Starting Out – Perth to Tokyo to Los Angeles
23rd and 24th March, 2008
Our journey began after a long night working until 6 am. I grabbed a quick nap until 9 am, then headed to Perth Airport to meet my mate Glen for our usual weekly cuppa and chat. Glen, a fellow bus driver and travel enthusiast, is counting down the days—201 to his next big trip to Europe and the USA. We talked about everything from frustrating passengers to upcoming adventures.
The airport was surprisingly quiet for a Sunday morning—planes barely moving—so after some plane spotting, I swung by to see my son Scott at work before heading home around 2 pm. Meanwhile, Rayls was busy with housework, packing, and last-minute preparations.
Our plan was for Scott to pick us up around 8 pm and drive us to the airport via my workplace, where Ryan was working in the Swan Transit Radio Room.
We Made It!
Fast forward to Monday evening, 24th March, and we’re in Barstow, halfway between LA and Las Vegas. Traveling via Tokyo proved to be a great decision—the day room at Narita Airport was a lifesaver, offering much-needed rest and a refreshing shower during our long layover.
The flights themselves went well. The Qantas 767 was comfortable, though the American Airlines 777 felt cramped in comparison. LA traffic was a nightmare, so we were more than happy to escape the city and settle in Barstow for the night.
Already, we’ve experienced two great moments of American hospitality. In Wal-Mart, we met Robert in the tissue aisle. After I sneezed, he offered a warm “bless you,” which sparked a 30-minute chat about our countries and cultures. Though we probably won’t see him again, his kindness left a lasting impression.
Dinner was at Denny’s, where Trena, our waitress, shared a fascinating insight into the American tipping system. She explained how the IRS taxes her tips regardless of whether customers leave one, sometimes leaving her out of pocket. Trena, a hardworking mother of five, was truly inspiring.
Tokyo to Los Angeles
After the day room, a short train ride took us to the satellite terminal, where we boarded American Airlines flight AA170, a Boeing 777 bound for LAX.
Though we left on time, the taxi to the runway took ages. Onboard, the seats were tighter than on the Qantas flight, making comfort a bit tricky. The entertainment system had limited options—about 12 channels, including some Japanese programs. I kept flipping between a classic movie channel showing All The President’s Men and other recent films, while Rayls preferred the flight map display. The map was less exciting than usual, thanks to a confusing Japanese cycle indicator.
Approaching the US coast near San Francisco, the views were spectacular. The captain shared that this was his final flight after 30 years with American Airlines, which brought a round of applause from passengers. The subsequent Japanese translation took twice as long, as expected!
Our landing was textbook perfect, and we got great views of Los Angeles as we touched down.
Arrival in LA and on to Barstow
Disembarking was a bit slow as we were bused to the international terminal. The immigration line was long—about 500 people—but moved quickly. Within 45 minutes, we cleared customs and were ready to start our American road trip.
An Alamo shuttle bus arrived just as we exited, and after a short wait at the rental office, we picked up our blue Toyota Corolla. The car rental guy tried to upsell us on a larger car and roadside protection, but we politely declined. Driving on the wrong side was a challenge loading the luggage, and the GPS was set to metric units, which took some getting used to.
We headed for Glendale Galleria Mall but ran into traffic and roadworks. After a short shopping stop, we entered the coordinates for our hotel in Barstow and arrived about two hours later.
The Days Inn in Barstow was comfortable and had excellent service. We were asked if a first-floor room was okay—luckily, in the US, that means ground floor, so no stairs to lug bags up!
Later, at Wal-Mart, we stocked up on water and supplies and had a wonderful conversation with Robert (the “bless you” guy). Dinner was at Denny’s, with great food and a chatty waitress named Trena who gave us insights into American life.
By 9pm, we were back at the hotel—exhausted after a day that started just minutes after leaving Perth and included two long flights, a long layover, and a two-hour drive. Somewhere between Tokyo and Barstow, we crossed the International Date Line—losing a day but gaining an adventure.
Las Vegas – 25th and 26th March 2008
We woke to the soft light of dawn in Barstow, ready to hit the road for the 160-mile journey to Las Vegas. The GPS guided us flawlessly, delivering us right to the entrance of the MGM Grand car park—no small feat navigating the maze of Vegas streets.
However, we ran into an annoying issue with our rental car: the stereo, clock, and cigarette lighter were all dead. Since our iPod was loaded with all our favorite tunes, having a working cigarette lighter was essential to plug in the adapter so we could listen during the drive. A bit of a frustration for sure.
By 2pm, we checked into the MGM Grand and immediately set off for a stroll along the famous Las Vegas Strip. We wandered all the way to the Bellagio and back, soaking in the electric buzz of the city — the lights, the people, the constant hustle and bustle that defines Vegas.
We tried our luck at scoring 50% off tickets to a show, but the options were limited, and nothing really sparked our interest. So instead, we opted for a buffet dinner at the Excalibur. On the way back, we grabbed some Krispy Kreme doughnuts, a sweet little treat that felt perfectly indulgent.
Back in our room, I made the rookie mistake of lying down on that incredibly comfortable bed. Before I knew it, both of us were fast asleep—jet lag and a stubborn head cold won the battle, even in a city that never sleeps.
Day Two – Walking the Strip and Car Troubles
The next day stretched long ahead of us. We hopped on the Monorail to the Sahara and then set off on foot, walking the entire 3-mile strip back to the MGM Grand.
Along the way, we stopped at the Fashion Show Mall, where we picked out a birthday gift for our son Scott from the Apple store. We made another attempt at the 50% off show tickets, but again, no luck—only a single ticket was left for Mamma Mia.
Vegas crowds thickened as we wandered through iconic resorts—the Venetian, with its elaborate canals and stunning architecture, was a real highlight. Eventually, we made it back to the hotel.
Back at the hotel, I called Alamo about the car problems. I asked if we could just get the fuses replaced to get the stereo working again, but they couldn’t do that on the spot. Instead, they offered a car replacement.
So, we ventured out into the chaotic Vegas traffic once more. After a frustrating stop at a Chevron gas station where we couldn’t get fuel, we finally made it to Alamo at the airport. There, we were upgraded to a Chevrolet Impala. Nice upgrade, but it meant a bigger car to fill with fuel. Fortunately, fuel prices here are still much cheaper than back home, so we’re happy to take it.
