KIWIS on TOUR

It all started with a mouse...

Well really it all started with a man that created a certain Mouse, but Walt Disney wanted everyone to remember that this place really did have small beginnings.

Greetings everyone, from sunny, hot and humid Orlando...

Back to Disney info... Walt himself formulated the plan for Disney World but never saw it become a reality. Walt passed away in 1966 and Disney World opened in 1971.

This place really is fabulous, it's spread over 42 square miles and has 4 Theme Parks, 2 Water Parks and numerous hotels within the complex. Once you are in 'The World' you can get around on the supplied transport and that is a combination of buses, boats and monorails. We were even picked up from the Orlando Airport by the Disney Magic Express coach service.

We were here for 7 nights / 6 days. What we didn't realise though was that last weekend was a holiday weekend so there were LOTS of people here. Saturday we went to the Magic Kingdom, being that we had been here before we were able to pick and choose our rides and happily wandered around the park just watching people. For the 'happiest place on earth' there were lots of not so happy families around. Children wanting to go in one direction while parents go in another, lots of tears and pouty bottom lips to be seen! In the meanwhile we enjoyed yet again the Pirates of the Carribean ride, the Jungle Cruise, the Enchanted Tiki Room, the Haunted Mansion. We avoided It's a Small World as Paul did not want the tune in his head for the rest of the day.

We also went to the Hall of Presidents, a ride where Stitch is a naughty little prisoner that causes mayhem and you get sprayed with water etc, then we went on the Carousel of Progress, a vintage Disney ride, created by Walt Disney for the 1954 World's Fair - very cool indeed.

We completed the day with dinner at the Grand Floridian (the best) hotel in the World and then returned to the Magic Kingdom for the fireworks. A great day and a LONG day.

Sunday, we went to the Animal Kingdom, a great experience yet again, but phew the heat! It was 89 deg with 100% humidity! And with all the crowds we gave up at 3.30pm and returned to the hotel to cool down. Before doing this we went on several rides, did the 3D experience called 'It's tough to be a Bug' and the safari. Unfortunately the animals were all a little lethargic with the heat too, so we saw many resting and sleeping animals.

Monday was a designated R & R day, that can be interpreted how you like but for me that meant shopping at Downtown Disney. We took the boat down there at about 11am and ended up having dinner at the Rainforest Cafe before returning to the hotel about 8pm. Paul loved it!!!

Tuesday we went to Disney Hollywood Studios, probably the smallest of the theme parks but plenty of rides to do, all based around movies and a really good diorama of Walt Disney and the creation of Disneyland and Disney World.

Final theme park was Epcot yesterday, another full on day, took in lots of rides and wandering around the different international sections of the World Showcase. To top things off there is an International Wine and Food Festival on at Epcot at present and little old NZ even has a stand there offering Villa Maria Wines to accompany Bay Scallops and Kiwifruit Meringues. We did not indulge, instead we headed to Morrocco for dinner for Couscous and Baklava. We topped off the day by staying for the fireworks display that is always awesome at this park because of the huge area they have in the middle (a lake) for launching the rockets required for such magnificent displays.

Well today has been our last here, we're off to the airport at 9.30am tomorrow. So we've taken it realtively easy, we've been back to Downtown Disney for a few last minute things and then we've packed and now I am doing this final update.

So that's it, USA 2008 over and done with! I cannot believe it has been 3 months since I have been in NZ?! Well, when we get back home I will no doubt be launching into planning the next trip - sucker for punishment that I am!!!

Bye for now

Jodi

Last leg to Chicago complete

Phew, we’ve put in some long days in the last week! From my last post in Salt Lake City we’ve crossed the width of Wyoming – wide open spaces! We stayed in Laramie and that town is at about 7000 feet elevation so it was quite nippy that night.

Then we cut down from Cheyenne to Denver, Colorado. As soon as we crossed the border you noticed a difference in the type of land. Denver is at around 4000 feet and the land is much more pastoral, the cattle here looked like they actually had some grass to chew on! I bet these ranchers wouldn't be able to believe their eyes if they saw NZ pasture?!

