A CALIFORNIAN ODYSSEY 2010.....A live trip report from the Golden State
Jun 19th, 2010, 04:47 PM
#61
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Please tell me more about The Lion King.. I have been contemplating going over for a weekend to do that very thing!My boys are 6, 8 and 10. Thanks for the info about the charges at Mandalay Bay extra charges.
Jun 19th, 2010, 06:30 PM
#62
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I actually went on the 'Pirates of the Carribean' ride back in 1996 and it was my favourite. Even the "smell" of the ride was terrific and added to the experience. I went before they changed it, so I saw the pirates chase the "wenches".
Jun 19th, 2010, 09:47 PM
#64
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Onemoneygirl. The show is great and if your kids are familar with the storyline, they will definately enjoy it.
The opening sequence when the ensemble' cast dressed as African animals enter the stage via the main ailses of the theatre is visually stunning. Just make sure that you dont turn up late as you wont be admitted until after this opening number. I feel that it is a few "show-stopping" songs away from approaching the hights of a Le Mis, Phantom or Miss Saigon but it is still well worth seeing.
If you book the Mandalay bay on smartvegas.com, you will be given 30% off the ticket prices. We booked our tix this way and were reaaly happy with our central position in the back row of the lower section.
The opening sequence when the ensemble' cast dressed as African animals enter the stage via the main ailses of the theatre is visually stunning. Just make sure that you dont turn up late as you wont be admitted until after this opening number. I feel that it is a few "show-stopping" songs away from approaching the hights of a Le Mis, Phantom or Miss Saigon but it is still well worth seeing.
If you book the Mandalay bay on smartvegas.com, you will be given 30% off the ticket prices. We booked our tix this way and were reaaly happy with our central position in the back row of the lower section.
Jun 20th, 2010, 12:51 PM
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shanek-Love your report so far. Glad you enjoyed LA so much. Seems like sometimes it gets a bad repuation but there is so much to do and sounds like your family picked the right sights to see. Also I never heard you complain about the traffic and that's coming from someone who is also dealing with driving on the opposite of the road.
Love all your comments-especially the one about doing laundry and drinking beer!
Mandalay Bay is a nice hotel-you got a good price. I'm looking forward to the next leg of your trip.
Love all your comments-especially the one about doing laundry and drinking beer!
Mandalay Bay is a nice hotel-you got a good price. I'm looking forward to the next leg of your trip.
Jun 20th, 2010, 05:06 PM
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We thought that we would be better off doing laundry at a buck and a qtr a load rather than wait for Vegas hotel laundry prices! I dont know if you have travelled with pre-teen boys before, but after 6 days, things are starting to get pretty smelly!
Thanks for your comments Paula. I dont think I could handle doing laundry without a beer!
Thanks for your comments Paula. I dont think I could handle doing laundry without a beer!
Jun 20th, 2010, 07:50 PM
#68
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FRIDAY JUNE 18th.
We got to sample a great little slice of “Middle America” today. Something that very few tourists would ever get to see. The fact that it all came about by accident made the experience even more special. But more of that later.
Kerry and I were up at about 6.30 and we decided to get down to the Gym. Joel was awake and happy to sit with Caleb in the room, so we took a rare chance to get down there together. We sweated off last nights dinner and went back to room to prepare for our departure.
We were in no hurry this morning, just wanting to get to Hoover Dam by midday, so we took the boys down to Starbucks for a Hot Chocolate whilst I got a caffeine fix. I must say that American Hotel room coffee is the pits. They provide you with one of those dripper jugs and packets of filter coffee. Why they cant just go with a kettle and those little sachets of instant is a mystery.
We were impressed with the check out procedure which consisted off hitting a few buttons on the TV remote and agreeing to the bill. We were in the car before 11, and did a quick cruise down the strip and then set the GPS for Hoover Dam. I had decided that it was time to cut Homer loose as he was starting to wear a bit thin and selected a suitable replacement, Karen from the UK. Karen was far more practical and reserved, as the English tend to be, and only gave us clear and concise directions. I did, however, miss the “Woo-Hoo” when we had successfully negotiated our entry to the motorway.
Hoover Dam was finally reached after a 45 minute wait in a queue of vehicles, to cover the last 5 miles. The main reason for this delay was a security checkpoint that was stopping all traffic about ½ a mile from the dam. It was frustrating that after all that waiting, they seemed to be just looking vaguely at the cars occupants and then waiving each vehicle through. I can understand that they need to be careful of who gets access to such an important piece of infrastructure, but all that they are achieving with such an ad-hoc security policy is the creation of a lengthy traffic jam.
