US trip Day 12

Today Mariajo and myself have done an intensive work of visiting San Francisco. What a fantastic city this is.m there are so many places a things we have seen that it is very difficult to be able to describe them all.

What I will do is list the things that we have seen. But before I should sway that we had a fantastic, mostly sunny day

• Finantial District

• Pier 39 Fishermanwhalf

• Coil tower(.Rusian hill)

• Lombard street (telegraph hill)

• Grace Cathedral in Nob hill

• Victorian houses.

• Japan town

• The mission (latino zone)

• Castro (gay zone)

• Union square (shopping zone)

Tomorrow morning early in the day we will be departing, :(

Filo un anonimo conocido

 

From Evernote:

US trip day 11.

Plan for today was going to Nappa Valley,

Before going there we went to visit the Golden gate.

Then in Nappa valley our first stop was to the Chatou of a winery, this time it was Domaine Carneros winery. We had some wine testing of their fantastic wines.

Lunch was in the cute town of Sonoma. We had lunch the "fig and the girl", and then wander around the town the place was nice , and somewhere you can imagine yourself living.

On the way back we stop in Tiburon, on the other side of the Valley, a residential fairly exclusive.

Today was a great day, tomorrow Mariajo and myself will visit San Francisco.

Filo un anónimo conocido.

 

From Evernote:

US trip day 10

We woke up this morning and we went for our free Breakfast that we were granted. This hotel on the outskirts of Stockton has been the best for the price we have been. Then we head our way to San Francisco.

We Arrive to San Francisco just before Midday, which was good because that made the rental at least $40 less,

Then JJ and Susi picked us from the airport . The plan for the day was staying in Silicon Valley. We started with Palo Alto, where we had lunch in the Cheesecake Factory, where as you can imagine the difficult choose was the desert, with at least 30 different options for cheesecake!!

Then we went to visit Stanford University, where all started ! This was the venue of the famous speech by Steve Jobs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zlHAiddNUY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

After this we went to visit Google, it was very interesting. As today is Saturday everything was closed, but we could see the bicycles, the gym, lost of funny statues, swimming pools, tennis tables.

Then in the afternoon we went to the Apple Store, and I bought an IPad.

Enough for today tomorrow Nappa and Sonoma Valley

FILO a known anonymous.

 

From Evernote:

US trip DAY 9

For my "crowd" of fans I have to say, don't you worry I have been back to being able to drink the multiple cup of coffee.

Don't you worry the myth of FILO Drinking coffee is still alive. I didn't have many, but at least I was able to keep my energy levels constantly high with 3 coffees.

Also important to mention that Mariajo and Imight have probably had the cheapers 2 beers in America, only $2.5 for 2 beers, while 2 coffees in the same place cost $ 5.5.

Today we have had quite a long day, this time on the other side or the valley. We drove through Tioga Road stopping by Olmsted Point to compemplate the great views views from there. The area had a few lakes and lots of sings of the Ice age. As Mariajo and myself want to be able to do some trekking, we did in the Tolumne Meadows area, a 4hour trail that include going to Dog lake plus climbing Lambert Dome, 150 meter high granite rock that you could reach the top without need of any special climbing equipment. Incredible views from there.

After that , and of course getting our beers and coffee mentioned earlier, we drove 1 hour to Mono lake,, passing by even more lakes, at almost 3000 m altitude, with patches of snow, and glaciers.

In Mono lake we could not see the stalactite formations, because from the view point the looked like another hour away, in the opposite direction of

Stockton, were we had booked our hotel. Stockton was chosen because it a bit more than half way San Francisco.

By the way, we could not see anu bear, a excuse to come back to Yosemite.

We arrive to Te hotel, late, around midnight, and very tired. The hotel was great for the money 45$, and we got free breakfast for free, I guess because we looked very tired af the long day.

Tomorrow we will go to San Francisco, were we hope to arrive at midday, And I have plans to buy an IPad !!!! Where else but in silicon valley.

