Photos from roadtrip in May/June 2007 conducted by Jing, Shohko, Imelda and Ondra via: LA - Joshua Tree - Route 66 - Grang Canyon - Navajo country - Zion NP - Las Vegas - Yosemite NP - San Francisco Bay - Big Sur - LA
Los Angeles
The two and half days at the beginning of our trip were just enough time to see Hollywood and Beverly Hills, to grab a lunch in Little Tokyo and Chinatown and to visit the still cool (as in temperature) beaches in St. Monica and Venice. On the way back at the end of our roadtrip we drove along Mullholland drive and had some night view. LA was however constantly under fog, so pictures are not very nice:-/ We also visited two interesting museums
Trying to zoom through with small successWalk up to the viewpointFunicular similar to the one at Petrin;-)SkyscraperWarner Bros studiosSome people prefer practical lemon tree in their garden...LA from viewpoint at Mulholland drive. Visibility is bad due to smog:-(This is our car;-) To explore LA by car is really useful.After a long day, an American dinner comes handy;-)And this is HollywoodThe pavement with stars was a disappointment, we expected some broad pedestrian boulevard, but it's just a street like any other, with stars at the sidewalk. Nothing special, really...Tom Cruise's churchSouvenirs, trinkets, etc...Here you can take picture with Hollywood sign without actually going there;-)Guy with a huge parrot like in the PiratesIt's just before Pirates III premiereCinderella making balloon-animalsMovie money: buy hundred bucks for three!Donald Duck was here exactly 23 years ago - Today is May 21 too!The entertaining thing are street performers like this Spiderman...others might chose the beauty of MagnoliasThe pink Beverly Hills Hotel built in 1912, many celebrities like Marlene Dietrich, Humphrey Bogart or Katharine Hepburn stayed hereSignature mailboxUniversity of California in LA has its campus in BHLA downtown is not so impressive...Now move on to Beverly HillsMulholland drive is basically a very very long road winding through hills above LA (on the way back we drove from No 32000 down to 6000)Hollywood sign was not visible very well, at night it got a little bit better, but still nothing specialNightshot of LA...Japanese Village Plaza is the official nameWill Shoko feel like home?Souvenir shopShe might - truckloads of sushi are readily availableIt's hard to choose which one to get first.Omnipresent japanese invention: karaokeYamazaki bakeryIt's called Little Tokyo, although...Cherry blossomIf you grow tired of sushi, Cuban food is right across the streetJapanese and Czech intellectualsLonely singerLet's get lunch first. Shoko has her favorite meal: fishLocal customerChina town stretches along one main streetIt's not much different from Vietnamese market in Prague......as you can see;-)Chinatown is nextStatue of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, the "founder of modern China"But further down it gets more specifically Chinese......and prettierBalloons are everywhere...Like little kids...Umrellas for protection against sunHead in the middle of some stuff:-oAt least you should be mature!:-)Fortune-teller with magnifying glassOld men playing checkersYou have to slalom among themyou can swing with Shoko...At the beach: you can do many things here, like...you can take picture of yourself...Chess playersyou can roll this to draw some picture on the sand...on the pierIn LA you need to look cool!Bubba Gump shrimp company - established only after the movie Forrest Gump to capitalize on its successKids at Venice Beach Promenade dancing while a guy on the street plays guitar and singsCouple with twins stopped to listen tooLooks familiar...This one even has a car parked, let's wait for a while, maybe we'll spot...you can meditate...you can chase sea gulls...you can surf (BTW, if you notice the pier in the background? It is the Venice beach Pier where the final scene of the movie Falling Down starring Michal Douglas was shot:-)Imel on a pipelineor you can even play in the (really cold) water if you are tough like this girlbeach at Santa Monica with the pierOcenside appartment complex...We first headed to the Southwest Museum of American Indian, but it is under reconstruction till 2009 