07-06-17, 07:12 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-06-17, 07:25 AM by tommyardin.)
Well we left San Fransisco and drove down to Carmel about 250 miles, Carmel very much a money belt with beautiful homes overlooking the bay the houses are built on the steeply terraced hills so most of the homes have a great view of the beach.
The beach is fine silver sand that makes a cheeking noise when you kick your foot into it (Apparently it's the softness, fineness and composition of the sand that causes that. First afternoon on the beach there were a few people about (Sunday) but nothing like English beaches, in every 50 meters of beach perhaps 15 people, Monday woke up to the bay full of mist so drove around the headland to Monterey, again a great place but more tourist targeted (An American Padstow in Cornwall) By 10-30 am mist had cleared to a beautiful sunny day, so we headed back to Carmel and spent the rest of the day on the beach, silver sand as far as the eye could see and hardly anyone on the beach, it seemed most people were up in town spending sheds full of money.
We went to Mission Ranch Bar in the evening for a beer or two, the Mission Ranch area is owned by Clint Eastwood and apparently he comes into the bar some nights to tickle the ivories for the patrons, but sadly not that night, probably best as I might have kissed him, best for both him and me :eek
Left Carmel and drove North about 300 miles (Approx) to Yosemite Park had a great day in the park 9,000 foot mountains and water falls dropping from top to bottom, it was about 32 deg C in the mountains, raging snow melt rivers that would smash a car in minutes should you go in.
Then disaster hit Miriam my daughter jumped from one fallen tree to another slipped ankle over popped the joint cut her other leg, my son Jack ran about a mile through the forest for help and the Park Rangers had too call 911, the Park Ranger Abulance service came out. Four Rangers had to carry her out of the forest to the road after they had administered with 25 mg of morphen. Miriam passed out at one point because of the pain, she went an ashen yellow colour was sweating, yet was really cold and clammy, Ranger said it was shock and passing out is a pain coping method. They ambulanced her about 3 miles to the Park hospital and X-Rayed her ankle, nothing broken but buy this time it was twice the size of the other bruising and fluid.
We left the hospital about 90 minutes later with Miriam on crutches and out of her head on morphen and I was about 4,500 Bucks poorer. ? I have travel insurance so can claim most back.
Anyway we drove about 70 mile through/ around the park and headed off to a town called Maraposa about 40 miles North of Yosemite to another Air BnB we had booked.
This could only happen to Miriam, we had her in hospital a few years ago after an air ambulance ride because she was thrown from a horse while out riding, suspected spine injury, 6 or 7 weeks laid up and she was fine.
Anyway we are driving back to San Fran tomorrow, then on a plane and back to St Louis for a couple of days before flying the Chicago and then onto to Heathrow.
America is an amazing place, but much to fast a life style for this old boy, I will stick with sleepy old Hampshire.
Mind you might have to sell the house to pay for that trip, It was great to spend some time with my son Jack, he is based in St Louis for another year then we will see what happens with him.
Second time Stateside for me, first time for my wife and daughter.
The beach is fine silver sand that makes a cheeking noise when you kick your foot into it (Apparently it's the softness, fineness and composition of the sand that causes that. First afternoon on the beach there were a few people about (Sunday) but nothing like English beaches, in every 50 meters of beach perhaps 15 people, Monday woke up to the bay full of mist so drove around the headland to Monterey, again a great place but more tourist targeted (An American Padstow in Cornwall) By 10-30 am mist had cleared to a beautiful sunny day, so we headed back to Carmel and spent the rest of the day on the beach, silver sand as far as the eye could see and hardly anyone on the beach, it seemed most people were up in town spending sheds full of money.
We went to Mission Ranch Bar in the evening for a beer or two, the Mission Ranch area is owned by Clint Eastwood and apparently he comes into the bar some nights to tickle the ivories for the patrons, but sadly not that night, probably best as I might have kissed him, best for both him and me :eek
Left Carmel and drove North about 300 miles (Approx) to Yosemite Park had a great day in the park 9,000 foot mountains and water falls dropping from top to bottom, it was about 32 deg C in the mountains, raging snow melt rivers that would smash a car in minutes should you go in.
Then disaster hit Miriam my daughter jumped from one fallen tree to another slipped ankle over popped the joint cut her other leg, my son Jack ran about a mile through the forest for help and the Park Rangers had too call 911, the Park Ranger Abulance service came out. Four Rangers had to carry her out of the forest to the road after they had administered with 25 mg of morphen. Miriam passed out at one point because of the pain, she went an ashen yellow colour was sweating, yet was really cold and clammy, Ranger said it was shock and passing out is a pain coping method. They ambulanced her about 3 miles to the Park hospital and X-Rayed her ankle, nothing broken but buy this time it was twice the size of the other bruising and fluid.
We left the hospital about 90 minutes later with Miriam on crutches and out of her head on morphen and I was about 4,500 Bucks poorer. ? I have travel insurance so can claim most back.
Anyway we drove about 70 mile through/ around the park and headed off to a town called Maraposa about 40 miles North of Yosemite to another Air BnB we had booked.
This could only happen to Miriam, we had her in hospital a few years ago after an air ambulance ride because she was thrown from a horse while out riding, suspected spine injury, 6 or 7 weeks laid up and she was fine.
Anyway we are driving back to San Fran tomorrow, then on a plane and back to St Louis for a couple of days before flying the Chicago and then onto to Heathrow.
America is an amazing place, but much to fast a life style for this old boy, I will stick with sleepy old Hampshire.
Mind you might have to sell the house to pay for that trip, It was great to spend some time with my son Jack, he is based in St Louis for another year then we will see what happens with him.
Second time Stateside for me, first time for my wife and daughter.