I swear if i hear that song again… I may go postal!! So i last spoke to you all from Kanab, Utah and as you can tell from this post, i’m in Anaheim. We left Kanab and firstly went to Zion which was pretty cool. However i was sporting a huge fever and even though i tried to do as little as possible. However when we got to vegas… i was stuffed. My fever had kicked in big time and i was barely able to move around without feeling like i was gonna pass out. To make things worse… that was the night i was meant to go to Armin. So i didnt end up going to Armin but still had a good night out in vegas. Managed to finally get my Deep Fried Twinkie and it was HORRIBLE!!! Don’t ever do it!!

The 2nd day in vegas was fantastic. After a breakfast (well a coffee anyway) we headed down to the Las Vegas Gun Store. This was something i had been looking forward to for ages as I was hoping to get to do something we can not do back home. Fire Automatic weapons. Now i’m by no means a violent person, but firing a gun is fun. Firing a belt fed, automatic weapon, thats HEAPS of fun!!!

In the afternoon i went up to the Stratosphere and relaxed and enjoyed the view and then headed back to get ready for a good night. I had dinner with Stuart and Michelle for our last nights together on tour at the Venetian and dined at one of Wolfgang Pucks restaurants and it was Beautiful. We saw Blue Man Group and then i headed off to enjoy a limo ride with the rest of the group.

Yesterday was a bit of a downer day with it being the last day of tour and getting some big cold shoulders from people. Didn’t expect it thats for sure. We stopped at In & Out in Barstow and it was as good as the last time i had it, Delicious!!

Today though has been a great day. After waking up late in my awesome hotel here at the Hilton and then after enjoying a lovely coffee in my room, I walked down and met Michelle & Stuart and we headed off to Disneyland for the day. It was such a long day, we spent 10 hours there. Saw so much stuff, I went on a rollercoaster!

I am beat now, so off to bed. Going shopping and off to the ice hockey tommorrow night!!

Current Location: Hilton Anaheim
States Visited: 24

So we have been on the road for a few days now. Checking out National Park after National Park.. been pretty good. Have seen a national park almost every day since leaving Sioux Falls.

Checked out Badlands National Park, Devils Tower, Mt Rushmore, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon and off to Zion National Park tommorrow.

However tommorrow we also roll into VEGAS. Yeah baby!!! Can’t wait, been planning this for weeks now. Going to drink, party, shoot guns, maybe do a bit of shopping!

anyway everyone behave…. cause i sure as hell are not going to!

Current Location: Four Seasons Motel – Kanab, Utah
States Visited: 23

It has been an amazing few days. I left you when I was in Keystone South Dakota. I have been loving every minute of this trip over the last few days. One of the big reasons I booked the 2nd half of the tour after Chicago was for Mt Rushmore. And I am happy that it did not disappoint. It was amazing seeing the mountain and then hearing about how it had been carved. It blew me away.

Then after Mt Rushmore we went off to the Crazy Horse Memorial This memorial is being carved into the mountain similar to Mt Rushmore but will be like 20 times bigger. So far it has taken them over 50 years and all they have done is the head so I don’t see it being finished any time soon.

We went off to a town called Deadwood that afternoon and boy was it fun. Its an old Wild West town with lots of Gambling and drinking. I did play some Blackjack and came out a total of $1 up. No big deal. But the $2 beers was my downfall. I did try to eat a Chicken Fried Steak the size of my head…. I finished the steak, not the sides.

Yesterday we made our way from Keystone to Cody, Wyoming. We stopped in at Devils Tower on the way through which was fairly boring to me, what made my day was being able to catch up with an old friend. I have not seen Lindsey in almost 3 or so years when we did Contiki in Australia. It was so good to catch up and see her, it was GREAT!! Even though it was only 20 minutes (we were early), it was well worth it.

Then something brilliant happened. It started to snow. I was not to happy a few days ago when they had told me it was going to snow. But at that point I didn’t have anything that warm to wear. I did manage to pick up a very tight fitting jumper for like $17 and it will do for a few days. The snow last night was brilliant and then waking up this morning to a blanket of white was amazing.

As we headed into Yellowstone we hit our first hurdle. The bus had a warning light. So we stopped at the first place we could get everyone off the bus and we were there maybe 45 minutes. Which was good cause I didn’t eat breakfast and was able to get in some pancakes which were almost as big as my head.

We headed into Yellowstone and I was amazed at how beautiful and brilliant it looked. Tomorrow we are back into Yellowstone for the day and hopefully more snow tonight.

Current Location: Brandin’ Iron Inn – West Yellowstone, Montana
States Visited: 20

I am in the middle of South Dakota right now and its fucking cold. Average temp has been like 10 degrees. its been a long few days with lots of road time. We have covered a fair distance. From Chicago, through Milwaukee (hello Miller Brewery) to Madison, Wisconson and then onto Sioux Falls and Keystone South Dakota. Three days on the road, three long days of road time.

Some big road days with lots of boring boring scenery.