or so, so they sent us to their sister museum of American West. Girls at least took picture with this totem:-)On the way we stopped in Travel Town in Griffith Park, which is basically a railway museum, something for Madal:-)Imel in a train carThere are different engines that ran trains in the Wild WestQuite nice, though not too big museumInteresting exhibition of gunsDon't mess up with me, pal!Stars can be five, six or even seven-pointedSheriff's starTypical wagon for West explorers included foldable kitchenetteThe old 3025Manually propelled personal vehicles for use on the railwayFamous statue "End of the Trail" by J. E. Fraser from 1915, symbolizing the victory of white man over natives: nowehere to run anymore, the West has been conquered. One of the most popular and most copied statues in US (I can confirm that, I've seen it many times)After that we came to the Museum of the American West. This painting depicts the "Spirit of the West" in somewhat romanticized way...DesperadoGold pannersIndiansMeat was plentiful, until bisons were nearly exterminatedIndians were exterminated together with bisons, this whisky ad shows Custer's heroic charge on the savages :-/ What did they mean by that? If you drink whisky you will become a hero? Or if you drink whisky, you can be easily slaughtered?California Stagecoach - luxurious upgradeWhat will I try today?Something Mexican: tacoChinese food = Comida China. You must be bilingual here or you lose half of customersall sorts of nuts......and fruits tooSorry, Pamela didn't show up:-) I guess she was already taken by Borat...
Palm Springs
On the way from LA to Joshua Tree National Park we stayed overnight in Palm Springs, a pleasant resort in the middle of California deserts.
Highway 10 from LA crossing another highway in a intricate system of interwoven bridgesNightlife in Palm SpringsGirls hitting the townFountainAfter few drinks even the camera is getting slow:-)Bar where we had a drink and listened to live jazz performanceThe desert is dry, but windy - wind generators are everywhereIt's maybe environmentally friendly, but definitely it totally destroys the horizon:-/Our car - we rented it, didn't buy it, so we didn't name it as in Australia or NZ
Joshua Tree National Park
Very nice desert NP in the desert at the border of Colorado and Mojave deserts, with unique trees, rocky formations, surprising variety of wildlife and many walking trails.
First few Joshua Trees, after which the park was named;-)Detail of the tree trunk and branchesThis must be an old guy...Trees and rocks make some amazing sceneriesJoshua trees are about the only things that provide some shadeI didn't bring falling pad so I only went as high as this:-)...Fruits of the Joshua TreeThese are a bit boring, but there are some other:Joshua Tree park is very popular for climbers - these even bring their own falling padsLook there!Some rock formations...The Skull Rock - looks like skull but only from afarSuch as desert tortoise. The guide said it's rare so we were apparently lucky to see it. Credit goes to Imelda, who spotted it first!Look but don't touchShoko is signalling something......As we were having our lunch......a blue bird flew to us and started searching for some crumbs. Sorry mate, feeding wildlife is bannedBut if you are careful, cactus can be very beautiful like this one...So where do we go next? There seem to be some diagreements among the crew...Old dead tree pointing in all directionsThis rock looks more like a faceBelly button:-)Finally we found the Barker Dam - swimming (in the sand?) is forbidden......or this oneSo there is a dam, after all! In the middle of desert! That explains how come there could be so much wildlifeand, ... ahem...:-)A gate treeThis tree is alive and blossomingTime to head back: don't forget to drink a lot of water! Yes, sir!In a heroic attempt to shoot the rabbit (with camera!), Imel stumbled and sat on this: ouch! Fortunately she sustained no permanent injuries:-)But there was also a rabbit!Lizards are of course omnipresent
Route 66
Travelling towards Grand Canyon along the "Mother Road" - Route 66. It was in fact not as exciting as we expected, but some parts were nice:-) We only travelled a short stretch, though...