From Denver we headed east towards Kansas. By night fall we were in the middle of Kansas in a town called Hays. Again the land in Kansas is very flat, but because of the lower altitude it too is a much better area for farming and noticeably more animals and crops.

Next day we continued across Kansas to pass through Kansas City, crossing the border into Missouri. We had planned on visiting the HD Plant there but it was Saturday and these plants only have tours during weekdays – damn! So we just pushed on and headed south-east to Cuba… Missouri that is!

Our plan was to proceed to Saint Louis in the morning and then on to Bloomington, making the next day a very short trip into Chicago… but… also in my plan was to call into Bourbeuse HD to pick up a T-shirt for Stu that he regretted not buying. So, take note what happened next Stueee!!!

So this is Bourbeuse HD on a Sunday!!! CLOSED!!!

Plan B kicks in, go into Saint Louis and visit the Gateway Arch and Chain of Rocks Bridge then drive back to Union, Missouri for the night, hoping that Bourbeuse HDs hours were correct and that they would be open in the morning (being that everyone is on Winter hours now).

Yay, they were open…

And Stu, we hope this is the right T-shirt?

Once we had this, it was onward and upward to Chicago, via Ted Drewes Frozen Custard stand in Saint Louis of course!

We arrived in Chicago at about 4.30pm. Car trip almost done…

Today was car cleaning day! We took it to a local car wash and cleaned and cleaned. It now looks like a completely different vehicle – a vehicle resembling the one we picked up 2 months ago.

Tomorrow the car goes back to its rightful owners June and Larry and we are looking forward to having dinner with them.

Friday we are off to Disney World in Orlando, Florida for a weeks holiday – R & R. Then unbelievably it’s time to go home. 

Next post from Disney World, be prepared! I love the place!!!

Jodi

WARNING: Several Posts about to happen, so try to keep up!

MISSING PHOTOS

First, thanks to Laurel Kane from the Afton Station in Oklahoma! Laurel has pointed out to me that there is a missing group of photos on the blog - Route 66 Part 2. Don't ask me what I did! I could blame the computer, I could blame broadband connections or the WWW, but it was most likely down to ME!

So, to the left is the missing photos, including Laurel's Station along with its gorgeous car collection. Keep on "kicking" Laurel!!! I have positioned them at the top so you don't have to scroll for miles!

THE GROUP HAS GONE

After our Final dinner as a group on Thursday night at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. on Santa Monica Pier and packing up the bikes on Friday, most of the group returned to New Zealand on Sunday (they touched down in Auckland early Tuesday morning - they lost a day due to the International Date Line). Several participants are off to different locations in the US to visit with friends and will make their way back to New Zealand shortly.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN...

As for Paul and I, we commenced the journey back to the cars home of Chesterton, Indiana on Sunday afternoon. By Sunday evening we had arrived in Fresno and on Monday we drove to Yosemite National Park. Yosemite was as beautiful as I remember it from 25 years ago and it was a new experience for Paul. We saw several people ascending El Capitan (you have to be mad!), saw a smidgen of water falling at Bridal Veil Falls and the majesty of the Half Dome. Monday night we made it as far as Carson City, it was a very slow drive over the Tioga Road, most of it is posted 35 mph.

Yesterday we (Paul) decided to take Highway 50 East instead of I-80. By the end of the day at Ely we understood why it was called "The Loneliest Road", that is an understatement! We started off the day visiting Virginia City, a whole town on the National Historic Places Register, built during the Gold rush of the late 1800's. It is a very cool little town with old time boardwalks instead of sidewalks. What I would like to know is, what they are doing about the crumbling buildings? If it's worth being on the Register then surely it's worth restoring some of it?!?

During the afternoon we completed about 200 miles and passed through a grand total of 3 towns!!!