With the new car, we used the GPS to find an Outback Steakhouse just off the I-15, but the restaurant was gone—apparently the area was undergoing redevelopment. We rang Ryan at home and got the coordinates for an Applebee’s instead, where we had a pleasant dinner.
We got back to the MGM Grand around 9pm, caught up on chat with Scott, and then collapsed into that incredibly comfy bed, ready to rest up for whatever Vegas throws at us next.
On the Road to Texas
3rd Day – Thursday, 27th March 2008
Thursday marked the true start of our epic road trip. We had a hefty 580 miles planned, so we were up and out early—checking out and hitting the road by 5:45am. The early start wasn’t a problem since we were already awake. It was pitch dark as we left the neon glow of Las Vegas behind, but dawn was breaking as we crossed the iconic Hoover Dam around 6:30am.
Crossing the dam meant more than just taking in the impressive concrete marvel; it also meant entering a new time zone. With the clock jumping forward an hour, what felt like 6:30am instantly became 7:30am as we rolled into Arizona. The Hoover Dam was bustling with construction, particularly around the new, sweeping bridge arching over the Colorado River—quite a sight and a symbol of ongoing progress.
We pushed on, covering 220 miles before pulling into Williams for breakfast. Williams is the gateway to the Grand Canyon, but having explored that on previous trips, we decided to keep driving. Our next target was Flagstaff, 250 miles down the road, before finally reaching Winslow at 308 miles. We made sure to stop at the famous “Standin’ on the Corner” park—a spot immortalized by the Eagles and a charming little tribute to the town’s history. The park had been spruced up since our last visit two years ago and was just as delightful as ever.
After a break, Rayls took the wheel and we crossed into New Mexico, rolling into the small town of Grants to refuel. Later, I took over driving duties and guided us into Albuquerque. We checked into a Days Inn right on the dot at 5pm—not bad for a day that started so early. After settling in, we explored the local Walmart, grabbed dinner at JB’s Restaurant, and checked out a nearby Best Buy.
Our hotel left something to be desired—clean but noisy, with a persistent racket that made sleep difficult. I set the phone alarm for 8am, hoping to catch a good rest, but the room alarm blared unexpectedly at 6:30am. To top it off, my head cold worsened. Tomorrow’s plan was a 325-mile push to Lubbock, Texas, where we’d delve into Buddy Holly’s hometown.
4th Day – Friday, 28th March 2008
Waking up was a shock—not because of the alarm we set, but because the hotel alarm clock rang out at 6am unexpectedly. This Days Inn in Albuquerque was noisy, mostly due to the fridge and bathroom. Definitely not a restful stay.
We finally hit the road around 9am, following Interstate 40 east to Santa Rosa. Our GPS originally suggested a route to Amarillo before turning south to Lubbock, but that was over 100 miles longer than necessary. We opted to find the Clovis turnoff instead—but the turnoff didn’t appear when expected, forcing us to backtrack nearly 20 miles. Frustrating, but part of the adventure.
Once on Highway 84, we cruised through Fort Sumner, where the highway became 84/60, then onward through Clovis—a town with deep roots in the origins of rock and roll. Shortly after crossing the New Mexico-Texas border, we arrived in Lubbock around 4:30pm.
With daylight fading, we made a quick visit to the Buddy Holly statue. The late afternoon sun wasn’t ideal for photos, but it was still an emotional moment standing near this icon’s likeness. Next, we paid respects at the City of Lubbock Cemetery, visiting Buddy Holly’s gravesite. We didn’t have a guitar pick to leave behind, but an Aussie 20-cent coin found its way onto his memorial instead.
As we left the cemetery, we passed through a bleak residential area where hundreds of prairie dogs had taken over a vacant lot—small, curious creatures popping up everywhere, a surreal sight in the middle of suburbia.
After checking into our hotel around 6pm, we headed to an Outback Steakhouse. The wait for a table was an hour, which was frustrating, but the food was worth it. Nathan, our server, was friendly and knowledgeable; we chatted a bit about Buddy Holly, connecting over the shared history.
We rounded out the evening with a quick trip to Walmart before returning to the hotel around 10pm. A call to Ryan and then to bed.
The Wal-Mart truck count stood at 33—still far from my guess of 264 for the whole trip, and Rayls’ guess of 287. If anyone else wants to have a go, the prize is simply the honour of winning! As for the swear word count—already four F-bombs despite the last trip being swear-free. My habit of heading to the passenger side when I’m supposed to drive has happened 11 times, but the number of times I accidentally activate the windshield wipers instead of the indicators has dropped to 5. Progress, I guess!
5th Day – Saturday 29th March, 2008
Today we thought we might head back to the Buddy Holly Statue and gravesite because the photos were not that great due to the afternoon shade. However, today is overcast, so there was no point in going back.
Instead, we turned up at the Buddy Holly Center at 10:00 am and spent an hour looking around. Quite a nice spot. No photos were allowed, which was a bummer.
By noon, we were on the road for Dallas. My health was going downhill fast, but we managed to make it through Abilene and Fort Worth, where we checked out Lee Harvey Oswald’s gravesite, before continuing on to Dallas, where we arrived around 5:30 pm.
As soon as we were in our room, I went straight to bed and soon after started vomiting. In desperation, Rayls contacted a doctor through the hotel reception. He arrived around 11:00 pm, did a thorough examination, and didn’t leave until 12:45 am. Turns out I had bronchitis (with a slight chance of pneumonia), and he gave me some injections and antibiotics. I then slept until 4 pm and began the slow road to recovery.
The doctor’s name was Dr. Richard Bixby. He was really very good and rang twice the following morning to see how I was doing.
Sunday 30th March, 2008
Today was a dead loss. I slept till 4 pm, and Rayls read and watched TV. Around 9 pm, we wandered to the iHop two doors down from the hotel and tried a light meal. Back to the hotel afterward.
Monday 31st March, 2008
So here we are, one week into the trip, and things are looking up health-wise.
Although I didn’t sleep well, we managed to check out of our hotel room around 9:00 am. We had a local Wal-Mart on the GPS and followed the directions, only to end up in an industrial area with no sign of a Wal-Mart.
Next, we went to Dealey Plaza, the site where President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. We had been here previously in 2001. Today we spent an hour or so wandering around the area and then checked out the store of the Sixth Floor Museum—spent some dollars there.
