Berkeley, California 7 July 2011
(1104 km / 690 miles)
Nevada, California
Today we arrived at our final destination on our road trip! Now we've traveled from the Atlantic to the Pacific!
In Kingman we said bye-bye to our old friend I40 and took US93 north towards Vegas. A short drive through desert landscape that took us past the Hoover Dam.
We met the Tollin family in Vegas and stayed two nights on the Strip. I'd love to tell you all about it but what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
From Vegas, we drove southwest on the I15 through the desert down to Barstow and from there northwest on California 58 to Bakersfield where we spent the night.
Today we drove California 99, California 46 and I5/580 up to San Fransisco.
This will be the last entry before we're back in Sweden next Thursday. The remaining time will be spent here in the Bay area.
Our roadtrip from New York to San Francisco summer 2011
torsdag 7 juli 2011
söndag 3 juli 2011
Grand Canyon
Kingman, Arizona 3 July 2011
(490 km / 306 miles)
Grand Canyon today! Despite poor weather it's a truly magnificent experience.
Then back to I40 and heading west. We are stopping in Kingman on our way to Vegas.
The whole family at Grand Canyon, Arizona
The whole family at Grand Canyon, Arizonalördag 2 juli 2011
Rodeo
Prescott, Arizona 2 July 2011
(682 km / 426 miles)
Arizona
We left Albuquerque early to get to Prescott in time. We followed I40/Route 66 across western New Mexico and eastern Arizona. Spectacular landscape!
The clock tricked us again, since Arizona has Mountain time just like New Mexico but they don't use daylight savings time, so we had to put the time back an hour even if we didn't change time zone.
We saw the Meteorite Crater outside Flagstaff and the red rocks outside Sedona on our way. Very nice, thank you Joel for the tip!
At the hotel - Wilmer learned how to swim! He just made up his mind and started swimming!
The reason for going to Prescott is that we got tickets for the Rodeo. A splendid piece of American culture that we'll always remember.
Filippa and Benna by the Meteorite Crates, Flagstaff Arizona
(682 km / 426 miles)
Arizona
We left Albuquerque early to get to Prescott in time. We followed I40/Route 66 across western New Mexico and eastern Arizona. Spectacular landscape!
The clock tricked us again, since Arizona has Mountain time just like New Mexico but they don't use daylight savings time, so we had to put the time back an hour even if we didn't change time zone.
We saw the Meteorite Crater outside Flagstaff and the red rocks outside Sedona on our way. Very nice, thank you Joel for the tip!
At the hotel - Wilmer learned how to swim! He just made up his mind and started swimming!
The reason for going to Prescott is that we got tickets for the Rodeo. A splendid piece of American culture that we'll always remember.
Filippa and Benna by the Meteorite Crates, Flagstaff Arizona
fredag 1 juli 2011
World's longest aerial tramway
Albuquerque, New Mexico 1 July 2011
Albuquerque from Sandia Peak
Albuquerque has the world's longest aerial tramway which leads up to Sandia Peak, 3 200 m. From the top there is an excellent view over Albuquerque and the surrounding desert.
After some afternoon shopping we went to see the Sikora family who moved here from Stockholm in 2003. We enjoyed an mexican dinner and all children, Sikoras and Ströms got a chance to practice some language skills.
Albuquerque from Sandia Peak
torsdag 30 juni 2011
Big Texas
Albuquerque, New Mexico 30 June 2011
(470 km / 294 miles)
New Mexico
Today's trip on I40/Route 66 offered true Texan landscape, flat fields as long as you could see in all directions, giant heards of cattle and occational canyons. We headed into New Mexico and more of highlands before stopping in Albuquerque.
Texan landscape
On the Mother Road
Amarillo, Texas 29 June 2011
(403 km / 252 miles)
Texas
Route 66 starts in Chicago and runs south west to Oklahoma City and from here, it's a straight western route to Santa Monica. Route 66 runs in parallell to the I40 between OKC and Amarillo, but where Route 66 went through the towns, I40 goes around. The result, of which we saw several examples, is deserted gas stations and motels in run down towns.
We stayed at the Big Texan Steak Ranch, where anyone who can eat a 72oz/2.0 kg steak dinner in 1 hour get the meal for free! We saw one winner and two other contestants during our dinner.
