On our way...
May 1 in England ⋅ 🌙 7 °C
On the bus about to head to Heathrow. Time for a snooze...
LHR
May 1 in England ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
Arrived at Heathrow. All checked in. Time for breakfast before the looooonnnggg flight ✈️
Hello California
May 1 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
Arrived safely at LAX after a long but smooth flight. Looked after very well by the cabin crew - and even got a tour of the flight deck. Picked up the minibus - our home for the next 10 days. Then aRead more
Pasadena
May 1 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Pasadena is our base for the first two nights. Handy that there are a couple of big supermarkets close by.
Exploring LA (part 1)
May 2 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
We started the day with a visit to Santa Monica and a look at the Pacific Ocean. Saw our first hummingbird of the trip, plus numerous squirrels. Also had a much-needed caffeine fix before heading onRead more
Exploring LA (part 2)
May 2 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Greg took us on a drive along Sunset Boulevard into Beverly Hills. Could see evidence of the wild fires - and the extensive rebuild going on. Also interesting to see huge houses, driverless cars, andRead more
Exploring LA (part 3)
May 2 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
The next stop was Hollywood. A brief stop to walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Exploring LA (part 4)
May 2 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
We then headed up to Griffith Observatory. Had a look around, and admired the views of the city and the Hollywood sign.
Exploring LA (part 5)
May 2 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
After a quick stop at the hotel, we headed to the nearby station to try out public transport LA-style.
Exploring LA (part 6)
May 2 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Had a look around the historic centre of Downtown LA, including the Grand Central Market. Then took the metro back to the hotel.
Farewell Pasadena
May 3 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
After two nights at the Pasadena Inn, it's time to move on. Time to load up the bus and hit the road.
The world's oldest McDonald's
May 3 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
First stop of the day - breakfast. Combined with an opportunity to visit the world's oldest McDonald's.
Joshua Tree National Park
May 3 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Our first National Park of the trip. A quick look around the Visitor Center, then time to do some trails. Spotted some interesting wildlife, including lizards and a rattlesnake! Completed the NationalRead more
Yucca Valley
May 3 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 21 °C
Our base for tonight is Yucca Valley.
Parker, AZ
May 4 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
An early start today, as we have a long drive ahead. After a couple of hours we reached the second State of the trip, and celebrated with a comfort break in Parker, AZ.
Kingman AZ
May 4 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 57 °C
Back on the bus. A quick glimpse of London Bridge as we passed through Lake Havasu City, then onward to Kingman. Lots of learn about Route 66 at the Visitor Center.
Sunset Crater
May 4 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 14 °C
Final stop of the day was Sunset Crater National Monument. A look around the Visitor Center to learn the origins of the place, then a walk along a trail.
Flagstaff AZ
May 5 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C
An overnight stay on Route 66 in Flagstaff AZ. Next stop - Grand Canyon National Park!
Grand Canyon
May 5 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
Today we went to Grand Canyon (South Rim). After the obligatory photo 📸 by the sign, we headed to Mather Point for our first glimpse of the canyon. Then time to look around the Visitor CenterRead more
Grand Canyon - Rim Trail
May 5 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Some members of the group decided to walk the Rim Trail, starting at the geology museum and ending at Bright Angel Lodge. Time also for a short walk down the Bright Angel Trail, where some bighornRead more
Grand Canyon - South Kaibab Trail
May 5 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Other members of the group opted to walk down into the canyon via the South Kaibab Trail. Bighorn sheep also spotted here.
Back to Flagstaff
May 5 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 4 °C
Regrouped at Market Plaza for a snack. After a fabulous day, we then headed back to Flagstaff. Spotted elk in the forest before the rain - and then snow! - started.
Dinosaur footprints
May 6 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
The first stop of the day was the Moenave dinosaur tracks near Tuba City. Local guide Wade gave us a tour around.
Horseshoe Bend
May 6 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
After a drive through some more amazing landscapes we stopped at Horseshoe Bend. We took loads of photos, adding to the hundreds already taken on this trip.
Glen Canyon Dam
May 6 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Visiting Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell provided us with a chance to link a topic covered in class last week with the real thing.