Then we tried to locate the site where Jack Ruby shot Lee Harvey Oswald. We found the building but couldn’t access the basement area. After that, we visited the site of Officer J.D. Tippit’s shooting by Lee Harvey Oswald, then the house where Oswald had the backyard photo taken, and finally Laurel Land Cemetery to see J.D. Tippit’s grave—we do go to a lot of gravesites.
Afterward, it was onto I-20 as we headed for South Carolina. We’ve changed our plans due to my illness and decided to head straight for Jim and Bette’s house in Greenwood, South Carolina.
We had hoped to make the 200 miles to Shreveport, but only got as far as Kilgore, still in Texas. For dinner, we had Cracker Barrel—both ate light: Rayls had chicken, I had fish. Including drinks and side dishes, it came to $19.02—bargain.
Now we’re watching TV with tornado warnings flashing across the screen. They appear to be a few hundred miles away, so we should be OK.
Travelling Down South
Tuesday, 1st April 2008
I had a rough night battling a persistent cough, which led to a much-needed sleep-in and a late start to the day. Just as we were leaving, the calm of the morning was shattered by a dramatic arrest in the room next door. Three police officers stormed in with guns drawn, breaking glass everywhere—it was like watching a live episode of Cops. The person being arrested was anything but polite, giving us four new swear words to add to our ever-growing list.
Once on the road, we settled into the drive and enjoyed a beautiful day covering 520 miles—closing the gap on the 900 miles separating us from our friends Jim and Bette. We crossed state lines into Louisiana, then a few hours later over the mighty Mississippi River into Mississippi, and later into Alabama.
The scenery was a welcome treat: lush roadside trees in varying shades of green stretched out along the highway, a perfect backdrop for our playlist that kept spirits high.
Tonight, we’re resting in Leeds, Alabama, with plans to reach Jim and Bette by late tomorrow afternoon.
Wednesday 2nd April, 2008
We woke up in Leeds, Alabama, where the newly renovated Days Inn proved a comfortable and pleasant stop. Unfortunately, my bronchitis was still wreaking havoc, and sleep continued to evade me. The irregular coughing and restless nights have thrown off my rhythm, but we’re hopeful for some improvement soon.
Our journey today took us east on I-20, about 120 miles shy of Atlanta. No detours to Florida this time—instead, we headed straight for Greenwood, South Carolina, for some much-needed rest and recuperation.
Passing through Atlanta brought minor traffic delays, but overall the drive was smooth. We paused in Lawrenceville at the massive Discover Mills outlet mall. Our main mission was the Lego store, to replace items we’d lost during a jet-lagged stop at Glendale Galleria earlier in the trip. While there, Rayls took full advantage of the shoe outlet, walking away with three new pairs, and also browsed a bookstore boasting over a million titles—though she settled on just three quilt-related books.
By 2:30 pm we were back on the road, cruising north on I-85 toward Greenwood. We grabbed a quick lunch at Arby’s before finally pulling into Jim and Bette’s house around 6 pm—a welcome sight after the long days on the highway.
Greenwood
After many hours on the road, we finally arrived in Greenwood at 6 pm. The last 90 miles were on local roads, and the GPS had us doing some strange maneuvers, but we made it safely.
Jim and Bette greeted us outside, and it was wonderful to see them again after so many years—we first met on our 2001 US trip. They had done so much for us back then and introduced us to the joys of traveling in the USA—we owe them a lot.
After a brief greeting, we all headed to a local sports club where Jim and Bette meet every Wednesday evening to catch up with friends. We spent a couple of hours chatting about everything under the sun before heading back to their home.
Jim and Bette live in a renovated garage behind their daughter Tina and her husband Tony’s house. Tina and Tony have two sons, Brandon (12) and Cooper (8). Don’t let the word “garage” fool you—it’s a very comfortable home with a lounge, dining, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. They seem perfectly content in their early retirement years.
After some more conversation with the extended family and playtime with their energetic 12-week-old Yorkshire Terrier, Bo, it was time for bed.
We were assigned to the RV parked alongside the garage—no cramped quarters here, but luxury living. It features a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living area, and four televisions with more channels than you could ever watch (I’m giving it a good try). Jim and Bette do a lot of traveling in this home-away-from-home—talk about the good life!
It rained on and off during the night—very pleasant to hear after the long, hot summer back home.
I’m still struggling to sleep due to bronchitis, with no more than an hour and a half of rest at a time since waking from the doctor/drug-induced coma in Dallas. Hopefully, the next few days of rest will bring improvement.
Thursday 3rd April, 2008
A much-needed quiet day spent with Jim and Bette. Although Jim is officially retired, he’s been doing some relief teaching and was off to teach Year 9 students today.
Rayls and I both slept in till nearly 10 am after another restless night. After breakfast, we headed to Wal-Mart to stock up on supplies, which took a while. By the time we got back, it was already lunchtime.
After lunch, Bette and Rayls went fabric shopping while I took the chance to nap for around three much-needed hours. The day was overcast and cool, with intermittent rain—a welcome change from the hot summer we left behind.
In the evening, Bette prepared a great roast dinner. Afterwards, we chatted and relaxed while watching TV.
Friday 4th April, 2008
A really good day.
We were up a little earlier and did some morning shopping. Just after midday, Bette and Rayls dropped me off at Jim’s school, Ware Shoals High School, where I watched and even participated in some of Jim’s classes. My Australian accent was a hit—I was asked to say “G’day mate” at least fifty times! The students called it cute, cool, and funny, and during lunch they kept requesting the phrase. The school was recently a movie set for Leathernecks, and Jim showed me some of the filming locations on campus. It was a wonderful experience, and great to see Jim’s ease with his students.
Meanwhile, Bette and Rayls visited friends Bev and David Joosten at their business, Sunrise Stained Glass Studio. They toured the workshop and admired examples of the Joostens’ work. Rayls picked out some window patterns, discovering that two of the pattern books were authored by someone from Cannington, Western Australia—just minutes from home.
Jim had an appointment in the afternoon, so Rayls and I headed home to relax. For dinner, Bette made spaghetti and meatballs, and afterward we went out for ice cream at Bruster’s. I did some computer work before bed, while Bette taught Rayls iris folding to make cards.
The weather turned stormy—thunder, lightning, heavy rain, and even a tornado warning. Wish us luck making it through the night!
Saturday 5th April, 2008
Another relaxed and enjoyable day.
We started with breakfast at Cracker Barrel, then drove about 40 miles to Anderson. At Best Buy, Jim and Bette joined the 21st century by buying iPods—Bette was keen after hearing about ours, though Jim might take some time to forgive us for this new expense!