This morning we made a bee-line for the Salt Flats, primary purpose to see the Bonneville Speedway. After 120 miles on Highway 93 (the Lincoln Highway - and the same scenery as yesterday - nothing) we reached the site of the speed records. We stayed there about 15 mins, took a couple of pics and then were on the road again. This time we were on the I-80, the only option across the Salt Flats, but it's a great drive. This afternoon we arrived in Salt Lake City with enough time to get a motel for the night, drop the trailer and go into the central city to see the Mormon Temple and Tabernacle etc. It's a very impressive complex as there is also the huge Administration Building and an incredible Conference Centre too. The temple is stunning, unfortunately you cannot go inside.

So that's us all up to date...

Cheers

Jodi

IMPOSSIBLE!

But true! Today we completed our 2 month journey of the USA. We are now in Santa Monica, California having been to 19 States (some twice), 1 Province and 2 Countries on our bikes.

The journey has been brilliant and many new friends have been made both within the group and with the people we have met along the way.

I want to thank a few people for making our trip so special! Firstly, to all of my group, each and every one of you, you have made the trip special in so many ways!  

To June & Larry for the loan of the car and trailer, you’ll have it back really soon now! It’s been a life saver on several occasions as well as a good workhorse luggage wise.

To the Jon & Mary, Pat & Gigi, Tom & Anita for the use of their homes in Spearfish for Sturgis Bike Week. If you ever plan a trip to Sturgis I highly recommend renting homes as it is a very relaxed way to enjoy Bike Week.

To Noel & Terri for opening your home to all of us Kiwis, wonderful generosity that we all appreciated so much.

To Jerry McClanahan for writing such a wonderful EZ Guide to Route 66 and how awesome to meet you in person!

To Bill & Terri at the Blue Swallow, such gracious hosts and what a wonderful effort you have put in to keeping up the spirit of Route 66, your motel is fantastic.

There are of course many other people that have helped us out, chatted with us etc. To all of you thank you!!!

Okay, thank you time over, today, our last day started out in Barstow and we had all great intentions of sticking to the EZ Guide all the way to Ocean Blvd, however the heat and the traffic lights finally got the better of us I am afraid, Jerry we hope you understand, we did the last little bit on the I-10. But we still feel like we have got a great sense of what Route 66 is today. A mixture of revitalised places and others sadly just going further and further into decline. We know that if we visit again in another 5 years there would be more changes some for the better some sadly for the worse, but that is how life goes, we’re glad we have our photos of John’s Modern Cabins as I doubt they will be around much longer.

Today was yet again warm (that’s 100+ degrees, until 10 kms from the sea shore, it was like someone all of a sudden turned the heater off and the air-conditioner on.

Tomorrow we crate the bikes up ready for their journey home and people start drifting off to their tag on parts of their trip. Most people depart for New Zealand on Sunday evening. At least everyone has a few days to relax before heading away.

For those that are interested in the escapades of Paul and I for the next few weeks as we get the car and trailer back to Chi-town I will endeavour to do a few more updates along the way.

Finally, thanks to all of you who have been reading the updates and sending in the comments. The stats prove that the effort has been worthwhile. At last look there had been 6500+ visits to the site!

Thanks EVERYONE!!!

Jodi

Bryce & Grand Canyons plus Sin City…

The 440 mile trek to Bryce Canyon was substantial but well and truly worth the effort.  The scenery was just spectacular with many pinnacles and valleys to be viewed and being that we arrived in the late afternoon it made it all the more spectacular with the setting sun hitting the natural rock formations. Bryce, as with most of the area we had been in for several days was at a substantial elevation (between 8,000 and 9,000 feet) which made for some chilly temperatures.

Again it will be the photos that tell the story of the beauty of the place. Same goes for the Grand Canyon too, it is grand, being up to 18 miles wide and 1 mile deep. We stopped at many of the look outs along the way to take it all in. Unfortunately part of the canyon was closed for road resurfacing but we definitely got a good feel for the magnitude of the place.

After visiting the Grand Canyon we returned to Flagstaff for the night. Monday we were back on the Mother Road and off to Kingman via Seligman which is one of the coolest places on Route 66. Seligman is home to Angel Delgadillo and he is probably what you would call the Father of the Mother Road. He has run his Barber Shop on Route 66 for 58 years. Paul and Alan were privileged enough to have their hair cut by him while we were in town.