The Dam was magnificent but the highlight of this stop was the young lady who was in charge of the elevator that transported down all the punters on the Power Plant tour. Her opening line was “Welcome to my elevator. It is my responsibility to get you down to the bottom of the Dam to join your tour. Some may say that my job has it’s ups and downs”. From there, her jokes got worse. The rest of the tour was interesting enough and took about 45 minutes to complete and after another half hour or so wandering around the visitor centre, we were off to Tusayan, gateway to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The plan was to get to the Best Western at Tusayan at around 5pm and then freshen up before taking in the sunset at the Canyon. This plan was thrown into disarray, only 30 miles into this leg of our journey. I was driving along, minding my own business when the car in front of me swerved around some unknown object lying on the middle of the road. When I finally saw it, it appeared to be fairly innocuous, so rather than risk a sudden turn of the wheel, I decided to go straight over it. This proved to be a bad decision as the next thing I knew, I had completely shredded my right rear tyre..
Normally, this would not have been a huge inconvenience, but unfortunately, Chevrolet only provide one of those “temporary” tyre’s as a spare with this model. Again I was reminded of my flippant choice of vehicle. The “spare” was engaged within a reasonable time frame but our next challenge was jamming the full sized wheel, and now useless tyre, into the spot that the “space saver” had resided. Due to our already overloaded back hatch, this resulted in a large proportion of our luggage and the deck of the hatch, ending up in the back seat of the car with the boys.
I was nervous about driving the next 3 hours or so on an inadequate right rear wheel, so we set about trying to find a place to purchase a new tyre. Thanks to Karen, our new best friend trapped inside our GPS unit, we were directed to the small town of Golden Valley, population, not very many. We were directed to a small tyre retailer there and I had visions of the assistant staring at me blankly and saying “Yes, we can help you with that. We should have you on the way by next Tuesday.” Thankfully, that was not the case and the service that we got here was well beyond the call of duty. Firstly, they called National, the car rental company, to report the damaged tyre and the missing side skirt that must have been dislodged at the same time. Then they called another shop in Kingman, the largest town nearby, to have the correct tyre delivered as they didn’t have it in stock.
I was told that this should only take an hour, and we were directed to a little restaurant, just down the road, so we could have an early dinner while we waited. This establishment was what I would consider to be your typical small town diner, family run, homely and familiar. The waitress enquired about what had brought us to Golden Valley and where we were from. You could sense that the other patrons in the diner were just as interested in our story. Not only was the service warm, the food here was excellent and before long, we were back on the road, a little late, but well fed and better for the experience.
We arrive in Tusayan at about 8.30, well behind schedule, and far too tired to do anything apart from grab a few supplies and bunker down for the night.
We got to sample a great little slice of “Middle America” today. Something that very few tourists would ever get to see. The fact that it all came about by accident made the experience even more special. But more of that later.
Kerry and I were up at about 6.30 and we decided to get down to the Gym. Joel was awake and happy to sit with Caleb in the room, so we took a rare chance to get down there together. We sweated off last nights dinner and went back to room to prepare for our departure.
We were in no hurry this morning, just wanting to get to Hoover Dam by midday, so we took the boys down to Starbucks for a Hot Chocolate whilst I got a caffeine fix. I must say that American Hotel room coffee is the pits. They provide you with one of those dripper jugs and packets of filter coffee. Why they cant just go with a kettle and those little sachets of instant is a mystery.
We were impressed with the check out procedure which consisted off hitting a few buttons on the TV remote and agreeing to the bill. We were in the car before 11, and did a quick cruise down the strip and then set the GPS for Hoover Dam. I had decided that it was time to cut Homer loose as he was starting to wear a bit thin and selected a suitable replacement, Karen from the UK. Karen was far more practical and reserved, as the English tend to be, and only gave us clear and concise directions. I did, however, miss the “Woo-Hoo” when we had successfully negotiated our entry to the motorway.
Hoover Dam was finally reached after a 45 minute wait in a queue of vehicles, to cover the last 5 miles. The main reason for this delay was a security checkpoint that was stopping all traffic about ½ a mile from the dam. It was frustrating that after all that waiting, they seemed to be just looking vaguely at the cars occupants and then waiving each vehicle through. I can understand that they need to be careful of who gets access to such an important piece of infrastructure, but all that they are achieving with such an ad-hoc security policy is the creation of a lengthy traffic jam.
The Dam was magnificent but the highlight of this stop was the young lady who was in charge of the elevator that transported down all the punters on the Power Plant tour. Her opening line was “Welcome to my elevator. It is my responsibility to get you down to the bottom of the Dam to join your tour. Some may say that my job has it’s ups and downs”. From there, her jokes got worse. The rest of the tour was interesting enough and took about 45 minutes to complete and after another half hour or so wandering around the visitor centre, we were off to Tusayan, gateway to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The plan was to get to the Best Western at Tusayan at around 5pm and then freshen up before taking in the sunset at the Canyon. This plan was thrown into disarray, only 30 miles into this leg of our journey. I was driving along, minding my own business when the car in front of me swerved around some unknown object lying on the middle of the road. When I finally saw it, it appeared to be fairly innocuous, so rather than risk a sudden turn of the wheel, I decided to go straight over it. This proved to be a bad decision as the next thing I knew, I had completely shredded my right rear tyre..
