tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68474837231280157292024-03-05T12:09:09.741-08:00USA Road TripThe Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-29601317411302346122012-05-05T12:16:00.000-07:002012-05-05T12:16:21.950-07:00Reunited<iframe width="550" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Long+Beach,+CA,+USA&daddr=Tilbury,+Kent+to:Gillingham,+Dorset&hl=en&geocode=FYFDAwIdX3r0-ClZ15lA6MrCgDGqjyrE-joAoQ%3BFXBDEQMdMoAFACmbMUoAGLbYRzHUh6N7ME7NOg%3BFTvCCgMdAz7d_ymDpvNpYTNySDEhxZ8GRRJeTw&aq=0&oq=gillingham+dorset&sll=47.754098,-47.109375&sspn=64.758758,214.101563&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=47.517201,-54.140625&spn=82.230356,193.359375&z=2&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Long+Beach,+CA,+USA&daddr=Tilbury,+Kent+to:Gillingham,+Dorset&hl=en&geocode=FYFDAwIdX3r0-ClZ15lA6MrCgDGqjyrE-joAoQ%3BFXBDEQMdMoAFACmbMUoAGLbYRzHUh6N7ME7NOg%3BFTvCCgMdAz7d_ymDpvNpYTNySDEhxZ8GRRJeTw&aq=0&oq=gillingham+dorset&sll=47.754098,-47.109375&sspn=64.758758,214.101563&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=47.517201,-54.140625&spn=82.230356,193.359375&z=2" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>
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After a long wait (and in very different weather from when we last saw him ) we have been reunited with Rocky. Leaving Long Beach on the 25th March, he arrived into Tilbury docks on the 30th April, and a few days later he finally arrived home .
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We were very glad to see Rocky again (Named Rocky by the children as it was in the Rocky mountains that we got stuck in the snow !). We were not so happy tho to discover a stow away ....
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This Female Black Widow spider had been very busy laying eggs during Rocky's journey, and decided to come out to say hello as we started to unload the spare doors from the back of the bus ! I'm not sure if she or I were more supprised by the encounter, but introductions were fairly short - and terminal !The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-68071380552120996962012-03-07T21:48:00.000-08:002012-03-07T21:48:29.345-08:00Monday 5th / Tuesday 6th - The last couple of days.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the morning the bus was still there :-). Lucky that nobody would want to steal such a fine vehicle. With the dissapointment of the last few days we had opted to stay in a slightly nicer hotel. Great for the swimming pool and breakfast - not so good when you have to walk through the posh reception area taking the portable toilet up to the room for emptying!!!
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The rest of the day was spent running about getting the Bus ready for shipping and collecting a pair of doors to replace the incorrect ones we had been carrying for the last three weeks
Oh, and checking out all the cool stuff that was waiting to be shipped !!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tuesday we checked out for the last time !!
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Then went to say goodbye to the Bus before cramming in a last bit of sight seeing.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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All that remained was one last visit to the beach !! Then it was off to the Airport and the end of our little adventure.
And we might be biased - but the flight home with Virgin was far nicer than the trip out. The crew were brilliant and looked after us really well. Such a nice way to end the journey- If only the rain that welcomed us home hadn't been quite so heavy or cold .............The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-78071830681400605842012-03-07T21:04:00.000-08:002012-03-07T21:04:03.339-08:00Sunday 4th - The end of the road !The good advice from the guys on the Samba forum was "Join AAA". And wow are we glad we did.
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The Tow was just over a hundred miles, but apparently would have cost us about $900 if we had not have had a recovery policy !Ouch ! With the Bus loaded we set off for LA. Initially to pick up a hire car, then drop off the Bus at the shipping company. Unfortunately it was Sunday so the place was closed. It felt very emotional, leaving our home for the last month, abandoned outside a closed warehouse on an empty industrial estate! With no other choice we headed off to find a hotel, hoping that the Bus would be there in the morning. We finally checked in at about 8 and crashed out exhausted after a very eventful day !The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-58086768738101300272012-03-07T20:39:00.000-08:002012-03-07T20:39:31.793-08:00Sunday 4th - A few choice words for the man who "rebuilt the brakes"!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are advantages of only planning to cover 60 miles a day!! Not leaving the campsite until noon makes for a nice leisurly start to the day (breakfast in bed next)! .....
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... and plenty of time for digging those holes on the beach !!
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Or just annoying your brother !
Leaving the campsite at noon, we stopped in Santa Barbara for lunch. Today the brakes seemed ok and the bus was running well.
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Unfortunately that feeling was short lived. We had stopped for about half an hour for our picnic lunch, and then got back on the freeway to continue South. Very quickly it became apparent that things were far from good. The Bus was really lacking power and the smell of brakes was really strong. With the Bus barely able to maintain 25-30 mph we pulled onto the hard shoulder to inspect. The Brakes were so hot they were smoking but we couldn't stay there. The Hard shoulder was very narrow and the freeway busy, the trucks rocked the bus as they roared past, and we felt very vunerable. We had to drive on to the next exit and off the freeway. A few choice words were said about the quality of the brake rebuild as we crawled along praying that nothing hit us. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At last we made it to the off ramp - at the top of which was a very welcome McDonalds!! We celebrated being alive with ice cream all round while the sad call was made to the tow company.The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-41259754691926752642012-03-07T19:42:00.000-08:002012-03-07T19:42:29.419-08:00Saturday 3rd - Heading for LA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We were dissapointed, but the sun was shining and the landscape reminded us all of home, so we set off South!
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Taking things easy, and with frequent stops....
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.... we arrived back at our favourite campsite, Refugio.The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-45101769132162663262012-03-06T07:58:00.003-08:002012-03-07T19:17:00.264-08:00Friday 2nd - Working on the bus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The day started with Todd treating us to waffles and sausages washed down with plenty of coffee. It was then off to work on the bus in the glorious California sunshine....
While everybody else relaxed <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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By Lunchtime Todd had worked his magic as best he could on the tired old Bus. The Poptop was secure again and the engine ran without cutting out all the time. Unfortunately there was was still something not quite right with the engine, but this would have to wait for a proper strip down and refurb back home.
