Hartman Travels - USA 2016
16th January – Hot!
Here I sit at work in the radio room on the day before departure. It’s Saturday, 16th January, and the temperature is a steamy 37°C (that’s 100°F, Amy!). I was originally rostered to work tomorrow afternoon, but since I’ll be somewhere over the Pacific by then, I swapped shifts. Amazingly, someone agreed to take the higher-paying, quieter Sunday shift, leaving me with today’s lower-paying, much busier one. Plenty of overheating buses and broken air conditioners to deal with — but hey, I did volunteer… grumble grumble.
Meanwhile, I see it’s going to be a pleasant 19°C in Los Angeles tomorrow. Nice.
We’ll only be in LA until Wednesday, when we drive to Las Vegas — forecast there is 18°C. After a short stay in Vegas, we fly to Dallas, where it’s expected to be around 14°C. A far cry from this scorcher in Perth!
I’m not a fan of flying. I don’t hate it, and I’m not afraid of it — I just don’t particularly enjoy it. But I do love to travel, especially overseas, and particularly to the USA. That brings with it two major challenges:
- My finances aren’t quite as robust as I’d like, and
- To go anywhere from Australia, you have to fly.
I remember my sister travelling to Europe in 1965 — she went by ship. It took four weeks and included a journey through the Suez Canal, back when that was still considered a bit of an adventure. Our family migrated from Holland in the early 1950s, also by ship.
As for me, I’ve never taken a cruise — aside from the quick trip from Fremantle to Rottnest Island, and I got seasick on that 10-kilometre journey! So, I’ll stick with flying.
My love of travel took Rayls and me to Europe in January 1980. I was just 25, and the trip was mostly about exploring my family’s history in Holland. We left Perth on the evening of 18th January, flying out of the old international terminal — back when it was near where the Qantas domestic terminal is now. It was a British Airways 747, enormous and exciting at the time.
A lot of water has passed under the wings since then. If I’ve counted correctly, this is our 14th trip to the USA together — and we’ve each done one separately with a son — making it 15 in total.
Who’d have thought?
Perth to Los Angeles – The Scenic Route (via Sydney and Dallas!)
16–17 January 2016
So, it all began with a delay.
Our flight from Perth to Sydney — QF642 — was scheduled to depart at 8:50am. We finally took off just after midday, thanks to a fuel leak. That delay immediately put our connecting flight to Los Angeles in doubt. We weren’t alone — plenty of other passengers on the flight were also heading to international destinations, including LA. A long shot, but we held onto hope they might delay QF17. Spoiler alert: they didn’t.
We were up at 5:30am, and Ryan kindly drove us to the airport. Just before we left, Rayls received a lovely surprise birthday gift — two tickets to see Olivia Newton-John in Vegas on 27th January, plus a fountain-view room at the Bellagio. A perfect treat for our upcoming 40th wedding anniversary on the 24th.
Every trip needs some comic relief, and this one kicked off with the DA Award — the Dumbarse Award — going to… me. I packed my backpack with all the in-flight essentials: iPads, glasses, cables — and then left it at home. Fortunately, Ryan and Scott met halfway and got it to us just minutes after we checked in. Phew.
On board, boxed lunches were okay, and the staff were helpful — even if our “breakfast” never appeared. When I asked a flight attendant about it, she smiled and (I swear) muttered “dumarse” under her breath. Rayls slept through takeoff, the safety demo, and most of the flight — waking only for lunch.
Then came the in-flight drama. A few rows back, a drunk passenger demanded a beer — and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Eventually, four passengers held him down. We thought we might divert to Adelaide, but we flew on. Upon landing in Sydney, eight Federal Police officers boarded to escort the unruly passenger off the plane — after a pause to get everyone to sit down again to let them pass through.
Chaos in Sydney
Just before landing, the Senior Flight Attendant announced instructions for connecting passengers. Those heading to Dallas (QF7) were told to high-tail it to the transfer desk. Those bound for LA, like us, were initially told to go to the service desk — a strong hint that we’d missed our flight and would need accommodation.
Scott had already texted to say QF17 had departed two minutes early. Great.
But then came a new announcement — all LA passengers should also go to the transfer desk. Cue a frantic dash down the aisle with others. I managed to forget my phone in the rush and had to fight my way back onto the plane to look for it. No luck. Meanwhile, Rayls made it to the desk, waved me over, and voilà! We were rebooked on QF7 to Dallas, with a 3-hour layover before catching an American Airlines flight to LA. Instead of arriving in LA at 1pm, we’d now get there around 10pm. Sigh.
