Monday June 28 2004 – To San Francisco

Leaving the first Californian campsite, we head straight to San Francisco, which I have eagerly awaited throughout this trip. San Fran has to be the most attactive, charming, vibrant and beautiful city in the US, with it’s small town feel, steep and confined Meditterranean style streets and architecture. We go in through Haight Ashbury, a

Sunday June 27 2004

9am An early start, then to a long eight miles to the beach, which is well worth it. A marine mist soon lifts and the sun shines radiantly all day. We lay on the beach and have lunch for one and a half hours then hike back to the van, where Cori is waiting for

Saturday June 26 2004

In the morning, we were due to try our hand at dune buggies, but due to driving licence requirements (i.e. the lack of one) this doesn’t happen, except for Astrid and Dave. The rest of us play mini golf. A beautiful drive along the coast to our next campsite – this time in California. This

Friday June 25, Seattle – Oregon coast

A long drive out of Seattle, through Oregon to a small campsite where we eat. Not much to report today, because of the large amount of travelling.

Thursday June 24, Seattle

Seattle is like a cross between Chicago and Vancouver. Very liberal and lively, and quite pleasant to be in. There are a lot of soup kitchens, apparently because of the high homeless population. Once again, I spend the day by myself browsing the shops etc. I take a ride on the streetcar, take a ride

Wednesday June 23 2004

1pm Kamloops was pretty dull. Now in Vancouver, and what a spectacular journey it was through BC to get here. Ever since we left Banff the journey has been consistently spectacular scenery. Arrive in Vancouver around midday, take a short tour through the city to our campground. British Columbia is very green and full of

Tuesday June 22 2004

After a boozy night, we take to the lake for the morning’s activity. Astrid is hungover but Pete, Martin and I go canoeing which is quite fun. In the afternoon it gets a little too hot after lunch. We leave at 4pm, put the clocks back an hour, and head through the rest of the

Monday June 21, Banff – Golden, (England 4, Croatia 2)

Left Banff around about mid-afternoon, and headed towards Golden, British Columbia. England played Croatia in Euro 2004 and won 4-2. The group watched the match in a pub called the Screw and Tap I decided to wander around Banff by myself for a bit though. Drove through some beautiful parts of the Rockies, stopping off

Sunday June 20 2004, Banff – Fathers’ Day

Awoke at the nice reasonable hour of 9:15am today. Much more than like normall! Took the bus into Banff town, had breakfast, checked emails and did some shopping. Bought flip-flops in GAP. Phoned home having spent $9.00 on calls – I hope my parents are sufficiently satisfied that I’m alive and well, and that I’ve

Saturday June 19 2004, Banff, Canada

A really pleasant day in Banff and Lake Louise. The night was cold – the weather this morning a little sharp – but once we get to Lake Louise it really gets to warm up. I’m a bit wary of taking a long hike, but decide with the rest of the group, to take the