Driving down the 101

Our next day in LA was our day to collect the van, so we took two buses out to near the airport. When we got there, we had a choice of a few different vans and we picked one with a wave and flower design (a bit girly, but at least not an offensive Wicked van slogan!). After a lot of form signing and licence photo copying, oh and giving them all our money, we had a quick practice around the car park and then set off.

Cruising through Hollywood

We had left our big backpacks at the hostel so we had to drive back and pick those up first, then we went to the supermarket, so by the time we got on the road for real it was past midday. We drove out towards the coast and then started north. It was VERY busy, it is public holiday this weekend and great weather so the roads along the coast were packed and we didn't get chance to stop much to see anything!

Driving on the right wasn't too bad. We just had to keep reminding each other not to drive up the curb because it is strange to have all that car on the right side of you.

LA traffic

America...!

It was almost dark when we got to our campsite. Rosie heard something big get hit by a car near our camp when I was in the toilet! When I got back she made me go and look at a dead deer. Then we had dinner (not deer).

We met some Swiss campers who were finishing their trip so we got lots of free food and camping supplies.

I slept great - the new van bed is very comfortable. and I think the jet lag is gone..finally :-)

Making the van bed

Day 2 on the road. We continued north along the 101. Traffic was much better now we're further from LA. We stopped at a few beaches and seaside towns and I took us on a hike with no map and no water. Well, I kind of had half of a map that was on some weird non-scale! We made it back eventually anyway.

We tried out the camp stove for the first time (last night it was too late/dark for us to attempt it).

This is more the kind of road we're used to!

A deer (alive this time)!

Lost...

...with the worst map ever!

Beach sunset at San Simeon, CA

I never thought it would happen but we miss our old van a little. We had everything we needed and everything set up just as we liked it. We're still adjusting to this one. We keep thinking of things that we're missing and having to improvise and work things out.

I know that it was like this in our old van as well - it definitely took me 3 or 4 days to adjust to life on the road last year. So I know I'll be OK this time too. I just hope Rosie hasn't abandoned me at the roadside for being a drama queen before then!


Day 3: Continuing North: We set off early and stopped to see some elephant seals lounging on the beach.

Later we took a hike to a coastal waterfall - McWay Falls. The coastal scenery is spectacular here. We stopped for giant burritos in Big Sur. Our stomachs told us it was lunch time because all of our electronics have no battery left after 3 days on the road. It was actually 11.35am - close enough.

In the afternoon we continued along the coast for a while and then took a mini detour inland to buy food and head torches - we have been struggling with a tiny lantern and the van lights for the last two nights.

We drove back out to the coast to camp at Half Moon Bay. The campsite was full but we asked nicely and got a space anyway -we're only little!

There is no power here - Rosie sat in the toilets for 10 minutes to charge my laptop so we could finish the blog - hope you appreciate it!!