We also saw Cadillac Ranch, 10 Cadillacs buried nose down in the Texan soil.
Benna and Patrik at Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo Texas
(403 km / 252 miles)
Texas
Route 66 starts in Chicago and runs south west to Oklahoma City and from here, it's a straight western route to Santa Monica. Route 66 runs in parallell to the I40 between OKC and Amarillo, but where Route 66 went through the towns, I40 goes around. The result, of which we saw several examples, is deserted gas stations and motels in run down towns.
We stayed at the Big Texan Steak Ranch, where anyone who can eat a 72oz/2.0 kg steak dinner in 1 hour get the meal for free! We saw one winner and two other contestants during our dinner.
We also saw Cadillac Ranch, 10 Cadillacs buried nose down in the Texan soil.
Benna and Patrik at Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo Texas
tisdag 28 juni 2011
Buffalos
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 28 June 2011
We went north in Oklahoma today, in search for the Wild West. We ended up in Pawnee where Pawbee Bill's ranch is located. Bill was close friend with Buffalo Bill, and like him had a Wild West Show. On the ranch there is a nice museum and a heard of buffalos.
We drove through prarie countryside and endless straight roads which we thoroughly enjoyed!
Buffalo heard at Pawnee Bill's ranch
We went north in Oklahoma today, in search for the Wild West. We ended up in Pawnee where Pawbee Bill's ranch is located. Bill was close friend with Buffalo Bill, and like him had a Wild West Show. On the ranch there is a nice museum and a heard of buffalos.
We drove through prarie countryside and endless straight roads which we thoroughly enjoyed!
Buffalo heard at Pawnee Bill's ranch
Geronimo!
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 27 June 2011
Today we went looking for Indians. Southbound to Anadarko, described as the Indian Capital of the US. Anadarko was a disappointment since we expected more examples of traditional Indian culture, but we mostly saw run down houses and the mandatory Casino.
So we headed further south to Fort Sill where the Apaches were held as war prisoners the major part of in total 27 years. Geronimo died and was buried within the fort.
Temperature reached a high of 107F (42C)!
In the evening we went to the cinema to see Cars 2. We all enjoyed it.
Wilmer in front of Geronimo's grave in Fort Sill, Oklahoma
Today we went looking for Indians. Southbound to Anadarko, described as the Indian Capital of the US. Anadarko was a disappointment since we expected more examples of traditional Indian culture, but we mostly saw run down houses and the mandatory Casino.
So we headed further south to Fort Sill where the Apaches were held as war prisoners the major part of in total 27 years. Geronimo died and was buried within the fort.
Temperature reached a high of 107F (42C)!
In the evening we went to the cinema to see Cars 2. We all enjoyed it.
Wilmer in front of Geronimo's grave in Fort Sill, Oklahoma
söndag 26 juni 2011
Go West
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma June 26 2011
( 792 km / 495 miles)
Arkansas, Oklahoma
The temperature reached 100F (38C) today which made it a perfect day for staying in Apan's air conditioned climate. We passed right through Arkansas and continued to Oklahoma and OKC - Oklahoma City.
We stayed on the I40 all the way with the landscape turning more and more into wild west style.
Cattle next to the I40 in Oklahoma
( 792 km / 495 miles)
Arkansas, Oklahoma
The temperature reached 100F (38C) today which made it a perfect day for staying in Apan's air conditioned climate. We passed right through Arkansas and continued to Oklahoma and OKC - Oklahoma City.
We stayed on the I40 all the way with the landscape turning more and more into wild west style.
Cattle next to the I40 in Oklahoma
lördag 25 juni 2011
Graceland
Memphis, Tennessee 25 June 2011
We started off the day with a visit to Graceland. I was surprised to find out that Benna is an Elvis fan! Graceland was unexpectedly small and very 70's. We also covered Elvis' car museum and airplane (!) museum - he had two private jets!
The temperature rose above 90F (32C) for the first time on our trip.
After Elvis we went downtown Memphis to see the Old Man River - Mississippi! There is an island in the river with a 400m model of the river from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.
The family on Mud Island in Mississippi River, Memphis
We started off the day with a visit to Graceland. I was surprised to find out that Benna is an Elvis fan! Graceland was unexpectedly small and very 70's. We also covered Elvis' car museum and airplane (!) museum - he had two private jets!