Mojave beaded collarIndian (Native American) Pottery"Our frontiers conquered, we look back to bask in the fading light of our creations"Cucumber guy: Squash Kachina (it's a ritual doll of the Hopi people)Title says it all - movie exhibitionThis must be one of the good guys;-)Hm, sepia effect makes it look more relevant;-)Ok we are on the right roadRoute 66 goes all the way from LA to Chicago. We went only the tiny stretch between Amboy and WilliamsAn old road cruiserOld times motiffFreight train, freight train, goin' so fastStylish gas stationBig mistake many make, rely on horn instead of brakeThis guy probably knows something about it...Ice-cold Coke would come in handy, it was well over 100 degrees (F = 37 C)I mean really stylish;-)This beauty is just decoration. Too bad, otherwise we'd have changed it for out car;-)Would you like to contribute a little liquid to our cactoo?Nice one, but I guess we'll stick to oursWatch out for cattle. Ahem, I don't recall seing anything living for a while...I'm hungry, let's stop at the next cafe, ok?Hm, the sign is there, but the cafe isn't. It has been abandoned long ago...Whoa, it's quite some train, this one!Shoe-tree. It's a tree that grows shoes!Typical Arizona mountainsSunset at NeedlesOne more sunset a bit later on the way to KingmanMorning next day in front of Motel 6 in KingmanLet me think for a while...Typical Arizona plateausAnother stop on the way, this one is Hollywood-styleMost of the time we couldn't see anything particularly interesting apart from clouds
Grand Canyon
You've seen it on TV, you've seen it in cinema, you've seen it in magazines. You know exactly what to expect. Yet, when the Canyon unfolds in front of you in its sheer vastness, it's gonna get you anyway. Guaranteed:-)
Ladies & gentleman, Grand CanyonI+O were hereSome guy ona cragShoko and Ondra had to go there tooThere are tiny dots on the top of that rock - those are peopleIt's getting darkerThe whole group: J+I+S+ORefreshments are served while waiting for sunsetTaking pictures of the fascinating depthsWarm light of setting sun illuminates the CanyopmSunbathing in the setting sunDon't mess up with us, pal!Sunset skyOn the way to lavatoryImelda in the tentSome guy in the morning decided to move his tent on a bike!These guys decided to descend into the Canyon, which is a very strenuous hike. We didn't have enough time and courage...Walking along the RimImelda standing on a flowerSheer beauty of the CanyonAt a viewpointLizardLayers of the CanyonPlaying with cloudsPlaying with cloudsRockSquirrelSquirrel eating a nutSquirrel staring in Imelda's lensMore of Imelda's artworkCharlie's AngelsAnother squirrelColors of the CanyonSitting at the edge of the cliffShoko at the edgeJing yelling at Shoko: "Shoko, don't jump yet, your life is meaningful!"Dead treeThree chicks chatting with an old Canyon veteranRiver ColoradoNever MoreHermit's Rest is a trailhead. If you wanna descend down, one place to do so is hereBack at the main GC village, Ranger giving presentation on California condorsThe ranger was really enthusiastic and the presentation very rewardingCondors made numerous flypasts very close to us, as if arranged with the ranger;-)They are really huge, their wingspan is 9 feet! (almost 3 metres)CloudsSmaller Bright Angel Canyon crosses the bigger Grand CanyonWell deserved breakTreeWatchtower in Desert ViewThere are really nice views from there. You can see the river very well
Navajo Country
Drive from Grand Canyon along Route 64 (much better than Route 66, actually) through huge Navajo reservation and Tuba City
On the road againNavajo potteryCanoesNavajo shoppeNecklacesLittle Navajo learning businessAwesome sunset800ft sheer cliff ahead (250 metres!)Lonely treeSheer cliff with Colorado river down there - thos is the canyon beforeit becomes Grand CanyonThe sunset is getting even betterRed mountains of ArizonaThey are so tall...What are these plants?Imelda trying to trade with another little NavajoHe doesn't seem to be very happy about it...I mean, really tall...Feeding the wild beasts: Shohko and Jing bought huge turkey drumsticks for breakfastNo thank you;-)Dinosaur trackPetrified something from dinosaur?Dinosaur track againArizona landscapeSkohko checking out the landscapeMore Navajo handcraftTeepee with carpark
