Entered the first stages of bear country in Lake Tahoe, and also started the final leg of the trek. Tahoe was fun place to be except for the bears - we had a couple of visitors to the campsite but thankfully they were caught down at the bottom of the site and not up the huge hike hill we were put at...no complaints from us. Not really much to do there except laze around on the beach - hard life ehhh. Shops were few and far between and too expensive for what they ...

Jack Karouac came here to recover after larging it in Sanf Fran and you can see why as you wind through the mountain hills along route 101, the vistas of jaw dropping cliffs and beautiful tree nestled homes and endless water of the pacific - a place of solace. Camp ground was ace surrounded by huge redwoods. Some of the crew slept on the van roof as they coulnd't be arsed putting up tents...personally I like my own space and you know me and routines...plus ...

San Fran - hugely anticpiated hugely disappointing...what can I say it wasn't what I had imagined. nowhere near as good or vibrant as Chicago. Shopping was ace but not much else to do. Went to Pier 39 for a sunset cruise - spend $40 each - but no sunset and only a few nibbles...all in all a waste of money. Don't bother. Also ended up at a restaurant that we both hate for its reflection of the lowest common denominator - The Hard Rock Cafe - god awful place. Pier ...