Las Vegas to Los Angeles-Phase 4
So our road trip has finally come to an end and I am sure by the time this blog is posted the Mustang will have somebody else behind its wheel purring along the freeway, but surely not with as good a taste in music or the roof permanently down, come rain or shine.
After driving through 17 states and completing 5,371 miles in 21 days, it is time for a well-earned break, so unless we break into a sight-seeing frenzy, that may well be it for posting photos and captions.
I will of course be posting a full written review of our trip upon returning home. But for now some uppers, downers, greatest hits and a few photos taken over the last couple of days.
I must also thank my great friend, co-driver and photographer, recently re-branded as ‘Stevie’ for everything over the past three weeks. It has been emotional, although I am finally enjoying my own room at last for some much-needed ’me time’.
Ten Uppers
1. Arriving at the stunning North Rim of the Grand Canyon-After a shocking nights sleep in a hut.
2. The Dr Martin Luther Jr Memorial-At the outstanding National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, that has finally paid the deserved homage to the great leader, who did so much to change the system without using violence.
3. Southern food-Chicken, rice, black beans and hot sauce-nothing better.
4. Nashville-A surprise package all round. The Broadway had all that was needed for a decent night out.
5. The drive to Monument Valley in Utah-So good it was actually an anti-climax when we arrived.
6. Cadillac Ranch just outside Amarillo-An opportune visit on the way to Albuquerque made us feel like authentic road-trippers.
7. American positivity, drive and genuine interest in our trip-As a nation they are often criticised but no other country’s people have as much ambition and drive to be the best they can be.
8. Dallas-Our favourite hotel of the trip and we experienced a refreshing change to a higher-end night-life. Along with the JFK memorial museum it meant an interesting 24 hours.
9. Arriving at our final destination in LA-No car, no more driving and a chance to un-pack and finally clean some under-wear.
10. Gas (petrol) prices-$35 (£23.50) to fill up the Mustang which lasted for 350 miles. Less than half the price we pay in the UK.
Ten Downers
1. US Immigration-Never a warm welcome from our so-called friends across the pond.
2. Texan drivers-They drive like absolute lunatics with no thought for any other road-users.
3. Tipping-Why can’t they just add 15% to the bill and avoid all the awkwardness.
4. Fast food-So readily available and cheap. It should not be more expensive to eat healthily, but it is here, as it is the UK.
5. Obama hating-Fox News and many other 24 hour news channels have clearly got in for the President after only 18 months in charge.
6. Hierarchy of service staff in restaurants-It is infuriating when each passing member of staff fobs you off to a colleague because it is not in their job description to take your order or fetch you a drink.
7. Homelessness throughout everywhere we visited-I was surprised to see so many people living on the streets wherever we travelled. The fact they tried to befriend you and then ask you for money made it even worse.
8. LA taxi drivers-I have never visited a foreign city where I know more of the roads than the cab drivers. Whatever their nationality (many cannot even speak English) they simply do not where they are going, despite the grid system making driving and a general sense of direction simpler than back in London.
9. Over encouragement to spend money in Las Vegas-Even the tap water is warm to force you to use the mini bar and you literally get kicked out of the swimming pool area at 7pm, because they want you spending in the bars and the casino rather than sun-bathing.
10. High expectation of Americans-In my uppers I praised the drive of the American general public but this should not be confused with their fussiness and rudeness in both restaurants and shops. Even in Subway some teenage geek spent ten minutes on perfecting his six-inch sandwich, whilst humiliating the poor middle-aged guy serving him in the process.
Greatest Hits of the Trip
1. Have A Nice Day-Stereophonics
2. America-Razorlight
3. Profit in Peace-Ocean Colour Scene
4. He Got Game-Public Enemy
5. Baby Please Don’t Go-Van Morrison
6. One-Johnny Cash
7. Whatever-Oasis
8. God Is A DJ-Faithless
9. Heroin-The Velvet Underground
10. I’m Shipping Up To Boston-Dropkick Murphys
DAY 21-LAS VEGAS
Old School Vegas still in evidence along the Strip
'Mr Las Vegas' himself, Wayne Newton-having more fun than us on Monday night
DAY 22-LAS VEGAS TO LOS ANGELES
Goodbye to MONEY, MONEY, MONEY
The greatest fast-food outlet in the USA
115 degrees-But still the roof remains down
It's all finally over at LAX's Thrifty car-rental returns
We shall see who's town it is over the next six nights-Big talk I know
Thought all your comments were harsh until I got to your last downer. Fair play.