So, with repairs complete it was time for lunch ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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... and one last look at a decent engine that works ! (part of Todd's 1971 fleet!!) Then we were on our way again !!
And THANKYOU Todd. We cannot thank you enough for the way you welcomed us with an open house (and fridge) and offer of help - It was a true highlight of the trip to meet such a genuine and helpful person. Thankyou.<iframe width="550" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Arroyo+Grande,+CA,+USA&daddr=35.28461,-120.73317+to:Morro+Bay+State+Park,+Morro+Bay+State+Park+Rd,+Morro+Bay,+CA+93442,+United+States&hl=en&geocode=FfvdFwIde-7P-CnPzI5CZF7sgDHtadVpkGrBpA%3BFYJmGgIdDsLN-CmjhsYFlPrsgDGog5_CnS_M2Q%3BFa9ZGwIdRGrM-CHqbKZIli_5Fg&aq=0&oq=morro+bay+state+park&sll=35.294952,-120.659409&sspn=0.3116,0.785522&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=11&via=1&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.240011,-120.719147&spn=0.392568,0.75531&z=10&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Arroyo+Grande,+CA,+USA&daddr=35.28461,-120.73317+to:Morro+Bay+State+Park,+Morro+Bay+State+Park+Rd,+Morro+Bay,+CA+93442,+United+States&hl=en&geocode=FfvdFwIde-7P-CnPzI5CZF7sgDHtadVpkGrBpA%3BFYJmGgIdDsLN-CmjhsYFlPrsgDGog5_CnS_M2Q%3BFa9ZGwIdRGrM-CHqbKZIli_5Fg&aq=0&oq=morro+bay+state+park&sll=35.294952,-120.659409&sspn=0.3116,0.785522&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=11&via=1&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.240011,-120.719147&spn=0.392568,0.75531&z=10" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>
By now it was mid afternoon. The Big Sur was our aim for that night which would mean a couple of hours driving but we thought it was possible if we pushed on. WRONG !! A few miles down the road we stopped for petrol to be confronted by the smell of hot brakes. Both front brakes were abnormally warm. Dissapointed, we decided to drive (gently) to the nearest campsite and asses from there. This was to be Pismo beach - but we missed the turning ! However the brakes were now behaving so we pressed on up the coast towards Morro Bay.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7eFt0MCOaou3mTyxLpIxswIAsw_Q6OuQxJ3COJzQz-Am3IYLMvnyNLe_hyV1wbOpX_cL79FUyXeYxcz9qjf2_2C_jcKO7-gjv4A2J6Na19S1HxlWCWtTu6cLT0pfvK3HlHxZxE9hjbs/s1600/174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7eFt0MCOaou3mTyxLpIxswIAsw_Q6OuQxJ3COJzQz-Am3IYLMvnyNLe_hyV1wbOpX_cL79FUyXeYxcz9qjf2_2C_jcKO7-gjv4A2J6Na19S1HxlWCWtTu6cLT0pfvK3HlHxZxE9hjbs/s400/174.JPG" /></a></div>And what a find ! A beautiful site with very friendly camp hosts that offered any help we needed for the sick bus. The kids had the job of buying firewood for the firepit, and were chuffed to be given exta wood because they were the only people to arrive in "an old camper bus!" Meanwhile a thorough inspection of the front brake calipers showed no obvious cause of the overheating (with or without the engine running). That evening we sat around the fire (with a cold beer or two!) to consider our options. The conclusion was a hard one to accept, but we decided not to carry on North and turn back to LA and the shipping port. This way we could reduce the daily driving distance to about 60 miles and hopefully manage any further engine or brake problems.The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-43245445971987031352012-03-05T22:46:00.000-08:002012-03-05T22:46:47.812-08:00Thursday 1st March - Breakfast guest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Not a bad location to wake up ! ...
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...our breakfast guest seemed to quite like the place too !
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After more hole digging, and lunch on the beach, it was back on the road again. Our journey today was up to the house of good samaritain "Todd" who had very kindly offered us a bed and some spanner weilding time to try and resolve our bus issues !
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By now the wind was blowing again and emergency repairs were required, using good old bodge tape, to hold the roof on !. Arriving at Todd's just before dark gave us time for a plesant evening of beer and VW chat!! Before a good nights sleep ready to attack the bus's ailments the next day !The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-59560015591520154132012-03-05T21:48:00.000-08:002012-03-05T21:48:19.377-08:00The missing Days ! from Wednesday 29thTuesday night was spent in a motel just inland of Ventura.
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Woke up Wednesday to glorious Sunshine, so we headed off to the coast. The area around Ventura was covered in fields of strawberries - so what better choice for breakfast !
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The Bus was running pretty bad by now but the scenary made up for it! First stop was on Emma state beach for a quick paddle in the surf ! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For lunch we moved up the coast to Carpenteria beach. The wind had really picked up by now so what better way to keep warm than dig big holes ?!
Santa Barbara was georgeous but time was against us by now so all we managed was a walk on the pier before heading up the coast to the beach campsite of Refugio. This was one of the highlights of the trip. A beautiful site, right on the beach and virtually empty. Just time to make camp before dark, and then go to sleep to the sound of crashing waves and a canvas of stars !<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdN9ADf4Os7s5aJX8oRnc9n-4t_oZg0pWwOHDXFjbTWgjjvnZxWSccQgd4k3rgsy-lIUahzyQMksy2Gq3N_U-I8LzfIscmcUxkECMQbI7nIT65UmGsLzQPCxph6hNVErwFAX_zW39dLY/s1600/109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdN9ADf4Os7s5aJX8oRnc9n-4t_oZg0pWwOHDXFjbTWgjjvnZxWSccQgd4k3rgsy-lIUahzyQMksy2Gq3N_U-I8LzfIscmcUxkECMQbI7nIT65UmGsLzQPCxph6hNVErwFAX_zW39dLY/s400/109.JPG" /></a></div>The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-76674463391056347062012-03-04T22:58:00.000-08:002012-03-04T22:58:11.448-08:0089 miles short !!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just south of Santa Barbara it all came to an end with the smell of over heating brakes !!
