The "I'M NEARLY FAMOUS" Tour -2005

With only 10 days to go, it is now possible to get advanced weather forecasts for part of our trip. I'm sure that we are all happy in the knowledge that the weather on our arrival is predicted to be Sunny & Dry.

The temperature is predicted to be a nice, 65 degrees. So I guess that a light long sleeve to may be in order for the evening. The good news is that your thermals, wellies, and thick coats can be left in the wardrobe back in the UK.
On the same day: Bass Lake is 85 degrees, Lone Pine is 87 degrees, Las Vegas is 97 degrees and Death Valley is 110 degrees.
More weather forecasts to follow

The bears are awake and ready to welcome us to Yosemite. There is nothing they like more than Pistachio shells and are more than happy to tap on the window, reach in and nipple on anything that is not sealed away.

BE BEAR AWARE. Be prepared to share your lunch.

Our planned route from Yosemite to the Eastern Sierra, (Lone Pine), takes us over "Tioga Pass Scenic Drive". This route is described by National Geographic as one of the most beautiful drives in the world. The only slight problem is that it's 9645 ft above sea level and presently it is under 5 feet of snow.
Ploughing began this year on 15th April and so far, only half of it is clear.

Checking the website shows the opening dates of the past 25 years (ranging from April 29th in 1989 & 1st July in 1998). It also shows PLOWING UPDATES

I guess we should just keep an eye on things as it may mean we need to do a slight detour (via Kernville & Ridgecrest), which would be a bit of a bore. All alternative routes are shown on the website.

The journey between San Francisco & Bass Lake is broken into two halfs. The second half Mariposa - Bass Lake, brings the second game.

Game 2-Flying Pistachio Shells
Rules. teams are chosen by the trusted opel fruit method. Each team has a large bag of pistachio nuts, plus other snacks eg cheesy puffs & beef jerky.
the object of the game is to eat the nuts and fling the shells indiscriminatly. All shells plus other litter must stay where they land. The winning vehicle is the untidiest when we arive at Bass Lake.

Sound easy?. It is with untidy blokes, but perhaps a touch trickier, if any of the ladies are home-proud (Van-proud).

The Dynamic Duo, who will no doubt be chugging along behind, Independently, in their hired Suzuki Swift, can feel free to join in on this one.

At Noon, on Tuesday 7th June, 2005, we will be Checking-In online. Boys and Girls, you have 3 options.

Option 1. Not bother, and arrive at the airport a hour & a half before everyone else, stand in a long queue, and sit on the plane by the toilets.

Option 2. Photocopy your passport and post, or zapp, it to Phillis

Option 3. Be online and do a "Simulcast", while on the phone to Phillis.

It's 202.10 miles from the Grand Hyatt, in San Francisco to Bass Lake. Although I'm sure that the time will fly past, with quality "van-banter". We have included a few games, and challenges to spice up the time on the road.

Game 1.San Francisco to Mariposa.
FRY-SPY

Rules.
Pick Opel Fruits
Each passenger pulls a card out of a preprepared bag, containing the name of a fast-food chain, as follows.

"Fry-Spy, with my little eye something beginning with. B. - Burgerking".

C. - Carl Jr.
D. - Dennys.
H. - Harbys.
I. - In N Out.
J. - Jack in a Box.
K. - Kentucky Fried Chicken.
M. - Rons.
T. - Taco Bell.
W. - Wendys.

The two drivers will watch out for cheating, but more importantly, watch out for the big signs along the interstate.
There will be a prize for individual spotter and FRY-SPY champion van.
Once we reach Mariposa. We stop the vans and pick new Opel Fruits.

Nikki & myself have received a card from El Tel (Terry Hunt), Simon's old man, inviting us to a Mexican meal on Friday 10th June at 7pm. Assuming that we are not the only one's with such an invite, that sit's neatly into our itinerary.

EL CID is in a the town of Oakhurst, 6.59 miles away from our accomodation at Bass Lake, see map. Also it promises, Quote: "The Best" Margarita in the mountains".

See you there Terry.

The final link in the chain is complete.

Booked for Sunday Night
DOW VILLA WEBSITE

Fifteen days to go and everything is almost sorted.

The only exception is our Sunday evening in the desert.

Perhaps we should book this soon, so that we can draw a line under it.

Obviously Phillis & myself are a little excited, so I'm sure that we will find something to organize anyway.

Maybe a plan of all the Dennys en route. In fact a plan of all fast-food outlets en route.

Also, with a little luck we may be able to encourage an additional guest tourist to join us on our trip. More info to follow.

Finally, the word on the street is that the "Doctor Mike's Dynamic Duo" have independently booked their hotel in Las Vegas. It seems that they have chosen The Wynn. I wonder who else is in there.

Phillis has only gone and done it. He's booked THE WYNN. The newest, bestest hotel in Vegas. It's a Five Star, $2.7billion, resort is ready and waiting for it's British guests to check-in and chillout.

Click on the website above and let Steve Wynn tell you about his resort. It won't disappoint.

Vans booked.

To be collected early on the Friday Morning 8.30am, by Badger & barnes, (possibly plus two extra drivers, Mel & Nik??)

