17th May 2012 – The Quilt Bash is Booked!
Rayls, Ryan, Gaz, Susan, Cheryl, Kerry, and Leanne are all set for the trip.
Flight Details:
- Sat 27 Oct, 11:25pm: Perth to Melbourne, Qantas QF648
- Sun 28 Oct, 10:20am: Melbourne to Los Angeles, Qantas QF093
- Sat 24 Nov, 11:30pm: Los Angeles to Melbourne, Qantas QF094
- Mon 26 Nov, 2:45pm: Melbourne to Perth, Qantas QF777
We plan to fly straight from LA to Houston on the 28th of October.
13th October 2012
Unfortunately, Cheryl has had to pull out of the trip due to illness. We all wish her a speedy recovery and are grateful to Qantas for refunding her fare. She’ll be missed!
14th October 2012
The four ladies and I met at Maccas in Midvale on Sunday morning to catch up and chat about the trip preparations. Ryan was working and couldn’t join us. Next time we’ll all get together will be at the airport next Saturday.
26th October 2012
The day before the big trip! I’m nursing a bit of a cold but pushing through, with no one to cover my shift at work. Rayls is already ahead on the packing (she’s brilliant at it), while I’ve been left with the planning — seems like a fair deal.
I’m especially looking forward to time with Ryan. It’s been a tough year for him, both at work and personally after his breakup, but he’s settled into a new job now and finally getting the recognition he deserves.
We’ll all meet at the airport at 9:30pm Saturday. Rayls and I are old hands at this travel business; Ryan’s had a couple of US trips (last one in 2005). Kerry has been to North America recently, but it’s a first-time adventure for Leanne and Susan. We’ll miss Cheryl — the conversations won’t be the same without her… though maybe that means we might actually get a word in 
26th October – Later
Rough day today. I was meant to start my last shift at 3pm, but around 1pm I started feeling worse and ended up vomiting. I gave it a go, but driving a bus while sick just wasn’t an option.
Now it’s after 9pm and the anti-nausea meds are helping a bit. Still not great, but at least better than earlier. Poor Rayls is worried, though she’s keeping herself busy. Ryan’s off work and resting in his room, and Susan’s as excited as ever. No updates from Kerry or Leanne yet — hopefully all’s well their side.
27th October – Departure Day
Our adventure began late Saturday night at Perth Airport, where we gathered around 9:30pm. Three of the four ladies had their husbands there to see them off, making for quite the cheerful send-off. After check-in and security, we headed upstairs, chatting away until it was time to board.
The overnight flight to Melbourne was fine, though the cramped 737 made me feel a little claustrophobic. We touched down just after 6:00am, and with no rush, wandered from the domestic terminal across to international. Leanne and Kerry treated themselves to the massage chairs — a bit of relaxation before the long journey ahead.
All seemed on track as we boarded our next flight before 10:00am. But just as we were ready to leave, the pilot announced a problem: a faulty sensor on the main door. Although the door itself was sealed properly, the aircraft’s safety system wouldn’t allow take-off until the latch was repaired. One hour and a few sighs later, the issue was finally fixed, and we pushed back at 12:22pm instead of 10:20am.
28th October – Flight to LA
Our adventure really kicked off today — though not without a few hiccups!
We left Melbourne two hours late and touched down in Los Angeles just over two hours behind schedule, landing at 8:57am. The A380 was a step up from the cramped 737, with a bit more breathing room, but it was still a long slog trying to get comfortable.
Ryan had a rough time on the flight and ended up lying at the back of the plane on oxygen for a while (he’s still a little annoyed we didn’t capture that moment on camera!). I was still shaking off a cold and stomach bug from earlier in the week, but managed okay. Kerry caught the most sleep, Susan seemed to buzz with energy the whole way, and Leanne and Rayls were stars helping Ryan through the tough patch.
Customs and immigration were heaving thanks to our late arrival, and it took about an hour to clear. From there, we made our way over to Terminal 1 for our Southwest flight to Houston, scheduled for 11:55am. Rayls and I thought we knew the Southwest drill, but LAX had other plans. The check-in setup was absolute chaos — lines twisting in and out of doors, people crossing against the flow, and confusion everywhere. We only just scraped through to the gate on time, where the attendant snatched my boarding pass with clear disapproval. I bit my tongue and carried on.
The Houston flight wasn’t much fun — all of us crammed into separate middle seats — but thankfully it was only three hours. I still like Southwest overall, but that LAX system could really do with a serious rethink!