While the ladies shopped at Michaels craft store, Jim and I passed the time with a drink at the local mall. The drive was pleasant, though Jim and I saw little of it on the way back—luckily, he wasn’t driving! The town of Abbeville was especially interesting, with some beautiful historic homes.
Back in Greenwood by 3 pm, Jim and I took naps while Bette and Rayls headed out for more shopping, stopping at Dollar Tree and Hancock Fabrics.
At 6 pm, we met Dave and Bev, friends of Jim and Bette, to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Dinner was at a buffet called Ryan’s.
Back home, we played with the new iPods and planned the next few days. We may stay here longer, shortening the New York/New England leg of the trip so we can still visit other friends later.
We’re thoroughly enjoying our stay.
Sunday, 6th April 2008
A good day of relaxation and some light activity.
I seem to be over the worst of my illness — coming here early was a wise decision.
After a quiet morning, we headed to Greenville for a minor league baseball double-header between the Greenville Drive and the Kannapolis Intimidators. Greenville won the first game 6–0, and the second had just started as we left. It was a classic slice of Americana — hot dogs, baseball, and about 6,000 enthusiastic fans. An interesting and fun experience.
We got home close to 9pm and were soon off to bed.
Monday, 7th April 2008
We needed a slow day to prepare for the next leg of the trip.
The morning was relaxed, with Bette spoiling us by bringing Rayls her favorite cinnamon buns for breakfast.
We did some shopping, though I was unsuccessful in finding business shirts.
The afternoon was quiet, and after Jim returned home, we went to the movies to see Leathernecks — a good film. Dinner followed at Ruby Tuesday.
Jim and Bette mentioned they might visit Australia later this year, which sparked some excited conversation.
Tuesday, 8th April 2008
Our last day in Greenwood. Saying we had a relaxing and enjoyable time is an understatement.
I used the time to recover from illness and catch up with work for the cricket association back home. I also booked our hotel in Staunton, Virginia, and planned the upcoming road trip.
Jim’s been working hard and was often tired, so we didn’t see as much of him as we hoped, but Rayls and Bette hit it off immediately — like old friends reunited. We’re sure to see each other again soon.
We thank Jim and Bette for their incredible hospitality — it truly was wonderful.
We even managed to get a photo of the four of us (plus Buster), which you can see at the top of this page.
On the Road to New England
Wednesday, 9th April 2008
Sadly, today we had to say goodbye to Greenwood and our friends Jim and Bette.
Jim left for work bright and early at 7:00 am, and Bette was off to an appointment shortly after at 7:15 am. We hit the road just after 8:00 am.
With good directions, we easily made our way back to the Interstate. We took Highway 25 to I-85 and soon crossed into North Carolina. Just before Charlotte, we switched to I-77, then about 80 miles later joined I-81. We arrived in Staunton, Virginia, around 3:45 pm after a scenic drive through some beautiful countryside.
Tomorrow, we plan to take the Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park — something we’ve been looking forward to.
Dinner was at Cracker Barrel, followed by calls to both Bette and Amy in Utah before an early night.
A bit of excitement arrived around 7:30 pm when emergency services rushed into the hotel car park, spending time in the unit next door before someone was taken to hospital — the second time we’ve had drama in the room next door on this trip!
By the way, we spotted 12 Wal-Mart trucks today, bringing our trip total to 75.
The swear word count, courtesy of our Texan friend who was arrested, is now 8.
Fortunately, our usual driving quirks — entering on the wrong side and mixing up windscreen wipers with indicators — have settled down for now.
Thursday, 10th April 2008
Shenandoah National Park and on to Pennsylvania
A fantastic day started in Staunton, Virginia, and ended in Ronks, just outside Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
We began with the Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park — an absolutely stunning 110-mile route full of breathtaking views. We took plenty of photos and video, setting off around 9:00 am and finishing the drive at 2:00 pm.
Next, we stopped in Toms Brook, a small town featured in one of Rayls’s favorite books.
By 3:30 pm, we were back on I-81 heading toward Harrisburg, finally arriving in Ronks, PA around 6:00 pm.
We crossed through four states today: Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
No Wal-Mart trucks on Skyline Drive, but we saw 10 on the way to Ronks — a grand total of 85 for the trip so far.
Ronks is just minutes from the Amish community, and Rayls is eager to explore the quilt shops tomorrow.
Dinner was at Applebee’s — food was okay, but service left a bit to be desired.
Friday, 11th April 2008
Exploring the Amish country near Lancaster, PA
This day was dedicated to Rayls’s exploration of the Amish community around Lancaster.
We started at a fabric and quilt shop in Bird-in-Hand, then visited another one Rayls had been to in 2006. After that, we went to the town of Intercourse, where Rayls visited more shops.
We did some filming along the way, and at one point we came across a jazz band playing, which kept me entertained for a while.
The Amish area felt like a step back in time — horse and buggies, traditional dress, single-room schools — scenes straight out of Little House on the Prairie. Rayls thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Around 2:30 pm, we headed north toward Middletown, New York, where we had booked a hotel.
The drive was tough — local traffic, wet weather, and just generally unpleasant conditions for driving — though the scenery was nice.
We arrived just after 6:00 pm at a Super 8 motel — anything but “super.” No internet access despite claims otherwise, no fridge or microwave, and worst of all, a noisy upstairs neighbor who walked continuously on squeaky floors from arrival till departure.
Complaints to reception at 11:00 pm and 3:00 am yielded nothing but empty promises and indifferent staff. The noise persisted until we left. A check-out complaint was met with a shrug. Lesson learned: the Super 8 in Middletown, NY, is a hotel to avoid.
Before bedtime, we managed some shopping at JCPenney, Sears, Macy’s, Borders, and Wal-Mart. Dinner was a Subway from a Wal-Mart-attached store — horrible service from a guy who apparently once worked in St. George, Utah, and equally bad food.
A good start to the day, an average afternoon, and a disappointing end.
Saturday, 12th April 2008
Heading to New Hampshire
After a restless night, we escaped the “hell hole” of a hotel. I made sure to complain at checkout, though it made little difference.
We hit the road around 8:30 am via I-84 and stopped at a McDonald’s in Montgomery for breakfast — great service and good food, a much-needed boost.
Soon we left New York behind and passed through Connecticut, Massachusetts, and finally New Hampshire.