As it turned out, QF7 had been delayed five hours — which worked out in our favor. We zipped through immigration and security, arriving at the gate just as our names were being called. We were greeted kindly by Qantas staff who were helpful and sympathetic throughout.
Sydney to Dallas – QF7
We boarded Qantas flight QF7, the A380 to Dallas. Seats 71A and B — no one in C. The flight wasn’t full, so there was room to stretch out. And a fun bit of trivia: the pilot was Captain Richard de Crespigny, the same man who famously landed QF32 after its catastrophic engine failure over Singapore — the subject of an Air Crash Investigation episode.
At one point, QF7 was the longest commercial flight in the world. This leg took 15 hours and 10 minutes, covering over 14,300 km. It was long, but smooth. The crew were fantastic, service was excellent, and the food was good — Tim Tams on demand! I put one in my shirt pocket and promptly forgot… Let’s just say I now smell like chocolate. Could be worse.
Rayls managed a few hours of sleep. I dozed off and watched some in-flight comedy — even found myself laughing at Amy Schumer, despite every instinct telling me not to.
Oh, and that phone I thought I lost? It was in my bag the whole time. So yes, I re-award the DA Award to myself. Again.
Arrival in Dallas
We landed in Dallas around 6:30pm local time. Immigration was quick thanks to Fast Track kiosks (just smile for the camera). Rayls was pulled aside for an extra check but cleared quickly.
Baggage claim took a bit longer, but wasn’t too bad. From there, we had to move from Terminal 4 to Terminal 1 for our American Airlines connection to LA. I made a wrong turn and we ended up going through security again. Another DA nomination?
Our AA flight eventually boarded around 10pm and took off around 10:50pm. It was a short hop, but by then we were ready to collapse.
LA at Last
We landed in Los Angeles just before midnight, picked up our rental car, and finally made it to the hotel. Showers, a soft bed, and — best of all — no alarm set for the morning.
LA – 18th January
Here we are in LA, just over 33 hours from home to hotel. What an ordeal.
We crashed by 2:30am and woke up just after 8am. After a quick breakfast at the nearby McDonald’s, we drove to Cerritos to pick up some supplies at Walmart. Halfway through the shopping, we both hit the wall — by noon, we were back at the hotel, sleeping until 4pm.
In the evening, we made a trip to Downtown Buena Park, where we stopped by a Sears, another Walmart, and a Michaels for Rayls. She had a good 90 minutes there, so I took a seat and patiently waited. Dinner was at Chick-fil-A, which was very nice. We didn’t get back to the hotel until around 10:30pm.
It was a quiet day with no awards, no Walmart trucks, and no quilt shops.
Very sad to hear about the death of Glenn Frey. What a great loss. Take it easy, Glenn.
Big Bang – 19th January
Warner Brothers Studio – Big Bang Theory Audience
It was an okay night, and I slept in a few shifts until about 9am. We started the day with breakfast at Burger King. Rayls then went to a Joann Store — the same one the Quilt Bash ladies visited in 2012 (well, one of them, anyway).
After that, we headed north, braving the dreaded I-5. Traffic wasn’t too bad, and we arrived at Warner Brothers Studios just after 2pm, which we thought was pretty early. However, there was a line about 100 people long, and we ended up waiting outside. Just as we were starting to settle in, it began to rain — well, drizzle, really. But they brought us inside, and now we’re sitting in the usual seats we always get when attending TV show tapings. This must be about the 6th or 7th audience we’ve been to, and while the lining up can be tedious, it’s still fun to see the show being taped.
I’m glad they let us in since it’s really pouring outside now.
Later, we’re back at the hotel. The Big Bang taping was great! I even got up in front of the audience and shared the story of how we got here via Dallas. Got some good laughs.
The worst part of attending a TV show taping is that you can’t take your mobile phone into the studio. So, for about 5 hours, you lose contact with the world — tough going. And how the heck do you know what time it is?
Warner Brothers is about 50km from the hotel, so we got back to our room around 11:30pm.
Tomorrow… Las Vegas!