Houston – 29th October
After yesterday’s marathon travel day, we allowed ourselves a slow start. Some of us didn’t surface until after 10am, and a few even gave up waiting for the others and went back to sleep. Fair enough — the rest was well earned.
We finally got moving just after midday and grabbed lunch at Subway. Right next door was a clothing store called Dots, and all three ladies managed to find something they liked. The staff were lovely and welcoming, so much so that the ladies are already planning a return visit!
From there we headed up I-45 toward downtown Houston. A traffic accident caused some delays, but the ladies still arrived in good time for their classes at the Convention Centre. Rayls and Susan took a long-arm quilting session called Life After Stippling, while Leanne and Kerry tried their hand at an applique class.
Meanwhile, Ryan and I opted for some “guy time.” We took our Subway lunches back to the hotel, enjoyed them by the pool, and then indulged in a much-needed nap.
By late afternoon we were back at the Convention Centre to collect the ladies, who emerged around 5:45pm looking proud and excited about their day’s work. Dinner was out in Pearland at Cracker Barrel — a big hit all around. The food was great, and the gift shop was even better, at least according to the ladies (yes, more shopping happened!).
Back at the hotel by 9pm, the evening wrapped up with a cheerful little show-and-tell session as the ladies admired their new finds.
Houston – 30th October
Another big day, though it started a little rough for me. I spent most of the night coughing and spluttering from the cold I caught last week, so sleep was in short supply.
After breakfast at the hotel, we set out around 9am for Space Center Houston. Almost there, Susan suddenly remembered she’d left the hotel safe wide open — cash and passports still inside! Cue a quick dash back to fix that, but luckily we still made it right on time for the 10am opening.
The Space Center was brilliant. We toured Mission Control, the Astronaut Training Centre, and stood beneath the enormous Saturn V rocket — it really is jaw-dropping in size. Inside the main centre we saw the lectern JFK used for his “go to the moon” speech, and even touched an actual piece of the moon.
Lunch was a Texas classic: Shipley’s Donuts. From there, we drove about 80 km north to Old Springtown, a beautifully restored railroad town full of antique shops, art galleries, boutiques, and quirky specialty stores. The ladies happily explored for nearly three hours, while Ryan and I did some shopping of our own — with stops at AT&T and Apple keeping us occupied.
We finally headed back just after 6pm, stopping at Denny’s for dinner and then Walgreens for a few essentials before rolling into the hotel for the night.
31st October – On the Road
The ladies were up early doing laundry while Ryan and I slowly saw the light of day. I’m feeling better but still recovering from last week’s illness and the flights. Ryan is dragging but gradually improving. The ladies seem to be going strong.
We packed up and left around 11am, dropping the ladies at the Hyatt Hotel in Houston where they’ll stay for the next four nights during the Quilt Show.
After seeing them off, Ryan and I hit the road for Memphis — about 920 km away. The driving was pretty easy and we made good time. Ryan gave me a break behind the wheel for about three hours. Lunch was at In-N-Out Burger, followed by an afternoon stop at Dairy Queen — banana splits for just 99 cents!
We ended the day at a Days Inn just past Little Rock, Arkansas, still about 150 km shy of Memphis. All good here; no word from the ladies yet—they were attending the Quilt Show Preview Night.
1st November – To Memphis and Back
Just 660 km today. We left our Lonoke hotel around 7:30am, crossing the Mississippi River into Tennessee around 9:15am.
First stop: Graceland. I’d been here with Rayls in 2008, but Ryan wanted to see it. The Mansion tour includes Elvis’ living room, music room, parents’ bedroom, kitchen, TV room, pool room, and the famous Jungle Room.
We also explored the 14-acre estate — Vernon Presley’s office, the racquetball building, and the trophy building showcasing Elvis’ gold and platinum records, memorabilia from his movies, charity work, and early career.
The tour ended in the Meditation Garden, where Elvis and family members are laid to rest.
Next stop: the Gibson Guitar factory on Lt. George W. Lee Avenue. We took a tour watching skilled craftsmen build some of the world’s finest guitars, witnessing intricate work from binding to tuning.
Lunch was on Beale Street, a historic strip in downtown Memphis known for its blues clubs and festivals. We ate at Rum Boogie Cafe—Ryan had a pale ale and BBQ pork sandwich; I went for a Philly cheesesteak. The highlight? Watching about 100 elderly ladies slowly make their way up a spiral staircase, walkers and canes in tow. Took them a good 20 minutes!
