• Denis and Janice Travels
  • Denis and Janice Travels

USA 2019

Vancouver, Alaska, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Death Valley, San Francisco and Hawaii in four weeks. Les mer
  • Reisens start
    19. august 2019
  • Stopover in Honolulu

    19. august 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    A 10 hour stopover in Honolulu gave us a chance to see the Pearl Harbour Memorial.
    A pity the Arizona Memorial was closed for maintenance as it is supposed to be excellent. The rest was a little underwhelming.
    Next stop was Waikiki Beach which was quite good and definitely worth the one hour bus ride. A nice beach but many of the Sydney beaches are better.
    Les mer

  • First day in Vancouver

    20. august 2019, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Our first day in Vancouver and we spent the first half exploring the harbour on a hop on hop off mini ferry. A wonderful harbour!

  • A day exploring outer Vancouver

    22. august 2019, Canada ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    First off was Stevenson, the original fishing harbour, undergoing a makeover. Quaint.
    Then the SkyTrain and a shuttle to Capilano, famous for its Suspension Bridge. Denis managed almost half way.
    We ended the day with another walk through Vancouver.Les mer

  • Whistler and back in one day

    23. august 2019, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Left Vancouver for a scenic drive to Whistler. A 90 minute trip took 4 hours as we stopped at every viewpoint, waterfall and little town on the way.
    Not much at Squamish but we loved the name. Logging is big in Squamish!
    Whistler (Winter Olympics 2010) is a touristy, holiday ski resort and it's quite beautiful.
    Les mer

  • Goodbye Vancouver

    24. august 2019, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Time to say goodbye to Janice's cousin Laura. A really lovely home where we were made most welcome and always felt at home.
    Hopefully Laura will come visit us in Australia soon.
    The Golden Princess is our next home for our cruise to Alaska.Les mer

  • The Golden Princess - a day at sea.

    25. august 2019, Coastal Waters Of Southeast Alaska And British Columbia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Our first day on board and we have a full day of sailing until we get to Alaska.
    Life on board is certainly not dull and we enjoyed our first day of the cruise.

  • Ketchikan - our first stop in Alaska

    26. august 2019, Forente stater ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    A rainy day today for our first stop in Alaska.
    That didn't stop us and we walked the boardwalk at Creek Street where we watched seals unsuccessfully trying to catch salmon.
    The Lumberjack Show was very entertaining. A little like the Easter Show woodchopping but with lots of water, throwing axes and log rolling and power saws as well.Les mer

  • Juneau - the capital city of Alaska

    27. august 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Juneau and the forecast was for another rainy day but instead we awoke to beautiful sunshine.
    We took the half day tour to Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls. It was worth every minute.
    A lot of walking the trails and plenty of salmon to see but we didn't spot any bears. Perhaps next stop?
    The rain forest was quite a surprise and something we weren't expecting in Alaska.
    Les mer

  • Skagway - start of Gold Mining in Alaska

    28. august 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Next stop is Skagway - population about 1000 people but 4 cruise ships together and it grows to 12,000.
    We walked the historic main street and then went on a 5 hour trip that followed the path of the early gold for miners to the Yukon.
    The Iditarod Musher Camp (dog sled farm) was very interesting and we really enjoyed our sled ride (even though the sled was a dune buggy!).
    Then a turn at panning for gold and although we didn't strike it rich we both found some gold specks. Enough to make us happy.
    Les mer

  • Glacier Bay - a chance to see the snow

    29. august 2019, Coastal Waters Of Southeast Alaska And British Columbia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    A day spent cruising Glacier Bay.
    The scenery was very interesting and at times it was spectacular but perhaps it was just a little short of what we were expecting.
    No wild life apart from three mountain goats we couldn't see and a few seagulls.
    Still no bears!
    The weather was actually great and when out of the wind it was quite warm. No real need for the "snow skiing" winter clothes we had packed.
    Les mer

  • College Fjord - lots of Glaciers to see

    30. august 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    The best day in Alaska so far. Perfect weather and perfect scenery.
    There were plenty of glaciers to see and different types - tidal, hanging , meringue and grounded.
    They were all in retreat mode (some blame it on global warming others on global warming coupled with natural cycles). What is definitely true is that they are disappearing.
    The scenery was majestic and the photos certainly do not need a caption.
    Les mer

