Fri 6 July - Left Las Vegas and not before time - just as I finished typing the last blog we were watching someone get revived by Paramedics due to the heat. Not hot enough for us though as we headed towards Death Valley but not before visiting the Shelby car factory turn standard Ford Mustangs into Shelby Mustangs. Skirted Area 51 not seeing any strange stuff in the sky and went into Death Valley itself. Despite seeing loads of other deserts before it was awesome and we managed to record an unofficial peak of 55'C. Went to the visitors centre and watched a bloke being revived there due to the heat again. After doing a bit of off-roading and viewing the whole valley from a vantage point some 6000ft up one side we glimpsed a view of a couple of camouflaged prototype cars doing hot weather testing but weren't quick enough with the camera and we camped at 4000ft on the other side of the valley in a slightly uncomfy 36'C at midnight to the sound of Coyote howls.

Sat 7 Jul - Woke up before dawn gasping for water and decided to drive to the lowest part that is famously 282ft below sea level. Interupted some religous nutters singing, dancing and playing guitars who sheepishly snuck away when we turned up. Came across more cars doing hot weather testing - all are painted black, travelling in groups of 3 or so at high speed - saw the latest big Audi saloon and the next generation Subaru Imprezza's. Finally had enough of Death Valley and drove westwards into the mountains on a rollercaoster highway racing a bunch of Harleys and ended up camping at a lovely campsite next to a June Lake - Mmmmm greenery!! Got pissed with a nice chap who seem to have been everywhere in the States and gave us loads of tips for where to go in the next couple of weeks.

Sun 8 Jul - Went on big hike to see something called the Devil's Postpile - very similar to the Giant's Causeway where lava has cooled into six sided columns and a pretty waterfall that has a permanent rainbow due to the spray. Bought a very cheap BBQ and it was s*** - got drunk. Next door campers were Mexican and gave us their still valid ticket to Yosemite which saved us a bundle.

Mon 9 Jul - Drove over the stunning 10,000ft Tioga pass into Yosemite. The views were absolutely jaw dropping. Just snuck into a campsite called Camp 4 by utter luck and wandered over to a 4 or 5 star bar-thingy where felt a bit outta place and appalled at how much it is possible to charge for a pint of beer.

Tue 10 Jul - Decided to go on a huuuuge 9 mile hike (with 4000ft elevation change) to see a couple of waterfalls. The scenery was stunning and the climb utterley exhausting but just 100 yards from the top there was an ominous roll of thunder and a chap coming the other way said "Gee, might be rain" - no s*** sherlock!  There was a huge black cloud awaiting us and we proceeded to get utterly soaked with the rain and bruised with the hail.  The path disappeared under a torrent of water and rocks the size house bricks thumped down the mountainside occasionally.  Got back utterly soaked and picked up a coffee and was greated by a park ranger with a tranquiliser gun who pointed out there was a bear in a tree about 15 yards from our parked up car.  Got back to the campsite to find a scene of chaos as the completeley unpredicted storm had flooded out loads of tents.  Dug out a bottle of Mezcal we had saved since Mexico and got rat-arsed with a couple of nice climbing dudes watching my shoes steam by the side of the campfire.

Wed 11 Jul - Legs really ached so we did a "car hike" around the southern end of the park including a grove of huge sequioa trees - still managed to walk a couple of miles to a tree you can wander through.  Drove out the park in the afternoon past a massive avalanche that happened a year ago and no-one can figure out what to do other than keep sending the cars over a couple of tempaorary army bridges. Stayed at the "Yosemite Bug" hostel where we somehow managed to demolish more wine on the terrace of the dorn we booked into - no-one else booked into the dorm that night so we got the choice of 10 beds to collapse into.

Thu 12 Jul - Drove to Fresno which is inbetween the Yosemite range of mountains and the coastal range - a massive flat valley of agriculture and cock-all else.  The only attraction was closed but we managed to find a big custom bike dealer to while an hour or two.  Stayed at a dull motel and did the only decent thing.

Fri 13 Jul - Drove to Kings Canyon National Park. More stunning scenery but after Yosemite things aren't quite as stunning as they should have been...  Wandered end on through a massive felled Sequoia tree and camped in idyllic surroundings.  Had a beer and a BBQ and have an early night - bit shagged by all fresh air and driving (and drinking?)

Sat 14 Jul - Went into Sequoia National Park and drove through a felled tree (beginning to dream of big trees now!) and spot bear about 10 yards off the road - get out and shoot off some pics before diving back into the car and safety.  As its Saturday all the campsites in this park seem to be full and we eventually find a noisy site full of fat Mexicans and their kids a bit out the park towards Bakersfield.

Sun 15 Jul - Drive to Los Angeles.  We try a couple of hostels but they seem to be party hostels and we are desparate for some R&R.  We luck out in a very quiet part of town called San Pedro.  The hostel is in some old navy barracks and has just 1 other guest.  There is something called the Korean Friendship Bell about 100 yards away and then the endless blue of the Pacific Ocean.  The evening is chilly and foggy and very, very quiet - perfect!

Mon 16 Jul - We stay at this hostel 2 nights so chill out today, clean out the hire car of all of the camping stuff, tree bark & twigs from our forraging for fire wood etc and post some stuff home.  Have a BBQ on our own - the eerie quiet split only by a fog horn a couple of miles away.