Our final stop was the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968.
By 3pm, we crossed back over the Mississippi and headed toward Texarkana on the Texas border. We stayed at a Super 8 hotel mere meters from the border — so close we initially missed the turnoff and had to loop back!
Dinner was at iHop, and I caught up on some cricket computer work. At 10pm, got a text from the ladies — they’re home, full of laughs and sore cheeks from all the joking and show-and-tell.
2nd November – Back to Houston
Today was a big driving day — about 700 km as we made our way back to Houston.
We left Texarkana early and headed toward Dallas, roughly 290 km down the road. Dallas itself feels like any other big city, but Dealey Plaza always draws me back. It was here in 1963 that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The Texas School Book Depository, where Oswald fired from, still overlooks the plaza, with the grassy knoll just across the street. Since 1989, the Sixth Floor Museum has occupied the top two floors of the Depository, attracting millions of visitors.
Ryan and I toured the museum and strolled the plaza. I didn’t linger long, having been before, but it’s always sobering to stand in that space.
Leaving Dallas, we noticed a billboard for Bubba’s Bar-B-Q & Steakhouse in Ennis and decided to stop. While navigating the area, Ryan found a sports store called Hibberts. I asked about cricket gear and ended up chatting with the guy behind the counter, Joshua. He guessed we might be from New Zealand — close, but no cigar! When we told him we were Aussies from Perth, he said one of his customers used to live there and promised to dig up a name and email me. I love those chance encounters on US trips — you never know who you’ll meet.
From there it was straight on to Houston, where we checked back into our first hotel. Ryan sorted himself a new phone at AT&T, and we grabbed a simple dinner at Subway.
I caught up with Rayls later in the evening. The ladies are all happy and busy at the convention. Susan tried to join a tour of Minute Maid Park but missed out today — she’ll try again tomorrow. The big highlight for them was meeting Michelle Hill, an Australian quilting celebrity. Not only did they get a photo with her, but Michelle even mentioned them on her blog, sending a special shoutout to Cheryl back home, who’s bravely undergoing chemo.
2nd November – Back to Houston
Today was a big driving day — about 700 km as we made our way back to Houston.
We left Texarkana early and headed toward Dallas, roughly 290 km down the road. Dallas itself feels like any other big city, but Dealey Plaza always draws me back. It was here in 1963 that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The Texas School Book Depository, where Oswald fired from, still overlooks the plaza, with the grassy knoll just across the street. Since 1989, the Sixth Floor Museum has occupied the top two floors of the Depository, attracting millions of visitors.
Ryan and I toured the museum and strolled the plaza. I didn’t linger long, having been before, but it’s always sobering to stand in that space.
Leaving Dallas, we noticed a billboard for Bubba’s Bar-B-Q & Steakhouse in Ennis and decided to stop. While navigating the area, Ryan found a sports store called Hibberts. I asked about cricket gear and ended up chatting with the guy behind the counter, Joshua. He guessed we might be from New Zealand — close, but no cigar! When we told him we were Aussies from Perth, he said one of his customers used to live there and promised to dig up a name and email me. I love those chance encounters on US trips — you never know who you’ll meet.
From there it was straight on to Houston, where we checked back into our first hotel. Ryan sorted himself a new phone at AT&T, and we grabbed a simple dinner at Subway.
I caught up with Rayls later in the evening. The ladies are all happy and busy at the convention. Susan tried to join a tour of Minute Maid Park but missed out today — she’ll try again tomorrow. The big highlight for them was meeting Michelle Hill, an Australian quilting celebrity. Not only did they get a photo with her, but Michelle even mentioned them on her blog, sending a special shoutout to Cheryl back home, who’s bravely undergoing chemo.
3rd November – Quiet Day
A quiet day for us guys; the ladies had an exhausting one.
Rayls said they finished with all the stalls and will spend tomorrow just admiring the quilts. Susan managed to tour Minute Maid Park.
Ryan’s cold lingers, though improving slowly. We took the morning easy with some shopping, including a stop at Best Buy.
Afternoon was rest and TV. Dinner was at Hooters — nothing special there.
3rd November – Quiet Day
A quiet day for us guys; the ladies had an exhausting one.
Rayls said they finished with all the stalls and will spend tomorrow just admiring the quilts. Susan managed to tour Minute Maid Park.
Ryan’s cold lingers, though improving slowly. We took the morning easy with some shopping, including a stop at Best Buy.