20th January – Fortunate Son (Las Vegas)
We hit the road for Las Vegas today. It was about a four-hour drive, with a breakfast stop in Barstow and a quick power nap at a rest stop about 45 minutes out of Vegas. I would have asked Rayls to drive — but she was fast asleep.
We arrived in Las Vegas around 2:00pm and checked into the hotel. Soon after, we met up with our dearest friends, Amy and Steve, who kindly shouted us dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Such generous and thoughtful friends — we are lucky indeed.
Tonight’s main event: the John Fogerty concert at the Venetian Theatre. The four of us are seated and ready for the show. Word is, he’s doing a special Eagles tribute tonight — what a bonus!
21st January – Happy Birthday (Vegas to Dallas)
It’s Rayls’ birthday today — her second time celebrating overseas. Some people have all the luck!
We’re getting ready to fly to Dallas this morning… again! Only hiccup: I’ve come down with a rip-roaring head cold. Not ideal when flying, but I think I’ll be okay. My voice nearly disappeared last night, but it’s slightly better this morning. As anyone who knows me will attest — I’m usually cheerful, but with a cold? I’m beyond miserable.
Last night’s concert was fantastic. It got off to a great start when Amy managed to sell our spare ticket for face value — $60. Well played, Amy!
The show itself was everything we hoped for. Fogerty powered through all the Creedence Clearwater Revival classics along with his solo hits. Such a brilliant guitarist and showman. The guy who bought Ryan’s ticket was a Canadian with a house near Lake Las Vegas. Very chatty — he and Steve hit it off and found they had quite a bit in common.
This morning we’re having breakfast with Amy and Steve at 7am, then heading to the airport at 7:45am. Off to Dallas we go!
21st January – To Dallas (Rayls’ Birthday)
Today is Rayls’ birthday, and we began it with breakfast at the hotel with Amy and Steve — a lovely start to the day.
We left for the airport at 7:45am, a 20-minute drive with a quick fuel stop along the way. The car rental return was smooth, and the shuttle bus to the terminal was efficient. Check-in with Southwest Airlines was surprisingly quick.
Our first flight took us to Lubbock, with just a short delay of 15 minutes. The flight was uneventful, and the airport — surrounded by freshly ploughed fields — was a real change of scenery. After about an hour layover (extended slightly due to, yes, another delay), we boarded our flight to Dallas.
All went well, and we picked up a Toyota Corolla as our rental car for the next six days.
The drive from the airport took about 40 minutes in peak-hour traffic. In the evening, we had a light dinner, and Rayls managed a brief browse in a Michaels store. It was a quiet end to a long day.
22nd January – Shopping and Sniffles
Unfortunately, my cold has worsened, and now it seems Rayls may be coming down with it too.
Despite feeling under the weather, today became a bit of a shopping day. We had a late breakfast at Denny’s, followed by visits to Sears and JCPenney. Then on to Hobby Lobby, and in the afternoon, a stop at Target and Walmart.
Dinner was at Chick-fil-A, and that rounded out our low-key but productive day.
23rd January – Heartbreak
A very sad day.
We received the news that our beloved dog Hunter had passed away. He was nearly 15 years old, and although we knew the time was near, it still hit us hard. Hunter was part of our family, and his loss leaves a huge gap in our hearts.
Our sincere thanks go to Scott, Shannon, and Ryan for everything they did during this time. We couldn’t have asked for better support back home.
We tried to carry on with the day, visiting five quilt shops, but the sadness hung heavily over us. Our hearts just weren’t in it.
24th January – 40 Years
Today marks our 40th wedding anniversary. We had plans to celebrate, but between the lingering illness and the sorrow of losing Hunter, we stayed close to the hotel.
We ventured out briefly for lunch at iHop, but otherwise spent the day quietly, reflecting on our many years together and everything this journey has brought.
25th January – Dealey Plaza & Galleria Time
Today we did something we rarely do while travelling — we split up for a few hours. I dropped Rayls off at the Dallas Galleria, while I headed downtown to Dealey Plaza.
I’ve been to Dealey Plaza a few times now, but I always like to return. There’s something about standing there — soaking in the history and atmosphere — that draws me in. I stayed for about an hour before heading back to pick Rayls up.
As it turned out, the Galleria wasn’t really Rayls’ scene — a bit too “high-brow.” So we moved on and made our way to Carrollton, where we found a lovely quilt shop and a quaint antique store. Carrollton has a really nice town square, complete with a cool pergola — worth the detour.