Normally, this would not have been a huge inconvenience, but unfortunately, Chevrolet only provide one of those “temporary” tyre’s as a spare with this model. Again I was reminded of my flippant choice of vehicle. The “spare” was engaged within a reasonable time frame but our next challenge was jamming the full sized wheel, and now useless tyre, into the spot that the “space saver” had resided. Due to our already overloaded back hatch, this resulted in a large proportion of our luggage and the deck of the hatch, ending up in the back seat of the car with the boys.
I was nervous about driving the next 3 hours or so on an inadequate right rear wheel, so we set about trying to find a place to purchase a new tyre. Thanks to Karen, our new best friend trapped inside our GPS unit, we were directed to the small town of Golden Valley, population, not very many. We were directed to a small tyre retailer there and I had visions of the assistant staring at me blankly and saying “Yes, we can help you with that. We should have you on the way by next Tuesday.” Thankfully, that was not the case and the service that we got here was well beyond the call of duty. Firstly, they called National, the car rental company, to report the damaged tyre and the missing side skirt that must have been dislodged at the same time. Then they called another shop in Kingman, the largest town nearby, to have the correct tyre delivered as they didn’t have it in stock.
I was told that this should only take an hour, and we were directed to a little restaurant, just down the road, so we could have an early dinner while we waited. This establishment was what I would consider to be your typical small town diner, family run, homely and familiar. The waitress enquired about what had brought us to Golden Valley and where we were from. You could sense that the other patrons in the diner were just as interested in our story. Not only was the service warm, the food here was excellent and before long, we were back on the road, a little late, but well fed and better for the experience.
We arrive in Tusayan at about 8.30, well behind schedule, and far too tired to do anything apart from grab a few supplies and bunker down for the night.
Jun 20th, 2010, 08:33 PM
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Wonderful report, Shanek !
One little correction-you weren't crossing the "Navajo desert"
between Barstow and Vegas-you were in the Mohave desert.
The Navajo Reservation is in the Great Basin Desert region on the Colorado Plateau and occupies most of the northeastern portion of Arizona, extends into northwest New Mexico and a southern strip of Utah.
Looking forward to more of your adventure !
R5
One little correction-you weren't crossing the "Navajo desert"
between Barstow and Vegas-you were in the Mohave desert.
The Navajo Reservation is in the Great Basin Desert region on the Colorado Plateau and occupies most of the northeastern portion of Arizona, extends into northwest New Mexico and a southern strip of Utah.
Looking forward to more of your adventure !
R5
Jun 21st, 2010, 04:17 PM
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What? You didn't fall in love with your drive to Vegas? That's a first. 
And I thought it was just me who meets great folks in laundromats. LOL
Bummer, with the flat tire. That will be a memory for sure. You'll probably laugh very hard over it down the road.
Thanks for the great read. Cheers!
And I thought it was just me who meets great folks in laundromats. LOL
Bummer, with the flat tire. That will be a memory for sure. You'll probably laugh very hard over it down the road.
Thanks for the great read. Cheers!
Jun 21st, 2010, 08:47 PM
#75
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Razzledazzle, you're almost right - yes, it is not the Navajo desert, and yet not the "Mohave" desert, but the MOJAVE desert. Splitting hairs I know... sorry, just had to. I'm one of those people that bristles visibly at typos. 
Anyway, Shanek I'm joining the rest of the forum ranks (especially the other California locals) by saying that I, too, am enthralled by your trip report! I check back every day to see if there is a new post. Love it - keep it coming.
Anyway, Shanek I'm joining the rest of the forum ranks (especially the other California locals) by saying that I, too, am enthralled by your trip report! I check back every day to see if there is a new post. Love it - keep it coming.
Jun 21st, 2010, 10:37 PM
#76
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It does seem to be those of us in California who are primarily commenting, but this thread is just so much fun!!
How wonderful to see the country through the eyes of someone with such a fantastic sense of humor!
It makes me want to visit Australia!
How wonderful to see the country through the eyes of someone with such a fantastic sense of humor!
It makes me want to visit Australia!
Jun 22nd, 2010, 05:57 AM
#77
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Question?
I always wonder what to do when you get a flat tire, and changed it to the temporary emergency tire, with a rental after you get to your destination!
Does the rental company pay you back after you buy a tire for the car?
I always wonder what to do when you get a flat tire, and changed it to the temporary emergency tire, with a rental after you get to your destination!
Does the rental company pay you back after you buy a tire for the car?
Jun 22nd, 2010, 08:02 AM
#79
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Both "Mohave" and "Mojave" are acceptable spellings for the original Indians who lived in this area:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohave_people
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohave_people
