Our Crew

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Essex/Watford/Plymouth/Soton, United Kingdom
An idea that originally started as Charlotte's frustrated jokey comment, is near to commencing!! A month of fun awaits!!

Wednesday 27 June 2007

Final update

Turns out I am a lazy git so won't be doing a detailed diary, as everything has actually been covered. Except this... New York!!

The first day we got there and Roy and Honey went off to JFK to drop off the car, after getting some directions from the...lovely...receptionist (she shouted at them as we needed to drop it off at a different location to one that she deemed easier to get to!!)

2 hours and 2 near death experiences, they returned to the nasty hotel and we had to move room (there was mould and dirt everywhere...) After the fun of seeing different rooms, we went to the harbour to go on our sunset cruise. We saw some lovely sights.





2 hours later, we returned to dry land and wandered in the direction pointed out as good to go for food by the rather rotund security man. We ended up somewhere on 42nd street at a Dallas BBQ grill, which had southern style food and giant cocktails (they also had giant screens which entertained us with bulls kicking idiots in the face/groin etc. y'know - bullriding...)



'Texas sized' cocktails!!

After dinner, we realised that the 'somewhere on 42nd' was actually Times Square... So we wandered about for a bit!!




The next day was an early start to get to the heliport for our helicopter trip!!



The ride was awesome, taking in aerial views of New York.

Next we went to Ground Zero (a very sombre and sad place...) and then onto the Empire State Building. Awesome views from up there.



We then wandered down 5th Avenue. As we were looking for football jerseys and stuff, we endeded up at Times Square again, and in a nice cafe for our tea. During this time we saw a procession of 17 police cars scream past one after the other, but nothing was ever in the news so dunno why!! Then back to the hotel. In a taxi. But not ANY taxi!! Honey spied a old cabbie parked stuffing his face on the corner by the Hersheys store, so we asked if we could go to Riverside and 80th, where we were staying. He said sure. Honey, Charlie and Tiny got in the back and Roy went for the front seat, but was pointed to the back seats too. We expected fold out seats facing backwards, a la typical black cabs. No. This seat folded up into Honeys knees, then the back rest up so that the passenger - Roy - was facing perpindicular (sorry for spelling) to the rest of the car, facing out the side window!! It was very funny, and people were staring, pointing, laughing and taking photos of the freak staring out of the side window at them!! Upon nearing our destination, the cabbie asked whereabouts on 89th we wanted to be dropped... Upon correcting him (he had just gone past 80th) he said "Aw, Geez" in a typical American style and did a massive U-turn back to where we needed to be!! For payment, he had said to pay "whatever we felt he deserved" as there was no metre!! We settled for $15 (the previous nights cab fare from Times Square was $10) as the journey had been so entertaining!!



The following day we went over to Central Park Zoo, where we saw some cool animals.



After the zoo we quickly went back to the hotel to escape the heat and change, before heading over to the Mets-Twins game. We were supporting the Mets, and the previous night (which was the other day we considered going to) they had won 8-1 so we thought it'd be a great game. They lost 9-0 and we had some annoying kids behind us screaming the whole time for the Twins and kicking the back of our chairs!! Enjoyed the experience though.



Final (half) day and we got a $65 tank-xi to JFK (a huge 4x4 driven by a...feisty...Mexican guy) Seeing as a regular cab would have been about $50 and we mwould havehad trouble fitting our crap in the back, it seemed like a good deal to survive the scary New Yorker driving. We then spent 6 hours in JFK, were delayed an hour on the runway and had a really turbulent flight back... :-)




All in all, an amazing time was had by all over the period of the month, but now we all need to get back to the real world and back to work. Once we find jobs...

Thanks for following us, and apologies for the massive gap in updates!!

All the best,

Tiny, Charlie, Honey and Roy.

Saturday 16 June 2007

few additional photos...

We finally got a card reader, so here are some of honey's photos which we missed.



The delicate arch (Arches national park)



Sears Tower (Chicago - we didn't get to go up this one)



An amusing warning. Note that MOST (indicating not ALL) people die in this manor!!




Tiny flaunting the amusing warning



Las Vegas - Mirage casino's volcano

Whale watching!!

Friday was a day of relaxation at Cape Cod. We played several games of mini golf (Roy kept losing his balls - see below), went in batting cages (baseball for the boys, softball for Charlotte) and then went to play pool at a local billiards hall!!



