Two go wild and go west! THREAD 3 COMPLETE! About This Page:

[chezp]

Welcome to my trip report for our Vegas and California trip! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]

This is the third thread of this report. The first thread of this report can be found here and the second thread can be found
here

As this will cover a number of different places, the Vegas and Lake Havasu City parts have already been posted in the Globetrotting forum. This part of the report will cover the San Diego and Disneyland / Los Angeles parts and then, when we get there, the San Francisco part will be posted back in the Globetrotting forum.

[chezp]

Wednesday 19 April – part one: desserts, mountains and valleys

Perhaps because of our early night last night, we were awake early, just before 6.00 and were soon up. We grabbed a cup of tea and some cakes and I called Elaine (Bert & Sully) to see how she was and we chatted for ages – OK and to activate our American cell phone – trust me, don’t ask anymore than that!
[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] I tried my parents, but just my luck, they were out! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/foreheadslap.gif[/img]

We were on the road just after 7.30 and the traffic was very light leaving Lake Havasu City, which was nice. I doubt it would’ve been that quiet in Las Vegas at that time. We were soon on the I 40 and that was where we stayed for the next two and a half hours, travelling through the Mojave Desert with only a brief stop for gas and to grab a cake to snack on.

The desert scenery does vary a bit, as we go through it and I kept photographing it as we travelled, mainly so that Mark could enjoy them later, as he couldn’t enjoy the view while he was driving.



As we started to near Barstow, we saw snow covered mountains that we later realised were along the I 15 in the Granite Mountains.



About 20 miles outside of Barstow, it suddenly became a lot greener and the change as turned on to the I 15 was amazing. Suddenly there was grass and trees everywhere you looked and we saw those snow covered mountains up close.


Aircraft base near Barstow


An army exercise we think – one minute it was still, the next something had been blown up!

We spotted a fire in those mountains

The descent down through Cajon Pass was pretty impressive, but also a bit scary. I wouldn’t like to go down there in a lorry, let’s put it that way! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/ukid.gif[/img]



Then we turned on to the I 215, which I think was a far quieter and more pleasant road to drive than I would imagine the I 15 is. The only slight problem we hit was roadworks around Riverside and an unexpected diversion down the I 91 due to a missed turn, but that was quickly rectified and we were back on our way again.

As we headed back on to the I 15, the countryside became even more green and there were signs for wine country. I must admit I thought the only Californian wine was produced in the Napa Valley, but it’s certainly fertile enough here to do some growing here as well.



As we got closer to San Diego, the freeways got crazy. At one point, I counted eight lanes. OK, so most of the time it made sense, as usually there were three lanes heading off to another freeway and three going our way, but even so, it was a bit daunting in places.

Next: how many extra charges? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img]

[jakenjess]

Beautiful pictures! I'm really looking forward to hearing about Disneyland!

[katspjs]

All caught up now. Fabulous TR and pictures. Can't wait to hear all about your Cali Adventures! More please!

[MickeyMAC]

Great pictures!

[crystalloubear]

Wow! More please

[WDWJAMBA]

Beautiful snow covered mountains!

[YoHoTales40]

Your reporting and pictures have just been awesome!! We just returned from DL and I don't know how I will find the time to report it all within a reasonable time frame when I will remember everything! Good job!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

[Wendyismyname]

Great update Cheryl!! Love the desert photos!!

[DrDolphin]

Great update Cheryl! The california pics are wonderful!

[Jenny Pooh]

I thought the same thing about all the lanes on the freeway out in CA! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/dizzy.gif[/img] I would go nuts if that was my daily drive!!

[Cam22]

The pictures are truly awesome! So neat to see how all the scenery changes as you move from one section of the country to another. Can't wait for more!

[disneyfan2183]

Great update!

[zacksmom_1993]

[ QUOTE ]
As we headed back on to the I 15, the countryside became even more green and there were signs for wine country. I must admit I thought the only Californian wine was produced in the Napa Valley, but it’s certainly fertile enough here to do some growing here as well.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, they grow grapes wherever there's a spare plot of land in California. It's why we can get really cheap wine in the states now days. Two buck Chuck anyone? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Although, you tend to get what you pay for. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] Can't wait for more California adventures!

[lauren-roxy]

Great update Cheryl and wonderful pictures!!!