Good night

FILO un anonimo conocido

 

From Evernote:

US trip DAY 8

Today we woke up in Fresno, and after buying a couple of things on a local store we head took our road to Yosemite, to the south entrance.

We arrive there close to midday, initially we went to Mariposa grove, to see the giant sequoias. Really amazing to be able to see those building tall trees that have been there for centuries. The place was packed, but we were lucky to be able to drive all the way up to the grove parking.

In the afternoon we visited the information center to get advise about what to see. They told us that the best views of the valley were from Glacier Point, and although there is a fire, by the road going to glacier point, but it should be controlled. I have to admit that the idea of going by a fire, was not in ply plans, but we went to ahead. In the end the fire was really controlled, but there was some smoke. And the views, OH MY GOD!!!!!! Totally impossible to put words to describe them. Absolutely breathtaking.

The view of the Valley, the impressive Half Dome, the waterfalls. I have not seen any picture good enough, nor mine or in Internet so I will have to add mine.

We then went down to the valley, and from there we could see "el gran Capitan" and all the masive granite walls we saw earlier, but this time from the base. Just to put you into perspective, el gran Capitan is a 910 m granite wall, there are waterfalls are 300-600m long. Wherever you looked at you found something worth for looking at.

When thensun left the valley we headed to el Portal, about 10 miles outside Yosemite, were we had our Motel, the Yosemite Cedar Lodge.

Worth noticing that in all the day we had only 1 coffee, and those who know Mariajo and specially me, that meant that we were really lacking of energy specially in the afternoon. So you can guess how tired I am right now.

FILO, un anonimo conocido.

 

From Evernote:

US trip day 7

Day 7

We arrived last night at about 1am as predicted. We went straight to bed, changing a bit our plans which were initially depart earlier. But we were tiered and I wanted to have the opportunity to be able to have a chat with Juanjo and Susi.

Juanjo had a very early start and he came back home for our breakfast. Giving us the last tips for the trip. We also use his Hert gold card to get an upgrade on the car. So we rent a very confortable white Toyota Rav 4.t

I almost forget, the plan for today was Doing the Big Sur and sleep in Fresno. What we did was take Juanjo's advise a start doing the 17 miles Road by Carmel.

The 17 miles Road is an exclusive area, exclusive of golf course (eg Pebble beach) and big houses, with fantastic coast views.

Big Sur was fantastic as well, a great coast line road with lots of View points in the way. We gad a surprise in the last, one. We found lots of Sea elephants on tbhe beach, just 20 meters from us.

Then after an incredible sunset, We took the Road to Fresno, which was a mid point to Yosemite our destination for the next couple of days.

FILO a known anonymous

 

Us trip Day 5 and 6

15th and 16th of August

Last couple of days in Delaware before going to California.

DJ has taken the days off, and he is really please with that. Although the weather has not been good at all. Again last night it rained all night long.

The plan for yesterday was simply going around Delaware and improvising depending on the weather.

The highlights of the day have been:

Deers, as you would be able to see in the photos.

We visited Chestertown where we saw "Tow Mater"

And at night we went to the Casino, were we won 7.25$, and immediately loose it in the roulette.

Today is our last day in the East coast and we have spend the day in Washington DC in the morning before going to the airport in the afternoon.

We have had really good weather which was very appropiate as we were going to do all the tourist things, Capitol, obelisk, Lincoln memorial, and of course the White House.

The flight to San Francisco was delayed. The plane had a problem so we had to wait for a new one. So we are going to be at least delayed 4 hours, and here we are in Washington DC airport about to get in the plane to arrive to San Francisco, where we should arrive at around 1am, wheee Susi would pick us from the airport.

Filo, un anónimo conocido

 

From Evernote:

USA trip day 3 + 4

13th and 14th of August, This weekend DJ has been able to join us at last, he had the kids with him and we have planed things that would suits both his pre- teen daughter Keyla and his nine years old animal lover Justin, and of course we have been constrained by the weather forecast which I will explain how it has been as I go along.

Saturday started a bit grey, but that was to compensate the great piece of news that was waiting for Carol in the Post office. She received the Green Card for permanent US resident. HURRA!!!!!.