Afternoon was rest and TV. Dinner was at Hooters — nothing special there.
4th November – Back Together Again
Sunday night found us all reunited, spending our last night in Houston at the Days Inn — the same spot where this trip began just a week ago.
Ryan and I went into the city first to collect the girls’ luggage. All went smoothly, except for Susan’s suitcase, which felt closer to 50 kilos than the 23 allowed! Getting it into the car and up to the room was no small feat. Everyone was tired but in good spirits. Ryan and I are still battling colds — mine seems to have come back with a vengeance.
While the ladies returned to the Convention Centre for the Quilt Show’s final day, Ryan and I headed to Reliant Stadium for some American football. We parked near Shipley’s Donuts, grabbed lunch, and took a $6 rickshaw ride to the stadium — a wise choice given neither of us was feeling 100%.
The stadium is huge, holding more than 70,000 fans under a closed roof, with food and restrooms everywhere. Fun fact: Scott and I were here back in 2009 for Wrestlemania XXV. The game itself was full of pageantry — servicemen honoured, patriotic displays, and a coin toss performed by former President George H.W. Bush, who looked frail but drew a standing ovation. I’m not a Bush supporter, but it was still an honour to see.
The Texans beat the Buffalo Bills in front of a packed house. Ryan and I agreed it was good to experience, but compared to Aussie Rules the pace felt very slow. Another rickshaw ride took us back to the car, and then it was downtown to pick up the ladies.
Back at the hotel by 4pm, there was time for another cheerful show-and-tell session before some rest. Dinner was at Cracker Barrel, a big favourite of the ladies for both food and the gift shop. Susan and Leanne even sat out front afterwards in rocking chairs, playing a few rounds of draughts. We capped the evening with a Dairy Queen stop for dessert before heading back.
The airport shuttle is booked for 8:30am tomorrow — the luggage mountain won’t fit in the minivan! From here, we fly to Philadelphia via Nashville, then drive about 150 km on to Lancaster, PA.
5th November – Long Day!
Today was a marathon — two flights and a 100 km drive that felt endless.
We started with breakfast at the hotel. The ladies took the hotel shuttle to the airport, while Ryan and I returned the rental van — which had clocked 1,696 miles in just seven days! From there, we caught the rental shuttle to the terminal. Check-in and security went smoothly, and our first flight to Nashville was uneventful. After a short layover, we boarded a slightly shorter flight to Philadelphia. Stepping off the plane was a shock — the temperature had dropped dramatically from Houston, down to about 5°C.
At Philadelphia, we grabbed a shuttle to the Avis rental facility and managed to secure a 12-seater van. Not because we needed that many seats, but because the luggage required the space!
The GPS didn’t make things easy on our 100 km drive to Lancaster. Peak hour traffic, roadworks, and an accident slowed us down, making the trip take over two hours.
We finally wrapped up the day with dinner at Applebee’s, then checked into our hotel around 8pm. Everyone was pretty wiped out — the ladies seemed to cope best, while Ryan and I were still feeling the effects of the past week’s long travel days.
6th November – Amish Day
The ladies spent the day exploring Amish country around Lancaster with Kerry’s friends, Karen and Ted. They had a full itinerary and loved every minute of it.
Ryan and I, meanwhile, stayed behind, coughing and spluttering away in the hotel room. Thankfully, TV Land came to the rescue with some surprisingly decent shows to keep us entertained.
Ryan joined the group for dinner, but I stayed back to rest and recover. The ladies wrapped up their day with a quick Wal-Mart run before returning to the hotel for their nightly show-and-tell, proudly sharing their finds.
Ryan and I rounded out the evening keeping an eye on the election results on CNN, quietly observing the news from the comfort of our room.
7th November – Lee, Massachusetts
We were up around 7am, packed, and on the road just after 9. Loading the van was a bit tricky since the back seat wouldn’t fold down completely, but eventually we got everything sorted.
Our first stop was Saunders Fabrics in Denver, PA, where we spent about 45 minutes. After that, we attempted to visit two more quilt shops — one was closed, and the other seemed to have vanished entirely, thanks to the GPS sending us through a university campus and into nowhere.
Back on the road, we bypassed Allentown and Bethlehem, heading north toward Albany. We even clipped the corner of New Jersey before crossing into New York State. Snow flurries hinted that a storm might be brewing for tomorrow. Lunch was at a McDonald’s in Clinton, NJ.
