The West, region synonymous with dream...
Always as usual, we left Marseille-Provence, despite the fear of a planned strike then canceled...
Then from Paris-C.D.G towards Los Angeles () for a trip lasting 11 hours and during the day because of the time difference (-9h).
The next morning, visit of Universal studios, half amusement park, half studios for movies or series where we are not allowed to set foot there.
The general visit is done in a small tram, multiple attractions and 'live' shows having a direct relationship with blockbuster films are planned for the public (Backdraft, Jurassic Park, Shrek, E.T, etc.,..) .
Demonstrations with acts performed by animals and other birds are presented to us with many additional explanations, then a life-size show taken from the film Waterworld is offered to us with special effects and stuntmen: like real cinema!!
Departure towards is it with passage in famous Bagdad Café (), rechristened for the famous film, on the road 66 where turns in a continuous loop the least famous song ' Calling You ' interpreted by Jevetta Steele.
I really have a thought for owner who hears this piece all day long and every day!!!
Night stop at Laughlin () known for being on the banks of the Colorado River, its casinos and at the intersection of 3 states (Utah, Colorado and Nevada).
To get to the Grand canyon we always continue on the mythical route 66 to arrive at Seligman (), a historic site with its famous barber Angel , mythical guardian of the history of this road.
By taking the road to Page you pass next to the Glen Canyon dam which gave birth to lac Powell which has more coastline than the Atlantic coast of the USA.
The night preceded by a country evening in Kanab (), is welcome before the beautiful crossing of numerous ranching meadows towards Bryce Canyon () : truly one of the most beautiful natural parks in Utah and more, it was snowing !!
This Bryce Canyon was discovered by the Mormons in the last century.
The shapes, colors and shades of the stone and the famous Pink Cliffs are constantly changing from dawn to dusk.
In the momentum, visit a temple in St georges , one of the many towns founded by the Mormons.
Arrival in the evening in Las vegas, capital of gambling, but not of Nevada !!
At sunrise, departure towards Pahrump and Shoshone, through the desert of Nevada.
Momentary return in Californie and descent towards famous Death Valley : the Valley of Death () is located in 80 metres underneath the level of the sea.
The landscape is so uninhabited as the first cowboys to have crossed it said about him: ' No stream to drink to it, no tree to hang itself ' there.
Badwater Point is the the lowest point of the valley (-60 m), Furnace Creek, the dunes of sand of Stovepipe and the mines of Borax in the abandonment.
In the middle of an arid lowland come into sight from absolutely crazy buildings, barded by neon: Las Vegas (), is the city of all excesses: millions of rooms of hotels in buildings in harebrained architecture, hundreds of casinos …
Shall we go to play, get married or even divorce, Las Vegas is a city to be once seen at least in the life.
In this big region, there are also many ghost towns as Calico () who create only for the researchers of gold or silver and lived only not enough time, but this one was restored as evidence.
From Fresno (), it's the road to Yosemite National Park () which surprises with the freshness of its alpine landscapes where pine forests, waterfalls and waterfalls abound, dominated by the haughty silhouette of large white monoliths.
Discovery of Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, Bridalveil Falls and Yosemite Falls, as well as a pioneer village in the southern part of the park.
From there, depart for San Francisco () through the rich agricultural lands of California via Merced (), overnight stop.
Guided tour of San Francisco one of the most photographed, filmed and described cities in the world... A delicious blend of history and sophisticated modernity.
It is built on several hills which flow into a magnificent bay of which the city seems to be the jewel, business district, Union Square, Chinatown , Sausalito and without forgetting the no less famous bridge: the Golden Gate .
We reluctantly leave a city like this to explore the Californian coast.. Monterey () a magnificent site of sand, cypresses and rocks.
It is one of the favorite places of many American and European painters and poets, notably with the fishing port and the famous Cannery Row (sardine street) made famous by Steinbeck.
Passage to Carmel seaside resort, better known thanks to its former mayor: Clint Eastwood, then Lompoc () ... Bof !!.
Santa Barbara (): visit to this famous seaside resort on the Californian coast with typical Spanish architecture.
Visit of the mission which is today the most important Franciscan convent in California, then return to Los Angeles and visit places like Santa Monica, Venice, etc,...
Before returning to our tired Homes, but happy with this circuit!!
INFORMATIONNovember 7, 2022
Hurricane alert for the Bahamas and east coast of Florida
The US National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for the Bahamas for Wednesday, November 9 in the early morning with a significant deterioration in weather conditions and heavy rains from Tuesday evening for the Northwest Bahamas.
This hurricane warning then extends to the east coast of Florida as of Wednesday evening with a tropical storm warning as of Tuesday evening.
It is recommended to follow the instructions of the National Hurricane Center and local authorities, to consult their site very regularly to follow the progress of the storm.
Pleasant climate all year round, especially in spring and winter, beware of the cold in certain places at altitude.
The airlines serving the interior of the United States are numerous and the flight delays are almost trivial as the traffic is dense. What a pleasure to drive in the United States! Obviously, we ignore the big cities and their surroundings where heading in the heart of traffic is sometimes a nightmare (Los Angeles is an example!).
As soon as we take an interest in a particular state, we notice culinary differences and even antagonisms between regions. Cosmopolitan cuisine (Asian, Mexican, French...) and trendy (organic and vegetarian). You can find everything and at all prices. Accommodation ranges from campsites to designer palaces, youth hostels, ranches, Bed & Breakfasts, boutique hotels and, of course, the unmissable motorway-side motels.
Mainly clothes, especially in large sizes and brands, shoes too, if not according to your visits.