Anyway better go.. not much to say but tommorrow will be an awesome day. Hello Mt Rushmore

Current Location: Keystone South Dakota (Population 311).
States Visited: 18

Album 1

North America 2009

Album 2

North America 2009 – Pt 2

Current Location: Econolodge Madison Wisconson
States Visited: 17

So after leaving Canada just two days ago we are now heading west across the northern part of the USA. Arrived into Chicago yesterday and it was Windy all right.

Cleveland felt like a ghost town. Pretty desolate and quiet. Had a good feed at a Mexican Restaurant (although Brooke who is from LA pointed out the food was not real mexican) was decent sized. After that we wallked back down the empty streets back to the hotel for my first room party of the tour (i missed the others).

Cleveland was a pretty basic hotel, but i wasn’t complaining. From Cleveland we headed west to first Toledo, then to South Bend Indiana (home of the Fighting Irish). Then we headed into Chicago itself. Chicago was a big big shock. I didn’t realise just how big the city was.

Had my first taste of Chicago Deep Dish pizza last night. Now I am a big fan of New York Style Pizza. With big thin slices, I really enjoy it. But deep dish, although it tasted fantastic, I just wasn’t a fan. I can see why over here some people call it Pizza Pie. After that we went up to the top of the John Hancock building to the World’s Highest Bar (on the 96th Floor). After a very strong Dirty Martini it was home by cab.

Today i did the archetecture cruise and then explored Millenium Park and checked out chicago. Tonight I am possibly heading to the game at Wrigley Field. Not quite sure should know in a few minutes when i head down to dinner.

Till next time as we head west..

Current Location: Days Inn Chicago
Countries Visited: 3
US States Visited: 16
Canadian Provinces: 2

Toronto has been an awesome experience, a fantastic metropolitan city that screams liveable city. Heaps of cool sport (although id have to go to Buffalo or Boston for decent football) and what seems to be a pretty laid back lifestyle out of work hours.

Spent yesterday checking out the big tourist attractions like the Rogers Dome (the new name for the Skydome) and the CN Tower, also went to the Hockey Hall of Fame and also wandered the city a bit.

Today went to Niagra Falls and it was amazing!!! We went on the Maid of the Mist and i managed to get through it without panicing to much. But it was crazy getting right up to the falls with so much water hitting you from just the mist. It was crazy!!! Also did a heli flight over the falls and took a whole heap of photos (i think about 300-400 all told today).

Last night though… lets just say it was VERY messy. I am not quite sure how much I drank (it was a lot) but i think once i started doing shots of vodka… all downhill from there. Had a lovely chat with Mr Porcelain and we had a great time… but he doesn’t like me now that i violated him last night…. a lot.

Back over the border to the USA tommorrow so the State list should increase a bit! Will probably update in Chicago in 2 days time…

Catch you on the flip

So after leaving Quebec City we moved onto Montreal. Montreal was not as beautiful a city as what Quebec was, but it was still pretty cool. Being french speaking things were a little hard. It was a bit of a rough few days dealing with some personal stuff but other than that it was ok.

We moved onto Toronto today and all was good. Great weather, awesome scenery today. Tonight went to the Toronto Blue Jays vs Seattle Mariners game. It was pretty cool. Watched the Blue Jays lose (which seams to be a common theme in baseball games i watch).

Had to buy a new laptop in Montreal as the old one crapped itself. Not sure why but its now dead to the world, so dumped it and bought a new one.

Will update more tommorrow!

Current Location: Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Downtown
Countries Visited: 3
US States Visited: 13
Canadian Provinces: 2

We got into Quebec city yesterday afternoon and didnt really do anything until we went into the city last night. After dinner last night (yes i ate) we headed out for a little bit. After the first bar which was pretty cool (although hard to try and get everyone to understand Aussie English), we moved onto another club that was just fantastic. Great music great atmosphere.

This morning it was off to Quebec City and exploring it. But it seemed two of the guys were missing.. no one knew why but rumours were flying they had only just got back. We explored the city and saw some of the amazing french/british architecture and i was blown away by it.

After coming back the story of the missing guys came out. The two of them had walked back from the Club last night and had taken them 4 hours!!

So the last time i updated it was a about half way through the day before the tour. That night had the pre tour meeting then we all ended up heading off to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner. It was a good night getting to chat to people and meet everyone. Then i managed to make it back to the hotel before crashing out. However… then things went down hill.

Around 2am… vomiting and lots of it. Very very bad!! So yesterday was the first day of tour. I pretty much just rested as much as possible on the bus ride to boston. Tried to being the word. In between chatting and meeting everyone it was good though. We stopped at Newport in Rhode Island. Its a very small town but very very rich. It was a great day though, sun was out, nice blue sky. I ended up just walking around rather than finding anything to eat and just explored the harbour area.

From there it was 4 hours on the coach till we stopped due to traffic in Boston. We did explore a bit in the city but that was mainly done today. Everyone went off to dinner and i stayed in and relaxed, did some laundry etc and all was good.

Today was a good day, Got to explore Boston and see the city. Went on board the USS Constitution and checked out a 212 years old, Capital Ship. The ship is still an Active Duty Comissioned ship and it was amazing.

I then explored the city checking out some amazing architecture and did a bit of shopping (160USD later).

Probably off to watch the game tonight, UT is playing Texas Tech.

Current Location: Holiday Inn Express Saugaus
States Visited: 11