Using the iPhone for navigation, we managed to find Log Cabin Fabrics, though not without a few phone calls for clarification. The ladies headed inside, while Ryan and I stayed in the van, trying to keep warm. Susan came out early to join us, leaving the other three still happily browsing inside.
8th November – Keepsake Quilting
A major challenge loomed today — we hadn’t pre-booked a NYC hotel, wanting flexibility, but with Hurricane Sandy’s aftermath, most places were fully booked.
So we started in Lee and headed north toward Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire. We arrived at Keepsake Quilting in Center Harbor just before 4 pm — apparently the holy grail of quilt shops. The ladies spent hours (and dollars) exploring every corner. Susan loudly declared, “We’re here!” much to the embarrassment of the others.
For Ryan and me, it was too cold and dark to do much beyond waiting in the van. Dinner was at Applebee’s, and we spent the night at a Super 8 in Tilton.
9th November – Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Today took us to Sturbridge, about three hours from NYC. The ladies wanted to revisit Keepsake, so off we went after a chilly morning (6–7°C). We admired the pretty lakefront while the ladies immersed themselves in the shop. Ryan and I explored a nearby Harley-Davidson store, where Ryan had a chat with a friendly salesman, Steve.
Back at Keepsake, the ladies were still shopping well past our expected departure time — even Susan! We then headed south, stopping at the Golden Gese Quilt Shop in Concord (just one “e” — the owner’s surname). Lunch was at a Starbucks/Burger King combo. Kerry had to make a second Starbucks run after Rayls spilled tea while getting into the van.
We checked into a lovely Days Inn in Sturbridge, but the real highlight was an impromptu snowball fight outside! Son Scott secured us a hotel in East Rutherford, NJ for the next two nights, conveniently near a bus route with easy access to NYC. Ryan and I are on the mend, the ladies seem fine, though everyone except Susan could probably use a rest day. NYC, however, waits for no one.
10th November – New York City Nightlife
We arrived at the Marriott Fairview in New Jersey around 1 pm. Rooms weren’t ready yet, so we headed out for lunch at Meadowlands Diner — Kerry’s BLT was tomato-heavy! Check-in later went smoothly, despite having to haul bags upstairs due to car break-ins in the lot. Rayls did some laundry, but it wasn’t dry by departure time, so heaters and makeshift drying came to the rescue.
A 10 km bus ride took us to NYC’s Port Authority. Our evening kicked off at Times Square, dazzling under early darkness at 5:05 pm. The ladies shopped and took photos, while Ryan and I split off to see comedian Adam Carolla at Town Hall. Ryan was thrilled to meet his hero afterward, and though I’m not a stand-up fan, I enjoyed the show. Meanwhile, the ladies visited the Empire State Building and Macy’s Christmas display.
We regrouped at 9:30 pm for NYC hot dogs and a slice of pizza, made a quick Walgreens stop for meds, and caught the 10:25 pm bus back. All in all, a full day — tomorrow promises a harbor cruise, Rockefeller Center, and Ground Zero.
11th November – New York City
Ryan and I started the day finishing up laundry from yesterday before joining the rest of the group for breakfast. At 10:10am, we caught the bus to NYC — $51 return for the six of us.
We arrived at Port Authority and took the subway to the World Trade Center, arriving just before 11am on 11/11. The line for the 9/11 Memorial was long, but with my retired police ID, we accessed the VIP queue. Even then, there was still a 20-minute wait, but it was well worth it to pay our respects.
The twin reflecting pools, with their cascading waterfalls, mark the footprints of the Twin Towers, poignantly symbolizing the loss and emptiness left behind. Nearly 400 trees surround the plaza, adding to the serene atmosphere.
Afterwards, we took the subway back and walked to Pier 84 on the Hudson River, where we boarded a water taxi for a scenic cruise with commentary. The boat stopped near Battery Park, Wall Street, Brooklyn, and just off Liberty Island, which remains closed due to Sandy’s storm damage.
Returning to Pier 84, we caught a bus up 42nd Street to 6th Avenue — a tense ride thanks to a grumpy driver negotiating heavy traffic. We then strolled to Rockefeller Plaza. The Christmas tree wasn’t up yet, another lingering effect of Sandy.
Back at Port Authority, we caught the 6:10pm bus back to the hotel. Dinner was at Meadowlands Diner, and the food was excellent all around. Tomorrow, Washington DC awaits.
We ended the day in Lee, Massachusetts, having crossed four states! We checked into a Super 8 and went to Friendly’s for dinner, but I hit the wall — the snow and lingering cold left me shivering. Ryan kindly escorted me back to the hotel while the others enjoyed their meal.
