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Summer 2005 Road Trip

Mike & Anne's Journey to California

Click on any picture for that gallery.

Pay attention!Grand Canyon- The Grand Canyon was well worth the detour we took on the way to California. I would definitely recommend getting there early to beat the crowds, and to find a good parking spot. Be sure to bring plenty of water bottles you can refill, even if you don't plan on hiking. Sun screen and a hat are also a good idea.
      The free shuttle buses are very convienent. The top of the South Rim is at 7000 feet, so hiking should be approached with caution. The rule of thumb is that it takes twice as long to hike back UP to where you came from, so be careful how far you go DOWN into the canyon.

Getting our feet wet in the PacificMalibu Pier & Beach- We finally made it to L.A. late on a Saturday evening. We had dinner with Rick and Dena at Universal Studio's Citywalk Hollywood (See more at "Hooray for Hollywood" below).
      We headed to the beach the next day. It was Father's Day and there was a father and child fishing derby. The weather was beautiful and we finally got our feet wet in the Pacific Ocean. Our first seafood dinner was at Gladstone's on the beach. After dinner we took a drive farther up Highway 1, then wound our way back to Hollywood through Laurel Canyon.

Catalina Island- Driving in the L.A. area may take longer than you think. We barely made it to St. Pedro in time before the Catalina Express left. It was a windy trip across the bay, but it was exciting to see a school of dolphins on the way. Catalina Island is definitely built for tourists. We visited Avalon on the southeast end of the island. Quaint streets with shopping and restaurants, where you can find fun things to explore ... or just do nothing at all.

The Wrigley Memorial & Garden was a great experience on Catalina Island. We have never seen so many cacti and aloe plants before. I learned that the different parts that grow on a cactus become the trunk eventually. We walked up to the garden and took a free shuttle bus back down.

Hooray for Hollywood - It is great to have friends who can show you around. We learned a new way of doing shots at the Howl at the Moon piano bar. Rick enjoyed that especially. Walking down Hollywood Boulevard and seeing things we recognize from movies was exciting. The hand and footprints at the Chinese Mann Theather were memorable. Even the Ozzie Osborne look-alike had an immediate fan club.


San Diego
Downtown & Broadway Pier
San Diego
USS Midway Museum
San Diego
Sailing The Bay

San Diego
Balboa Park
Coronado Island
Pacific Coast Highway

Ventura to
Santa Barbara
Hearst Castle
San Simeon
California To Utah
via Las Vegas

Zion National Park
Zion to Bryce
Bryce Canyon

Utah to Wyoming

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