From there, we visited another quilt store in Plano, and of course, made a stop at Walmart before having dinner at Cracker Barrel — always a favourite.
We were back in our room by 7:00pm, winding down a good day.
26th January – Donuts & a Full Tank
Our last full day in Dallas — we fly back to Las Vegas tomorrow.
Finally, we both had the best night’s sleep we’ve had in a while.
Around midday, we made a final attempt at one of our “must-dos” — Shipley’s Donuts. We’d tried visiting the location near us on Saturday afternoon but found it closed. Today, we arrived at 11:59am — only to see them locking the door (they close at noon). So close!
Luckily, I found another Shipley’s about 20 km away in Mesquite — conveniently close to a couple of quilt shops. So off we went. Sadly, the donuts were past their prime being end-of-day leftovers, but still decent. A dozen cost just $9.95.
We squeezed in two more quilt shops — updates for the quilt shop tracker coming soon — and ended the day with dinner at BJ’s Steakhouse, then a stop at Joann’s for Rayls. After that, we fuelled the car (pretty much ran it dry!), and made it back to the hotel by 7:30pm.
Fun stat: we filled up 9.9 gallons (45 litres) for just $15.85. Now that’s a good deal.
27th January – Back to Las Vegas (and Olivia!)
We’re sitting at Love Field Airport in Dallas — once the city’s main airport, and famously the place where JFK landed in November 1963. These days, of course, Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) handles most major flights — we got a good look at it last week when we landed in the U.S.!
We were up at 6:00am (well, I was up earlier) and checked out of the hotel by 7:00am. Checked in for our 10:15am Southwest flight by 8:00am — better to be early and avoid stress.
Rental car return was a breeze. We clocked 302 miles in the Dallas car. Our shuttle bus driver, Harold, was a lovely older gentleman — very helpful and kind.
Kerbside check-in and security were the easiest we’ve experienced this trip. While waiting, I sat with a hot chocolate and watched the shoeshine guys at work. $7 for regular shoes, $8 for boots — everyone seemed to tip $10, and they had about 20 customers in the time I was watching.
Wheels Up and Back to Vegas
Our flight departed right on time — a nice change!
- Duration: 2 hours 24 minutes
- Distance: 1,745 km
- Top speed: 907 kph
- Average speed: 725 kph
- Thanks to the time zone change, we landed in Vegas at 10:45am.
Our bags were waiting when we got to the carousel, the shuttle bus was quick, and our rental car — a Toyota Avalon premium — was ready in no time. Great start.
27th January – Bellagio & The Strip
Since it was too early to check in, we drove to Henderson for a late breakfast — eggs on toast at Denny’s, which hit the spot. Rayls popped into Michaels, and then we headed to the Bellagio Hotel.
Thanks to Scott and Shannon, we had a stunning fountain view room booked for the night — we were placed on the 25th floor, and the view was incredible.
We walked down to the Venetian to try to exchange a shirt (no luck). The walk was much longer than it looks, and by the time we made it back, it was twilight and time for a break before the evening’s big event.
Olivia Newton-John at the Flamingo
Tonight was a long-awaited treat — Olivia Newton-John live at the Flamingo!
I dressed for the occasion: brand-new $17 Target jeans, an $8 Walmart shirt, and my last clean pair of white socks. We had balcony seats, so I figured no one would see… Wrong! We got upgraded to front row centre — just a few metres from the stage. Absolutely awesome.
Tried to take a photo for the website — and immediately got into trouble. Whoops.
Olivia was fantastic — amazing energy, great voice, and still stunning at 67. The Grease set was a highlight, as was Physical. A beautiful show in an intimate, classy venue. This was our first time seeing her in concert — and well worth the wait.
Afterwards, we grabbed a quick bite at Johnny Rockets, then returned to the Bellagio to watch a few more fountain shows before they wrapped up at midnight.
Odds & Ends
- Out our hotel window, we could see planes taking off — mostly 737s, but a Virgin Atlantic 747 bound for London caught my eye.
- Earlier at Love Field, we saw a Kuwaiti 747 — apparently parked there for months while undergoing an interior refit.
- Struggling to upload photos on the iPad, so I’ll sort that out when we get to Amy’s.
A long day, but a good one. Tomorrow… Utah!