The plan for Saturday was to visit the Hagley museum, which was the original Powder factory that was founded by the Du Pont family, which was the origin of the huge DuPont multinational. It was intestine ro see and well preserved. While we were visiting it rain came into play, with increasing intensity as the day went on.

Back in Clayton, we went for early dinner to an Italian restaurant called Trevi, where Mariajo and I shared a Medium pizza. Well it was huge! Difficult to say how big it was, as was only a medium pizza. I have to describe it. Firstly It was that big that Mariajo and I could both choose our choice for half of the Pizza. Secondly we coudn't finish our half, and thirdly we had enough of to ask for a box, and I had a couple of pieces, one Saturday before going to bed and another one tonight, and there are still some left. I thing we could have shared the Pizza between three of us and there would still have been some leftovers.

After dinner went again on the car.ni stopped raining and we had a couple of hours of light so we went to a nacional park to try to see few animals. The place we went was called Bombay hook. We could see white tail deers, as well as all sorts of birds.

The night from Saturday was a stormy one, my god!. We even got some leakage of water coming to our room In at the ground floor, not much though,nbut it was weird because we couldn't find the origin in the upper floor.

With this, rain and the forecast of being like this all day the plan was set to go to Baltimore, and go to the National Aquarium. Which was a good plan, because in the afternoon the sun came out, beating the weather forecast.

Lunch was in a Spanish Restaurant. They a did a good job seting the decoration with a spanish style ( was good indeed) but failed on the food. And they failed in the symple stuff, if they would get a half decent "jamón" they would even get the Italian community going there because jamón would be better than prociuto. Anyway, this is a good opportunity for business in US if some take care of the food.

Tmorrow looks like another day where rain is going to be present. DJ has taken a couple of days vacation.

FILO un anonimo conocido

 

From Evernote:

US trip DAY 2

Day 2 12 of August

the morning started weaking up to early, but that was good enough to go for a run while leaving Mariajo sleep for an extra hour, and for myself to be able to go for a run while it was still cool enough.

Today the day started going to the beach in Cape Henlopen, a national park with lost of Pines, dunes and virgin beaches. This was the Atlantic, and therefore the water was cooler than Mediterranean. We could see groups of Dolphins going right to left and viceversa, not far away from the shore, 300 m qpprox.

Then we had lunch in Lewis, and visit the town, before going back to Clayton, to get ready for tonihts Dinner at Jeannie´s, including a boat trip at Lake Como. Basically Jeannie's house is by one small call called Como. (Just like George Clonnie's but in a different state) and neighbours have boats to go around, specially on night like today´s (full moon). Jennie also has built a bar in the garage, which is really good, and it is full of signs that says It's 5 o'clock somewhere (happy hour!!!!)

We had a great time, having dinner, a boat trip, a drink or 2, and nice companion, By far last night biggers start was a 2 metter hight poster of Alan Jackson, apparently a great Country singer.

But the start of country songs of the moment are "Country Girl shake it for me" and "You and tequila". We've been only 3 days in the country and in a couple of days I am sure I would know the lirics and could sing it as well as I could do "the blackberry" that is "La Zarzamora" (sorry guys Spanish joke).

Filo a known anonimous

 

US trip day 1

US trip day 1

Thursday August 11th 2011First night in Delaware. We woke up early but not too early. That is one thing that it is good when you are on vacation, you don't have too rush and you can relax.So we had our breakfast in the back garden, while we plan the day.

First thing we did was going to visit Clayton. Well better said we went to the Post office, and basically see it all, the fire station, the train rail, the tavern, the water reserves. All in a mile.
I think at this time I should talk about the fire station. The system is based on volunteers. When there is a fire call, sirens ring out loud, and neighbor immediately rush into their cars and they go to fire station. DJ was no longer a volunteer,but he has been volunteer since he was probably 18 years old. I am impressed by the solidarity of the people here.

