U.S.A. Roadtrip 2006
Words and Pics By Gail and Gary Cooper
Hi folks,
After sending a couple of photos to Chris, taken while we were on holiday, touring California, Nevada and
Arizona, he suggested we might like to put something together with a few photos, here goes...
We flew from Gatwick, the first week in January British Airways 747 to San Diego. The first thing on arrival was
to collect our Hire car, a nice surprise when we got there, we had been upgraded from a Pontiac to a brand
new Cadillac, presumably because it was their winter and quiet.

                                                         










We did approx. 7,500 miles in the following month and this car put the cherry on the cake. Anyone that's driven
the new 'Northstar' V8 will know that its an absolute dream, even with 2 plug leads disconnected (yes, I tried it,
couldn't tell any difference). Its reputation makes it out to be a bullet proof engine and it certainly is.
When we left the UK we didn't exactly know where we were going to go, but had a month to do as we pleased.
We hadn't booked any accommodation, its really not worth it. That way, you can go where you please and
book into one of the many motels/hotels along the way. We stayed in a different place most nights with the
exception of Las Vegas, San Francisco and Ventura. All accommodation was excellent and very cheap, by our
standards....real quality.
We left San Diego on the first morning and headed north on the Pacific Coast Highway. The route 101 and the
1 run parallel to each other more or less, the 101 is more like our motorways whereas the 1 is, like the film '2
lane blacktop'. Stopping at Ruby's diner, Laguna Beach for the obligatory steak and much to our surprise was
a '58 Edsel Pacer. For an instant, we thought it was ours! It was one of only two Edsel's that we saw in a
month. The other one was a '58 that had been made into a pickup truck, painted bright orange! Didn't get a
photo because it had passed us before I picked up the camera.











































            








I'm not a castle fan but anyone in that area should not miss a visit here. There are various tours around the
castle and it was my excuse for a ride on an international school bus which they use to take visitors up to the
castle from the main visitors centre. Hearst was a newspaper multi millionaire in the 40's and 50's. I think one
of the richest men in America at that time. We had a full day there and looking back, it really wasn't enough.
From there we carried on north through the Santa Lucia range to Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz and on to
San Francisco where we had a further few days.





                                             

































                                                             


Reno being a city in the middle of nowhere almost like a mini Vegas. Lots of prostitution, gambling and
drinking. It was here in Reno where we had our first experience of the Santa Fe railroad! We'd had a long day,
just got off to sleep just after midnight when there was an almighty twin air horn sound that was so loud it
sounded like it was under the bed followed by something resembling an earthquake. Next morning in the
daylight we found out why....the main railroad runs literally through the main street! And doesn't slow down to
do it! The motel backed right onto the rail track.
Next few days we spent driving around Lake Tahoe  
                                                   


























There are two towns, one each end of the lake, North Lake and South Lake Tahoe. As you can see on the
photo, Lake Tahoe is absolutely stunning, the air is that clean you can't breathe it! Despite there being snow
on the ground, we were sunbathing....weird.
Our next stop was Carson City, Nevada. A place I wanted to see, quite a few of the old buildings still there,
most of them wooden built, like stepping back in time. Also, while we were there we visited the Nevada State
Railroad Museum, well worth a visit even if you're not into trains. Most of the exhibits in the main hall are the
ones which were used to film western movies.
We then went south on the 395 passing by Yosemite National Park but unfortunately we couldn't get
in.....completely snow bound. Next time! We drove down from 'Deadmans summit', wow! If you're into
scenery...this is it! We headed down towards Mammoth Lakes then onto Bishop. (Mammoth Lakes area is
actually desert). It was on this road that disaster struck, sort of...picture the scene, totally deserted road except
for the occasional truck, new Caddy underneath me and a road for as far as the eye could see, 60 mph limit,
well, you would have to wouldn't you? Check out what the Caddy would do........110, 120, 130, 140...nee nah,
nee nah, oh my god....a wailing of sirens and a multitude of flashing lights, not one but two black and white
highway patrol cop cars from out of nowhere! Ease off...too late 'PULL OVER GODDAMMIT' serious, so scared
I couldn't even wet myself! Gun pulled on me (as I tried to get my licence out of the glove box), big mistake,
'HELL BOY, I'M GONNA KICK YOUR ASS' and he meant it!















                                                         


















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Whilst I was taking the photo, got another shock...'HELL MAN, WHAT YOU DOING WITH MY GODDAMN
TRUCK', turned around and he looked like buffalo bill! Cowboy boots, stetson, the business. Turned out to be
the owner/driver and when I told him I was drooling over his truck he showed me round it, under it and in it!
Really friendly.