Its been a long day and a dissapointing way to end the trip, so its time to console ourselves with a couple of cold Coronas and see how things look in the morning !The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-65911116413322599022012-03-03T13:41:00.000-08:002012-03-03T13:41:33.294-08:00Life without WIFI !!!<iframe width="550" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Morro+Bay,+state+park+CA&aq=&sll=35.294111,-120.856819&sspn=0.139829,0.32753&ie=UTF8&hq=Morro+Bay,+state+park+CA&t=m&ll=35.657296,-121.245117&spn=6.24711,12.106934&z=6&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=Morro+Bay,+state+park+CA&aq=&sll=35.294111,-120.856819&sspn=0.139829,0.32753&ie=UTF8&hq=Morro+Bay,+state+park+CA&t=m&ll=35.657296,-121.245117&spn=6.24711,12.106934&z=6" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>
Lots to tell but no WIFI ! Just updating from McDonalds carpark ! Got a few bus troubles so we have got as far north as we can and now heading back to LA and the Container port !!
More to follow soon !The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-12094723976309200852012-02-28T22:17:00.000-08:002012-02-29T08:36:27.490-08:00Route 66 ends and the PCH begins<b>Los Angeles to Malibu</b>
<iframe width="550" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=sheraton+pasadena+hotel,+cordova+street,+pasadena,+ca&daddr=34.04662,-118.26884+to:34.02773,-118.75914+to:good+nite+inn,+east+ventura+boulevard,+camarillo,+ca&hl=en&geocode=FS37CAIdg0L1-CGesydSFYwzEyldAuudZcPCgDFARgF98lqzdQ%3BFZyCBwIdWFzz-CmLenPOu8fCgDEVeybd1Lgigw%3BFdI4BwIdHOHr-CnXhq5fLh_ogDH3Qir-7JGFPg%3BFf8eCgIdqlrn-CHQxvC_MHAfdilZLYP75EnogDHIy1vZ80eE9w&aq=0&oq=good&sll=34.178145,-118.6001&sspn=0.497621,1.29776&mra=dpe&mrsp=2&sz=10&via=1,2&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=34.168636,-118.597412&spn=0.795368,1.507874&z=9&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=sheraton+pasadena+hotel,+cordova+street,+pasadena,+ca&daddr=34.04662,-118.26884+to:34.02773,-118.75914+to:good+nite+inn,+east+ventura+boulevard,+camarillo,+ca&hl=en&geocode=FS37CAIdg0L1-CGesydSFYwzEyldAuudZcPCgDFARgF98lqzdQ%3BFZyCBwIdWFzz-CmLenPOu8fCgDEVeybd1Lgigw%3BFdI4BwIdHOHr-CnXhq5fLh_ogDH3Qir-7JGFPg%3BFf8eCgIdqlrn-CHQxvC_MHAfdilZLYP75EnogDHIy1vZ80eE9w&aq=0&oq=good&sll=34.178145,-118.6001&sspn=0.497621,1.29776&mra=dpe&mrsp=2&sz=10&via=1,2&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=34.168636,-118.597412&spn=0.795368,1.507874&z=9" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>
So we arrived the day after the Oscars ready for sunshine,but the forecast was for more snow!! However Nathaniel had spied the pool and prayed for blue skies and sunshine - so by 9am we were swimming (locals thought we were mad, it was a bit chilly).
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The van wasn't running too smoothly today so we had to abandon the tour of L.A. streets -Azusa St. Beverly Hills and Hollywood :-(.
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Changing the fuel filter hadn't helped with the engine problem, but the bus was ok once up to speed, so we headed for the freeway out of town.... To the Santa Monica pier and the end of our journey on Route 66 !!
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The beaches were very inviting, but ...
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First stop on the Pacific Coast Highway was at the Malibu Seafood Cafe for Fish & Chips - DELICIOUS !
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Then spent a really pleasant day on the beaches along Highway 1 - Malibu, Leo Carrillo.
Off to explore Santa Barbara tomorrow.............The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-53382067565728511252012-02-27T22:12:00.000-08:002012-02-27T22:12:44.443-08:00Where has the sun gone !!<iframe width="550" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=victorville,+ca&daddr=34.26038,-117.46745+to:34.144911,-117.32347+to:Sheraton+Pasadena+Hotel,+Cordova+Street,+Pasadena,+CA&hl=en&geocode=Fav6DgIda0cC-Sl50t1jWmTDgDF2NPQlWRGVDQ%3BFZzFCgIdxpb_-CkX_2FOgUbDgDFmmIQSX_mLBw%3BFY8CCQIdMskB-SmvKwveSFLDgDHPI9t2y_a_9w%3BFQoICQIdRYv1-CEGkCOqwhMTwCkLkgz1WsPCgDHfZYzGrSmtJA&aq=3&oq=shera&sll=34.155,-117.425995&sspn=0.124439,0.324783&mra=dpe&mrsp=2&sz=12&via=1,2&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=34.361576,-117.658081&spn=0.793545,1.507874&z=9&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=victorville,+ca&daddr=34.26038,-117.46745+to:34.144911,-117.32347+to:Sheraton+Pasadena+Hotel,+Cordova+Street,+Pasadena,+CA&hl=en&geocode=Fav6DgIda0cC-Sl50t1jWmTDgDF2NPQlWRGVDQ%3BFZzFCgIdxpb_-CkX_2FOgUbDgDFmmIQSX_mLBw%3BFY8CCQIdMskB-SmvKwveSFLDgDHPI9t2y_a_9w%3BFQoICQIdRYv1-CEGkCOqwhMTwCkLkgz1WsPCgDHfZYzGrSmtJA&aq=3&oq=shera&sll=34.155,-117.425995&sspn=0.124439,0.324783&mra=dpe&mrsp=2&sz=12&via=1,2&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=34.361576,-117.658081&spn=0.793545,1.507874&z=9" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>