Tuesday saw us leaving Kingman and heading out to Oatman – Google it! – we got there just in time for the midday shoot-out, and as for the wild (tame) burros (donkeys) that roam the main street, one was born the night before and was sooo cute! As we wandered along to Oatman it started to get hotter, after leaving Oatman we were heading for Las Vegas and it got even hotter, OMG, we saw one sign showing the current temperature at 112 deg. F (40 deg. C).

We reached Las Vegas late afternoon and checked into our hotel for the night, the Bellagio! Ah… Sheer luxury is how you would explain it! After dinner most of the group wandered Las Vegas Blvd to view the many casinos that are literally a feast for the eyes. Our hotel is famous for the fountains at the front that are set up to play to music. So about every 5-10 minutes a piece of music starts and so does the water performance. Magical!

Unfortunately we only had the one night in luxury and we departed this morning heading south to rejoin Route 66 for our second to last day of riding. Tonight we are in Barstow and tomorrow it’s Santa Monica and the end of Route 66, AND the completion of our journey. This trip has seriously flown by, two months just gone, just like that!

Well, I’ll get some photos up asap, but for now I must sleep, so till the next post…

Bye for now

Jodi

Sorry! We’ve been out of service area!

Hello Everyone

Sorry you haven’t heard from us in a few days but we’ve been out of coverage area… Here’s what we’ve been up to.

4 States – All at once…

Yes, you really can achieve this! There is this place called Four Corners and it is the only place in the United States where 4 states literally all intersect at one point. So you can stand in Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado all at once! How cool is that? Of course we had to pay the Navajo $3 per person for the privilege though!

We’ve had to take a break from Route 66 to see this and also Monument Valley.  But let me first tell you about being on Route 66 from Albuquerque to Gallup, that’s going back a few days now, that’s definitely going to strain the brain a little!

Our first stop for Monday morning was the Metro Diner in Albuquerque, it was not open but we decided to get photos of the outside anyway. Next thing the owner comes out and invites us in to show us around. That was awesome! We really appreciated him doing this for us. It has such a cool interior and it was great to talk to the person that was so dedicated to the cause of creating/maintaining such a place. It’s a shame they weren’t ‘open’, an Oreo Shake would have completed the experience!

Once out of Albuquerque and on the open road the terrain changed yet again, New Mexico just keeps surprising us! This time the land was more arid and desert like. Then we came across a Train Jam, not a Traffic Jam, but a real Train Jam, it must have been the transfer point for several lines, but we passed 7 trains within a few miles, one heading west and 6 heading east, which may have been the reason for the Jam? The freight trains here are massive, we clocked one at 2.4 kms long!!! It was carrying shipping containers and they stack the containers two high, so that’s a LOT of containers.

Late in the day we crossed the Continental Divide before dropping down into Gallup for the night. You can definitely tell that we are travelling at altitude at the moment, the rain has gone, the daytime temperatures climb to about 85-90 deg F and at night the temps drop to around 40-45 deg F (chilly!).

Tuesday was the day for Four Corners, as mentioned, heading north first to a town called Shiprock, this town in on the Navajo Indian Reservation and is literally built on sand, very stark, hardly any trees in parts.

From there it was west out to Four Corners then east to Farmington for the night. We had to visit the Harley-Davidson dealership there, it was called Four Corners HD, funnily enough…

Wednesday, WOW, Monument Valley! You have to see the photos! Actually, not even the photos show the sheer beauty of this area. You simply have to come see it. The region is spectacular, the way the rocks have formed over millions of years is phenomenal. Our group got to the Valley via several different routes but each noted how the scenery changed progressively from the sandy colour of the Farmington/Shiprock area to a deep terracotta red. Some of the rock looks like it has just been sliced in half, other areas look like bumpy outcrops of erosion. Then there are the canyons, oh look, I’ve raved enough, just go look at the pictures!!!