It was a good day’s drive — 320 miles to Center Harbor, NH. Rayls explored Keepsake Quilting while I soaked in the scenic surroundings. This area around Lake Winnipesaukee, where On Golden Pond was filmed, is truly beautiful.
After shopping, we took the scenic route to Tilton and checked into another Super 8 — likely the same one we stayed at with Jim and Bette back in July 2001. This one was much better — the internet worked (though emails wouldn’t send), and our second-floor room meant no noise from above.
Jim and Bette have a contact nearby and often stay here — hopefully, we can spend time with them in the area on a future trip.
Originally, we planned to visit Boston and Maine, but we’ve decided to save those for another trip with Jim and Bette.
Tomorrow, we’ll head toward Buffalo, NY — home of Niagara Falls. We’ve been there before but may visit again from the US side, depending on how we feel.
Sunday, 13th April 2008
Niagara Falls
Sometimes driving across the USA feels like a world tour. Just a couple of days ago, we passed through Berlin — today it was Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Poland, and even some local names from back home like Palmyra and Medina. Then we ended up in Dunkirk!
We started the day in Tilton, New Hampshire, aiming for Buffalo — a hefty 500-mile drive. We took local roads through Vermont to reach I-90 at Albany. We thought we had been to Vermont with Jim and Bette back in 2001, but now we’re not so sure — perhaps this was a state we’d only imagined visiting. Either way, it was a real treat: gorgeous scenery and even some patches of snow.
Once on I-90, the drive was easy-going. We rolled into Buffalo just after 5:00 pm and took time to visit Niagara Falls. We’d seen it from the Canadian side in 2006, so this time we admired it from the US side. It was a bit chilly, and while the view wasn’t quite as spectacular as Canada’s, it was still very impressive.
After about an hour, we drove back through Buffalo to I-90 and continued for another hour to Dunkirk, where we stayed at a Days Inn. Dinner was at Bob Evans — great food and service. At Walmart, I treated myself to three business shirts, a pair of trousers, and a tie. Bette is going to be surprised!
We’re now about 800 miles from St. Louis, so if all goes well, we may reach there by Tuesday afternoon.
Tomorrow we head to Cleveland, with a possible stop at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — and then onward. It’s nice to be heading west again, and we’re looking forward to time in St. Louis and Minneapolis.
The Walmart trucks returned in force once we hit I-90 — four trucks in three minutes! Our tally for the day was 32 trucks, including eight “double bankers” (two trailers). According to strict Walmart counting rules, a double trailer truck still counts as one truck! That brings our total Walmart truck count for the trip to 130 — we’re officially over halfway.
Monday, 14th April 2008
We left Dunkirk and drove down I-90 to Cleveland, going right downtown to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
What a fantastic place! We spent four hours exploring and thoroughly enjoyed every minute. We hoped to find a nod to our friend Scott McKenzie, and we did — his name was on a Monterey Pop Festival poster, and his iconic song San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) was played in full during a festival video. Sadly, no footage of Scott himself.
There was loads of rock memorabilia on display — a true celebration of rock and roll history.
The Hall of Fame sits right on Lake Erie, with beautiful scenery all around. Next door was an impressive football stadium, home to the Cleveland Browns.
Around 3:00 pm, we set the GPS for Columbus but ended up driving right through downtown Cleveland — a bit stressful, though we did spot the baseball stadium where the Cleveland Indians play.
We continued down I-71, intending a short drive before stopping — but we missed Columbus and by 6:30 pm had arrived in Mason, just north of Cincinnati, Ohio.
We stayed at a Days Inn and had dinner at a Cracker Barrel — unfortunately, our first disappointing meal there.
About 400 miles driven today, plus four solid hours at the Hall of Fame — all in all, another good day.
Tuesday, 15th April 2008
Today was another full day of driving, over 400 miles, as we made our way to St. Louis.
We left Mason, navigating rush hour traffic in Cincinnati before crossing into Kentucky — another state off the list.
A GPS detour took us through downtown Louisville, adding some unexpected traffic delays.
We finally picked up I-64, where Rayls took the wheel and drove us to the outskirts of St. Louis. I then took over and navigated us to our friends’ house in West Alton, just north of St. Louis.
We’ve known Eileen and Phil for several years and stayed with them on our 2006 trip. Unfortunately, Phil is away on business until Thursday, but it’s been wonderful catching up with Eileen and chatting about everything.
We plan to stay here for about three days.
Today we hit a milestone — five states in one day! Starting in Ohio, we crossed into Kentucky, then Indiana, Illinois, and finally Missouri on I-64. Try doing that in Australia!
Our Walmart truck count now stands at 154.
Wednesday, 16th April 2008
Today was a day to recharge. Rayls and Eileen went off shopping while I stayed home, relaxed, and enjoyed some TVLand.
In the evening, the three of us headed to University City, specifically the Delmar Loop area. We had dinner at Blueberry Hill — a hamburger joint famous not just for its food, but also for its incredible memorabilia. It’s really more of an entertainment center with dining than just a restaurant. Fun fact: Chuck Berry was playing there to a sold-out crowd that very night!
Dinner was great, and wandering through the memorabilia was a blast.
We got back just after 8:00 pm, right as Phil arrived home from his business trip. We spent the rest of the evening chatting before heading to bed.
Thursday, 17th April 2008
We slept in a bit today — it’s very rural here and so peaceful.
Around 11:00 am, we all headed into St. Louis to Busch Stadium to catch a Major League Baseball game: the St. Louis Cardinals versus the Milwaukee Brewers. It was a fantastic day for baseball with 38,500 fans in attendance. The game was thrilling, though sadly the Cardinals lost in extra innings. Still, it was a great experience.
After the game, we returned to the house in West Alton for a delicious grilled chicken dinner. The evening was spent chatting and trying to figure out the best way to ship some souvenirs back to Australia.
Tomorrow, we plan to move on and head toward Minneapolis.
riday, 18th April 2008
What an interesting night! Both of us were jolted awake at 4:30 am by the house shaking. We weren’t sure at first whether it was the wind or an earthquake. Having experienced earthquakes in Western Australia — which always come with a loud rumble — this felt different.
At breakfast, we learned it was indeed an earthquake, centered about 120 miles away and registering 5.2 on the Richter scale. No major damage, but definitely a scary moment.
Later, Rayls and Eileen went to a local Walmart (just over the state line in Illinois) and then to the post office, while I caught up on emails.