11th November – New York City
Ryan and I started the day finishing up laundry from yesterday before joining the rest of the group for breakfast. At 10:10am, we caught the bus to NYC — $51 return for the six of us.
We arrived at Port Authority and took the subway to the World Trade Center, arriving just before 11am on 11/11. The line for the 9/11 Memorial was long, but with my retired police ID, we accessed the VIP queue. Even then, there was still a 20-minute wait, but it was well worth it to pay our respects.
The twin reflecting pools, with their cascading waterfalls, mark the footprints of the Twin Towers, poignantly symbolizing the loss and emptiness left behind. Nearly 400 trees surround the plaza, adding to the serene atmosphere.
Afterwards, we took the subway back and walked to Pier 84 on the Hudson River, where we boarded a water taxi for a scenic cruise with commentary. The boat stopped near Battery Park, Wall Street, Brooklyn, and just off Liberty Island, which remains closed due to Sandy’s storm damage.
Returning to Pier 84, we caught a bus up 42nd Street to 6th Avenue — a tense ride thanks to a grumpy driver negotiating heavy traffic. We then strolled to Rockefeller Plaza. The Christmas tree wasn’t up yet, another lingering effect of Sandy.
Back at Port Authority, we caught the 6:10pm bus back to the hotel. Dinner was at Meadowlands Diner, and the food was excellent all around. Tomorrow, Washington DC awaits.
We ended the day in Lee, Massachusetts, having crossed four states! We checked into a Super 8 and went to Friendly’s for dinner, but I hit the wall — the snow and lingering cold left me shivering. Ryan kindly escorted me back to the hotel while the others enjoyed their meal.
12th November – Heading South Toward Washington DC
Up and packed by 9 am, we aimed to get near DC. Early traffic and fog slowed us a bit, but conditions cleared as we drove south.
Our first stop was Olde City Quilts in Burlington, NJ — a lovely town, and a hit with the ladies, who even ended up in a website photo! After lunch at a diner, we reached Towson, a Baltimore suburb. The ladies made a beeline for Bears Paw Quilt Shop, then tackled stops at the Post Office, Marshalls, Wal-Mart, and Michaels — over two hours in total.
Ryan and I checked into a Days Inn — nothing fancy, but adequate. Dinner was at Bob Evans, followed by a long show-and-tell in the ladies’ room. We’re now about 100 km from DC, ready for tomorrow’s visit.
13th November – Washington DC
Today marked the start of our East Coast sightseeing finale. We left Towson in the rain, heading 100 km south to DC. Fortunately, the weather cleared upon arrival, though it remained chilly.
I dropped the gang at the Lincoln Memorial and found parking nearby. We explored the memorial, took in the Reflecting Pool, and visited the Vietnam and Korea War Memorials. From there, the group walked along the Reflecting Pool to the World War II Memorial while I drove the van, picking them up between the WWII Memorial and the National Monument.
Next stop was the White House — the group had a look while I circled the block. A couple of street vendors offered T-shirts before we headed to Hawk and Dove for lunch. No luck there — under new ownership and closed for renovations.
So we moved on to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Ryan toured inside while the rest of us grabbed lunch nearby. Around 3 pm, we crossed the Potomac into Virginia to see the Pentagon and the 9/11 crash site.
We then began the drive back toward Lancaster. Traffic cooperated, and we arrived at the Days Inn in Ronks, PA, allowing the ladies to explore a bit more of the area before settling in.
14th November – Intercourse and Beyond
We started near Lancaster and spent a few hours in Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse. The first stop was Log Cabin Quilts, which left the ladies grinning ear to ear. Ryan and I whiled away the time at a local bakery.
Another quilt shop visit took us to an Amish homestead in a stunning, peaceful setting. A friendly German Shepherd bonded with Ryan — a perfect moment to soak in the serenity of the area.
Around 1:30 pm, we headed to Philadelphia with a lunch stop at Cracker Barrel — unanimously voted the ladies’ favorite restaurant chain. Back at the hotel, they held another show-and-tell, trying to figure out how to squeeze all their “treasures” into limited suitcase space.
15th November – Las Vegas
An early start: 3:40 am alarm, van loaded by 4:45 am. The drive to the airport took 20 minutes, and despite six people and heaps of luggage, we navigated Philadelphia Airport’s confusing layout. Southwest had no luggage carts — just wheelchairs!