The temperature rose above 90F (32C) for the first time on our trip.
After Elvis we went downtown Memphis to see the Old Man River - Mississippi! There is an island in the river with a 400m model of the river from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.
The family on Mud Island in Mississippi River, Memphis
fredag 24 juni 2011
Through small Tennessee towns
Memphis, Tennessee 24 June 2011
(354 km / 221 miles)
We skipped the Interstate today and took the old highway, US70, all the way from Nashville to Memphis. The road took us through small town Tennessee and it was really worth the extra time. Drive-in cinemas, small road side bars and beaten up trucks! And a lot of churches of course!
Typical US70 view
(354 km / 221 miles)
We skipped the Interstate today and took the old highway, US70, all the way from Nashville to Memphis. The road took us through small town Tennessee and it was really worth the extra time. Drive-in cinemas, small road side bars and beaten up trucks! And a lot of churches of course!
Typical US70 viewtorsdag 23 juni 2011
Beautiful Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee 23 June 2011
We spent the day in beautiful Nashville. A walk and lunch in The District combined with swimming in the hotel pool. In the evening we had a celebration dinner for Benna who passed both her spring exams.
Filippa, Carl and Wilmer in downtown Nashville
We spent the day in beautiful Nashville. A walk and lunch in The District combined with swimming in the hotel pool. In the evening we had a celebration dinner for Benna who passed both her spring exams.
Filippa, Carl and Wilmer in downtown Nashville
onsdag 22 juni 2011
Music City
Nashville, Tennessee 22 June 2011
( 728 km / 455 miles)
Tennessee
We took a long drive today through south west Virginia and north east Tennessee. We mainly followed the Interstates I81 & I40 but took some smaller roads on occasion to see some more of the country side.
Both I81 and I40 are 2 lanes and the large number of trucks that overtake each other make the traffic crowded. I put Apan on cruise control and relaxed and is not tired at all from the long drive.
Weather enthusiasts: We have had 20-25 degrees Celsius and mostly sunny but there have been rain showers almost every day as well.
Pick nick lunch in Abingdon, Virginia
( 728 km / 455 miles)
Tennessee
We took a long drive today through south west Virginia and north east Tennessee. We mainly followed the Interstates I81 & I40 but took some smaller roads on occasion to see some more of the country side.
Both I81 and I40 are 2 lanes and the large number of trucks that overtake each other make the traffic crowded. I put Apan on cruise control and relaxed and is not tired at all from the long drive.
Weather enthusiasts: We have had 20-25 degrees Celsius and mostly sunny but there have been rain showers almost every day as well.
Pick nick lunch in Abingdon, Virginia
tisdag 21 juni 2011
On the Skyline Drive
Roanoke, Virginia 21 June 2011
(458 km / 286 miles)
We left the crowded I95 for a drive in the Appalachian Mountains on the Skyline Drive, a very scenic route with several overlooks. After a few hours, we skipped to the I81 and drove until dinner time.
No new states today, but we've seen a lot of Virginia!
Benna, Carl and Wilmer watching the Blue Ridge Mountains from Skyline Drive
(458 km / 286 miles)
We left the crowded I95 for a drive in the Appalachian Mountains on the Skyline Drive, a very scenic route with several overlooks. After a few hours, we skipped to the I81 and drove until dinner time.
No new states today, but we've seen a lot of Virginia!
Benna, Carl and Wilmer watching the Blue Ridge Mountains from Skyline Drive
Sightseeing in DC
College Park, Maryland 20 June 2011
(District of Columbia), Virginia
We took the Metro to down town and covered some of the sights in Washington including the White House, Lincoln Memorial and Capitol Hill.
After a short stop at the hotel pool, we went to Lena S for dinner. We all enjoyed a home cooked meal after a week of restaurants.
The whole family on The Mall in Washington DC
(District of Columbia), Virginia
We took the Metro to down town and covered some of the sights in Washington including the White House, Lincoln Memorial and Capitol Hill.
After a short stop at the hotel pool, we went to Lena S for dinner. We all enjoyed a home cooked meal after a week of restaurants.
