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

Day 14 - coos bay, or to eureka, ca

We woke up late so had to rush about to get out of the motel on time!

Once we were on the road we were pretty much straight into the coos county forest which was pretty awesome. The first town we came to was bandon where we took the scenic devour down beach loop drive where we saw some amazing views and face rock. We also passed quite a few more cranberry bogs.

We stopped for lunch at the paradise cafe in port orford, k had the biggest pancake I've ever seen and a peanut butter malt and I had a Philly cheese steak. It was awesome, it was all locals with really strong accents talking about fishing and us!

From this point on til the end of Oregon 60 miles later was mile after mile of rugged coast with amazing view after amazing view. There was lots of amazing rocks (like the goonies one) jutting out of the ocean and we went a few walks to view points, I think we took a million photos.

Then we sadly had to wave goodbye to Oregon because we hit California!

Basically we drove through a lot of redwoods and were in awe at the size of them. We also saw cool lagoons next to the ocean.

We arrived in eureka where we are staying tonight, before we checked into a motel we went for dinner. We went to hometown buffet which as the name suggests is a buffet restraunt. Only ten bucks each! We had some delicious food, and some delicious dessert!

We left very full and checked into a super 8 motel, pretty massive room and lots of tv channels (we're currently watching ace of cakes).

We went out cruising and got lost a little then went for a pop around target, classy!

Tomorrow we will drive through a tree!

Day 13 - more photos

Day 13 - portland to coos bay photos

Day 13- Portland to Coos bay

Kirsty here again- V is having problems with her phone and can't access the internet. So no photos today cos I can't do them on my phone. Hopefully V's phone will be working tomorrow.

This morning we got up and headed out towards the coast. The drive out of portland was quite interesting seeing vinyards and hazelnut groves. Once we got back on highway 101 it was lovely. Seriously. Sorry for using a cliche but words can't describe how spectacular the views were. Today was not a good day for the blog not to have photos!

Our first stop was a coffee and chocolate pretzel stick in lincoln city. This is not really a city, it's 5 towns that joined forces in the past so they could get a sewage system! Our next stop was at otter rock, then cape foulweather! The weather was not foul. We went to the gift shop which had panoramic views over a cliffside, and at the viewpoint we saw a whale! My favourite place we stopped was at the devil's punchbowl- a sort of pool carved out by the ocean into the rocks with water swilling in. There we saw another whale, more clearly this time, and victoria helped some other tourists to spot it.

We had lunch at a nice brewery in newport- the rogue brewery. V had pulled pork sliders and I had a blt. We explored the town and also saw the area around the aquarium which was made up to look like little streets with colourful buildings. We didn't have time to go into the aquarium unfortunately.

Back on the road we saw even more dramatic scenery and stopped at some viewpoints.
At Ona beach we went a walk through the wood, over a wee bridge across the creek and onto the sandy beach.

We stopped to look at the heceta lighthouse and were delighted to also see literally hundreds of seals on the rocks below! There is a sea cave where you can get a lift down to the bottom and see the seals but again we didn't have time. The town of florence had lots of dunes and activities to go with this like sand boarding or going on dune buggies.

After driving through some forest and lake areas (and seeing cranberry bogs!) we arrived at North Bend and Coos Bay which is where we are staying tonight in a motel 6. We went to a lovely italian restaurant for dinner and both got the half and half, i.e. spaghetti and another thing. V had lasagne and I had canneloni. It was nice to be able to try 2 different things on the menu and just have half portions. Also, the meals came with complementary soup, salad and garlic bread- as much as you wanted! I think they seemed surprised when we only had one portion of each- other people were having seconds!

Back at the motel now and v is already asleep! More dramatic coastline tomorrow...

Day 12 - portland some more

We started the day with a donut mission. An epic, waiting in the rain for 45 min, donut mission!

We hopped in the car and drove to voodoo donuts, we got a space right outside it - I took this as a good sign - and joined the queue. In the rain. The wait wasn't too bad, we chatted to some Americans and a Scottish guy that has been in America for 50 years.

We got the famous maple bacon car with real bacon on top for us and for Craig and Jana. We also got the eponymous voodoo donut, it is a wee donut man filled with raspberry alone with a pretzel pin stuck in.

After we stood in the queue for all that time the rain decided to stop! We went to local coffee roaster stumptown to chill and get a latte. It turns out it was the best coffee I've ever had.

We came back to the hotel to drop off the donuts and had one each for breakfast. K had a maple bacon and I had the voodoo donut but couldn't finish it. They were both delicious.

We then headed over to the 23rd st shopping area for some browsing. It was really nice, lots of cute shops. We each got a tshirt from Brooklyn industries, v nice!

Then we met Craig and baby arlo for a late lunch/early dinner. We just went to a pub on 23rd, I had soup and cajun tater tots, k had a veg burger and tots and Craig had a bacon cheeseburger... and tots. Arlo had some garlic bread, gherkins and a whole lot of table edge!

