Travel Outline

DATES: Friday 11th August to Sunday 10th September 2017 NEW YORK | NIAGRA FALLS |  YELLOWSTONE | ECLIPSE: Our journey starts in New York City with an up-state tour finishing at Niagara Falls. We’ll then fly to Yellowstone National Park where we’ll stay a few nights before viewing the magnificent SOLAR ECLIPSE in the morning of 21st

Outbound

At Heathrow, awaiting our 7 hour BA flight to Newark: take-off at 10:35 and arrival at 13:20. BA had cancelled the flight from Gatwick to JFK and moved us to this earlier take-off slot, which works out much better for us as we get to NYC, and to navigate our way to the hotel in

Another Diamond Ring

After our amazing 3 days exploring Yellowstone from our base in Big Sky, Montana we had a very early start to get to the Airport at Jackson Hole where we had two critical events to make: our flights out to San Francisco, and the total Solar Eclipse that would happen at 11.35, that’s 1 hour

Alcatraz and Angel Island

Wednesday 23rd August and we took a boat tour with Alcatraz Cruises from Pier 33, a 45 minute Cable Tram Tour from our lodging – and the very ‘Southern’ driver was exceptionally patient with all the tourists. Getting to the Pier we see there are no cruise tickets available until September, and some very disappointed

To Carmel By-The-Sea

We left the hustle and bustle of San Fran to spend a few relaxing days at Carmel by the Sea, where Clint Eastwood was mayor and famous resident. Travelling in our virtually new Nissan Rogue SUV for the next 16 days we were soon on our way South, and we now know the way to

The Big Sur

Today was our last full day staying in Carmel and we headed South to take in some of the Pacific coast views along the iconic Highway 1 route and explore the picturesque Big Sur state park. It’s a little publicised fact that the Pacific coastline is subject to frequent fog, as we have witnessed since

To Yosemite

Today we left our quiet retreat in Carmel. Time for a final shot of us on the balcony with the Pacific just visible behind us and a few pics along the Scenic Drive (yes the road is actually called that) running alongside the beach. En route to Yosemite we came across the fascinating and huge

Yosemite Valley

Today was spent exploring this spectacular National Park. As we left our overnight stop at Yosemite View lodge, Kate noticed the smell of woodsmoke in the air so we enquired at the gate, and they confirmed that fires were at large in the park! but thankfully managed and well away from the tourist areas. We

June Lake in August

After a hearty breakfast in a great American diner opposite our motel, we explored June Lake village. Then drove the scenic loop road past Silver lake where we stopped for a walk and chatted with an older couple from San Diego on their annual fishing pilgrimage, and he pulled in a Rainbow Trout as we

119 Degrees of Fun

Weather reports threaten record breaking high temperatures in the area so we were up and away early, driving towards Death Valley on US190; well stocked with a tank of gas and six gallons of bottled water! With highlights such as Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek to see (hmmm it all sounds a bit warm) and