28th January – Vegas to Cedar City
After a whirlwind 24 hours in Las Vegas, it was time to hit the road again — this time heading north to Cedar City, one of our favourite places on earth.
We slept in a little (well earned, after the Olivia concert!), and after a final look at the magnificent fountain view, we checked out of the Bellagio. Before leaving, we took a stroll through the hotel’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, where they had an absolutely spectacular Chinese New Year display — vibrant, colourful, and beautifully detailed. A perfect send-off from Vegas.
The Drive: Three Acts on the Road to Utah
The journey from Las Vegas to Cedar City is about 280 kilometres, and we broke it into three scenic stages:
- Vegas to Mesquite – A relatively straightforward drive through the Nevada desert. We stretched our legs in Mesquite, a small casino town near the Arizona border.
- Mesquite to St. George (via Arizona) – This is the part that makes the drive special. For nearly 50 kilometres, the road cuts through northwestern Arizona, winding through the Virgin River Gorge — a truly dramatic landscape with towering canyon walls and tight curves. It’s one of the most beautiful stretches of interstate in the U.S.
- St. George to Cedar City – After emerging from the gorge, we were in Utah — and promptly lost the hour we had gained yesterday due to the time zone change. We stopped in St. George for a late lunch, enjoying a well-earned break after the scenic ride.
29th January – Cold Days & Comfort Food
A quiet day today in Cedar City, as I tried to sleep off this stubborn cold. I drifted in and out of sleep for most of the day, hoping that rest might finally knock it on the head.
Meanwhile, Rayls and Amy headed out for a little retail therapy — their run included at least Walmart and Joann’s, so I suspect there was some quilting inspiration involved.
In the evening, Rayls and I had dinner at Sizzler, always a reliable choice. We wrapped up the night watching some TV together with Amy and Steve — nothing flashy, just relaxed and familiar.
30th January – Snow & Sizzles
We woke to the soft fall of snow this morning — not heavy, but enough to make everything look that little bit more magical.
After breakfast, we headed out with Amy for a bit of casual browsing. One of our stops was Home Depot — I always enjoy wandering through a place like that. So many project ideas… most of which I’ll probably forget by the time we’re home!
We also noticed that the Staples store is set to close on February 6th — another small sign of the changing times.
Lunch was a mixed bag: Rayls opted for Arby’s, while I grabbed a Jimmy John’s sandwich. Both hit the spot.
In the afternoon, Rayls and Amy went out again, visiting Stitchin’ It Up, Bulloch Drug, and Smith’s Grocery Store — the quilt and craft trail remains strong!
Back at the house, Steve and I watched The Unforgiven (1992) — always a solid film.
Dinner was at Applebee’s, and it was outside in the car park afterwards that I took the photo of the snow — a crisp, peaceful moment.
We capped off the evening with a group movie: The Martian. Then, it was time to head for bed.
1st February – Snow Day in Cedar City
That’s me, enjoying the snow! According to Steve, we had 16 to 18 inches of snow today — an impressive amount, even for this part of the world. The schools closed for the first time in 61 years due to the storm.
Rayls and I enjoyed a sleep-in until 9:30am. After nearly two weeks here, I think we’re finally shaking off the jet lag. My cold lingers but is manageable.
Amy had an appointment at noon, and Steve kindly drove her. Rayls and I tagged along—and nearly bought a pair of shoes. Still thinking it over, especially with a tempting 40% off voucher in hand.
For lunch, we had Jimmy John’s—like Subway but way better.
Poor Steve spent the day clearing snow from the driveway and paths. I went down the sloping driveway to take some photos of the car, slipped on the ice for about half a metre, but miraculously stayed upright. The driveway is steep, so that was a close call.
Our rental car sat parked on the kerb, buried in snow. Steve dug it out and brought it up the driveway, but he’s worried the snow plough might come through soon—and possibly bury the car again. That would be a problem!
Most businesses do their best to clear their car parks and entryways, but not iHop, where we had dinner. The parking lot was slushy, and the walk inside was tough going. On the way out, Rayls gave a perfect Torvill and Dean impression on the icy path—but managed to stay upright.
A fun, snowy day. As always, I love it here—it feels like home.
In the evening, we watched The Good Wife and The Graham Norton Show on BBC America.
2nd February – Snow on the Ground, Chill in the Air
No fresh snow today, but plenty still covering the ground. It’s below freezing, so the snow remains crisp and white—like a scene straight out of a Christmas card.
