Timed our early breakfast perfectly as fresh hot cinnamon rolls were being dished up. Good job we weren't dining alone as we'd have happily polished them all off. As Mr F headed out for some morning birding, I relaxed in front of the TV and prepped for my riding trip at noon. Remembering how black with horse grease my jeans got in Yosemite, I opted for my affectionately named 'jungle' trousers. Not too pretty but comfy, hard wearing and do an honest day's work -...

Okay so the flight was delayed 2hrs but, and this is a big but, I met my first ever friendly US immigration officer in Vegas! The trip has started well. We managed to beat down the price of the expected upgrade on our rental SUV and when the promised one turned out not to be available, wangled a Dodge Charger instead. In high spirits we left Vegas on the I-15 with ACDC turned up loud. The interstate seemed virtually empty on the 4 hr drive to Yucca Valley apart ...