The forcast was for blustery showers and they weren't kidding. Heading down into LA was really quite scary. Driving in heavy rain and being blown all over the road was not our idea of fun !!. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just after this picture a massive gust almost turned us into a convertible ! The hinge mechanism for the pop top on the passenger side will need some repairs now - but at least the top stayed attached !! JUST !! We pulled off the freeway and sat out the worst of the shower, then headed down into LA on the old route 66. The plan had been to drive the old 66 to the coast at Santa Monica, but the bus was struggling. The engine would die everytime we stopped at a junction or lights. A quick inspection revealed a very dirty fuel filter. This may well be the problem, but we didnt fancy experimenting in the atrocious weather. Instead, returning to the freeway, we limped into Pasedena where the Sheraton hotel kindly honoured the Virgin Atlantic crew rate! We did feel like tramps though as we checked in at the same time an immaculate crew checked out for their flight back to London !! Still, the feeling didn't last beyond the first beer, as we chilled watching the oscars highlights and reminisced over our battle with the elements !!!!The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-86214692754327317712012-02-26T22:33:00.001-08:002012-02-26T22:33:09.117-08:00Sunday - Barstow to Victorville<iframe width="550" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=travel+lodge+barstow&daddr=Comfort+Suites+near+Victorville,+CA&hl=en&geocode=FWBmFAIddLkG-SHJBPP1U7MAaA%3BFW0FDgId4H4B-SHJEw4xT0JjPSnRJPAePmbDgDEqCRlTin2O7A&aq=1&oq=comfort+suites+vic&sll=34.802528,-115.804138&sspn=0.967498,2.598267&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=34.680652,-117.086792&spn=0.790512,1.507874&z=9&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=travel+lodge+barstow&daddr=Comfort+Suites+near+Victorville,+CA&hl=en&geocode=FWBmFAIddLkG-SHJBPP1U7MAaA%3BFW0FDgId4H4B-SHJEw4xT0JjPSnRJPAePmbDgDEqCRlTin2O7A&aq=1&oq=comfort+suites+vic&sll=34.802528,-115.804138&sspn=0.967498,2.598267&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=34.680652,-117.086792&spn=0.790512,1.507874&z=9" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>
Nice easy day. First stop was the McDonalds just across the road. Housed in railway carriages to show Barstow's connections with the railways. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Then continued the theme with a visit to the railway museum, which was full of really cool stuff to climb all over !
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Heading out of town, it was time to get rid of some of the road salt from the previous week ! Luckily not all the paint came off with the jet wash ! A gentle drive had us in Victorville for midday. Unfortunately the place we had chosen for lunch wouldnt let in kids. All was not lost as though as Costco (and its pizza slices) beckoned from across the road ! Full of pizza, and with loads of Costco stuff that we didnt really need, we headed off to our hotel.The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-87007447151886371722012-02-26T22:05:00.000-08:002012-02-26T22:05:20.232-08:00Saturday - Crossing the Mohave desert !Up early, it was time to put the new frying pan to good use, with pancakes for breakfast !!
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Then off for a paddle in the Colorado river (its melt water apparently !!) and a dunk in the pool, before taking in the amazing toys at the show !
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Would have bought it but the engine wasn't quite big enough !
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By lunch time we couldn't put it off any longer, so after filling up on a burger each we headed out across the Mohave desert!
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Roys Cafe was a welcome break, allowing a stop for root beer and coke. We had hoped to spend Saturday night in Victorville but the heat and traveling had taken its tole on the kids. Both were sick and so we turned off 66 into Barstow to crash at the first motel we saw.
<iframe width="550" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=100+Marina+Dr,+Needles,+CA+92363-3799+(Needles+Marina+Park)&daddr=34.91804,-114.94521+to:34.64047,-115.38229+to:34.55988,-115.65954+to:34.7604844,-116.3573576+to:34.80711,-116.57476+to:34.8203561,-116.648658+to:34.84884,-116.81698+to:travel+lodge+barstow&hl=en&geocode=FRq_EwIdrjkr-SlnDJXjZyPOgDFeWThsxKfxVA%3BFZjOFAIdRhMm-Skh5xG7HMvPgDEgexhUWwXlZA%3BFVaSEAId7mcf-SlngeVvnubPgDFkCqfECghEtQ%3BFYhXDwId7Cwb-Sk12HadsvjPgDE7kJs07kDPpQ%3BFSRnEgIdE4cQ-SmTpuf0QhzFgDENYARA3aWNNQ%3BFUYdEwId2DUN-SkdlBM9VPrEgDGyL1nSR1FegA%3BFQRREwIdLhUM-SkZ_hi80_DEgDHYTVqsC3oLug%3BFUjAEwIdrIMJ-SlZKQBHuIrEgDHLBlHQJDCvbQ%3BFWBmFAIddLkG-SHJBPP1U7MAaA&aq=&sll=34.777152,-116.332855&sspn=0.120977,0.324783&mra=dpe&mrsp=4&sz=12&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=34.845367,-115.878296&spn=1.577853,3.015747&z=8&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=100+Marina+Dr,+Needles,+CA+92363-3799+(Needles+Marina+Park)&daddr=34.91804,-114.94521+to:34.64047,-115.38229+to:34.55988,-115.65954+to:34.7604844,-116.3573576+to:34.80711,-116.57476+to:34.8203561,-116.648658+to:34.84884,-116.81698+to:travel+lodge+barstow&hl=en&geocode=FRq_EwIdrjkr-SlnDJXjZyPOgDFeWThsxKfxVA%3BFZjOFAIdRhMm-Skh5xG7HMvPgDEgexhUWwXlZA%3BFVaSEAId7mcf-SlngeVvnubPgDFkCqfECghEtQ%3BFYhXDwId7Cwb-Sk12HadsvjPgDE7kJs07kDPpQ%3BFSRnEgIdE4cQ-SmTpuf0QhzFgDENYARA3aWNNQ%3BFUYdEwId2DUN-SkdlBM9VPrEgDGyL1nSR1FegA%3BFQRREwIdLhUM-SkZ_hi80_DEgDHYTVqsC3oLug%3BFUjAEwIdrIMJ-SlZKQBHuIrEgDHLBlHQJDCvbQ%3BFWBmFAIddLkG-SHJBPP1U7MAaA&aq=&sll=34.777152,-116.332855&sspn=0.120977,0.324783&mra=dpe&mrsp=4&sz=12&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=34.845367,-115.878296&spn=1.577853,3.015747&z=8" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-8786766650170411192012-02-26T21:12:00.000-08:002012-02-26T21:12:21.642-08:00Friday - Much needed rest !We all felt the mamouth journey from the day before, so the decision was made to stay an extra day in Needles.