Thursday took us from Kayenta to Holbrook and back to Route 66 for another day or so. We crossed the Hopi Indian Reservation this time and again on spectacular land with magnificent canyons. Many took in the Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert along Route 66 before arriving in Holbrook. Again people were struck by the beauty.

Friday, a short day, only 95 miles to Flagstaff and not surprisingly it took us all day, yet again. The shorter the miles the more we find to do in them.  Several places of note during the day were ‘Standin’ on the Corner, in Winslow, Arizona’ and then visiting a Meteor Crater.

Saturday and we are travelling off the Route yet again to Bryce Canyon, ending the day in Page, Arizona. Tomorrow (Sunday) we’ll be taking in the Grand Canyon.

Will update you again soon…

Bye everyone.

Jodi

Wild Hogs

For the last two days we've been on and off Route 66 a little.

Our hosts, Bill and Terri, at the Blue Swallow Motel recommended that we take Highway 104 North towards Santa Fe rather than following Route 66 as there was not too much to see along the next part of the Mother Road. They told us that we were likely to see Turtles, Tarantulas and Antelope along the way.

About 20 mins into our journey we sure did see a turtle crossing the road. Then about 10 mins later Paul comes to a grinding halt on the road, does a u-turn and stops beside something. So all of us that were riding together u-turn too to go see what he's found, sure enough it's a Tarantula.

We all dismount and I suggest to Paul that he picks it up. He eventually managed to get him on his hand, then it immediately ran up his arm and across his shoulders. There's a posted photo to prove it!

After that exciting little escapade we then headed off again and at our next stop, at a Dam, we saw an adult antelope and then two young ones (sorry I have no idea what baby antelope are called). That was our list of critters ticked off within an hour and a half of leaving Tucumcari!

The terrain was awesome along Highway 104. It changed several times during the day as we climbed to Santa Fe (7,000 feet elevation). We can see why New Mexico is the "Land of Enchantment".

Paul and Nyrha arrived into the hotel about 9.30 last night absolutely on a high as they had ridden 104 plus gone to a place called Taos via the Rio Grande Canyon both of which were apparently gorgeous. Good on them... they are seeing such a lot, making the most of their time here!

Today began with most visiting old Santa Fe town, it's stunning with all the Adobe buildings, but also very much a tourist trap. Everything to be purchased in this part of town was generally expensive! I saw a painting I would have loved, only $9750!

After visiting this area we headed off on Highway 14, the Turquoise Trail, first to Cerrillos then onto Madrid, made famous to most of us thanks to the movie Wild Hogs. A cute town, but nothing like it looked in the movie - not so surprisingly.

Then it was on down the road to Sandia Park, where most of the group also headed up to Sandia Crest (10,600+ feet elevation) for some magnificent views of surrounding New Mexico including Albuquerque.

We finished our ride into Albuquerque on Route 66 and we are back on the Route tomorrow, heading to Gallup.

Bye for now

Jodi

Tucumcari Tonite!

We've seen the signs for hundreds of miles and now finally we are here... Tucumcari, New Mexico.

For the record, the guy that attempted the 72 oz steak last night did not make it, but he looked none the worse for wear this morning :o)

Yet again we commenced our journey this morning in the pouring rain, but by the time we reached the Cadillac Ranch only a few miles west of Amarillo the rain had stopped and it the sky had significantly brightened.

As we left the Texas Panhandle behind and took the 10 miles of gravel 66 into New Mexico the sun came out and we all were able to shed the layers of wet weather gear - yay!

Today we also passed by the half way point of Route 66 in Adrian, TX.

With such a short run to Tucumcari we arrived at the hotel about 3.30pm. What a luxury to be in early! We are staying at the Blue Swallow Motel, a Route 66 icon, has been a motel servicing the route since 1939. Our hosts Bill and Terri have been so so welcoming, they are fantastic!

Bill even organised for us to go to a great restaurant in town, the Lizard Lounge, where many of us tried out the food from their Mexican menu. There were a few people sweating it out with the chilli!!! 

