Once I had stopped singing U2 songs and introducing the much loved Joshua Tree album to my 11 year old, I set about planning a trip to its namesake National Park! This was to be my first solo adventure since arriving in the USA. The small one was due to attend Scout camp in the park so instead of missing out I planned to drop him off and have a child-free weekend. In the end my husband was available to join me and I can’t even remember the last time we had a couples adventur

Our post Christmas and New Year trip this year took us with friends to Monterey (where we pretty much did the same itinerary as last time ) and as they headed to the airport we crossed California to Yosemite National Park. The plan was swim in the sea in the morning and play in the snow in the afternoon. But, alas, weather had other ideas. Monterey was too cold and rough seas for a dip, and the winter snow was yet to arrive in Yosemite. Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View We ma

Our final stretch took uu back into Californai and the mighty Redwoods — we kayaked the crystal-clear Smith River, hiked amongst giants, collected Junior Ranger badges. We ticked off 3 more movie locations As we wound south through Mendocino, Bodega Bay, and finally across the fogged out Golden Gate Bridge and the end of our trip. Two weeks, 2,300 miles - done! We woke at Kamp Klamath to the dawn chorus at 5am and snoozed until the sun came up. I’ve since learned that the Kl