Day 17/18 - the end

Woke up yesterday and somehow managed to fit everything in our suitcases! Thank god!

The flight wasn't til 7 so we still had a bit of time in san fran to enjoy. We hit the shops and I bought a lovely pair of kicks. I then discarded the trainers I bought the last time we were in America and put the new ones on - efficient!

We went and met Iain for coffee and some more shopping. Then disaster struck! We went to another branch of chronicle books (we went to the headquarters a few days ago and bought lots of stuff) and they were having a 40% off moving sale, including the things we'd bought - drat! K then HAD to buy more stuff, her eyes glazed over and she was in book shopping mode. Iain smugly bought something we bought on Thursday for the reduced rate.

We then popped over to the sf moma, but we only had time for the shop sadly. Again k was off, again Iain and I dispared!

Everyone's favourite trolley dolly then went off for a nap leaving k and I at the metreon centre with hyperbowl on our minds. It is basically a bowling simulator done to look like a bowling alley where you roll an actual bowling ball, like an upside down mouse, and there is a crazy course with obstacles before the pins, google it, it is awesome! I won! Yaaas!

After that we had a wee wander about a beverage at coffee bean and tea leaf then went to the hotel and got our bags.

Nothing exciting happened til we got on the plane, we took our seats then Iain came to tell us he had scored us a sweet upgrade! The luxury! We had beds and amazing food! K had fillet steak! We had real crockery! It was amazing!

We are now in heathrow waiting on our flight to Glasgow and tomorrow I'm back at work. Sad times.

Day 17 - San Francisco, the last full day

Well today was our only full day in san fran and our last full day sadly.

We started by going for brunch about 10 at dottie's true blue cafe, we queued for about an hour for a table but it was worth it! Iain got there at 710 even though it didn't open til half past and the queue had already formed!

K got peanut butter, choc chip french toast and I had the full breakfast, it was brilliant, the devil really is in the detail! The toast was thick homemade buttermilk dill and the homefries were delicious!

After that we went to the haight to hang out with the hippies. We shopped and drunk a few coffees over the next few hours. This included a trip to amoeba a giant and awesome record store.

Our next stop was the mission district, namely valencia st. We went into loads of lovely shops and bought some nice wee things. After this we went to a lovely car called the latin american club, it had loads of pinatas hanging from the ceiling and had a really friendly atmosphere.

Next we went up the other side of the street back to our starting point and went for a burrito in la cumbre, we both had steak and both agreed they were delicious, the guy that ran the place gave us free magnets and some chat.

After dinner we went to a coffee shop attached to a book shop and had pg tips! We just sat chilling and reading magazines, lovely!

We came back to the hotel and then went a wander round Chinatown and got some bubble tea. now we're back trying to fit all our stuff in our suitcases!

Day 16 - photos

Day 16 - santa rosa to san francisco - total miles for trip 1493

Day started with a very scenic drive through sonoma and napa valleys, many, many grapes!

Then we arrived on the jelly belly factory where we went on the free tour which lasted an hour, it was awesome!

We spent ages in the shop then went to the cafe for lunch, k had a burger shaped like a jelly bean and I had a pizza shaped like a jelly bean (or a kidney)! We also encountered a little girl called genesis?!?! Crazy!

We got back on the (very hot) road and headed for san Francisco, the first view of the city and the bridge was amazing.

We drove over the bridge, which was amazing, then drove through the city. We drove down the world's crookedest street, Lombard St, then headed for chronicles books in south beach. We bought some top notch books, then headed to drop off the car.

The car drop off went smoothly and was only 2 blocks to the hotel so we got checked in pretty quickly. The room is giant and has an awesome walk-in closet (thanks mum).

We then decided to play tourist so we got the cable car to the tourist area of fisherman's wharf where we had dinner. We went to THE cafe of a famous sourdough bakery, I had chilli in a sourdough bowl with a side salad and k had a salad and a lot of bread and butter.

We were getting the streetcar back round to union square to meet iain but the one in front broke down so we ended up getting a taxi.

We found Iain then couldn't decide where to go so just went the long, up hill, walk to the tonga room in the fairmont hotel, it is a tiki bar with a band in the middle of a pool and indoor thunder, lightening and rain once an hour! And expensive cocktails! We spent $150 on 3 drinks each plus tip! We did get to see a guy hauled out by the police though so it was worth it.

Now we're back at the hotel, chilling. Last full day tomorrow.

Day 15 - photos

Day 15 - eureka to santa rosa

Our day started with the scenic drive through 'the avenue of the giants' which is through a forest of giant redwoods - this is no understatement they were truly massive!

We did a lot of the tourist attractions in the redwoods - we went inside a room inside an actual upright tree, we saw trees that had fallen down that were over 100 metres long and we drove through a tree! There are a few options on where to drive through a tree but we went for the one where it was a natural split in the tree. Awesome!

We then drove to the 'whole house in one log' it I, exactly what it says on the tin, it had a wee kitchen and even 2 beds, I'm not going to lie, We loved it. We got a wee lunch there. K had a pbj and I had half a beef sandwich, it would have been a whole sandwich but the cheese was yucky.

Soon after we headed onto highway 1 and towards the coast. This involved driving round mountains with big drops and very little security barriers, the view was amazing but I was terrified! At this point I thought a road couldn't be more frightening, a was later to be proven wrong!

We made it to the coast in one piece and yet again the view was amazing, and it was roasting!

Our first stop was fort bragg, it was a lovely wee town I had ice cream and we had a wee walk about.(when we got back on the road k got a mcdonald's sweet ice tea, no change there!)

Basically after this we just drove down the coast saying ooo and ah until we came to THE ROAD OF TERROR!

Hairpin bend after hairpin bend on cliffs above the ocean with mostly no barriers that went on for what felt like forever! K, of course, drove perfectly and we were safe but i was very scared.

We headed back inland at bodega bay and headed to santa rosa cos it will be easy to leave from tomorrow. We ended up slightly south in rohnert park. We went to chilis for dinner cos they have a 2 eat for $20 deal on and we are cheapos! We got tortilla chips with guac and salsa to share to start, they brought millions! I was pretty much full when my main came. K got chicken fajitas and I got chipotle chicken strips with corn on the cobb and chips. I ate 2 of the 5 chicken strips and the corn and had to get the rest to go!

There was a 'good nite inn' across from the restraunt so we just checked in here. We put a wash on then went to see what was about when we spotted crazy golf! We quickly pulled off the road and paid our money, it was amazing! Castles with doors that opened and all sorts, basically the mini golf that dreams are made of!

We came back to the motel to plan tomorrow and sort out the washing. Tomorrow we arrive in san fran and drop off the car.

Day 14 - photos