New shoes

As I have been unseasonally good with my lack of shopping Iain let me get a pair of shoes which I had admired today. So what do you think they are meant to be??? Answers on a postcard!

Lovin' San Francisco

Despite the promised rain, we managed to fluke it again and the sky stayed blue with fluffy clouds for the whole day. This morning we headed on the ferry out to Alcatraz and in the afternoon hopped on the cable car and just toured round the city.

I think Iain got inspired by the mornings trip to Alcatraz, we both agreed that we never want to work again as it is too much fun travelling, so Iain suggested robbing a bank! Anyone else in???

Paso Robles to San Francisco

Today, Trudy took us along Highway 1 which is the coast road winding up from San Diego past San Francisco. Its a very beautiful drive and reminded us of our trip last year to New Zealand with Ruth and Mike.

Along with numerous vineyards and vista points, we stumbled across THOUSANDS of sea lions all sunbathing on a beach. Nearly all females had cubs with them who were very cute. The noise was amazing, especially with the breaking surf in the background.

Los Angeles to Paso Robles, California

Our first day’s drive brought us past a huge oil field with thousands of pumps at work. The closest town is called “Lost Hills” which is equally as cool!

Sunset over southern California, quite spectacular!

A warm welcome to the West Coast

We'd like to welcome our newest member to the trip, Trudy the Trailblazer. She's a very shy Chevvy so be nice.

Washington DC... hmmmmmm

DC... full of big monuments and presidential riff-raff. We've walked and walked, taking in a truck-load of the stone testiments to past presidents and war casualties. Weather has been ace, a little warmer than chicago. Other than that, the place is a bit boring, but that could be just where we are staying, too central i think. Anyway, heading out now to see the Capitol Building all lit up!

White House, didn't see Dubya.... gutted

Sian in front of the Washington Monument

Abraham Lincoln memorial, pretty cool, Sian wanted to sit on his lap but couldn't jump that high!

Capitol Building in the distance


Thomas Jefferson memorial
Me in the sculpture garden of the Art Gallery, i'm the one with the red scarf

Introducing Freddie Dunn

Congratulations to Lucy and Simon who welcomed the handsome Frederick Ralph Dunn to the world on the 22nd January weighing in at 9lb 2oz

Freezing!

It is so cold here it feels like your face is going to fall off, but ever brave Iain decides it would be great weather for a swin in Lake Michigan. Just in case you are wondering that really is a lake not a snow covered field!

A T- Rex called Sue

Don't ask why!!!! But she is the biggest and most complete T-Rex in the world.

A day at the museums

Our first port of all was the aquarium.... now the best part of being here is winter is that there are no tourists and therefore no queues!!!

The Bean

There is a really cool instilation in one of the parks known locally as 'the bean'. It is a huge mirrored sculpture which gave us plenty of fun and interesting piccies.

Chicago Freezing

We are preparing to leave the hotel for a quick sprint around Chicago! Emphasis on sprint, as it is predicted to be -31 degrees C with the wind chill factor..... basically, FACE FREEZE!

Sears Tower, Chicago

Fact: The Sears Tower, completed May 3, 1973 held the record for the world’s tallest building for 25 years until the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lampur were built in 1998.

Awesome Building

Defeated by Cheesecake

Iain and I stumbled upon a cheesecake factory today and could not help but be drawn inside. Our excuse was that it was cold and we just wanted a hot drink, but we both knew it was really for the pudding!

Chicago, Chicago!

I don't think we have ever felt so cold! As I type it is -13 C or 19f outside but the plus side, it snowed when we arrived yesterday which means it is still here today.

Most of our day has been spent indoors trying to keep warm and all pretty central (with the exception of the laundrette which was an hour on the otherside of town!)

John Hancock Building

Frozen Lake Michigan

Iain hard at work!

A fond farewell

Last night in Boston, we are off to Chicago to tomorrow.

Mum, Dad and Howard, thanks for a great couple of weeks! See you in about 210 sleeps!!!