Up and packed this morning in preparation for our departure. Quick breakfast and Raym had a brief tinkle on the pokies. Unfortunately his head cold has prevented any late night gambling attempts as he has been too tired. The smokey areas don't help either though plenty of spectating of the tables and people watching has been interesting. Caught a shuttle bus for the short ride to the bustling McCarron airport - really so close to the strip. Our Westjet flight wa...

After a quick brekkie had a wander through nearby casinos Tropicana and MGM - Rainforest cafe was amazing! Managed to catch some of the Sharks v Raiders game -shame about the result! Then back to Excalibur for our 1015 pick up by Papillon for our Grand Canyon adventure! Drove about half an hour through Vegas and Henderson to Boulder City and the Heliport. After check in and safety instruction we met our pilot John and four other passengers and boarded our HELICOP...

Early start this morning - left Stovepipe Wells about 830 but temperature already around 95 degrees! Only couple of miles on to a series of sand dunes called Mesquite Flat Dunes - 150 ft of them surrounded by the Cottonwood Mountains! Amazing! Then after a salt creek area is the remains of the Harmony Borax Works dating back 120 years, and the "town" of Furnace Creek" with particularly impressive ranch style accommodation. The lookout at Zabriskie Point was an a...

So glad chatted with our waitress Connie and a couple from San Diego last night who recommended we take the June Lake Loop enroute to Mammoth Lakes! Top decision as just beautiful. Still part of the Inyo National Forest, Grant, Silver and June Lakes are picturesque and serene. Plenty of RV trailer parks, camping grounds as well as cabins and motels. Perfect to fish or kayak. A worthwhile 14 mile diversion. Once back on the 395, a slight detour to check out the to...

Had a lovely brekkie at Sweetie Pies bakery down on riverfront - parfait of fruit, granola and yoghurt. Left Napa about 1030. Miles of wind farms between Suisun City and Rio Vista. Once out of wine country the terrain became very flat. Crops everywhere, predominantly corn, turf, eating grapes, olives, peaches, melons, tomatoes - corn and more corn! Crops come right up to edge of highway - no fences. Crossed over Sacramento river near Rio Vista; then city of Sto...