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By chance we found a great RV site on the Colorado river and set up camp. Also by chance, Needles was holding a custom car and boat show that weekend !!!!
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So in the evening we headed into town to watch the parade - the kids were soooo excited !!
Sleeping in the bus was much warmer this time - the only snag being that Nat almost fell through his bunk when the old canvas ripped !! Emergency repairs required before we camp again !The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-79780732640632000872012-02-26T20:47:00.000-08:002012-02-26T21:18:17.515-08:00Where did the last Few days go !!The last few days have been great fun although a bit manic - long days, lots of miles, no WIFI and sick kids have all conspired to leave the blog blank for a while! Its now Sunday evening, just sipping Mexican beer in a nice hotel in Victorville CA, while the kids watch tv ! What better time to catch up !
So Thursday ...
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The plan was to get to California, It was hard, but we did !
After a fairly chilled start to the day we finally left Williams, and the Canyon Motel and RV park, about 10
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Stopped in Seligman on route 66 to say hi to one of my boyhood hero's !! Although "Live fast, die young, have a beautiful corpse" may not be that apt for a family of 4 in an old bus, at 17 it seemed really cool !!!
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Not sure if James would have been impressed by our attempts at train racing ? Probably not as neither of us could manage much more than 40mph on the long up hill drag !!
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The old girl deserved a breather after the stirling first place effort !
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It was then the long drag through Kinman and up over the pass to Oatman.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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An amazing town where Donkeys roam the streets ....
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... and certain words mean something completely different!!!
That was enough excitement for one day! An hour later, at last light, we had descended down into the gloriously warm town of Needles CA and (after having our fruit confiscated at the border ) stopped at the first motel we saw !! Exhausted we slept like logs !!The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-79553991650680893202012-02-23T19:48:00.000-08:002012-02-23T19:48:41.906-08:004 States, 1215 miles and 12 days !!Thursday evening - just arrived in Needles California !
<iframe width="550" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=williams+az&daddr=35.55202,-113.38752+to:35.01703,-114.38568+to:34.71733,-114.52082+to:Needles,+CA&hl=en&geocode=FTHdGQId5RlQ-SlVpQFT6Z4yhzGGU8DNx-elHQ%3BFRR7HgIdANg9-Sn1dS7grwDNgDH8R3jsTQr8ag%3BFUZRFgId8Jwu-SlPseWoyxPOgDGCOBPldpbFAQ%3BFZK-EQIdDI0s-Slt8qQcBODRgDEJbiIjhleeBg%3BFTy9EwIdjCAr-SkzijXhciPOgDHzlA3hF6hfIA&aq=&sll=34.882506,-113.994141&sspn=0.986862,2.592773&mra=dpe&mrsp=3&sz=9&via=1,2,3&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=35.259077,-113.422852&spn=1.569881,3.02124&z=8&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=williams+az&daddr=35.55202,-113.38752+to:35.01703,-114.38568+to:34.71733,-114.52082+to:Needles,+CA&hl=en&geocode=FTHdGQId5RlQ-SlVpQFT6Z4yhzGGU8DNx-elHQ%3BFRR7HgIdANg9-Sn1dS7grwDNgDH8R3jsTQr8ag%3BFUZRFgId8Jwu-SlPseWoyxPOgDGCOBPldpbFAQ%3BFZK-EQIdDI0s-Slt8qQcBODRgDEJbiIjhleeBg%3BFTy9EwIdjCAr-SkzijXhciPOgDHzlA3hF6hfIA&aq=&sll=34.882506,-113.994141&sspn=0.986862,2.592773&mra=dpe&mrsp=3&sz=9&via=1,2,3&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=35.259077,-113.422852&spn=1.569881,3.02124&z=8" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-71518431690680483902012-02-23T08:57:00.000-08:002012-02-23T08:57:41.854-08:00Wednesday - Arizona's largest hole in the ground<iframe width="550" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Flagstaff,+AZ&daddr=35.4929441,-111.356468+to:35.95904,-111.78396+to:Williams,+AZ&hl=en&geocode=FUghGQIdL4VY-SkxJi7a944thzEAs9vOoTwfjg%3BFVCUHQIdzNVc-SnBZrwAZw4yhzFJnlBqmpFG2Q%3BFQCxJAId6E9W-SlR2dyGTqszhzF2J-t_Bz18FA%3BFTHdGQId5RlQ-SlVpQFT6Z4yhzGGU8DNx-elHQ&aq=&sll=35.401364,-111.53183&sspn=0.277608,0.64476&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=11&via=1,2&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=35.603719,-111.824341&spn=1.563177,3.015747&z=8&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Flagstaff,+AZ&daddr=35.4929441,-111.356468+to:35.95904,-111.78396+to:Williams,+AZ&hl=en&geocode=FUghGQIdL4VY-SkxJi7a944thzEAs9vOoTwfjg%3BFVCUHQIdzNVc-SnBZrwAZw4yhzFJnlBqmpFG2Q%3BFQCxJAId6E9W-SlR2dyGTqszhzF2J-t_Bz18FA%3BFTHdGQId5RlQ-SlVpQFT6Z4yhzGGU8DNx-elHQ&aq=&sll=35.401364,-111.53183&sspn=0.277608,0.64476&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=11&via=1,2&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=35.603719,-111.824341&spn=1.563177,3.015747&z=8" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>
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Up early Wednesday morning and off to the Grand Canyon. Stopped by the Sunset crater lava flow first ....