Around lunchtime, we said our goodbyes and hit the road toward Kansas.
Friday, 18th April 2008
After a wonderful three days with our friends Eileen and Phil, we decided it was time to hit the road again. Our plan was to head west to Kansas City, cross into Kansas, and then make our way north toward Minneapolis, where we would reunite with Eileen and Phil’s daughter, Nichole.
We drove about 330 miles today, passing through Kansas City and crossing into Kansas before doubling back to pick up I-34 heading toward Minneapolis. We made it as far as Cameron, Missouri — still about 389 miles from Minneapolis.
Tomorrow promises some special stops: we plan to visit Winterset, Iowa, the birthplace of John Wayne, and then revisit Clear Lake, where Buddy Holly played his last concert, before ending the day in Minneapolis.
Saturday, 19th April 2008
Up early and heading north on I-35, we crossed into Iowa and took a detour to Winterset, John Wayne’s birthplace. We toured the house where he was born and explored the gift shop.
Next was Clear Lake, where we once again visited the Buddy Holly crash site. We’d gone out of our way to see it two years ago, so it felt fitting to stop by again. This time, the crash site field was mostly mud, and our shoes were thoroughly coated by the time we returned.
We also wandered into the town to see the lake and the famous Surf Ballroom — the venue for Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper’s last concert back in February 1959.
Later, we arrived in Minneapolis around 5:30 pm. It was wonderful to catch up with Nichole again — the last time we saw her was back in 2002 in Perth when she was still a student. We also met her fiancé, Jonny.
Dinner was a relaxed backyard grill, followed by watching our first NHL hockey game of the trip. The local team, the Minnesota Wild, played the Colorado Avalanche in Game 6 of the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Wild lost 2-1, ending their season.
Sunday, 20th April 2008
A fantastic day spent with Nichole and Jonny.
After a great breakfast, we set out around 11:00 am. First stop was Joanne’s fabric store in Apple Valley for Rayls and Nichole, while I checked out a nearby Walmart.
Next, I headed to the airport to scout the route from there to the Mall of America for a friend who will be traveling in October. My journey involved a tram and the Light Rail. When I asked a security officer for advice while filming the trip, the police were called. After speaking with me and checking my ID, they were satisfied, and I continued on my way.
At the Mall of America, I rejoined Rayls, Nichole, and Jonny. They spent a few hours exploring the shops and the impressive indoor theme park. They even played mini-golf, with Australia getting soundly beaten by the USA team.
I also got to try cheese curds — cheese with a chewy, rubbery texture, which was a novel experience.
Later, we visited Stillwater, a charming town perched on the scenic (and currently flooded) St. Croix River, which forms the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin. After a pleasant walk and some window shopping, we had dinner at the Dock Café right on the river — a magnificent spot.
We then drove into downtown St. Paul and saw the Xcel Energy Center, home of the Minnesota Wild hockey team. A large crowd was arriving for a Santana concert that evening. We drove through the city and spotted lots of Peanuts character statues scattered around.
Crossing the Mississippi River, we stopped on a hilltop to admire the view of downtown St. Paul across the river — very impressive.
Though the day was winding down, we managed a quick visit to Minneapolis’s Minnehaha Falls. It was the first sunny spring day, and the park was alive with people enjoying the weather. A perfect end to a great day.
Back at home, we spent some time trying to teach Jonny the great game of cricket — definitely an interesting challenge!
Monday, 21st April 2008
We started the day by saying our goodbyes to Nichole and Jonny. With great driving instructions from Jonny, we managed to bypass the early morning traffic and soon found ourselves on I-94 heading northwest toward Fargo, North Dakota. Along the way, we stopped at Albany to post a rather large package to our son Scott back in Australia.
At Fargo, we turned westward, crossing the vast plains of North Dakota, passing through Bismarck and ending up in Dickinson. It was about a 530-mile day, shared between the two of us behind the wheel. A long day on the road, but it sets us up nicely for easier drives later in the week.
Dinner was at Applebee’s followed by some quick shopping at Walmart and Big K.
The Walmart truck count now stands at 180 — seems a little slow this trip!
Tuesday, 22nd April 2008
Gaz as we enter Montana
Another great day on the road, full of the incredible diversity of the American landscape.
We started out in Dickinson, North Dakota, driving across more of the expansive Great Plains before entering the rugged and breathtaking scenery of Montana. Montana really has some of the most stunning views you’ll find anywhere. We traveled along I-94 before reaching Billings, where we spent about three hours exploring the town. Rayls naturally managed to find a quilt shop, and we also made a stop at Borders bookstore. Billings is quite a sizable town, and the time spent there was enjoyable.
Then we continued west on I-90 and caught glimpses of the majestic Rocky Mountains, their snow-capped peaks soaring into the sky. We finished the day in Livingston, surrounded by mountain peaks and just 60 miles or so from Yellowstone National Park.
Out for dinner, we found a quilt store right next door. Rayls popped in and met Jim from Cairns, Queensland. They chatted for a few minutes before we headed off for our meal.
A good day’s drive — over 400 miles — and tomorrow it’s Yellowstone.
Wednesday, 23rd April 2008
Up early for a long day planned in Yellowstone National Park. We made the 60-mile drive from Livingston to Gardiner, where we enjoyed a nice breakfast.
Yellowstone greeted us with plenty of wildlife right at the entrance, including many bison. Shortly after entering, we crossed the 45th parallel — the halfway point between the North Pole and the equator. Given the chilly conditions, it felt more like we were closer to the pole!
Sadly, Yellowstone was not at its best this visit. We knew it was a difficult time to come, and the cold, heavy snow piled alongside the roads blocked many views. Half the roads remained closed, limiting access. Still, we had a good time, and the hot springs and Old Faithful geyser were well worth the visit. Old Faithful erupted right on schedule despite the snow and steam, making it hard to gauge how high the plume actually reached.
We spotted lots of wildlife — birds, deer, and bison — but no bears this time.
A real bonus came as we left: the western entrance to the park had just opened a few days prior, allowing us to cut straight across toward I-15 without backtracking to Livingston and then I-90. This shortcut saved us at least 300 miles and a lot of time.
At West Yellowstone, a cold little town, we visited the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, featuring live bears and wolves on display. Rayls loved it, even though the cold was biting.
From there, we took Highway 20 into Idaho — adding another state to our list — and ended the day in Pocatello, southern Idaho.