The roads, however, are a mix of crushed, dirty snow. It’s common to see cars driving with a foot of snow on the roof. The trick is to clear the bonnet and windscreen, then let the rest fall off as you drive.
Driving is a bit trickier with snow ploughs pushing snow onto the edges of the road, sometimes narrowing lanes.
We pottered around town again. Visited Bulloch’s Pharmacy, which has a charming ‘60s-style ice cream counter. I indulged while the ladies browsed nearby.
Rayls and I spent a while alone in the afternoon, stopping by an antique store she wanted to check out.
At 6:30pm, the four of us met at Stadium 8 cinema to watch The Finest Hour in 3D. Steve and I probably enjoyed it more than the ladies. It was only $5 including 3D glasses—a bargain!
It was -15°C when we walked from the cinema back to the car.
3rd February – Day Trip to St George
After breakfast, we drove down to St George with Amy. It was a chilly -12°C in Cedar City, but warmed up to 2°C by the time we reached St George—about 45 minutes later and 2,000 feet lower in altitude. The sky was a perfect clear blue, crisp and brisk.
Rayls and Amy started the day with visits to a couple of quilt shops.
Lunch was at a place recommended by Amy—Culver’s. Big success! Great service, and I ended up chatting with the server for nearly ten minutes about Australia. The place was spotless and the food excellent. Amy sure knows her stuff.
After lunch, we hit JC Penney. I wandered over to Barnes & Noble and picked up a USA atlas for my friend Glen back home.
Next stop was Kohl’s, where Rayls resisted the lure of the Joann’s craft store next door.
After a quick Walmart run, we headed back to Cedar City. The highway, I-15, is a lovely stretch with a 130 kph speed limit, running from San Diego all the way up to Canada.
Lots of planes left trails in the sky; I used my FlightRadar24 app to impress Amy and Rayls by tracking the flights—where they came from and where they were going. The ladies humoured me with feigned interest.
Back in Cedar City just before 4pm, we took it easy for a while.
Dinner was KFC—brrr, it was -10°C outside and about -8°C inside the store!
We finished the day watching What About Bob before bed.
4th February – Last Day in Cedar City
The cold weather continued, with temperatures not rising above -5°C. The snow from a few days ago still blanketed the ground.
Today was our last day in Cedar City before heading up to Salt Lake City for a day.
We celebrated with a traditional lunch at Market Grill, a rough-around-the-edges spot next to a cattle yard—it was auction day, so we could definitely smell it! Mostly burgers on the menu, but their sensational pies steal the show. We were lucky to snag the last two slices of banana pie. Steve took one slice, but the other was as delicious as always. Yummo! The walls are decorated with photos of John Wayne, the service is great, the place is lively—and I just love it.
After lunch, Rayls and Amy spent an hour or so in a yarn shop. They seemed to really enjoy it.
Rayls did some washing while I relaxed watching TV.
Steve busied himself preparing for their road trip to Portland, Oregon, starting Sunday.
For dinner, Rayls and I went to Sizzler. Of course, we’re always welcome to eat with Amy and Steve, but I especially enjoy dining out in the USA—it’s a treat we don’t often indulge in back home.
The highlight on TV tonight was The Big Bang Theory—the episode they previewed at the taping a few weeks ago. Next week’s episode is the one we saw live!
We’ve been here a week and have loved every minute. Sad to leave tomorrow, but we’ll be back for a brief visit on Saturday on our way back to Vegas.
5th February – Park City
Today we started our journey back to Las Vegas, but not before heading away from it — about 400 kilometers north instead.
Always tough saying goodbye to Amy and Steve, but it’s a little easier knowing we’ll see them again, briefly, tomorrow night.
Just before 10am, we set off on I-15 towards Salt Lake City. The drive is mostly at 130 kph, with stunning views of snow-covered mountains.
Our destination was Draper, about 377 kilometers from Cedar City and roughly 30 kilometers south of Salt Lake City.
We visited two quilt shops — Thimbles and Threads, which was cozy with a roaring fire and comfy chairs, and then Quilted Bear — before heading to our hotel.
At 4:45pm, we drove 70 kilometers up the mountain to Park City, perched at 10,600 feet elevation. That’s high — and cold!
Park City is a ski town, host of the 2002 Winter Olympics and home to the Sundance Film Festival.