After dinner we went a big walk round the pearl district and took in the sights, it was cool, lots of really nice buildings and faded old painted on billboards. I took a fair amount of photos.

We took tle streetcar back down to 23rd and Craig got some icecream, he made the mistake of giving arlo some, it turned him into a gremlin! He was making this weird growling noise til he got more.

We got to the bus stop and after waiting for 20 minutes the bus turned up and said that was its last stop and the next one wasn't for half an hour! Craig had a sleepy baby strapped to his front so this was bad news! We decided to go to our hotel, get the car and give them a lift home.

Once we dropped them off we decided to go cruise east portland since we hadn't had time to visit it properly. We cruised about it and decided we had to bite tle bullet and get petrol. We were nervous about the fact that you aren't allowed to pump your own gas in Oregon but it was ok, it went smoothly.

Now we're back at the hotel planning our route back to the coast tomorrow and watching family guy. Nice.

Day 12 - portland

Day 11- Portland

(Guest blog, written by kirsty)
After our late night out last night we had a long lie this morning. We looked out the window to discover that the rain from last night was still going strong and didn't much feel like leaving the hotel. Eventually we ventured out and it was a good thing we did because we were about to have amazing brunch #2 of the holiday! The venue: sugar mama's. V's order: hash browns with sausage gravy (more white sauce than gravy, with pieces of sausage in). My order: the big easy (ham, fried egg, my absolute favourite breakfast item- grits, and a biscuit- ie a scone basically). It was a lovely tiny wee place and bizarrely had a violinist busking inside!
After brunch we had a wander about downtown but it was still pretty rainy. We went to a great shop called Reading Frenzy and bought some zines. It also had alot of nice stationery and books. Following the theme of this holiday, I could have bought WAY much more! By this time the rain was subsiding so we got to have a wander about the saturday market. My favourite stall was selling metal headband things that make you look like you have things stuck through your head like knives, arrows, scissors etc. I tried on one with a saw and the guy said to me "you look sharp"!
There is an amazing donut place in portland called voodoo donuts. We were going to wait in the queue but it went right round the block so we decided to leave it for another time. So watch this space.
We then got the max light rail across the river to a big mall, as I was on a mission. An old navy shaped mission. Mission accomplished, we had a wander around the mall. We got asked by some people in the mall to review a trailer for the film Haywire, which they paid us 3 dollars for!
There was a cinema in the mall too so we decided to see You Again which was hilarious and a jolly romp. After the film we got the light rail back up to the hotel, popping into hot lips on the way. This is a great pizza place that use only fresh local ingredients that are in season. So sometimes they don't use tomato sauce on the pizzas when tomatoes are not in season! They also sell delicious sodas so v got raspberry flavour and I got pear flavour- nice!
We are both pretty tired now but particularly v hence i'm writing the blog tonight.
The end.

Day 11 - portland photos

I know my breakfast doesn't look appetising but it was delicious!

Day 10 - photos

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Victoria Lindsay" <toerzy@googlemail.com>
Date: 9 Oct 2010 03:15
Subject: Day 10 - photos
To: "toerzy.kirsty@blogger.com" <toerzy.kirsty@blogger.com>

Day 10 - little people to portland

Today we visited the pumpkin farm owned by the stars of little people big world, if you watch the she show this info will be awesome and if you don't you will most likely be confused.

We got up and went to meet Craig near the farm but we had no means of communicating from the meeting point and 50 minutes later he still hadn't arrived so we went without him. One good thing about his tardiness was we saw Matt while we were waiting.

We arrived at the farm and bought tickets for the two tractor tours. They were both great, one went round the whole property and one went round to the wild west town where Matt's parents were waiting. K spoke to them and got her picture taken with them but I played it cool. Jeremy was driving one of the tractors but sadly we didn't get that one, we did see him though.

There was also a petting zoo with the cutest pig ever and lots of other animals. We also saw a baby lion and tiger but they were sleeping, very cute though.

For lunch I had a delicious corn dog and k had a burger and we shared a 'fry brick' - an actual brick of chips!

K was moaning cos she wanted to see amy but she wasn't about when she suddenly appeared! K was super happy and we chatted to her for a bit and k got a picture with her.

We then headed to portland where we are staying for the weekend. We checked into the hotel which is lovely and got on the wifi to find out that Craig had turned up super late and couldn't see us so we arranged to meet tonight instead.

K and I headed to Powell's which is a massive book shop, you need a map to find your way about. We were in there for hours! We bought a few things but we could have bought much much more!

We came to the hotel to drop off our purchases and get ready and went and met Craig. We went to a pub called north 45 not too far from the hotel. It was really nice and had table service so we didn't have to bother with going to the bar. We ate some food, drank some beer and talked some rubbish and suddenly it was after 2 so we called it a night and I'm now back at the hotel trying not to fall asleep while writing this!

Tomorrow we'll explore portland properly.

Day 9 - photos