After regrouping, we boarded a 5+ hour flight over Kansas and beyond. Arrival in Vegas was hectic — six people, 16 bags, and still no carts — but we managed. Ryan got a Jeep rental, I got a Suburban; we’d both have the cars for the next few days.
Lunch was at Mimi’s Cafe in Henderson with friends Amy and Steve. The ladies visited Michaels, while the rest of us checked out an outdoor supply store. Check-in was at 3 pm, and dinner at Firehouse Subs before Amy and Steve left for Boston.
16th November – Grand Canyon
Departed Henderson at 9:30 am, making quick stops at a Dollar Store and Michaels. Ryan stayed in Vegas to meet friends. The drive via Highway 93 and I-40 to Williams (approx. 340 km) took us past Hoover Dam, though the bypass bridge blocked most views.
We stopped in Kingman and Williams for lunch and snacks. The Grand Canyon was overcast — not the full effect, but still breathtaking. Returned to Williams after dark, with the ladies exploring Route 66 shops while I checked in at a Howard Johnson. Dinner at Pine Country Restaurant was just okay. We lost an hour crossing into Arizona.
17th November – Back to Vegas
Williams is a charming “cowboy” town on Historic Route 66. Departing at 9 am, we took daylight photos, refueled, then drove back via Kingman to Nevada, stopping at Hoover Dam. The ladies walked across; I watched from a distance.
We returned to Vegas, stopping in Henderson for Wal-Mart, a quilt shop, and Subway lunch. Two more quilt shops later, we checked into the Bellagio on the Strip around 5 pm. Ryan helped with luggage — ladies on the 12th floor, us on the 30th. The evening was quiet, enjoying the fountains and planning the LA leg.
18th November – Las Vegas
A quiet day today. Rayls and I were up by 7:30 am and headed to a laundromat — a nice spot, taking about an hour and a half. Breakfast was easy nearby at Burger King and Starbucks.
On the way back, we stopped at the famous Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, home of Pawn Stars. Ryan spent the afternoon catching up with friends.
We wandered around the Bellagio shops, enjoying the spectacular Thanksgiving display. Lunch was a simple but satisfying roast beef roll and ice cream combo.
In the evening, the ladies did their own thing while Rayls and I met up with them to see Penn and Teller at the Rio. The show was excellent, and we had front-row seats. Rayls even got to participate — holding a thick yellow piece of paper while Teller transformed a cloth into confetti.
Afterwards, we took in the lights and sounds of Fremont Street, returning around midnight. The Hartmans made a quick stop at Miracle Mile shops for some late-night food before finally calling it a night.
Tomorrow, we’re off to Los Angeles.
19th November – To Los Angeles
We had a later start today. Ryan needed to pick up a gift from the Nike store in Caesars Palace — what should have been a quick stop turned into quite the trek. He had to cross roads, navigate the massive casino, find the Forum Shops, and walk all the way to the back where the store was. Eventually, we reunited with the ladies around 10:30 am, loaded up the cars, and hit the road for Los Angeles — about a four-hour drive along I-15.
We stopped just short of Barstow at Peggy Sue’s 1950s Diner in Yermo. It was a cool, nostalgic spot — perfect for lunch.
Back on the road, we arrived at our Days Inn hotel around 5 pm. It was a big step down from the Bellagio, but also a quarter of the price. Dinner was at Outback Steakhouse — as Aussie as a Kiwi!
20th November – Universal Studios
We had originally planned to do Disneyland, but Ryan discovered some West Aussie mates in LA who were heading to Universal Studios today. Since Rayls and I have done Universal plenty of times before, Ryan took the three ladies with him, and we planned to pick them up later.
Traffic on the dreaded I-5 was a nightmare, and a last-minute fuel stop meant they arrived later than expected. Rayls and I went shopping — starting at Kohl’s and ending up at Sears, where I bought my first-ever pair of Levi’s for just $24.
We headed north toward Universal early, aiming to meet the ladies at 2 pm unless told otherwise. The 45 km took nearly 50 minutes in LA traffic. On the way, we stopped by the late Scott McKenzie’s house. Scott passed away in August, and it was sad to see his house still unoccupied. Walking around the neighborhood brought back memories. We also met Charlotte and her two dogs — Meadow and Howard, a rescue with a bucket on his head!
Lunch was at Subway, and Leanne texted to say pick-up time was now 3 pm, so we killed some time. Ryan stayed with his mates until mid-afternoon, then headed to the Staples Center to watch the Lakers take on the Brooklyn Nets.