Roy loses it in the water



Tiny makes contact



Today we have just got back from whale watching in Provincetown. We are all burnt, but it was worth it - saw 3 mother-calf pairs of humpback whales, several lone humpbacks, minke whales, a jumping tunafish, and loads of cool dive-bombing birds (gannets). Some of the whales came very close to the boat (6feet away or so) so it was an amazing experience.



A friendly humpback




A mother-calf pair



A close humpback...




...and down she goes

Thursday 14 June 2007

Another update - and so soon!!

After the fun in the MacArthur library with Pete, the extremely helpful yet overly friendly librarian (who called around until he found us a good place to go to have Maine Lobster) we went to Lord's Lobster Harbourside Diner. The lobster was amazing, and for $24 for 2 each (about 12 quid) Roy DID enjoy it, but he just seems to have wished for a little bit more... Oh - and thankfully Honey's shellfish allergy didn't kick in at any point either!!







Today we travelled through to Cape Cod, where we are currently sitting in the downstairs lounge of the nicest hotel we've stayed in so far. On the way down we visited Plymouth Rock, where the pilgrims from Plymouth, England, first landed. It was...erm... REALLY interesting...





Going to go get food shortly, but in a couple of days expect another update, seeing as we actually have the internet until Saturday!!! happy days...

Wednesday 13 June 2007

Finally, an update!!

Who could have predicted that we would have such a hellish time trying to find an internet cafe!! Of course, all local calls are free, so everyone here can get dial-up free so there is no need for them!! Following is a brief outline of what we have done so far - a more in depth diary type write up will be uploaded once we return.

After the last update, we found the ol' swimming hole where we were staying in the Yosemite Bug Lodge and had a bit of a splash around.




The next day (4) we went to Yosemite National park. It was amazing, and there were incredible views. We drove all around it, and up Tioga pass (to around 10500 ft above sea level) where we had a play with the snow there (remember, this WAS california!) and to see the amazing view there


Tioga pass view


Yosemite valley


The next day we were off to Vegas. The two Richards went on the rides on top of the stratosphere tower, and the view was incredible from there of the strip (see below). The next day we went to a gun club, saw Bellagio fountains, Mirage's garden and volcano, and even did a little slots!! We also found a foot-long hotdog for 99cents, which we all - Roy especially - enjoyed.




Following day was off to The Grand Canyon. The days we spent there were... words cannot describe how amazing the canyon view is. The pictures will never do it justice - but here is us at the rim, inches away from a 4000ft drop!!




The next day was up to the Arches national park, which were also impressive formations, formed by plate movements (as opposed to the Grand canyon, which was all formed by erosion)

We then went through middle america - not a lot to do there. Denver (Casa Bonita was the worst meal we have ever had) Mount Rushmore (it has been raining so they all looked like they had been crying, and also it was very 'America is amazing, Britain is crap' in all the presentations, which got a little old...) Sioux Falls (nothing there. If you ever have the option of South Dakota - DO NOT GO!! IT IS CRAP!!) Then we got to Mall of America (where we took a wrong turn on the way home and ended up in our first ghetto). Loads of shops, and a theme park. It was cool, but there are no pictures (it WAS a shopping mall, what do you expect!!)

We then went on to Wisconsin, to see house on the rock. Again, if you ever have the opportunity to go, DON'T!! it was rubbish (modern art crap that you had to pay to get in and then pay more to get the exhibits to DO stuff!!) THe best thing about there was that we stayed in a motel eerily reminiscent of The Shining...




Then off to Chicago, where we went to a Medieval style banquet with jousting, an aquarium, and got lost in a ghetto at night... it was rather scary, although not as scary as the cars with half the doors rusted through!!



After Chicago we went across to Cleveland. We didnt manage to get to the Rock hall of fame (boo) but we did spend 4 hours in the Pro Football HoF, which was amazing (well, Charlotte and Roy didn't find it so enthralling, but Honey and I did!!)



Then it was off to Pittsburgh for big burgers. The 2lb ones looked HUGE!! So we all chickened out and went for smaller 1lb ones instead... That's right - smaller!!