We headed later on to Dover, but before we stopped by the Casino to see it, and to visit the NASCAR car track that was also a horse track, directly accessible from the casino. We didn't play a dime,which is something that later on DJ told us we should have.We then went to Dover. Dover is the capital of Delaware, but being Delaware a small state, Dover is also a small city. Buildings are from the English colony days, and there are quite a few very well preserved houses, virtually all of then taken by Lawyers.We went later on to have a late lunch to an Irish pub by one of the few lakes in the state.

In the afternoon while we were waiting for DJ to arrive, the girls took the bikes and I put on my running clothes and we went for a 30 min trip.

 

TRIP TO US Preliminary and D-DAY

TRIP TO US Preliminary and D-DAY

It's been a while since I the last time I wrote in the blog, and to tell you the truth I should say that I have more interesting things to say than normally but since they are involving another person I would have to be quiet about them.

I should say that the last 6 months has been for me, and still is, a period of great emotions, where I have been changing many of my preconception I have about me and about what life got planned for me. Life has prove me wrong about few things that I thought, and was certain about. And I was wrong for good.

Going back to concrete things, trip to US and blog. Firstly I am writing the blog about 1 month after the trip started so this is not going to be a "live" blog, however I would be writing it as would all have happened on the very same day I am writing each of them. So forget everything that you have been told about not being able to travel in time.

Einstein's laws doesn't apply to imagination and in my mind today is Wednesday 10th of August, Maria José and I arrived to Madrid last
Sunday. Unfortunately my vacation start today, so I had to work Monday and Tuesday. Monday was ok, I didn't finish to late, so Mjo and myself went to "la Latina" to have something for dinner, some tapas, bier and wine. I specially liked the last one we went, can't remember the name, in calle Almendro, a place with excellent Jamon and reasonable price.

But yesterday was not that good, I had to close everything at work before finishing for the day, and I arrive home close to midnight, I already told Mariajo to have dinner by herself. So I had my late dinner quickly and I started packing my luggage, yes stated, in preparation for our trip to US which was departing this morning at 11:00 am, so we had to be in the airport by 8:00 am, so we had to be up & running by 7. So you can feel the tension. Mariajo went to bed to try to have 6 hours sleep, and I did the packing going to bed by 4 am, so you can do the math..... Not much/enough sleep.

But we did it. We arrive to the airport by 8:15 approx, and surprising enough we didn't find in front of us a long line/queue to check in. By 8:30- 8:40 we had already checked in, and.... And when we got into the plane we understood why we didn't have to wait to long. Everyone else went before us, so Mariajo was siting next to me, with the aisle in between!!!!

I have realized that I have not told anything about the trip. I guess I should. Mariajo and I planned this some time ago. Before meeting Mjo, the plan was to go with Alberto backpacking Thailand, but I don't regret to say that the plan changed and Thailand will be done in the future, with Mjo on in. So the new plan is travelling to US.
"east coast or west coast?"..... BOTH
"where are you going?" Delaware and San Francisco.
"why Delaware? Not a typical tourist place" One of the best Mariajo's friend, Carol, married an American, DJ, and they live in Delaware and we are going to visit them. Actually in San Francisco we are visiting friends on mine, Juanjo and Susana. They will appear numerous times during these series of blogs.

But here am I, in Clayton, a small, of I should say tinny town in Delaware, close to Smyrna, about 30- 40 miles north of Dover, 20 hours after we woke up, and with 3 or 4 Sam Adams with me already.
We have arrived to Washington international airport, direct flight from Madrid, and there we were picked up by Carol and her mother in law Jennie (I should check how her name spells) and after 2 hours drive, including 2 wrong exits from the motorway, an a small unplanned trip through DC, ( until we finally were able to follow TomTom's indications) we arrive to Carol's.

Not long later DJ, Carol's husband arrived, and after the necessary introductions we had our dinner, while we were the dinner of the thousands of Mosquitos. Specially Carol and I were been badly, despite the tropical insect repellent I use, which seemed to be only half efficient on Maria José.

We went to bed early because DJ had an early start, and Mjo and myself were exhausted.

Filo, un anónimo conocido