                    
Stayed in Vegas for 3 nights. And that definitely wasn't long enough. We will be going back on our next
trip...awesome. Gary has a terrific fear of heights but loves roller coasters so it had to be done....the highest
roller coaster in the world which is at the top of the Stratosphere Tower.









                                             











         












   It's no good trying to explain the Grand Canyon,
         its something you really have to see.





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   Local gas station at Williams!

We spent the next week on what's left of old route 66 on our way back to California (LA). This was one of the
highlights just to be on that old route, there were many '50s diners.  Pity we didn't have the Edsel here!
























We spent the last 3 days in San Diego,
topping up on the sun. It was 92 degrees in February!
                                                                 

We personally believe that this is the only way to see the States, stay in a different place most nights, meeting
different people. Some of the smaller places we visited on our travels were the best. People were really, really
friendly and went out of their way to make you feel welcome.
Finances and time permitting, we intend to do something similar again. It's going to be a difficult decision
whether to go back to some of the places we have already been or try different States.

Gail and Gary.

Many Thanks to Gail and Gary  for sharing their USA Roadtrip  with us.


Sacramento was next,  which was
definitely the cleanest city that we have
visited in the States so far. But
strange....there was not a person to be
seen as we drove in over the old iron
girder bridge. Very quiet city. Spooky!
We left Sacramento via the Sierra
Nevada mountain range into Nevada
and down into Reno. My god...did it
snow!
One for the rail enthusiasts! The bridge, the
bridge...my god what a bridge! I have wanted to see
the Golden Gate since I was about 5 years old....and it
was well worth the wait. If only I could have driven the
Edsel over it! Spectacular! But believe it or not, I don't
have a photo of it...lots of video but no photo.  
Although the Cadillac made the holiday for us, there
were times in San Francisco when I wish I didn't have it
because although when you're in the main city streets
thats fine, but turn into the backstreets and stop at
traffic lights, you feel a little vulnerable to say the least
when the local yobs are polishing their flick knives!
Probably thinking 'get the white honky in the caddy'. A
beat up pickup truck would probably have been better
here.
Left San Francisco via the bridge (again) on to San
Rafael, Fairfield, Big Sur, (this is a very remote but
woodland area)  we stopped for fuel at the main shell
station!
Revolver, stick, ammunition belt, pips,
braids, mirror glasses...the lot! One
evil git! It was chips in person. $220
later.......when they found out we were
British, they turned into a pair of really
nice guys. Spent an hour or so
chatting to them. Apparently we were
picked up by air patrol.  

Next day travelled further south on the
395 between the Inyo mountain range
on the left and Kings Canyon on the
right. Once again, absolutely
spectacular scenery. Sat in a diner
that evening with a steak the size of a
cow and watched the sun setting over
a snow capped mountain range.
(Romantic or what).
ts like driving on the moon, only two places all the way
through it, which are Panamint Springs and Stovepipe
Wells, with Towne Pass in between them, which is quite
narrow and very, very steep.
Crossed over from California to Nevada again, and
headed south on the 95 to Las Vegas. Stopped at a
big shopping mall on the way in, everything is so
cheap, food, clothes, shoes, electrical goods etc etc. In
the car park was a really nice truck that I couldn't resist
having a look at.
It was down through Death Valley the next day, if anyone
decides to do this drive, be prepared for a long day and
STOP FOR FUEL BEFORE YOU START GOING INTO THE
VALLEY
As it's along walk to the nearest  petrol station.
And people have died because they didn't have enough
fuel
.....and the Big Shot which shoots you at 45 mph from the
921 foot level to the 1,081 foot level in 2.5 seconds, then
lets you free fall back to the launching pad! View from the
top was fantastic if you open your eyes! Gary was ill for
the rest of the day after the bigshot! See photo.
Whilst staying in Vegas we went to Lake Mead which is
formed by the Hoover Dam. What a spectacular
construction. Next day we drove over the Hoover Dam into
Arizona. We went to Kingman, Williams and took a flight
into the Grand Canyon.
Mr 'D's' diner, Kingman, Arizona, definitely a must if you're
in the area!....directly opposite Kingman Sheriffs office.
Over the next few weeks we did....Newport Beach, Long Beach,
through LA, Beverley Hills, Hollywood and further north to Ventura
where we spent 3 days. (Ventura is about an hour north of LA). Point
of interest, maybe you all know this, but I didn't, all the road numbers in
the USA are odd numbers north-south and even numbers east-west!
Simple! From Ventura we went to....Santa Barbara, San Simeon where
we visited Hearst Castle,