We then headed up to Niagara falls, via our 3rd ghetto of the trip, stopping off at a bar for Buffalo wings where the dress code read 'strictly no gang colours' Nice wings though...

Niagara falls were amazing. Maid of the mist (boat ride), Journey behind the falls (tunel) and Cave of the Winds (platform at base of the falls) were very wet so we got a disposeable camera, so pics not available yet. Youll have to settle for this.




Cave of the winds Hurricane deck is just out of shot, bottom right

We then went to Vermont to the Ben and Jerrys factory, for a tour and some ice cream



Which brings us to Maine, sitting in a library. Off to have some lobster now - update soon!! (ish...maybe...)

Sunday 3 June 2007

Computer issues...

we are currently experiencing difficulties in finding anywhere to post a new update... We hope to find somewhere shortly and will post an update as soon as possible!!

But... we are all safe and well, so you can all be happy I suppose!!

Wednesday 23 May 2007

San Francisco - Yosemite

DAY 1


Arrived in San Fran at 2pm local time (10pm UK time) and didn't get back to the hotel for another 2 hours or so (we got lost on the way!!) Our first culinary experience followed shortly after, when we went to IHOP for a take away. Philly cheese steak sandwiches ROCK!! We lasted until around 11pm local time before passing out until the morning. Honey snores really loud...

DAY 2

The next day we woke up and walked towards the docks to get the ferry to Alcatraz (after again visiting IHOP, this time for their awesome breakfast). However, the hills in San Francisco are more like mountains!!


This picture does NOT do the hill justice



We were all very tired about 5 minutes into our 40 minute trek! We got some totally genuine 'designer' sunglasses (for $7) and went off to Alcatraz at 12pm. While we were waiting we found the Sea Lion colony.


Alcatraz has lots of history, and it also ROCKed... Spent a few hours there then went back to mainland for the 3pm bay cruise, which took in the Alcatraz island and the Golden Gate Bridge.





We then went to Chinatown for a meal. It was... an experience... We are planning on sticking to American food from now on.

We then got the famous tram back (with Honey, Roy and Charlotte all hanging onto the sides of the car!)


DAY 3

The journey to Yosemite. After initially getting slightly lost due to the bridge we needed to take having blown up, a nice American lady guided us in the right direction. The rest of the journey went smoothly and we arrived in a town close to our hostel/tent a few hours later. We stopped in a diner for some American food (big burgers) which were MUCH nicer. It is looking like sticking to steak and burgers from now on...

Then the last little trek up to the lodge and we arrived 30 mins later*. We are now checked in relaxing with a beer and an Apple computer, and are looing to head to the local swimming hole in a short while.


*There are no phones here, and poor little Honey is missing his Nola...

Sunday 20 May 2007

We are OFF!!!

Hi all!! Just a quick word to say that we are off, all ready and raring to go!! Going to the Hounslow West travel lodge to stay until tomorrow, and then we will be in Heathrow early tomorrow morning!!

Wish you all the best, we hope to keep this updated as often as we can. See you in just over a month!!

Wednesday 18 April 2007

More Activities Booked!!

We have now booked the last few things to do in America. The breakdown is as follows:

21/05 San Francisco, CA
Alcatraz
Bay Cruise
China Town

23/05 Yosemite National Park, CA
Many things, including Glacier point

25/05 Las Vegas, NV
Stratosphere tower rides - Big Shot, Insanity, and X Scream
New York, New York rollercoaster
Mirage habitat - big cats, dolphins
Bellagio fountains
Gun firing range

27/05 Grand Canyon, AZ
Hoover Dam
Grand Canyon Skywalk - due to new information (ie it costing $75 instead of $25, taking a whole day and you not being allowed to take photos) we will not be partaking in this activity
Grand Canyon stuff!!

30/05 Arches National Park, UT
Sights of the park

31/05 Denver, CO
Colorado Rockies
Casa Bonita

01/06 Hot Springs, SD
Mount Rushmore
Crazy Horse memorial

02/06 Sioux Falls, SD
Nothing... Maybe an early night?
Sioux falls park!! How could I forget the highlight of the trip!! Check out the way industrial estate merges into manky parkland!!

03/06 Bloomington, MN
Mall of America!! Including a NASCAR simulator, theme park, and more!
Also present - the Space Aliens Bar & Grill!!