The whole family on The Mall in Washington DC
söndag 19 juni 2011
Our new friend Apan
College Park, Maryland 19 June 2011
(354 km / 221 miles)
New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland
We picked up our car and drove of Manhattan through the Holland tunnel and straight onto I-95 that would take us all the way down to Washington D.C. I-95 is 2 to 6 lanes wide all the way and the traffic pattern is similar to Stockholm, almost no one follows the speed limits and those who do drive in the central lane.
Our car is named Apan (The Monkey) after its license plate and is a Chevy Suburban. A hugh car with a 6 litre V8! Milage? No problems, the gas is less than 7 SEK/litre.
Today's trip took us through four states. We had pre-booked the hotel, which funnily enough is located next to an IKEA store, and the GPS brought us right on target. We haven't named the GPS yet - we're trying to listen to what she sounds like first.
The family in front of Apan
(354 km / 221 miles)
New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland
We picked up our car and drove of Manhattan through the Holland tunnel and straight onto I-95 that would take us all the way down to Washington D.C. I-95 is 2 to 6 lanes wide all the way and the traffic pattern is similar to Stockholm, almost no one follows the speed limits and those who do drive in the central lane.
Our car is named Apan (The Monkey) after its license plate and is a Chevy Suburban. A hugh car with a 6 litre V8! Milage? No problems, the gas is less than 7 SEK/litre.
Today's trip took us through four states. We had pre-booked the hotel, which funnily enough is located next to an IKEA store, and the GPS brought us right on target. We haven't named the GPS yet - we're trying to listen to what she sounds like first.
The family in front of Apan
lördag 18 juni 2011
Empire State Building
New York, New York 18 June 2011
Today's highlight was the 86:th floor observation deck at Empire State Building. It was slightly foggy but pretty OK.
Wilmer got a new camera so now we can upload our pictures through his cable.
Filippa and Wilmer spotting the Statue of Liberty
Today's highlight was the 86:th floor observation deck at Empire State Building. It was slightly foggy but pretty OK.
Wilmer got a new camera so now we can upload our pictures through his cable.
Filippa and Wilmer spotting the Statue of Liberty
fredag 17 juni 2011
Central Park Zoo
New York, New York 17 June 2011
Today we went to Central Park to visit the Zoo. Carl explained the lack of lion, zebra, giraffe and hippo with "they are in Madagascar", which seemed to make some sense.
I had dinner with Mikael B who happened to be in New Jersey.
Today we went to Central Park to visit the Zoo. Carl explained the lack of lion, zebra, giraffe and hippo with "they are in Madagascar", which seemed to make some sense.
I had dinner with Mikael B who happened to be in New Jersey.
Wilmer picked the Spider Man ice creamtorsdag 16 juni 2011
Statue of Liberty
New York, New York 16 June 2011
We kick started our NY stay with a trip to the Statue of Liberty. We walked back all the way up to 34:th street. The kids were so tired that we left them at the hotel and did some shopping on our own.
Dinner at Times Square, but the kids were too tired to eat. Wilmer fell asleep so I had to carry him home.
We kick started our NY stay with a trip to the Statue of Liberty. We walked back all the way up to 34:th street. The kids were so tired that we left them at the hotel and did some shopping on our own.
Dinner at Times Square, but the kids were too tired to eat. Wilmer fell asleep so I had to carry him home.
Filippa and Carl at the Statue of Libertyonsdag 15 juni 2011
Ponny lost in NYC
New York, New York 15 June 2011
Finally settling in at the hotel after a long trip. We started 4.30 AM from home and arrived here at 12.30 AM Swedish time. When we switched shuttles, we lost Wilmer's bag containing his best friend Ponny. However, after a few calls the dog and the boy was reunited!
Wilmer and Ponny reunited at the hotel
Finally settling in at the hotel after a long trip. We started 4.30 AM from home and arrived here at 12.30 AM Swedish time. When we switched shuttles, we lost Wilmer's bag containing his best friend Ponny. However, after a few calls the dog and the boy was reunited!
Wilmer and Ponny reunited at the hotel
måndag 13 juni 2011
Setting up the blog
Hässelby 13 June 2011
Setting up this blog to enable friends and family to follow us on our trip!
Setting up this blog to enable friends and family to follow us on our trip!
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