We wandered the main street for a while, ducking in and out of shops mostly to get warm — the opposite of what we do back home in Australia.
Dinner was at a pizza joint beside the theatre. The service was slow, but my Philly steak roll was sensational.
The Egyptian Theatre, built in the early 1900s, seats about 300 and even sells alcohol — rare for Utah!
We came to see Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone. What a great show — fantastic ‘60s music, full of fun and laughter. Peter was a true entertainer, joking about Park City all night, and everyone loved it. He even handed me a CD during the show!
I was a bit concerned about the lady sitting next to Rayls — at least twice her age and bobbing along enthusiastically to the music. I thought she might keel over, but she made it through just fine.
After the show, we met Peter, got an autograph, and snapped a photo. What a nice guy.
The 70-kilometer drive back down the mountain to the hotel wasn’t fun, but we made it safely.
The ‘60s sure had some great lyrics. I once saw The Hollies sing about a bus stop; now I’ve heard Peter Noone sing about not needing any milk. Great stuff!
6th February – Salt Lake City Back to Cedar City
A nice day with blue skies, and the temperature probably nudged up to 0°C.
We started out at Pine Needles in Gardner Village, a charming area with trendy shops laid out like a village. Rayls loved the quilt shop there and enjoyed a great chat with the friendly staff.
Then we drove over to Sandy, where Rayls spent some time at Quilts Etc. On our way back to Cedar City, we stopped at a Walmart in Provo.
We got back just before 6pm and had dinner at Zaxby’s. Later, Amy and Steve joined us to watch the movie Truth.
We didn’t really get into Salt Lake City itself, sticking mostly to the outskirts. Not our favourite city, so no regrets. Rayls especially loved the quilt shops we visited, and the concert in Park City was a highlight.
Tomorrow — back to Vegas.
7th February – Cedar City to Las Vegas
We started the day in Cedar City with breakfast at Maccas (McDonald’s) before hitting the road.
We drove 140 kilometers through St George, crossed into Arizona briefly, and then arrived in Mesquite, Nevada. From there it was about the same distance to Las Vegas.
We’re staying two nights at a Best Western near the airport.
It’s been a long day — we’re tired — so we watched the Super Bowl. Boring!
8th February – Las Vegas
A relaxing day in Las Vegas, warm at 22°C.
In the morning, we checked out an outlet mall — about a kilometer long, so plenty of walking and a bit tiring.
I love Cedar City, but it sure is nice to be back down at sea level. That 5,000-foot altitude really knocks us around a bit.
We rested in the afternoon, then headed to Henderson for dinner.
Tomorrow, we head towards San Diego — Rayls has a quilting friend in Carlsbad she wants to visit.
Amy and Steve are off to Tacoma, Washington, to visit her kids. Last night she stayed in Salt Lake City; tonight she’s in Kennewick, WA!
9th February – Vegas to Encinitas
Nearly 500 kilometers today as we drove from Las Vegas to Encinitas, which is roughly halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego. We’re about 157 kilometers from LAX.
We left Vegas around 9:30am and took I-15 down towards LA, then continued on to Encinitas, just south of Carlsbad. It’s a lovely, green area with temperatures in the mid-20s Celsius.
We’re booked for two days but might stay an extra day.
Legoland is nearby — a day pass costs $117 USD, which is over $150 AUD. Ridiculous!
Not sure what’s on tomorrow, but Thursday we’re meeting up with one of Rayls’ quilting friends.
11th February – Resting
Rayls had a very slow start to the day — her medication makes her sleepy.
By lunchtime, we managed to head out to a couple of quilt shops and grabbed some food. We also visited a Home Depot to look for ideas for the house.
Now it’s nearly 8pm, and we’re looking forward to tonight’s episode of The Big Bang Theory — the one we saw taped a few weeks ago.
The medication seems to be working; Rayls is slowly improving, better than she’s been for weeks.
12th February – Encinitas
Another slow start, but we managed to meet up with Carrie — an Instagram friend of Rayls’ — at Einstein Bagels. It was lovely sitting outside and chatting. Given Carrie lives so close to LA, I’m sure they’ll meet again on a future trip.
Rayls is still very tired from the pain and medication, so we headed back to the hotel for a rest.
In the mid-afternoon, we drove out to Vista, where Rayls checked out Fat Quarters Quilt Shop.