A long day, but Cedar City awaits tomorrow!
Thursday, 24th April 2008
We left Pocatello and drove down I-15 into Utah.
We stopped briefly in Ogden and had planned to pause in Salt Lake City, but bad weather — rain, sleet, snow — and heavy traffic convinced us to push on. We continued through to Provo for lunch, where Rayls took over the driving duties.
We arrived in Cedar City just before 4:00 pm, happy to see Amy, Steve, and Daniel again. We expect to stay here for about a week or so.
Great to be back in Cedar City. We spent some time chatting before heading out to Denny’s for dinner. The evening was quiet, just watching TV and relaxing.
Friday, 25th April 2008
Anzac Day back home in Australia.
A quiet day here in Cedar City. Rayls and Amy did some shopping. At 3:00 pm, we met up with Steve at the Cedar City airport for a flight in his plane. The wind was a bit unpredictable, and the ride was bumpier than hoped, so after 36 minutes we headed back. It was hazy, but flying with Steve is always a fantastic experience — the mountains look magnificent from above.
Amy made a lovely salmon and rice dinner, and we finished the day watching Charlie Wilson’s War. A good day overall.
Saturday, 26th April 2008
Rayls and Amy took a trip to St. George to pick up a few things. I caught up on emails and website work, then Steve and I enjoyed lunch at Market Grill, where I indulged in a famous piece of banana cream pie.
A quiet day overall. Dinner was salmon on the grill, followed by watching Life or Something Like It. All these peaceful days are helping us recharge before the hard work ahead at home.
Sunday, 27th April 2008
Another good day in Cedar City.
We decided to fly home via Las Vegas rather than driving all the way to Los Angeles. So today I worked on flights from Vegas to LA. Instead of a long drive from Cedar City to LA, we’ll just drive two and a half hours to Vegas, then fly from Vegas to LA on the morning of our flight to Tokyo on Tuesday, 6th May.
Steve did some yard work, with a bit of help from me. In the afternoon, we all relaxed outside, chatting. Dinner was at Applebee’s.
In the evening, Rayls and Amy watched The Final Season, while Steve and I watched Cloverfield.
Monday, 28th April 2008
A quiet day again in Cedar City.
Amy and Rayls did their daily shopping, while I grabbed Arby’s for lunch. Dinner was a fun grilled chicken meal with mashed potatoes and veggies.
We finished the evening watching the movie Music Within.
Tuesday, 29th April 2008
A little action today.
Amy had to head to Vegas, then on to Florida for family business. We went with Amy to pick up Steve, then had lunch at Denny’s.
It was decided that Rayls would go with Amy to Las Vegas, and I would pick her up the next day. Amy and Rayls left around 4:00 pm. It’s about 180 miles from Cedar City to Vegas, with stops in St. George and Vegas before checking into their hotel, Sunset Station.
I stayed in Cedar City and had dinner with Steve at Sullivan’s while watching Fat Man and Little Boy starring Paul Newman.
Wednesday, 30th April 2008
I left Cedar City at 7:30 am for a 3-hour drive to Vegas. The drive is quite pleasant — about 55 miles in Utah before crossing into Arizona, descending through a narrow mountain valley into Nevada (and gaining an hour).
About 20 miles outside Vegas, the city appeared hazy and smoggy. I arrived at Rayls’ hotel by 9:30 am after some peak-hour traffic.
We spent a few hours at the Sunset Station Mall and then drove down the Las Vegas Strip before heading back to Cedar City, losing the hour again, with a Walmart stop in St. George.
Back in Cedar City by 5:30 pm, just in time for dinner at iHop with Steve and Daniel.
Amy flew to Florida at 8:00 am today and won’t return until Saturday.
Today’s drive was a bonus day for Walmart trucks — there’s a Walmart depot near St. George, so trucks are common. The tally reached 248 trucks. (Note: trucks at the depot don’t count unless moving!)
Thursday, 1st May 2008
Amy is still in Florida, so we spent most of the day alone.
We used the time to start packing and reorganizing — we have more stuff than will fit in the bags, so it took all day to maximize space.
We splurged on a Grand Slam breakfast at Denny’s and made a necessary trip to Walmart.
Steve and Daniel were home in time for dinner, so we all went to Market Grill.
The evening movie was Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, which was mostly filmed in this area.
Friday, 2nd May 2008
A really good day. Amy is still away and won’t be back until late tomorrow.
After enjoying yesterday’s breakfast, today we had a nice meal at iHop.
Around 11:00 am, we drove to Bryce Canyon National Park, about 80 miles away. The scenery en route was stunning — mountains, plains, lava flows, and wildlife. Bryce Canyon is famous for its unique red rock spires and horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters. The views were incredible, making it one of the best national parks we’ve visited.
We spent about five hours there before heading back to Cedar City. On the way home, we were alarmed by a reckless truck driver on narrow, winding roads overtaking on blind bends and forcing two cars off the road. We managed to note details and reported the incidents to authorities later.
Bryce Canyon was well worth the visit — fascinating and amazing formations.
Back in Cedar City just before 6:00 pm, we dined at Winger’s, both having salmon, which was very nice.
The DVD for the evening was Legends of the Fall.
We’re enjoying our relaxed time here and looking forward to Amy’s return.
Saturday, 3rd May 2008
Another quiet day.
Amy is still away on family business, returning late tonight. Steve and Daniel took a day trip to Salt Lake City, leaving us with the house to ourselves.
We had breakfast at Denny’s, did some shopping, watched TV, and had dinner at iHop. The evening’s DVD was Wild Hogs.
Quiet day, but the gang will be back tomorrow.
Sunday, 4th May 2008
Coming to the last couple of days now.
We relaxed through the day.
In the afternoon, Rayls and Amy went to see Made of Honor, I saw 21 with Steve, and Daniel watched Ironman.
Dinner was pizza at home, and we watched Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Monday, 5th May 2008
Last day in Cedar City.
We packed and chatted with Amy.
Sent a package home with some excess baggage.
Dinner at Milt’s was very nice.
An early night tonight to be ready for a 4:00 am departure to Las Vegas.