Zion National Park
Amazing natural reserve full of colours and marvellous sunsets. Sort of like smaller Grand Canyon, but from inside
Lake Powell damLake Powell is a popular sailing destination amidst desertColourful rocksWe're getting close...We arrived shortly before sunsetThere was a nice creek flowing near the campsite......so we took a dip and washed a bitThe campsite wasn't exactly comfy and it was very windy, so Shoko and Jing had to tie their tent to our car not to fly away:-)Crystal clear water in the creekThis is Angel's Landing. Climbing it is recommended so we woke up early and tried our luck...Shoko tightens her shoe lace and there we goGirls marchingEasy stroll in the valleyNow it's getting steeper, but still there is a comfy concrete trailC'mon!Every day is a winding road...Chipmunks at Scout's LookoutChipmunksView from the Scout's Lookout, half way. From here the trail forks, either to Angel's Landing or continues to West Rim Trail.Don't lean too far, you don't wanna fallFlowerImelda: this is as far as I go:-)Mounted chains make the climb easier (Jing)View back on Scout's Lookout from Angel's LandingHooray!Girls' conquestZion Canyon, view from Angel's LandingShokoCactooShoko seems to like vergesDescending backRed rocks nd blue skyWindowBack in the valleyLook there!Local flora......and faunaWeeping rockThe trail through the Narrows is really coolIt leads through a river, so there's lot of wadingAnd the environment is magnificentStick can come handyWaiting for the low tide:-)Sun is setting, moon is risingBack to campsite. Deers came grazing few metres from usDuring sunset Zion is really prettyValley is in shade already but the hils still warmly lit...a rock with horizontal and vertical cracks so it looks like checkerboardCheckerboard Mesa...Lst breakfast in ZionHeading to Nevada... Las Vages is ahead of us.
Las Vegas and Nevada
Arriving to Las Vegas, spending a day and a night there and then driving across the desert to California.
Two Harleys on their way to VegasTypical Vegas landmark: Statue of LibertyGirls Just Want To Have FunVegas at night - Hooters with all you can eat spare ribs. We didn't go there;-(Girls having funVegas at nightVegas at nightVegas at nightVegas at nightInside MGM - dozens of fresh roses just for decorationSome might opt to stay in a super-luxurious hotel, but we remained loyal to our favourite - Motel 6Ceasar's PalaceMirageStratosphere hotelOne of famous Nevada's Wedding Chapels. This one did not look like drive-thru thoughAll you can eat lunch is our last stop before leaving Vegas. Could you imagine Jing, who weighs half of me, could actually eat double than me? Even physical laws do not seem to apply in Vegas...Vegas is all about displaying luxury and lavishness, but this really got me - whole street air-conditioned!Welcome to Paradise. That is, if you can forget about the energy bill at the end of the month...Terrible's - don't blame us if you get petrol here and your car dies. We told you!Huge selection of jerky. From beef, turkey, buffalo, natural, spiced, all you can imagine. Not cheap, but good!Shoko contemplating about peanutsNevada landscapeOpen - beer - milk. All you need.CaravanShop with various kinds of stuff. We would call it "smisene zbozi" in Czechsome detailssome detailsWreck 1Wreck 2some detailsWreck 3some detailssome detailssome detailsPhoto-frenzyThis is what you see from the road. Catches your attention, doesn't it? Bunch of heavily decorated car wrecksHill as a billboard. And I thought they only do it in PeruAnother "smisene zbozi"Shoko and her juiceMiners statue. mind if I say - not dissimilar from our communist "art"This is a good combination: Guns and jewelry. One can only imagine how this business operates;-)Road 95MoonSunsetSunset picturesSunset picturesSunset pictures - finally something. UPS advertisement;-)That is, if you go other way roundVoila, here we are.