Dinner was at Denny’s before we headed back along the coast, enjoying a beautiful sunset at Carlsbad.
Back at the hotel by 6:30pm and ready for a quiet night.
13th February – Back to LA
Holiday weekend and Valentine’s Day — a big deal in the USA — made finding a reasonable hotel quite the challenge.
We left Encinitas around 10:30am for LA. Traffic on I-5 was slow going. I-5 runs all the way from the Mexican border at San Diego, through LA, right up past San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle, to the Canadian border near Vancouver. Not sure what caused the delay today.
Closer to LA, I found myself on a toll road with no way to pay at the time. I later paid the toll online — good to know you can do that.
The plan was to visit Marie and Charlie — Shannon’s parents — and then find a hotel. We’ve stayed with Marie and Charlie before, but their place is a bit more crowded now with a daughter and two grandchildren back living at home. Still, Marie and Charlie insisted we stay anyway. Given the hotel situation, we really had no choice.
Kind of cool though, because we get along so well. It’s amazing how much Marie and I have in common. Charlie is retired LAPD, and has some great stories.
We chatted for ages before dinner at Lucille’s, which I’m sure made Scott jealous.
Back home afterward, we talked some more. A really nice night.
14th February – LA
Sunday and we slept in a bit before breakfast.
We headed out to Lowe’s Hardware, and Rayls checked out a Joann’s at Del Amo. She was a bit frustrated — they had a Presidents Day weekend sale with items 50–70% off, but no more luggage space to bring it all home!
Dinner was an awesome ribeye steak. So good.
Great catching up with Marie and Charlie again — so much in common.
15th February – Last Day
Final day to potter around and finish packing.
Stopped at Walmart and Kmart for last-minute supplies.
Had a lovely roast dinner before heading to the airport around 5:30pm.
We parked the car and checked in — nice and easy.
Then we picked up the car and headed to the nearby In-N-Out Burger, where there’s a small park just under the LAX flight path. You feel like you can reach up and touch the planes.
Fueling the car cost $33 — nearly empty.
No issues returning the car. The shuttle bus back to the airport was quick since we’d already checked in and dropped our luggage.
Rayls is still sore from sciatica and was using a walking stick, so we got priority security.
We got to gate 152 about two hours before departure.
I asked about more legroom for Rayls and they accommodated us.
We had priority boarding too, which was nice.
Our departure was scheduled for 10:15pm, but the doors closed a few minutes after 10pm. We didn’t back out until 10:20pm, then waited another 10 minutes at the end of the runway for other flights to take off and land.
Heading Home – 15th February
The flight was good. Rayls slept for a good portion of it. I watched the Steve Jobs movie and thought it was going to be the first film I watched in its entirety on a flight — but I nodded off just before the end. Still, I think I got the gist of how it finished.
Rayls eventually woke up and was staggered to learn we were only two and a half hours from landing. She hadn’t realised she’d slept close to nine hours. If only I could do that!
16th February
Didn’t exist.
Heading Home – 17th February
We landed in Melbourne just after 9am. Qantas kindly provided assistance to Rayls, as she was basically unable to walk.
It took a while to get through immigration and collect our bags, then make our way to the domestic terminal.
Our flight to Perth left 15 minutes early — a smooth flight all the way.
Scott met us at the airport and got us home safely to a very quiet house. Sadly, no Hunter.
Walmart Trucks
The Walmart Truck Count (officially Walmart Truck Count Inc.) began on our 2006 trip as a fun way to pass the time on those long USA drives. I was the inaugural winner, guessing the exact number of Walmart trucks we’d see on a journey from LA to NYC and back.
The rules are simple: you pick the number of trucks you think you’ll spot, and you have to be within 5 of the actual total to score points. No prize for being the closest if you’re still 100 trucks off!
The trophy is a model Walmart truck, kindly donated by my pal Jim, who bought it at the very first Walmart store. Like the Ashes cricket trophy, it stays put — in our case, proudly displayed in the Hartman lounge room.
Our eldest son Ryan is the reigning champion, having won on the 2013 Quilt Bash trip. That last day started with Susan as a definite winner — but alas, we spotted over 50 trucks between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, crowning Ryan the big winner.
Rayls is the sole judge and overall boss of Walmart Truck Count Inc. No correspondence will be entered into.
Another trip done and dusted! Thanks for tagging along.
Gaz