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.... and took in the ancient Pueblo ruins. Then started the long climb up to the south rim of the Grand Canyon.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What can we say ? <b>Mind Blowing !!<b><b></b></b></b>Starting at the Eastern end we drove along the Southern rim. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Stopping for a picnic with some of the most amazing views ! Just dont drop your sandwich because its a long walk to go and get it !!
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We finished up at the visitor centre where Nat and Amelia took part in a lecture on the forming of the Canyon from "Ranger Jack". This completed their work books and allowed them both to become junior rangers of the Grand Canyon.
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Heading down to Williams we stumbled across the coolest aircraft museum so had to drop in !!! Turns out they offer flights in Mustangs and a P-40 on fathers day !! might have to come back !<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dinner was in a great Mexican place in Williams with a really lively atmosphere - no doubt helped by the fact that Margaritas were only 99c !! Exhausted, we checked into the Canyon Motel and RV park. Although we went for a standard room, options for accomodation here include these Railway engines and carriages !! A very cool place and great way to end one of the most amazing days !!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwR98KDdC5op9xDKUnLcvPFrqrZSw_gwGf2KUcjfHLXYwIiFji04mpWzQwhkI7lVGVmjzG7WjBOWOwyC8Gt15pBRk9FlUzVPNpydyTdRW6jXiGJE1va35PL4bZEeU29VPPmlSi2K648Pg/s1600/146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwR98KDdC5op9xDKUnLcvPFrqrZSw_gwGf2KUcjfHLXYwIiFji04mpWzQwhkI7lVGVmjzG7WjBOWOwyC8Gt15pBRk9FlUzVPNpydyTdRW6jXiGJE1va35PL4bZEeU29VPPmlSi2K648Pg/s400/146.JPG" /></a></div>The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-21274124451511033192012-02-23T07:11:00.000-08:002012-02-23T07:47:33.276-08:00Tuesday - Arizona's second largest hole in the ground<iframe width="550" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Holbrook,+AZ&daddr=35.02221,-110.69222+to:35.1093917,-111.0228368+to:35.0332391,-111.0216573+to:35.24719,-111.53354+to:Flagstaff,+AZ&hl=en&geocode=FeiQFAIdnx5v-SlX2LIdFqgvhzE8MjUOmLQPVQ%3BFYJlFgIdhPhm-SnVeZSLaEIuhzGR5TqQKhtxdw%3BFQ-6FwIdDO1h-SlpgzzEbQsuhzHDPD0nwpZK3Q%3BFZeQFgIdp_Fh-SmNND_fX3QuhzHCl2v3wzxXzg%3BFVbUGQIdHCJa-SkThc-_mosthzH3qkkOT_yAGw%3BFUghGQIdL4VY-SkxJi7a944thzEAs9vOoTwfjg&aq=t&sll=35.162372,-111.280003&sspn=0.043084,0.09819&mra=mru&via=1,2,3,4&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.09744,-110.863037&spn=1.573005,3.015747&z=8&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Holbrook,+AZ&daddr=35.02221,-110.69222+to:35.1093917,-111.0228368+to:35.0332391,-111.0216573+to:35.24719,-111.53354+to:Flagstaff,+AZ&hl=en&geocode=FeiQFAIdnx5v-SlX2LIdFqgvhzE8MjUOmLQPVQ%3BFYJlFgIdhPhm-SnVeZSLaEIuhzGR5TqQKhtxdw%3BFQ-6FwIdDO1h-SlpgzzEbQsuhzHDPD0nwpZK3Q%3BFZeQFgIdp_Fh-SmNND_fX3QuhzHCl2v3wzxXzg%3BFVbUGQIdHCJa-SkThc-_mosthzH3qkkOT_yAGw%3BFUghGQIdL4VY-SkxJi7a944thzEAs9vOoTwfjg&aq=t&sll=35.162372,-111.280003&sspn=0.043084,0.09819&mra=mru&via=1,2,3,4&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=35.09744,-110.863037&spn=1.573005,3.015747&z=8" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>
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Once the dinosaur had been dispatched we headed off towards Flagstaff and the Meteor crater. Stopping first for pancakes in Winslow. Well it was Shrove Tuesday. .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Laying just South of I-40 the crater was formed 50,000 years ago by a meteor that left a hole a mile wide and 550' deep
!! It is now a privately run tourist attraction.
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From the visitor center we could see San Francisco peaks and sunset crater, part of our journey for tomorrow. First it was off to Flagstaff for supplies......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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....Stopping on a section of the old route 66 along the way for a cuppa and to check the map !!!
