Day 21

Well today we went to Alcatraz as you can see from the pictures in the post below. Anyway started out by getting clam chowder in a bread bowl at Fisherman's Wharf on the way to the catch the ferry. Caught the ferry and took a little 10 minute ride across the bay which was pretty cool. Then we toured Alcatraz. When we first got there we watched a video presentation about the history of the island and San Francisco. Then we went on a self guided audio tour through the cell block which was really neat. That way we got to hear the sounds of the prison and everything as we were going through it. Also learned a lot of history that I didn't know. One thing in particular was that Indians occupied for almost two years as a protest about the government putting them on reservations. Afterwards we came back and went back to the hotel to relax and get away from the crowds a little bit. Getting ready to go back to Pier 39 for our last dinner in San Francisco and on the west coast before we start heading back east.

Alcatraz pics

Day 20

Well today we went out in San Francisco and wandered around. Started by eating at an In-n-Out Burger which is kinda like a cross between Johnny Rockets and the Varsity. Then we went to the North Face store and bought new jackets cause to be honest its pretty cold here considering its June. Then we went to the store across the street called Gumps. Mom recommended it cause she gets a catalog. They had some really cool stuff and we ended up getting a book that shows you how to make over 1000 different drinks and a couple of oyster shucking kit things. However, when we checked out we were helped by the gayest person me or Joseph had ever met. He proceeded to talk to us for a while about why we were there, if we were brothers, where we were from, how conservative the South is, and why Joseph and I should buy a house in San Francisco. And he told us about his "partner". Needless to say we got out of there as fast as we could. We then went and walked around China Town. Definitely different because didn't hear any English and the stuff in the stores was really weird. After that we went for a drive around San Francisco and needless to say the roads are nuts and the people just walk out into traffic. Needless to say Joseph got a little bit frustrated. Well we are off to dinner now so we will post more later.

PCH and San Francisco pics

Hollywood and Beverly Hills pics

Vegas and Marina del Rey pics

Day 19

We are now in San Francisco. The drive up the PCH today was beautiful. This is the part that people think of when looking at pictures. We stopped off a few times to take pictures and will post them. It is by far the longest way to get up the coast, it took us over 5 hours to go a little over 200 miles. By the way we have now traveled over 4,000 miles since leaving home. We ate dinner tonight on Pier 39, which is absolutely huge and is the home of the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, although we did not eat there tonight. Had a small world moment though, our waiter was from Gainesville, Ga. Tomorrow we explore SF, maybe go to Alcatraz tomorrow, if not we'll go to China Town.

I know we are behind on the pictures thing, will try to add some tonight.

Day 18

Today drove up the Pacific Coast Highway to halfway from LA to San Francisco. We stopped at the Dunes Rec park and watched some guys kiteboard in the frigid water for awhile. Something I would like to try but in a warmer environment. We had to dig out our jackets to keep from shivering, I thought southern California was supposed to be at least WARM!

Day 17

Had lunch with Dick Smith for our second business meeting. Had business lunch at a place where the waitresses wear roller skates. Dad is this what you call work? Had to call him Mr Smith, couldn't bring myself to call him by his first name. We tried to go to the Peterson auto museum but they are closed on Mondays so we missed that. After that we finished up our laundry and then had dinner with an old friend of Jeffreys at a place in LA. We did twice as much laundry as last time for 1/2 the price of sending it out through the hotel. I will say that a laundromat near Venice beach is almost as interesting as the beach itself.

Day 16

Today we drove into LA and walked down Rodeo drive. Tons of stores with ridiculously priced things. We went into a Porsche store, where I saw a fleece that I liked, but for $500 they can keep it, guess I'll have to find another replacement for my tired old Northface. After that we drove around the hills of Beverly Hills. Some amazing houses to say the least, but go figure why when it rains they fall into the canyon. They perch these houses that make the one we're building look tiny on these sheer cliffs... just amazing. GPS makes winding around that maze of roads a breeze. Very easy to get lost up there.

After that we drove into Hollywood and walked around Hollywood Blvd. Unbelievable amount of people, again lots of shops etc. We didn't get a chance to take a studio tour today, maybe tomorrow after our business meeting. We still have to do some laundry tomorrow before we can leave. Ate dinner in Santa Monica. Near the beach along 4th street is another area with lots of places to eat and shops, another tourist hole... but hey that's what we are after all.

Day 15

Today we rented a boat and rode around Marina Del Rey. The harbor is absolutely HUGE, it took us over an hour to motor around through it. Interesting mix of boats, everything from 150' 25 million yacht with a helicopter on the back to these strange floating houses, kind of like if we stacked our two hunting campers on top of each other and put them on a dock, then tied them to a dock, but with more windows. Will try to take a picture somehow to post. We forgot the camera.

Then we drove over to Venice beach and walked around. It's an ummm unusual place to say the least and quite a mix of people. It is also the largest beach that I have ever seen as far as how much sand there is between the water and where the sand ends. Aside from the slight buzz we got from everyone smoking pot it was uneventful. Interesting to see but not my idea of the beach.

Ate dinner at the Chart House. Part of the same chain that used to have a restaurant in Hilton Head. I think there still is one in Savannah. Was very good.