Down in Monterey

We're here in Monterey, home of Steinbeck and Cannery Row. The weather is a little gloomy but we are staying near the lighthouse at Pacific Grove, a quaint and quiet seaside town. This morning 3 deer were at the back door of our room -- tooo cute!. Yesterday we ventured down to Carmel, home of Clint Eastwood, former Mayor of this town. They make you sign a waiver to wear high heels in the city (!) and Tony couldn't beleive the boot prices...the pair we picked up were only $2400. We were suprised they let us park the T&C there!. Today we stopped in at Salinas and Santa Cruz, walked the downtown and played in the amusement arcade (scence of the Lost Boys). We chatted with a cool custom bike builder called Bill and toured his shop with 60s and 70s memorabilia. He even taught his friend 'Patch' from Days of Our Lives to ride when he was a bit role in Matlock. Tomorrow we head off down to Big Sur then onto LA for a few days. San Francisco is in a cold/rain snap, so we have decided to follow the sun and leave that for another trip xoxox B & T

Land of the Giants... Redwoods that is

Today we spent the day at the Giant Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. The trees are as wide as the cars, and the Park is home to the largest tree in the world. These giant redwood firs are amazing and the wonderful pine scent filled the air, making the drive relaxing (except when Bec was behind the wheel driving down the winding road of the mountain). We climbed up an old volcano core called Moro Rock and marvelled at the incredible forest views. We met some lovely ex-pat Aussies/Scots in the hotel last night and spent the evening yarning at Cool Hand Luke’s. Now we’re driving towards Monterey/Carmel/Santa Cruz through Californian wine and orange country (turning at a town called Los Banos, which we are finding hilarious as we are in a dusty desert area) . We’ll stay in Monterey for a few nights (including Halloween) before heading onto San Francisco for a little look. Hope all is well xoxo B & T

Sunny San Diego

Areeba! Areeba! We arrived late into San Diego from Phoenix via a few border crossing car checks... very serious business but the border police were very nice to these Aussies. We toured the downtown at night and made it to Old Town in the morning for a bit of Mexican markets and fiesta. The Old Town was all decked out for the upcoming Day of the Dead celebrations in early November, so it was very colourful. In the afternoon we cruised down to La Jolla to see where the better half do latte’s by the beach. Missing the swimming Phoenix weather, but it’s sunny and clear, so who can complain!. Off to northern California tomorrow xoxox T & B

Hideaway Grill Birthday @ Cave Creek

Today we went to the swap meet then on to the birthday celebration of biker bar 'the Hideaway Grill' at Cave Creek. It was a baby Sturgis, wall to wall bikes and more. Lots of music, vendors and partiers. We had lunch at the Horny Toad and had a look around the town of Cave Creek, which was neat. Managed to get in a swim at the hotel pool, so all is well. Yesterday we went on the tour of the Harley Museum owned by former stunt man, Buddy Stubbs, some of the bikes were amazing (including Evil Kenevils). The tour was really interesting, even for Bec, and we learnt alot about early bike history plus some movie gossip. Tomorrow we're off to a wild west town in Chandler, Arizona. Loving this weather! xoxo T & B

We're in Pheonix now, after stopping at some amazing Indian markets, one which was at the tail end of a major Pow Wow. Bec tried some traditional indian blue corn bread (looked a little like fish food flakes and tasted not too different) and we had a chat with some of the different tribal people represented there. The weather is beautiful in Arizona, warm and dry. We cant believe all the cati which suddenly appear in the desert once you near Pheonix (not seen anywhere else). Just like the cartoons, 3 prongs and towering. Gotta love it! There is a big biker event in Cave Creek on Saturday and a private tour of a Harley museum on Friday, so Tony is a happy camper! Miss and love you xoxxo T & B

Grand Canyon, Bears & Big Horned Sheep

Yesterday we went through the Grand Canyon and onto Bearizona, a wildlife park where rescued animals roam freely within parklands.Bec loved the park, and stood fascinated watching a bear cub scale 60 foot plus trees with ease and speed. The Grand Canyon was great at this time of year, not too crowded, although the day was a little hazy. It is awesome, but we are getting a little canyoned out (talk about spoilt!), so our next national park will be the redwoods. We're in Arizona today where we'll stay for a few days before driving to California xoxox B & T

Mesa Verde & Durango.. its time to Cowboy Up!

Yesterday we went to Mesa Verde, a canyon which is home to more than 600 pueblo Indian settlements from 1100 AD. These townships were amazing, carved into cliffsides, accessable only by steep ladders and paths. We did the tour of the Cliff Palace which housed 120 people. Its truly spectacular, and a little scary (its a long way down!). The guided tour provided a great snapshot history for us. The surrounding hills had amazing colours (bright organges, reds, golden yellows) and we saw a coyote crossing the road... fantastic! Today we spent the day in Durango, an old west town fameous for silver mining. It was a great day, really neat shops and a cool energy. Later on we went to the Timble hot springs where we boiled ourselves like lobsters in the piping hot mineral pools before heading back to the hotel to crash! Tomorrow is the Grand Canyon xoxox B & T

Monument Valley

More rocks! Today we went to Natural Bridges National Park for an extra dose of spectacular arches. Its home to the world's second largest natural stone bridge -- the first is also in Utah, and is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world but more difficult to get to. After the arches we drove down the phenomenal Mogi Dugway to Monument Valley, scene of many westerns and, more importantly, the opening scenes from Easy Rider. Tonight we ate traditional Navajo meals and chilled out at the river front (!) hotel we staying in at Mexican Hat. Tomorrow its Mesa Verde for ancient ruins xoxox B & T

Arches National Park

Yesterday we spent the day touring through the magnificant Arches National Park. The rock formations are amazing, making natural bridges through erosion.Its a bit like a lunar landscape in parts, and you spend the day seeing shapes in the rocks. We hiked through some fin canyons and sat in the hole of windows archway, overlooking the valley. Off to the four corners today, to stay in Mexican Hat and visit Monument Valley xoxo B & T (PS they filmed Raiders of the Lost Ark and City Slickers here!)