Got into Flagstaff about 3 which gave us time to check over the bus, re-stock supplies and do the laundry before checking out the hotel pool and hot tub! It's a hard life !! Tomorrow the Grand Canyon !!!The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-62668229941843018842012-02-23T05:38:00.000-08:002012-02-23T05:38:02.000-08:00Catching upSorry that the blog is a few days behind - Since leaving Santa Fe we have been making up for lost time, and packing so much into each day, that blog writing has suffered !! And to make things worse when we ventured out in Holbrook Tuesday morning, Sharon got eaten by a Dinosaur !! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Such an inconvenience</b>!!!The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-395555680055618312012-02-21T21:40:00.000-08:002012-02-21T21:48:44.664-08:00Monday - The Petrified forest.Full on day ! Woke up in a log cabin, went to bed in a Wigwam. Nathaniel and Amelia became junior park rangers and I got stopped by Arizona's finest for jumping a stop sign ! Well it was never going to be for speeding !!! <iframe width="550" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=USA+RV+Park,+2925+W.+Historic+Hwy+66,+Gallup,+NM+87301+(usa+rv+park)&daddr=34.81474,-109.8619+to:Wigwam+Motel,+West+Hopi+Drive,+Holbrook,+AZ&hl=en&geocode=FSPSHQId76eD-SGMJiHD0NaYiA%3BFRQ7EwId9KNz-SlTOlYk1XMvhzFAb1vyB9DcIQ%3BFWmSFAIdufRu-SHVYZQbsPlIBg&aq=0&oq=wigwam+holbr&sll=35.094069,-109.611969&sspn=0.689912,1.571045&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=10&via=1&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=35.187278,-109.47876&spn=1.57127,3.015747&z=8&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=USA+RV+Park,+2925+W.+Historic+Hwy+66,+Gallup,+NM+87301+(usa+rv+park)&daddr=34.81474,-109.8619+to:Wigwam+Motel,+West+Hopi+Drive,+Holbrook,+AZ&hl=en&geocode=FSPSHQId76eD-SGMJiHD0NaYiA%3BFRQ7EwId9KNz-SlTOlYk1XMvhzFAb1vyB9DcIQ%3BFWmSFAIdufRu-SHVYZQbsPlIBg&aq=0&oq=wigwam+holbr&sll=35.094069,-109.611969&sspn=0.689912,1.571045&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=10&via=1&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=35.187278,-109.47876&spn=1.57127,3.015747&z=8" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>
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Having left our cabin in Gallup we headed across the border into Arizona, and stopped for a cup of tea ! This fine buisness venture on old route 66 is for sale if anybody is thinking of relocating !<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A small detour South from our route took us through the Pertified Forest National Park. The landscape was mind blowing! It was on entering the park that we got pulled for failing to stop at a stop sign ! Apparently I then made things worse by getting out the vehicle to greet the officer ! 20 minutes later (and after getting back in the vehicle) we were sent on our way with a warning! With the kids wanting to know when I would be locked up !!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While we stopped for a picnic lunch, Nat checked out the local rides !
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The Park is so named because of the numerous "stone" trees deposited across the landscape. Having been buried, petrified then exposed again due to erosion !<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Some hard study resulted in the award of "junior ranger" status for both Amelia and Nataniel. It was then off to the town of Holbrook to stay in our Wigwam ! Pixar fans will no doubt recognise it as the cosy cone motel !!!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry9sTDvCAtXs53fejWib5Mq8n6ohPL6oZwcKgHZ9amqVzE7xqNLi5JKImslYPg80gmt7TaGvZ2ecD2EsPJeE6-21MrrLdlVbgPzKEVBCguxyjDKBgvrJOUCoQxe17kOLQktlhWMw7FBE/s1600/129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry9sTDvCAtXs53fejWib5Mq8n6ohPL6oZwcKgHZ9amqVzE7xqNLi5JKImslYPg80gmt7TaGvZ2ecD2EsPJeE6-21MrrLdlVbgPzKEVBCguxyjDKBgvrJOUCoQxe17kOLQktlhWMw7FBE/s400/129.JPG" /></a></div>The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-49240268367095558862012-02-21T20:43:00.000-08:002012-02-21T20:43:07.588-08:00Wigwam without WIFI !!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello, sorry for the lack of a post yesterday. We stayed here last night and strangely enough it appears that wigwam's dont have wifi !The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-59634265404397012172012-02-19T22:01:00.000-08:002012-02-19T22:01:44.752-08:00Route 66 and El MorroYesterday we traveled down to Albuquerque via the amazing tent rocks national park.
<iframe width="550" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Lamplighter+Inn,+Cerrillos+Road,+Santa+Fe,+NM&daddr=35.603367,-106.328515+to:Econo+Lodge+West,+Iliff+Road+Northwest,+Albuquerque,+NM&hl=en&geocode=FSkiIAIdZNeu-SGvpRkdCgivpA%3BFadDHwIdPY6p-Sk7uaRmw2QYhzGTIrDZzKxStw%3BFUaiFwIdGdCj-SEmcGvbhuEMBim1r0xDt3IihzHvtyYObifnvg&aq=2&oq=Econo+Lodge,+,+Albuquerque,+NM&sll=35.551781,-106.266632&sspn=0.138545,0.31826&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=12&via=1&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=35.427106,-106.169128&spn=0.783319,1.507874&z=9&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Lamplighter+Inn,+Cerrillos+Road,+Santa+Fe,+NM&daddr=35.603367,-106.328515+to:Econo+Lodge+West,+Iliff+Road+Northwest,+Albuquerque,+NM&hl=en&geocode=FSkiIAIdZNeu-SGvpRkdCgivpA%3BFadDHwIdPY6p-Sk7uaRmw2QYhzGTIrDZzKxStw%3BFUaiFwIdGdCj-SEmcGvbhuEMBim1r0xDt3IihzHvtyYObifnvg&aq=2&oq=Econo+Lodge,+,+Albuquerque,+NM&sll=35.551781,-106.266632&sspn=0.138545,0.31826&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=12&via=1&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=35.427106,-106.169128&spn=0.783319,1.507874&z=9" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>
Having lost a few days with "bus trouble", we decided to miss out our day in old town albuquerque, and push on West.