05/06 Spring Green, WI
House on the Rock

06/06 Chicago, IL
Medieval Times
Shedd Aquarium
Sears Tower
Hancock observatory
(and of course, Chicago town pizza!)

08/06 Cleveland, OH
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

09/06 Clearfield, PA
Denny's Beer Barrel Pub, with giant burgers!! Yes, we are going here PURELY for the food!

10/06 Niagara Falls, NY/Canada
American side
Canadian side
Maid of the Mist
Journey behind the falls
Cave of the Winds
Skylon tower

12/06 Waterbury, VT
Ben & Jerry's factory

13/06 Portland, ME
Going to look around, and have the world famous lobster!

14/06 Cape Cod, MA
Boston
Whale Watching
Crazy golf
Looking about, enjoying the beautiful-ness (and of course, having plenty of their seafood)

17/06 New York, NY
Empire State Building
Helicopter tour
Ghostbusters buildings (apartment and firehouse)
Harbour lights cruise (route)
Chinatown
Baseball game
Jekyll and Hyde Club
Ground zero




Wednesday 4 April 2007

FAQs

These have been questions asked to AQA (text any question to 63336, £1 per text) to help us with some important decisions.

Q: We are travelling from San Francisco to New York via Vegas, Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, and Cape cod, amongst others. What is THE must see attraction in USA?
A: The Grand Canyon is the USAs must see attraction, and it is already on your route. Leave the US to see the canadian Niagara Falls - the US ones are poor

Q: Me and some friends are taking a trip across America. Honey and Roy - 2 guys - are sharing a bed. Who should be big spoon, and who should be little spoon?
A: Honey should be big spoon and Roy the little spoon, as Honey is taller and his big manly arms can embrace Roy to keep him snuggly and safe

Q: Four of us are going across America, and I'm having to share a bed with a bloke called Honey. Should I be worried that he'll try some 'big spoon' action?
A: AQA thinks that you will be fine, as this Honey is no monster. For extra security at night, make a pillow wall between the two of you.

Q: As you suggested, Roy will now be little spoon. Final question - should we get him drunk and married to a transvestite in Vegas? His lips say no, but his eyes scream yes!
A: You should always follow his eyes over his lips, so go for it. He is only pretending that he doesn't want to go along with it anyway

Q: I am a bloke about to go to Las Vegas with some friends, and they are going to try and marry me off to a transvestite. What is the best way to get out of this?
A: The best way to get out of marrying someone in Las Vegas is to stay sober so that you can object. Failing that, find an attractive female and marry her first.

Q: Four of us are going on a trip across America. Tiny and Charlotte are boyfriend and girlfriend - should we get them married in Las Vegas?
A: Don't get Tiny and Charlotte married in las Vegas. They should enter into marriage themselves, reverently, discreetly, soberly, and after serious thought.

Q:I'm going to be trapped in a car with three guys going across America and I'm worried about the fart gas. Do air conditioned cars trap the smell?
A: The fart smell comes from hydrogen sulphide gas. On average, a person produces about half a litre of fart gas per day. Air conditioning recycles the air!



If you have any more questions that you feel are pressing, please text AQA then email us the question/answer so that we can add them. It would really help us out.

Monday 2 April 2007

T-shirt designs finalised


We now have the final designs of the T-shirt. The characters/map will be across the shoulders, with the tour dates below. We will also each have our own individual character over our heart, with name below. Now we are just having trouble finding somewhere to print them to high enough standard!!

It is getting close now, so we need to start saving, and sorting out the money etc for when we go!!

Charlotte

Richard G (Tiny)

Richard G (Roy)

Honey

Monday 19 February 2007

Bookings complete

We have now booked all the motels, flights, and car for our trip. It is scary - we are actually going to do this! Actually, it's more exciting than anything else. Countdown to go is all thats required (apart from insurance, changing address on driving licence, and sorting out our money...)
Oh - and to get our T-shirts printed...

Monday 29 January 2007

Planning


So, the plan to cross America is starting to come together. We have worked long and hard, and have the itinery for around 75% of the month so far. Just a little bit more planning and then we can start booking things! Above is the draft of the route that we are to take, trying to take in as many of the sites and attractions as we can, and we shall try to keep you updated on what we see, and when we see it! We have allowed for 6000 miles in 30 days, but in reality it should be less than this.