Flight to San Jose
August 12, 2022 in Greenland ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C
Day 1
August 13, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 15 °C
Woke up very early at our hotel in San Jose. Me at about 2:30 and Betsy (we shared a room with Jake) at 3:30.
Once everyone was awake we met for breakfast.
While the boys used the gym, and Mum andRead more
Day 1 - shopping
August 13, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Traffic was heavier than expected, but we got to see some cool American cars and trucks, as well as some great views across the bay to San Francisco.
Having arrived at the Outlet Mall, we grabbed aRead more
Day 1 - arrival in Monte Rio
August 13, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Arrived at Inn on the River, Monte Rio, Russian River.
Initial impressions that we are right by the main road, but once we walk through to our room, we have a lovely view down over the river.
AlbertoRead more
Day 2 - Breakfast
August 14, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Great breakfast at Lightwave coffee and kitchen. Caelen, Jake, Dylan, Zara and Betsy all getting to know each other again!
Day 2 - Redwoods
August 14, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
We headed up to see the first amazing Redwoods of our trip.
We wandered through the grove, staring up at the giant trees and the canopy high above.
Day 2 - Arrival of Alex & Lauren
August 14, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Kids headed to the (river) beach with their inflatables.
Alex and Lauren arrive late afternoon.
Dinner at local restaurant, accompanied by local characters (dungaree man).
Back to the Inn drinkingRead more
Day 3 - Californian Coast
August 15, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Leisurely wake up, and then off to brunch in Jenner. Great food overlooking estuary with lots of canoeists.
Day 3 - Bodega Bay
August 15, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Couple of hours in Bodega Bay (no crazy birds)
Left Amy, Alex, Lauren, Alberto and Zoe drinking beer and eating calamari.
Jon & Will take kids for a hot dog and ice cream.
Amy, Dylan and Will takeRead more
Day 3 - Chicken wings
August 15, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
Finished our day with 60 chicken wings (between 12 of us)
Great pub on the river, corn dog game for the kids.
Home to the Inn for drinks by the 🔥....
Day 4 - kayaking
August 16, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Lazy morning ( with muffins and coffee), we say goodbye to Alberto.
Jon ,Will and kids head in to Gurnville and rent kayaks for a few hours on the Russian River.
Day 4 - Sonoma Wine
August 16, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 38 °C
Drive to Healdsburg to meet Alex and Lauren.
Very hot!
Started off with wine tasting ( kids sitting very well behaved in corner), then on to American BBQ restaurant for dinner. Ribs, chicken and steakRead more
Day 5 - journey to Chester
August 17, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Up, pack, and in the cars. Lauren heads home, and the rest of us to Lassen Volcanic Park.
Jon and Alex agreed to take all of the kids, so Amy, Zoe and Will share the 2nd car.
5 hours journey timeRead more
Day 5 - Arrival in Chester
August 17, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Arrived at our lovely rental house on Lake Almanor.
The whole area was burnt out a year ago by the Dixie Fire, but the golf country club survived intact.
Alex, Will, Zara and Jake head to theRead more
Day 6 - 1st Volcanic Adventure
August 18, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
1st full day in Chester, and after a fine sausage, egg and bacon breakfast masterminded by Alex, we hop in the cars to drive to Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Amy, feeling unwell, tests positive forRead more
Day 7 - lazy day by Lake Almanor
August 19, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 15 °C
Day 8 - back to the National Park plus
August 20, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
Determined to get up and out so that we can enjoy plenty of time in the National Park. Plans confounded by breakfast! And general relaxing!
We make it up to the park (first time for Amy) to enjoy aRead more
Day 8 - out on the lake.
August 20, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Day 9 - southbound!
August 21, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
4 hour drive as we leave Chester and Lassen.
5 Shepherds together in the car.
We stop for a break, which includes Tax Bell for Jake - he decides that he would like to work there once old enough!
Day 9 - Tiburon and Saucelito
August 21, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Awesome hotel on Main Street which includes a welcome wine and cheese drink (for the adults)
Before that, the 5 of us go on a short walk around Tiburon, admiring both the amazing houses and views.
WeRead more
Day 10 - San Francisco
August 22, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Breakfast in our room
Ferry across Bay
Walk up to the top of SF (Street?)
Wishing we could eat in an Italian in North Shore.
Ferry and trip to Alcatraz
Jake and Dad walk to Union Square via ChinatownRead more
Day 11 - off to Carmel Valley
August 23, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
Breakfast in room
Wander round Tiburon shops - including buying picnic lunch.
Head to the coastline above Golden Gate Bridge.
Full of fog and fog horns.
We eat lunch overlooking the fog, with theRead more
Day 12 - Point Lobos
August 24, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Breakfast with Alex
Walk around Point Lobos - decent flat hike. Lots of pelicans.
Late lunch at Crossroads BBQ and quick wander around shops.
Back to meet Alex and Lauren for drink around fire pit,Read more
Day 13 - Big Sur and Mexican Feast
August 25, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
Drive to Big Sur
Brunch at Cafe Kiva with Alex
Walk in Pfeiffer National Park to waterfalls
Return via Carmel Beach
Mexican night courtesy of Linda and Gabe
River Ranch Country Club
August 26, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
Betsy & Amy hanging out at the country club for the afternoon while Will & boys all hike with Alex.
TravelerSmooth check-in at Heathrow. Time for a bite to eat in the Pilots Bar in T5.
TravelerComfortable flight in Premium Economy. "You're the best Dad ever" says Betsy as she gets a hot towel and an Orange juice