The rest of us went to Glendale Galleria, where the ladies hit Jo-Ann’s and we all enjoyed a spectacular Christmas display. Dinner was at Starbucks before heading back to the hotel.
21st November – Hollywood
The ladies started the day with a visit to Target near the hotel, while Ryan and I checked out a nearby Fry’s Electronics store.
At noon, we braved the dreaded I-5 again — heavy traffic, just like yesterday. Once through, we explored Rodeo Drive and Hollywood’s main areas before heading to Warner Brothers Studios for a taping of the sitcom Mike and Molly.
Dinner was on Sunset Boulevard, and we returned to the hotel just before midnight.
22nd November – Disneyland (Thanksgiving Day)
A quiet Thanksgiving for us. The ladies and Ryan spent the day at Disneyland, while Rayls and I caught a movie. The GPS initially took us to a nice residential area before we finally found AMC Cinema in Fullerton. We watched Flight with Denzel Washington — an absolute dud.
Most shops were closed, so after the movie, we headed back to the hotel for a rest. Meanwhile, the gang had a fantastic time at Disneyland. Ryan got soaked on Splash Mountain, while Susan and Leanne cleverly avoided the worst by using Ryan as a shield.
We all regrouped for dinner at 8:30 pm at Black Angus next door. Many shops opened at 9 pm for Black Friday, but the lines at Target stretched over 100 meters — no purchases made!
23rd November – Shopping Day
Our last full day of the trip. Ryan headed off with friends — apparently he went to Venice Beach but couldn’t see the water through the fog.
The rest of us spent the day shopping: Sears (with mile-long lines), three quilt shops, Subway for lunch, BevMo, Wal-Mart, and dinner at Denny’s. We also arranged extra luggage through Qantas for Susan, and Geoff is bringing a trailer to the airport to get her home — no joke!
With all the waiting, I finished my book and am ready to start a new one on the flight home.
24th–26th November – Journey Home
Qantas A380 from LA to Melbourne. Saturday: hotel checkout, car returns, shopping, and lunch before heading to the airport. Boarding at 11 pm, pushed back at 11:45 pm, took off 12:10 am Sunday.
In-flight: Rayls and I had three seats across; Ryan had three to himself. Highlights: Lancaster and Keepsake Quilting for the ladies, Adam Carolla, Penn & Teller, and the Lakers game for Ryan. For me, seeing a living US president and the peaceful Amish homestead were unforgettable.
Walmart trucks: 94 counted. Quilt shops: 20–30. Flight entertainment down, but my iPad sufficed. Flight bumpy but manageable.
In-Flight Thoughts
The plane’s far from full. Rayls and I have three seats between us, with her trying to sleep across two. Ryan has three seats all to himself and was fast asleep last I checked. About 14 hours and 45 minutes to Melbourne ahead of us.
The ladies say Lancaster, PA, and Keepsake Quilting in NH were the trip highlights. Ryan’s highlights were seeing his heroes — Adam Carolla, Penn and Teller, and the Lakers game in LA. For me, two moments stand out: finally seeing a living US president, fulfilling a lifelong interest sparked by my dad’s stories of JFK, and the peaceful Amish homestead in Lancaster — a perfect moment to recover from our colds and enjoy the sun.
Walmart truck count: 94 total — 40 over three weeks, then 50 in a few hours from Vegas to LA, and just four more in LA. Ryan picked 92 and won; one more truck and Leanne might have taken it. Quilt shops: probably 20 to 30.
The in-flight entertainment system is down, but that doesn’t bother me much — I’ve got my iPad, though the battery’s running low. The flight’s been bumpy but nothing serious. Ryan starts work Tuesday afternoon; I’m off till Friday. Not looking forward to going back, but I’ll get used to it.
Apparently, two radio room staff dyed their hair black — should be a laugh. Rayls will probably be back at her sewing group Tuesday afternoon.
Melbourne
We landed on time. Immigration and customs went as smoothly as could be expected. Baggage was a bit of a hassle, but we managed to get everything to the domestic terminal, with Qantas staff being terrific in helping sort the bags for our Perth connection.
Security was straightforward, and we settled in at the Food Hall for about an hour. A single Krispy Kreme donut cost $3.60 — in Texas, you could get six Shipley’s for that price, and they’re fresher!
About two hours before our Perth flight, QF777, we moved to the gate to access power for our computers and devices, making sure everything was ready for the final leg home.
