USA 2009
In June 2009 we stayed for 16 days in the western United States. We had only pre-booked the flight, a rental car and accommodation in LA, San Francisco and Las Vegas. I had planned this vacation well and everything has worked without any problems, and with a little bit of luck. As we have seen much and experienced even more, there is far too much to report, so I am going to be shorter and share only the most important things here.
Once in Los Angeles, we drove with the rental car directly on the highway towards Downtown, what an experience. LA is a dream for every movie fan, unfortunately we only had 1 1/2 days, so far too little. On the plan, of course, were Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Venice Beach. We are also bought the Map Of Stars, which was a lot of fun, were in Downtown, at the major film studios and a little bit of shopping. The view from Mulholland Drive is a must and worth seeing both day and night.
From LA we drove to Malibu and take Highway 1 to San Francisco. Once there, we drove of course just across the Golden Gate Bridge to a lookout point. The next day, we first visited Alcatraz, an absolute must in San Francisco! Then we were at Pier 39, did a cable car ride to Downtown, were in Chinatown and walked a bit through the city. We have visited a number of parks and at the evening we were at the viewpoints at the Golden Gate Bridge. A ride down the famous Lombard Street must not be missed! San Francisco is an amazing city, with many attractions and well worth a visit!
From San Francisco, we went to Yosemite National Park, where we tried out our new Wal-Mart tent. The next day we were, at Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, hiked the John Muir Trail, were at the Yosemite Falls and at Olmsted Point. Yosemite NP is really impressive, with many hiking trails and incredible views!
The next stop was the Death Valley National Park, where we have also camped. Early in the morning we broke up early and drove through the Death Valley National Park. Our stations were, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Devils Corn Field, Salt Creek Trail, Golden Canyon, Devils Golf Course, Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point and Dante's View. The Death Valley National Park is truly impressive, the oppressive heat was so hard to imagine.
We went over Las Vegas to Rockville, where we took a bed & breakfast. The next day we visited the Zion National Park, including the following locations: Angels Landing, Emerald Pools, Temple Of Sinawava (The Narrows) and Court Of The Patriarchs. The hike of Angels Landing was an incredible experience but really hard, if I would do it again, I honestly do not know. I was glad when I arrived back down. Itis really great what nature has created at Zion National Park, it is truly incredible.
Then we went through very beautiful roads to Bryce Canyon. There we were at several viewpoints and then have our tent pitched. The next morning we hiked the Queens Garden and the Navajo Trail and were at the various viewpoints. Then we went through the Capitol Reef Nation Park (Scenic Drice) and further to the Dead Horse Point State Park, the view is really incredible! In Moab we spent the night in a motel.
Early in the morning we drove to the Arches National Park, our stations were the Devils Garden Trail with Pinetree Arch, Tunnel Arch, Landscape Arch, Double O Arch and Partition Arch, then the Wolfe Ranche to the Delicate Arch, further to the Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint, the Garden Of Eden Viewpoint, the Double Arch and the Turret Arch. The Arches National Park for me was one of the greatest National Park we have been. Shortly after noon we drove to Mesa Verde National Park where we camped again. At Mesa Verde National Park we made the first Cliff Palace Tour in the morning and then drove to and through the Monument Valley. After that we drove to Page and took a motel for the night.
The next day we were at Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell und did a tour through the Uppper Antilope Canyon. The walk was really an experience and a paradise for photographers. Then we went to Horseshoe Bend with an unbelievable view and to the navajo bridge. At the evening we were at Grand Canyon national Park and camped in Tusayan.
Early in the morning we hiked the Bright Angel Trail a little bit and were at the different viewpoints at the South Rim. The Grand Canyon is so impressive, I really could not imagine. We went on the Route 66 to the Hoover Dam and spent the night camped at Lake Mead. Then we drove through the Valley Of Fire State Park and went to Las Vegas, where we stayed at the Luxor Hotel & Casino. We were in Downtown Las Vegas, made a trip into the desert and spent the rest of the time on the Strip in the casinos. Las Vegas is really awesome and the casinos are incredible. We went down to the Strip day and night, have played in most casinos and enjoyed a show. Gambling can make really addictive, with a little luck we made over 100 USD profit. Vegas was really perfect for the end of our holiday trip.
The holiday was an incredible experience, we have seen and experienced so much. We have left more than 3600 miles behind us, all the stations were worth watching and impressive and everything has worked out the way we planned it. America is truly the land of opportunity, the scenery is so different and beautiful and there are so many attractions, we will definitely come back again!