  • Whittier then on to Anchorage

    31. august 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    We left the cruise and had another boat trip - this time on a small cruiser to see Lake Portage and the Portage Glacier up close. Quite spectacular!
    On the drive from Whittier to Anchorage we travelled in the longest tunnel in North America - 2.5 miles long.
    Eventually our bus reached Anchorage - much bigger than we had expected - a city of 300,000 that is presented very well with lots of flowers and some pretty parks.
    Les mer

  • Anchorage - an exploration day

    1. september 2019, Forente stater ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    A day to explore Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska.
    Started with a 1 hour tour on the usual "red bus" which was quite interesting. I didn't know Captain Cook "discovered" Alaska while searching for the North West Passage.
    Next a shuttle to the Ulu factory on Ship Creek. Ulu is a special type of curved knife made only here in Anchorage.
    Then we visited the Anchorage Museum. A lovely building and it contains quite a few interesting exhibits.
    Les mer

  • The lost day

    2. september 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Our plane to Las Vegas and the start of our Grand Canyon tour was delayed by 14 hours!
    Something about it being too hot in Las Vegas for the plane to leave (unbelievable story if you ask me).
    We booked a hotel for the night, flew out of. Anchorage 1 :00 the next day, collected our rental car and drove 4 hours to Flagstaff Arizona. In bed around 2:00 a.m.
    A helicopter ride to look forward to in the morning.
    Les mer

  • The Grand Canyon (at last)

    3. september 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    It took a little longer to get there than planned but the Grand Canyon was worth the trouble.
    The day started with a wonderful helicopter flight over the Canyon. One more off the bucket list!
    The pictures tell their own story - it really is an amazing sight. - a true natural wonder of the world. The Grand Canyon has an average depth of 1600 meters (or about one mile).

    A great day filled with great memories!
    Les mer

  • Route 66 and then the Hoover Dam

    4. september 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    A full day spent travelling from Flagstaff to Las Vegas following the iconic Route 66 much of the way.
    First stop Williams, an old country town with lots of interesting memorabilia from the 60's.
    Then Seligman - the "home" of Route 66. Lots of 60's stuff too and also a great lunch.
    Our final stop was the Hoover Dam and it too was an enjoyable and interesting experience, but hot - 110 in the old money!
    We finally arrived in Las Vegas ready for four exciting days. No rest!
    Les mer

  • Day in Vegas, Cirque du Soleil at night

    5. september 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 37 °C

    A late start today - well after 12:00 p.m. before we ventured out to face the heat.
    Conquered Denis' fear of heights (well nearly) when we had a memorable ride on the High Roller Ferris Wheel. Great views!
    More time spent walking the strip and just experiencing this amazing fantasy town.
    The images of the Cirque du Soleil Beatles Show do not do it justice. It was incredible.
    Les mer

  • A very quiet day then ELTON JOHN

    6. september 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 38 °C

    Enjoyed the Flamingo hotel with the occasional walk outside. This was our day of rest!
    Waited all day for the Elton John concert which was fantastic. He was on stage for two and a half hours.

  • Walk the strip and then KEITH URBAN

    7. september 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    A long walk exploring just about all the major casinos - apart from some innovative architecture and design they all feel the same - poker machines were everywhere and the smell of cigarettes was hard to miss!
    Tonight was our last night and we had a truly wonderful experience - Keith Urban at the Colosseum was sensational. A must see if you get the chance.
    Les mer

  • A drive through the Death Valley!

    8. september 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    A long road trip to Mammoth Lakes via the infamous Death Valley.
    It was hot but not unbearable. About the same as Las Vegas. A worthwhile trip and we have some great memories.
    The lowest point was 190 feet below sea level and had the same temperature of 43 degrees Celsius as Las Vegas.
    To get to Mammoth Lakes we had to drive to a height of 7895 feet and saw the temperature drop to 10 degrees Celsius.
    Some awesome views along the way.
    Les mer

  • Driving to San Francisco

    10. september 2019, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    A day spent driving from Mammoth Lakes to San Francisco.
    We decided to take the Sonora Pass over the mountains. It was a different drive to Yosemite but equally as interesting. A road less travelled!
    We reached just under 10,000 feet again (Kosciusko is 7,310 feet) .
    A highlight was road works where 30 double bogey asphalt trucks were lined up.
    Once over the mountains it was an easy drive through open farmlands until we reached outer San Francisco.
    Stopped for a picnic lunch near an almond tree plantation.
    Tickets for a major league baseball game tonight!
    Les mer