The move

Being the geek girl that I am I decided it was time to try out Wordpress so I'll be blogging this years trip from http://josaull.wordpress.com/

See you there!!

The rides

Las vegas - never really been that bothered about going before but I'm starting to get excited about the thrill ride opportunities! See example below:



Now to get Lisa on one of these would involve an opperation similar to getting Mr.T on a plane. But Stacy....now I know she used to appreciate a good theme park as much as the next guy. Can I persuade her or will I be ridding it alone?

Find out in 2 weeks.

The return

You know when you're really excited about a holiday you start to pack ages in advance? Well this blog post is the online equivalent.

I am heading back to the USA in 7 weeks and not a day goes by without me getting more excited.

I'll be re-united with Stacy & Lisa (she's heading down from Canada) then I'll be gambling in Vegas, seeing the Grand Canyon, going to a friends wedding, hanging out with the Croft crew, soaking in a hot tub, watching wildlife, cramming in a season of Prison Break, singing Flight of the Conchord songs...oh and S*H*O*P*P*I*NG!

And I only have to wait 50 days before it begins.

The End

The holiday is finally over and life continues as normal, I return to work to discover that Facebook has been blocked but I managed to upload the remainder of my photo's.
Thanks to everyone for reading and commenting on my blog, I hope you enjoyed it. Thanks also to anyone who worked out how to comment without having a blogger account!

Credits:

Stacy - Location Supervisor & Holiday Director

Ma & Pa Croft - BBQ and Raccoon Co-ordinators

Michelle - Camera supplier & Taxi

Ma & Pa Saull - Luggage supplier & Car servicing

Komal - Sun care advice

Flavio - Chief Commenter

Frankie - Deputy Commenter

The Emerald City

Well I'm back now but I thought I'd do a quick update on my 2 days in The Emerald City (Seattle). We hit Seattle on Friday lunchtime and had an horrendous time finding somewhere to park but finally we did it. We wandered around the shops to complete the souvenir gift shopping, visited the fish market from a distance (as neither of us like fish), then boarded the monorail for a long journey (90 seconds) to the Space Needle (as pictured). I didn't go up the needle so pictures from the bottom is as good as it gets from me.

Did you know that Seattle is surrounded by water on 3 sides?

Saturday we drove to west Seattle and parked at the beach opposite the city, it was a lovely day and we walked for an hour along the coast before eating and heading back. This left just enough time to cram all my souvenirs into my steadily growing luggage and head for the airport.

Check in was a breeze (I love America) but the flight was delayed and I was landed yet again with a middle seat. Luckily I was between 2 nice guys this time but my entertainment system was faulty. They rebooted it twice but still when you tried to watch anything a menu screen appeared accross the right hand side of the screen. So I watched half of Blades of Glory and half of Walk the line - the LEFT half.

Everyone keeps asking if I'm glad to be back - yeah really I am, no honestly, why wouldn't I be?

The Kids

Today we went to Stacy's sisters house for lunch and I finally met Connor and Madelyn. I was spoilt with hugs and kisses from Madelyn which was very nice. Connor and I made some Lego stuff and then I spent some time swinging him around by his arms which were a foot longer by the time I left. Stacy decided to take this photo just as I was multi-tasking by giving Connor a donkey ride whilst pushing Madelyn along on her Kawasaki motorbike!

Stacy's mom was also there baking a poppy seed wedding cake and we got to eat the excess top bit that was sliced off, it was deliciously warm.

Tonight we went to Red Robin for dinner and they wouldn't accept my proof of age so I wasn't allowed a glass of wine - can you believe it. The waiters had badges saying 'We ID anyone under 39.5'. Very funny. One waiter said "You probably get this all the time but may I ask where you're from?" It turns out his Mom lives in Yorkshire, his Uncle in Scotland and his Aunt in Manchester - what do you say to that? I was too busy sulking about the wine to engage in conversation.

It's been a day of lasts - my last view of Portland City, last drive through Oregon, last dip in the pool and soak in the hot tub, and my last night at Stacy's apartment sleeping on the inflatable bed that's been my friend for 3 weeks.

I've packed my bags as my final night will be in a hotel in Seattle, I've had amazing weather here but strangely enough there is thunder and lightning outside this evening. I checked the weather forescast for the UK and it looks like the sun might come home with me (I live in hope).

The Beach

This morning we drove west to a coastal town called 'Seaside', it was already 92 degrees F when we arrived. We spent a few hours on the beach getting completely covered in sand then left and drove 10 miles south to Cannon Beach which was much more civilised.

We found a lovely place to have lunch, the menu promised that my chicken cashew sandwich would be topped with sprouts but it turned out they meant cress. I thought sprouts were an odd choice of sandwich filler.

We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing on Cannon Beach which was beautiful.

I'm starting to countdown my remaining days now, we're off to Seattle on Friday for the last 2 days of my trip before I fly home :o(