Confirmed plan.
Land, Clear customs, taxis to hotel.

Sixteen Days to go.

What's been happening, I hear you ask.

Well the Dynamic Duo have "independently" booked up a hotel in San Francisco. I think it's called the Grand Hyatt or something. (Only joking Doc!)

This week we have two jobs.
Today or tommorrow, Myself & Badger will be booking the Vans. We have explored all options and found a few bargains.

Also, we should book-up the Dow Villa for Sunday 12th June. Another job for this week.

This just leaves the Las Vegas hotel options. Phillis & myself have been plotting, scheming, charting and tracking hotel bargains galore and believe that the 3rd of June, is the day when all the stars line up. We have our eyes on The Venetian, The Bellagio, and The Wynn. We expect to make savings of a record preportions.

(Doc. you might be interested to know that a free PDA download of The BART is available for your Palm. See BART website)

Weather stateside hot.

"Don't over pack!"

On checking of travel documents, it seems that our Flight (VS19) from Heathrow doesn't leave until 11am on Wednesday 8th June. So counting back, there is no need to leave Paddington until 9.30am.

I guess that a good time to meet up, would be 9am at Paddington Station, outside Burgerking.

In 18 days time.

Don't over pack!

Travel Documents hit the mat this morning.

Only 487 hours to go.

We all hope you are on top of your Travel Agent duties, Doc.

Research is now in full flow to try and out smart the travel agent and get a car hire bargain. A little time spent on the interweb is starting to bear fruit.

It seems that there are two factors. The one way fee, which online is about a quarter the price of trailfinders and van-hire which is about half the UK price.

The other factor is San Francisco parking which can be bit pricey. It is a little pointless paying top dollar to park in the city and also pay to days hire to leave the motor off the road.

Maybe we should pick the motor up on Friday morning first thing, or find cheap parking.

I guess that this will be sorted this week.

Boys and Girls.
Our first four nights in the USA are now officially sorted.
Priceline.com has come up trumps again, and as a result our San Francisco Hotel is fully booked & confirmed.

The GRAND HYATT, by Union Square is a four star bobby dazzler. For the film buffs among you, this hotel featured in the Steve McQueen classic, "BULLITT"

Message for the independent duo, (The Doc & Charlotte). We haven't booked anything for you. If this is a problem, call Phillis, as we do have a contingency plan, on your behalf.

Our planned itinarary is as follows.
Wednesday 8th. Land, clear customs. Taxi into town, direct to hotel, and Check-in. Probably an afternoon nap, freshen up and then a nice evening meal and a few beers, locally. Possibly Little Italy, 5 minutes away in a taxi.

Thursday 9th. Sightseeing, to include Tram ride, Irish coffee, Clam Chowder, Shops, Seals, etc.
5pm collect two 8-seater vans from next to hotel
and park them up overnight.
Evening Meal, few beers etc.

Friday morning, up pack, head towards Bass Lake, 202 miles away (4 hour drive), stop every hour to lark about and break-up journey. Arrive mid afternoon. Check-in at Bass Lake.

Saturday is Wedding Day

Sunday trip continues East. More info to follow

Just checking the weather in Death Valley. Tuesday is just a modest 94 degrees. That said, five of the other six are warm enough to break the all-time UK weaher record. Fortunatly, in three & a half weeks time, all seven days will be hot enough to blow the UK weather records out of the water.

Don't over pack.
Not too many whoooley jumpers required

Here's a photo of our latest trip & recce to Las Vegas. Old sausage neck himself is enjoying a pint with Smudger's lady wife. Smudger is at the bar, obviously.

We are sampling the fine ales at The Time Square Pub, in NEW YORK NEW YORK.

This is this week's weather in Death Valley.

and it's only May.

Whooley jumpers not required

More Requests wanted

send to

yoooreds1@mac.com

What happens next.

As our trip to the sun draws closer, things will start to hot-up. The Doc as expressed a wish to do his own thing a little, (obviously including his lady wife, Charlotte).
In the next week so, we will be looking into, booking 2 nights accommodation, in the fair city of San Francisco. Previously we have at Fisherman's Wharf. Do we want to stay there again or nearer to Union Square?. We should try and finalise this by the end of May.

Or accommodation at the wedding is sorted out, (a la phillis).

As it stands at the moment, Sunday night will be spent in Lone Pine. If this is confirmed maybe we should book our rooms soonish, (next week) (£28 for a double room @ Dow Villa.

As we all know the final three nights are Las Vegas style. Perhaps we should sort these out the first week in June? (after pay day).

This just leaves the vans. 2 x Chevrolet Astros Van. We have checked with trailfinders and there is no need to worry about, the additional "One-way fee", so it is just hired out by the day. (probably 7 days).

Next important thing. Phillis would like a photocopy of everybody's passport, by midday on the 7th of June, so that he can check everybody in online, to reduce the need to rush on the Wednesday Morning, alternative plan is that Badger & Mel and Nik & barnes check-in at the same time from home while speaking to phillis on the telephone. Phil will be in touch.

keep those music requests coming.

The clock is ticking.