<iframe width="550" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Econo+Lodge+West,+Iliff+Road+Northwest,+Albuquerque,+NM&daddr=35.0631586,-106.7955197+to:34.9579239,-107.2216459+to:35.0419355,-107.343278+to:35.0462973,-107.417238+to:35.08212,-107.5374+to:35.0846474,-107.5731131+to:35.0589616,-107.7071429+to:35.13596,-107.82125+to:35.04468,-108.31892+to:USA+RV+Park,+2925+W.+Historic+Hwy+66,+Gallup,+NM+87301&hl=en&geocode=FUaiFwIdGdCj-SEmcGvbhuEMBim1r0xDt3IihzHvtyYObifnvg%3BFXYFFwIdAW6i-SlFF8GwQBMihzEZED7EddDEsw%3BFWNqFQIdc-2b-Sk9uCiEQDQihzG_Rq6TkPuX3g%3BFY-yFgIdUhKa-SlTlGRgq7UjhzFsVUZxJlVj9Q%3BFZnDFgIdavGY-SkFjLI07LYjhzHJG48se7kDbg%3BFYhPFwIdCByX-SlppK0Lt7sjhzEhyUQPleMdmw%3BFWdZFwIdh5CW-SmrVPQghrsjhzGdyguhRvl_UQ%3BFRH1FgId-oSU-SmFkuGGRJYjhzEwfPyCDKz5mQ%3BFdghGAIdPseS-SnbtqCq-5ojhzGlxZovf8WL3g%3BFUi9FgIdOC-L-SnlnGH26WUkhzEJs4ZT9blHFA%3BFSPSHQId76eD-SGMJiHD0NaYiA&aq=0&oq=usa+rv+park+gallup&sll=35.063725,-106.806679&sspn=0.017423,0.039783&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=15&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=35.348736,-107.709961&spn=1.568142,3.026733&z=8&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Econo+Lodge+West,+Iliff+Road+Northwest,+Albuquerque,+NM&daddr=35.0631586,-106.7955197+to:34.9579239,-107.2216459+to:35.0419355,-107.343278+to:35.0462973,-107.417238+to:35.08212,-107.5374+to:35.0846474,-107.5731131+to:35.0589616,-107.7071429+to:35.13596,-107.82125+to:35.04468,-108.31892+to:USA+RV+Park,+2925+W.+Historic+Hwy+66,+Gallup,+NM+87301&hl=en&geocode=FUaiFwIdGdCj-SEmcGvbhuEMBim1r0xDt3IihzHvtyYObifnvg%3BFXYFFwIdAW6i-SlFF8GwQBMihzEZED7EddDEsw%3BFWNqFQIdc-2b-Sk9uCiEQDQihzG_Rq6TkPuX3g%3BFY-yFgIdUhKa-SlTlGRgq7UjhzFsVUZxJlVj9Q%3BFZnDFgIdavGY-SkFjLI07LYjhzHJG48se7kDbg%3BFYhPFwIdCByX-SlppK0Lt7sjhzEhyUQPleMdmw%3BFWdZFwIdh5CW-SmrVPQghrsjhzGdyguhRvl_UQ%3BFRH1FgId-oSU-SmFkuGGRJYjhzEwfPyCDKz5mQ%3BFdghGAIdPseS-SnbtqCq-5ojhzGlxZovf8WL3g%3BFUi9FgIdOC-L-SnlnGH26WUkhzEJs4ZT9blHFA%3BFSPSHQId76eD-SGMJiHD0NaYiA&aq=0&oq=usa+rv+park+gallup&sll=35.063725,-106.806679&sspn=0.017423,0.039783&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=15&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=35.348736,-107.709961&spn=1.568142,3.026733&z=8" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So on Sunday morning we set off, with the intention of following as much of old route 66 as we could. Initially this was pretty easy as the old road ran along side the new Interstate.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At other times it was a whole different ball game !! It was a great experience and we managed to get most of the way to Grants without using the interstate. From here we headed off south to take in the El Morro national monument.
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The monument was up at about 8000' (2500' higher than route 66) and the weather was much worse. Snow showers had been blowing through during the day and more was forcast..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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During a lul in the showers we managed to walk around the impressive sandstone cliffs - but then the snow came back .... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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...And it was time to leave. The idea of camping at 8000' in a snow storm didnt get many votes! So we made a dash for it before conditions got too bad !<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was a close call ...but two hours later we were settling into our very own cabin at an RV park in the town of Gallup!!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy1Wbob9NAwI4jLFyuwDYYd0W3Da5Fdxua-D0zG0VPTRBJQ50eq5dCrm36c5nh_r89d28bvk3zS0wLs3wLFfhcgMJeE0uD-t1de9Ir5Oo05hMAWtsWI0gKvsoRdhDNY63Z8hyJuFWM_Y/s1600/088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy1Wbob9NAwI4jLFyuwDYYd0W3Da5Fdxua-D0zG0VPTRBJQ50eq5dCrm36c5nh_r89d28bvk3zS0wLs3wLFfhcgMJeE0uD-t1de9Ir5Oo05hMAWtsWI0gKvsoRdhDNY63Z8hyJuFWM_Y/s400/088.JPG" /></a></div>The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-63749159824285942682012-02-18T20:53:00.000-08:002012-02-18T20:53:11.008-08:00Tent Rocks and Route 66Finally on the move again !!
Headed off down the old route 66 out of Santa Fe for Alberquerque, taking a detour en route up to Tent rocks national monument. What an amazing place, hope the pictures do it justice.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A breathtaking place to spend the day, we finally left about four and drove down what remained of old route 66 into Alberquerque. It was dark by the time we arrived, so we checked into the nearest motel deciding to leave the old town until tomorrow.
As for the bus - the alternator works fine, but there is a constant 12v drain in the system. Over the next few days it should be possible to track down the fault, for now disconnecting the battery at night will have to do !!!The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847483723128015729.post-13218633814105302522012-02-17T21:02:00.000-08:002012-02-17T21:02:15.937-08:00On the road again !!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Woke with real optimism to a beautiful blue sky. The plan was to spend the morning in Santa Fe then pick up the bus before lunch and get on our way....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Morning swim and breakfast first !<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Before dropping the bus off at Sanchez VW for her new alternator, and heading off into Santa Fe on the city bus. Then came the news that we had half expected! The work was more complicated than expected and the bus wouldnt be ready until after lunch. So we explored Santa Fe some more !!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nat was chuffed to find that St Francis of assisi is the patron saint of Santa Fe. Having studied him at school last year he could educate us all !! Although I must admit I think I was getting mixed up with Dr Doolittle ?
Then came the news that the Bus wouldnt be ready until much later in the day ! So we gave in, checked back into the hotel and resigned ourselves to another night in Santa Fe !
All was not lost though - during the afternoon spent in the pool Amelia learnt back crawl, Having been taught by her 7 year old brother !!!! very cool.
Then Finally, 2 Days and $500+ later the bus was ready !! We celebrated with Corona and tomorrow the road trip heads west !!The Bielbyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13298372023304658754noreply@blogger.com1