has been fantastic and we have another 5 days onboard...today we were swimming in the adriatic in a little cove on a relatively deserted island. The swim required us to dive off the top of the boat...because well, you know you just have to do these things...the water is certainly warmer than Krka National Park and just as clear.
After kilometres of walking and sightseeing each day it has been a nice change to just lay on the deck, relax and catch a few rays of sun. We have been fed 3 course meals for lunches, completely undoing all our good work over the past couple of weeks. We of course then had to wash it down with a gelato once we made it to shore.
Yesterday we visited the Miljet national park.... an island consisting of two large salt water lakes and we docked this afternoon at Hvar. Looking forward to a good night on the town with a few of our shipmates!
Its just about beer o clock so better go..... will add more pics again next time. Dont forget to keep those donations coming!
Friday, 10 October 2008
Crying poor...donations welcome...the woe of the aussie dollar tumble
Contact us for details on how to donate to make sure we get home and can finish the trip. We may take a while to get back to you as we will be sailing the adriatic and being fed like kings *except we have to pay for dinner...so please do not hesitate to donate.....
We are in a little town called Skaradin at the moment enjoying a traditional breakfast as we type this...that being a thick slurry of cocoa called "hot chocolate" and a reconstituted orange juice....all you need to keep going....
The last 2 days we have been in National Parks fighting bears and wild cats...Stacey sacrificed herself for the good of humankind to the brown bear....but alas I am safe...besides it was in Plitivice National Park...and everything there is World Heritage Listed...I wasn't up to breaking the international law on the protection of endangered species!
Both parks were beautiful the second being Krka but Plitivice takes the cake...take a look at some of the photos below....it is an area only recently formed in geological terms and is known as the land of the falling lakes...the lakes are constantly on the move...albeit at an extremely slow pace and fall down the hill through limestone.....
Lisa Grant - we hear there is a Discovery Channel doco on the lakes and if you can get your hands on it we would love to see it...note we are poor and cannot afford Foxtel ...unless of course you want to donate to the cause above.
Here are the photos as promised:
We are in a little town called Skaradin at the moment enjoying a traditional breakfast as we type this...that being a thick slurry of cocoa called "hot chocolate" and a reconstituted orange juice....all you need to keep going....
The last 2 days we have been in National Parks fighting bears and wild cats...Stacey sacrificed herself for the good of humankind to the brown bear....but alas I am safe...besides it was in Plitivice National Park...and everything there is World Heritage Listed...I wasn't up to breaking the international law on the protection of endangered species!
Both parks were beautiful the second being Krka but Plitivice takes the cake...take a look at some of the photos below....it is an area only recently formed in geological terms and is known as the land of the falling lakes...the lakes are constantly on the move...albeit at an extremely slow pace and fall down the hill through limestone.....
Lisa Grant - we hear there is a Discovery Channel doco on the lakes and if you can get your hands on it we would love to see it...note we are poor and cannot afford Foxtel ...unless of course you want to donate to the cause above.
Here are the photos as promised:
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