Back at the motel and we took a number of photos with the neon in the background. Great for the photo album.

Well it's bed time again...

Night

Jodi

Show me the way to Amarillo

Hi y'all, how y'all doin' ?

The last two days have been wet and since we are all awaiting Hurricane Ike to hit I reckon this preliminary stuff is Tina with her knickers in a knot!

I'm starting off this post with going back to two nights ago in Oklahoma City when we went down to the Murrah Federal Building to see the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial. We arrived early evening while it was still light and this gave us the opportunity to look at the Memorial from various places, review photos of how the area did look and what the building looked like straight after the bombing and to look at the fence erected for memorial pieces placed by the public.

It's a very serene, quiet place to be in the evening as, of course, it's in the middle of the business district. After we had read tributes people had left on the fence, we entered the memorial itself, I've posted some photos of it, and just wandered around. We stayed till it was dark and illuminated. It's very beautiful. The 168 chairs that form the memorial represent the people that died that day. What makes it all the more sad is that the bomb went off right by the creche so 19 poor little innocent children lost their lives that day.

So that completed our visit to OK City.

Yesterday morning we set off, in the rain, towards Elk City (on the western edge of Oklahoma). Along the way we visited more Route 66 towns and saw road icons. The best feature of the day was the Route 66 Museum in Clinton. It is a great little museum set out as a timeline of the road.

Then it was on to Elk City, don't be fooled by the name, it's not quite a city!

This morning when we woke the day looked horrible. So on went all the wet weather gear and off we set... OMG, it just persisted down. So our stops for the morning were all about taking a little shelter and letting a little of the water run away for a moment. Time to clear the eyes and wipe off the visors.

We had a great lunch at the Red River Steakhouse in McLean. They even put up with the puddles of water that formed under several peoples chairs as we dried out.

Tonight we are at the Big Texan, home of the 72oz Steak! That's right, a single steak weighing 72oz can be had in the restaurant!!! While we sat and dined on our 12 oz steaks we watched one guy attempt the massive slab. We did not wait to see if he completed it but it did not look like he was going to make it. If you do manage to eat it, along with the accompaniments then you get it for free. If you don't it costs you $72. The sides that come with it are 3 fried shrimp, baked potato, salad and a dinner roll. (Yuk, it makes me feel sick just thinking about it!)

Tomorrow we head to Tucumcari and the Blue Swallow Motel.

Till next time...

Jodi

We're in the 'Sooner' State

More precisely, Oklahoma City. We travelled from Tulsa to here yesterday and while it was a short 118 miles it still, as usual, took us all day. Most of the Americans we meet on the route are amazed that we want to do this, they really are in the Interstate mindset for the most part.

There were a few quirky things to see yesterday like a round barn and a private 'shed' that houses a fully functional diner, half a VW hanging off the side of the building that you can actually sit in and the facade of a gas station, plus the 'real' part of the shed contained several vehicles under restoration. There was also a beautiful Model T in the shed having some maintenance performed.

But, most definitely, the highlight of the day was stopping off in Chandler to visit with Jerry McClanahan, the author of the EZ 66 Guide that we are all using to get us along this road west.

Jerry is not only an accomplished author but also an awesome artist. Jerry, if you read this, us Kiwis would call you 'a real clever bugger'!!! In fact we were really lucky that Jerry sells prints of his paintings and a few of us availed ourselves of these...

Anyway, here's Jerry in his living room:

 

And here we are outside his house (thanks for the photo Jerry!):

 

So who's here? From L to R: Wayne, Pam, Paul, Jodi, Russell (Zig), Lynn (Loop), Gary and Stu (Stueee).

Check out Jerry's website: www.mcjerry66.com

Today we've had a rest day in OK City, tomorrow we're off to Elk City and it looks like we're going to be back into wet weather again darn it. Oh well, all part of the experience!

Gotta go now, it's midnight and I should be sleeping!!!

Y'all come back now, ya' hear!

Jodi

P.S. I also added lots of photos today too!!! From Henry Ford onwards - check 'em out.