Heading Home — Trip Schedule and Summary
Schedule for Tuesday, 6th May to Thursday, 8th May 2008
Tuesday, 6th May
Depart Cedar City by car: ~4:00 am (6:00 pm Perth time Tuesday)
Depart Las Vegas (Southwest Airlines Flight 261): 7:20 am (10:20 pm Perth time Tuesday)
Arrive Los Angeles: 8:25 am (11:25 pm Perth time Tuesday)Tuesday, 6th May
Depart Los Angeles (American Airlines Flight AA169): 12:40 pm (3:40 am Perth time Wednesday)
Arrive Tokyo: 4:10 pm Wednesday Tokyo time (3:10 pm Perth time)Wednesday, 7th May
Depart Tokyo (Qantas Flight QF70): 8:40 pm Tokyo time (7:40 pm Perth time)
Arrive Perth: 6:00 am Thursday (3:00 pm Wednesday LA time)
Tuesday, 6th May 2008
We had a very early start today. The car was mostly packed, so the alarm went off at 2:45 am. After showers, we hit the road in darkness. Though there may have been Wal-Mart trucks out there, we didn’t see any — our final count was 248 trucks on the trip.
Just over two hours later, the dazzling lights of Las Vegas appeared, a spectacular sprawl. Thirty minutes after that, we arrived at the airport, unloaded four suitcases, and Rayls took care of them while I returned the rental car to Alamo.
The shuttle bus brought me back, and we checked in at Southwest Airlines. One bag was overweight, costing $25. The flight departed on time, and within 45 minutes, we landed in Los Angeles. We quickly retrieved our bags and wheeled them on a half-mile trek from Terminal One to Terminal Four. Check-in went smoothly, half done by computer. At bag drop, our suitcase weights differed from Southwest’s but no extra charges were requested — a relief.
Security and possibly immigration checks went without issue. The officer who checked our passports mentioned his former boss was named Raylene — a rare name in the U.S. After clearing security, we had breakfast at Burger King and waited out a couple of hours before boarding our next flight.
While waiting near Gate 41, I heard a public address call for “Loretta Swit and Larry King” to proceed to Gate 46B. I hurried over and caught sight of Loretta Swit, best known as ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan from MASH, making her way quickly. No photo this time, but she looked great for 70! Larry King wasn’t in sight.
Our flight departed on time aboard a Boeing 777 captained by Mike Myers. The flight route was unusual: instead of a direct westward path, we flew north, crossing near Alaska’s Kodiak Island and over the Aleutian Islands before heading toward Tokyo.
It was an average flight — entirely daylight, somewhat bumpy, and the entertainment system didn’t work until an hour and a half before arrival, adding to the boredom. Rayls managed about three hours of sleep, I got half an hour.
A couple of hours before landing, we crossed the International Date Line, making it Wednesday.
Wednesday, 7th May 2008
Our flight landed in Tokyo a few minutes late. The flight was okay but uneventful.
We had a four-hour layover. After disembarking, we collected boarding passes. The young Japanese airport staff put great effort into pronouncing English names, often amusingly so. The PA announcements kept us entertained.
We wandered the shops for about an hour, more to stretch our legs than to shop.
With no day room available for such a short layover, we waited at Gate 88 about an hour and a half before boarding. Only about 70 passengers were on board our Boeing 767, making the cabin pleasantly spacious. This flight was overnight and in darkness, allowing both of us to get some much-needed sleep.
Thursday, 8th May 2008
The final leg of our journey was excellent thanks to the light load of passengers. We got good rest on the roughly 10-hour flight, which included flying over the Great Sandy Desert and other striking parts of outback Australia.
We landed at Perth Airport about 12 minutes late. Despite that, we cleared immigration, collected our bags, and passed customs within 30 minutes. We bought duty-free liquor for our two sons and were greeted by Scott at arrivals. It felt wonderful to be home.
USA 2008 — Highlights and Thoughts
The Best Part:
The overwhelming highlight was spending time with friends. Our visits with Jim and Bette, Eileen and Phil, Nichole and Jonny, and Amy, Steve, and Daniel made the trip truly special. Their hospitality and patience were deeply appreciated, and we look forward to future trips with even more time shared together.
The Toughest Part:
Getting sick was the low point. It sidelined me for two days in Dallas and slowed us down for about a week. We missed out on visiting the Gulf Coast, New Orleans, and Florida because of it. Huge thanks to Jim and Bette for letting me rest in their RV during recovery.
Another Challenge:
The sheer amount of driving we did! So, why do we keep doing this? Blame me!
Service
Best Service:
Almost every restaurant we visited had great service, making it hard to pick a standout. Hotel service was usually okay, but Carmen at the Cedar City Post Office deserves special mention for being exceptionally friendly and helpful.
Unexpectedly, some of the best service came from Dr. Bixby, who visited me in the Dallas hotel. He was thorough, kind, and went out of his way to help, even making follow-up calls. He was expensive, so here’s hoping travel insurance covers it! His care made a difficult time easier for both of us.
Worst Service:
Surprisingly, the worst was right after we arrived — at the Alamo Car Rental counter. The agent was pushy, rude, and abrupt, trying to sell extras we didn’t want and giving poor directions. On a better note, Ian at the Las Vegas Alamo desk was courteous and helpful when arranging a car swap.
Also frustrating: we were unexpectedly charged $62 in fees when returning the rental car in Las Vegas despite having prepaid. Too tired to argue at the time, but we won’t forget.
The Super 8 in Middletown, New York, was dreadful. The reception staff showed no care whatsoever. We won’t stay there again and have sent a complaint to their head office — no reply so far. We’ll try to avoid Super 8s on future USA trips.
Accommodation
Best Hotel:
The MGM Grand in Las Vegas wins for the best room. It’s a massive, bustling casino hotel, but the room and bed were very comfortable — a perfect place to rest.
The Days Inn in Leeds, Alabama, was also very nice — newly renovated and a pleasant place to stay while I was still sick. We usually favor Days Inns for consistency and value. Toward the end of the trip, we discovered Comfort Inns and stayed two nights in them — very nice. We may stick with Comfort Inns next time.
The RV at Jim and Bette’s was very cozy. Eileen and Phil’s spare room was comfortable (though it swayed a bit during the earthquake!). Nichole and Jonny’s spare room was great, and we always feel at home in Cedar City with Amy and Steve.
All said, that bed at the MGM Grand was the real winner — maybe we were just exhausted!
Worst Hotel:
No contest: Super 8 Middletown, New York. Poor service and noise made it a dreadful experience.
Wrap-Up:
That’s a wrap on USA 2008. Despite some bumps, it was a memorable trip filled with great friendships, amazing sights, and lots of stories.
Thanks for reading,
Gaz