Black Canyon of the Gunnison and beyond!

Today we drove out to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, near Montrose, Colorado. The canyon was spectacular... sheer pillars of black granite and a formidable river. The scenery throughout the Rockies is breathtaking (not just because of the 8700 foot altitude!). At the moment the trees are a golden yellow, mixed in with evergreen firs. The roads up and down the mountains have been quiet and easy to drive now that its not snowing (today is a balmy 20 degrees). Tony saw his first roadrunner, but still no bighorn sheep. We went off to the Colorado National Monument at dusk, saw the canyons in a glorious pink hue. Unfortunately we had to leave because of the dark, but we were the only ones there, so it was quite special. Tomorrow we go to Arches National Park for some hiking (exercise, ahhhh!)xoxox T & B

Rocky Mountain High

We're in Colorodo Ski territory -- Aspen, Brekenridge, Vail -- and suprise suprise it snowed!! Yep, caught in the first fall for the season in Idaho Springs, a bit scary as it came in fast, icing the roads. The scenery is beautiful though, gorgeous snowcapped peaks and incredible canyons. Bec spent the trip singing Eidelweiss, and we feel like we are in one of those shaker bubbles. It went from 1 degree to 20 degrees this afternoon. We're staying in beautiful Glenwood Springs, and Bec went in the huge hot springs tonight, which she loved (toasty warm now). After doing the mountain towns today, tomorrow we start on the national parks ... the first being the Black Canyon of Gunnison then Colorado Monument. Still looking out for bighorn sheep! xoxox

Wildlife in downtown Boulder Colarado

Well today we ventured out of Denver to Boulder to check out the sights and we got to see the sweet down town area where we spotted a cute little Squirrel eating nuts. It is a collage town, very artsy/trendy with a Greeny feel to it. The mountain views on the way into Boulder were fantastic, a flashback to Jasper and Banff. Tomorrow we are off over the Rockies to Glenwood Springs and Aspen, bring it on, we're just hopeing that the roads aren't iced up as there is snow in them there hills xoxo T & B

We Got Crabs in Denver!

Finally left the children of the corn (if we see another corn field again it will be too soon) and made it into a rainy Denver. We walked a bit around the 16th Street Mall (which would be just gorgeous on a sunny day) before heading to Aurora, where we are staying. Soooo buggered but made time for Joes Crab Shack, which was fantastic. Too full to move! Tomorrow we're off to have a look at Boulder (Mork and Mindy country)and hopefully see the Rockies, which were fogged in with the weather. Its gone from 27 degrees yesterday to 10 degrees today, but then again, we are a mile high up here. Hope to have some mountain pics to upload soon! xoxox T & B

Ice Cream Capital of the World ...in Iowa???

Today we rode over to Le Mars, Iowa,the 'Ice Cream Capital of the World'. After a bit of choc mint and pecan praline we hit the road to Sioux City. Think endless corn fields and quaint small towns (Beresford, Dell Rapids). It was a gorgeous day, a bit under 30 degrees, perfect riding weather. Tomorrow we're driving to North Platte, Nebraska, hometown of Buffalo Bill Cody. Heading towards the snow in the Rockies then on to the desert. Will post when we can (not sure if we'll have comms in the national parks)xoxox B & T

Devils Gulch

Yesteray we rode out to Devils Gulch, location of Jesse James fameous 20 foot horse leap over a gorge to escape police (yes, he apparently made it!). The gorge area is beautiful, and they have dropped 500 foot plumbs into the water and still never reached the bottom. After that we went on to Pipestone, Minnesota, where we visited the Sacred tradition of Pipestone Makers store and the pipestone national monumnent. These peace pipes are made of a red stone and the pipemaker was telling us that he regularly travels to drought regions to bring rain with the thunder pipes (keep him out of Repton, we have enough!). Today we are off to Sioux Falls downtown area for the sculpture walk. Heading south on Saturday for Colorado before the snow sets in xoxox T & B

Polar Bear Riding Club

Yep. we're now part of the Polar Bear Riding Club (for rides done at 5 degrees C or less). A cold front moved in and out have come our Canadian coats! We went to Buffalo Ridge today, home of the tackiest and most dated exhibits we have seen all trip...just fabulous! Our favorite was a giant paino playing gorilla in trakkie pants, a common site in the wild west days. Ironically, we saw more bison on the roadside, not forgetting the white buffalo Beck saw in Jamestown North Dakota on the way down. Tonight we played our first game of dominos (its not just a pizza chain, who knew!). Off to explore downtown tomorrow and perhaps a bit of shopping (suitcase #6 now) xoxox T & B

Fantastic Sioux Falls

We've arrived in Sioux Falls a couple of days ago, missed the floods by THAT much! Its meant that the waterfall has been flowing and everything is green though, so we are pleased (and there doesnt seem to have been too much damage at all). Its a warm change from Canada (yeah!) and lots of catching up with Ron, Carol, Jim, Harlan and Sue. Last night we went to the Science Centre where we got to play a game that uses only our brainwaves to move the ball (sooo neat) and saw 2 Imax/Cinedome films (luckily before we ate, talk about head spins). Been travelling around on Jim's bike (so Tony is thrilled) and Bec has even managed to do a yoga class!. We'll be here another couple of weeks, leaving just after a halloween dance -- we're all going as biker zombies and devils, already have the latex and face paints. Stay tuned for pictures! xoxox B & T