Dave and Alex

 

 

Finding it hard to believe that we've only 2 clear months til the big day and the big trip! As far as preparation is concerned, things are going according to plan.  I have only 25 more days off work until then,  when you take away the days we have guests and when Dave and I go to London to see the 49ers.  So, me being the looney I am, I have to make sure everything has its day to get done.  As for hotels, the only one left to book is in Universal City, Los Angeles.  We only have one night there and I'm waiting to see if I can get a good deal.

 

One thing I have been up to is searching online for money off vouchers for some of the attractions we will be visiting.  I've spent hours and probably more money than we'll save.  So far we've got money off our breakfasts in San Francisco, where we go to several Lori's Diners for omlettes and hash browns.

 

 

 

 

Alex is getting quite excited at this point; I think it has finally sunk in. I still think it will be a big shock when she finally gets there and steps off the plane onto American soil for the first time. 

It'll be great fun watching her find her bags on the baggage claim carousel as it passes by at break-neck speed.

 

 

 

 

Then it's on to the ever-intimidating Border Control.  They even scare me, never mind Alex.

We've tried to prepare her for Customs and Border Control but I'm certain she'll be scared to see people with guns.

 

 

Then it will be on to the Airtrain to the Car Rental area.  It's always fun, especially if there are no seats and you've got tobalance your way there!  I'm sure either Dave or myself will have to rescue her from falling!! [Dave inserted here: And why would we do that?!]

 

 

Once into the car, it's only a short journey to our first stop: San Bruno, and the home of The Shops at Tanforan (The site of the Tanforan Race Track).  When Alex sees the building, complete with the statue of Seabiscuit, she'll finally believe we've arrived.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just checked our seat allocation for the flight to San Francisco incase they change the size of the aircraft and we can all sit together then.  No change though.  It means one of us will have to sit behind the others and have relative peace and quiet!!  I call that seat.  Sorry Dave - you get the noisy one!!

 

Also been looking at what the weather will be doing when we are there.  The last time Dave and I were in San Franisco for Christmas it was the year of the Tsunami and we went to bed one night after a fine day and the next day it rained - for a whole 2 weeks.  Even Palm Springs had rain, buckets of the stuff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, where are we? Now only 165 days away and I'm getting more excited by the second! Everything that can be booked, is!  We now only have the car hire to Heathrow and the hotels in San Diego and LA to book. 

I can't believe the hotel in Palm Springs is only costing $30 for the night, as we are using points we've earned on other holidays over the last few years.  So for $30, we get a night at the Holiday Inn Resort Palm Springs, where at the moment the temperature is 100 degrees...and I bet the street side-sprinklers are working over time cooling everybody down!  (See pic below)

 

 

We don't get it that good in Jersey!!

 

I'm also keeping an eye out on the exchange rate at the moment. It's pretty rubbish to be honest. The last time Dave and I went to the US the rate was about $1.80  to the £1. It almost seemed impossible to spend your money then. We've still got a while yet so it may change. 

Oh! For San Diego, we've decided on The Del Coronado...one of the most historic and beautiful hotels in the city.  I'm waiting a while till we book.  We changed our mind about the Omni as their reservations team were not the politest with their emails!!!  It just shows a little politness gets you bums-in-beds.  So much for their room occupancy in January.

 

I'll write again soon when there is more to tell...