Our route to Yosemite National Park was already worth the trip . . . we followed lonely, curving streets and passed through totally cute little villages with wooden houses (Katrin, it looked just like in “Stars Hollow”:-)). Jenny almost wanted to stay there.
After arriving in the Park we had to listen to all the “bear rules” again (although we are PROS now and also have a bear bell:-)), we put up our tent and cooked some more – what else – noodle snacks.
The next morning we were “early birds” and started our hike at half past six, because we knew from the Canadian parks: If you want to get there before all the Japanese tourists, you’ve got to get up early – by nine all the busses drive up!!!;-).
We were rewarded with absolutely unique, fantastic views over the Yosemite Valley and the “Half Dome”. Continuing on – close to 8 a.m. – to the Giant Sequoia Trees, “wow”, they are REALLY big (even for Daniel ;-))! The Grizzly Giant was the most impressive of them all: It is 2700 years old and the largest living thing on earth!!!!
That afternoon we hiked to the “Nevada Falls” and then to the “Vernal Falls”. After an exhaustive ascent (including 600 stone chiseled steps) we reached our destination and were able to view the waterfalls from atop. From here we could also watch how GOOD the Americans are at following rules and regulations: Just last year 30 people died from swimming in the pools BEFORE the waterfalls and being swept downstream. That’s why swimming is forbidden here and there are signs everywhere – only that almost every family with kids goes swimming here BEHIND the signs. Well bravo!!! – If something happens, just sue the park:-(!
For two days we enjoyed “pure nature” before we headed onto Las Vegas – a stark counter program – and with our pockets YET full (?) of money :-)
Donnerstag, 4. September 2008
Montag, 1. September 2008
From Seattle to San Francisco, USA
After our successful entry into the USA (only our apples didn’t make it), we spent two days in Seattle. Finding a place to sleep in this city was more than difficult – now we know why Tom Hanks was “Sleepless in Seattle” – he didn’t find a place to sleep!!! After a long time looking, we finally got lucky: The hostel was super (even though we were 8 in one room and Jenny’s bed-neighbor smelled so bad she couldn’t sleep), but we had breakfast and dinner included. Unfortunately for the first time we got unlucky with the weather, and so we HAD to spend our time shopping :-). We went to the market and Jenny finally got to bargain with the Chinese merchants.
After two days we picked up our car and named it “Sally” because the country channel was just playing “Mustang Sally” :-). Off we went to Highway #1 … and so we cruised down 300 miles of curving coastal road with the sunniest weather, awesome views and wonderful stopovers!
That night we reached San Francisco where we spent the next two days. We put flowers in our hair and walked barefoot down the streets :-) We strolled through Chinatown, watched the sea lions and the tourists on Pier 39 - and didn’t see the Golden Gate Bridge once in three days :-) (The entire city gleamed in sunlight, but the bridge was ALWAYS hidden in fog. Oh well, they do have nice postcards of her!!)
We really liked San Francisco – its a big city, but TOTALLY unstressy and very relaxed!
After three days we saddled Sally and we are on our way to Yosemite National Park :-)!
After two days we picked up our car and named it “Sally” because the country channel was just playing “Mustang Sally” :-). Off we went to Highway #1 … and so we cruised down 300 miles of curving coastal road with the sunniest weather, awesome views and wonderful stopovers!
That night we reached San Francisco where we spent the next two days. We put flowers in our hair and walked barefoot down the streets :-) We strolled through Chinatown, watched the sea lions and the tourists on Pier 39 - and didn’t see the Golden Gate Bridge once in three days :-) (The entire city gleamed in sunlight, but the bridge was ALWAYS hidden in fog. Oh well, they do have nice postcards of her!!)
We really liked San Francisco – its a big city, but TOTALLY unstressy and very relaxed!
After three days we saddled Sally and we are on our way to Yosemite National Park :-)!
Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, Canada
Off to our next adventure…
After two comfortable days in Victoria on Vancouver Island, we got prepared for our 3-day hike on the “Juan de Fuca Marine Trail”: Buying food (naturally only Mr. Noodles and oatmeal, because of the weight), packing the tent and stowing the rest of our luggage – and off it went – Thursday morning at FIVE o’clock!!!
The bus that took us to the trailhead was an old school bus and it and the driver were an adventure in itself (good that it was so early and we hadn’t eaten a big breakfast :-) ). After a one and a half hour drive, the driver dropped us and five other people off in the wilderness. After 30 minutes we had lost the others, not because we were so fast and passed them. NO, because we took a wrong turn and got lost :-( Ok, two hours later we ended up where we had started out and so we started the hike anew. Our first goal was Chin Beach, 21 km away (please notice: 21 km on the Rheinsteig are not equal to 21 km in the jungle with 12 kg backpack per person). We THOUGHT, “Oh, easy, we can make it in six or seven hours”.
But the route turned out to be quite difficult. We had to rope ourselves down with tree roots, wade through streams and mud, balance over wooden logs and rocks, and it continuously went steeply either up or downhill, so that sometimes it took us almost an hour for one Kilometer. Well, after 12 hours we finally reached our destination for that day – TOTALLY exhausted – Jenny’s legs blue and her pants torn (after a 2-3 meter fall - “don’t worry Mom, I’m fine:-)”) – but also VERY PROUD and happy!!!!
And what we saw and experienced made up for all the pain on our feet and legs:-) We saw seals and even whales that day – AWESOME!!
Even the beach where we spent the night compensated for everything. Solitude and pure nature – with a bonfire, we let the day pass by. That evening we met two totally neat Canadians – father and son – and from then on we hiked with them together. The four of us – that was a much better feeling in bear country and sure enough – on our last day we had to pass by a bear really close because he was blocking our path. Funny, that the bear wasn’t afraid at all of Jenny’s bear bell!!!!:-)
After 43 km we finally reached our destination on the third day. Altogether, these were the three most strenuous days in our lives, but also very exciting and totally awesome!!!
GREETINGS TO BRUCE AND JAMESON :-) It was a pleasure to hike with you!
Tomorrow we leave Canada and head towards Seattle. See you there!
Love - Daniel and Jenny
P.S. We remember for Canada – bear bells don’t work!!!!
After two comfortable days in Victoria on Vancouver Island, we got prepared for our 3-day hike on the “Juan de Fuca Marine Trail”: Buying food (naturally only Mr. Noodles and oatmeal, because of the weight), packing the tent and stowing the rest of our luggage – and off it went – Thursday morning at FIVE o’clock!!!
The bus that took us to the trailhead was an old school bus and it and the driver were an adventure in itself (good that it was so early and we hadn’t eaten a big breakfast :-) ). After a one and a half hour drive, the driver dropped us and five other people off in the wilderness. After 30 minutes we had lost the others, not because we were so fast and passed them. NO, because we took a wrong turn and got lost :-( Ok, two hours later we ended up where we had started out and so we started the hike anew. Our first goal was Chin Beach, 21 km away (please notice: 21 km on the Rheinsteig are not equal to 21 km in the jungle with 12 kg backpack per person). We THOUGHT, “Oh, easy, we can make it in six or seven hours”.
But the route turned out to be quite difficult. We had to rope ourselves down with tree roots, wade through streams and mud, balance over wooden logs and rocks, and it continuously went steeply either up or downhill, so that sometimes it took us almost an hour for one Kilometer. Well, after 12 hours we finally reached our destination for that day – TOTALLY exhausted – Jenny’s legs blue and her pants torn (after a 2-3 meter fall - “don’t worry Mom, I’m fine:-)”) – but also VERY PROUD and happy!!!!
And what we saw and experienced made up for all the pain on our feet and legs:-) We saw seals and even whales that day – AWESOME!!
Even the beach where we spent the night compensated for everything. Solitude and pure nature – with a bonfire, we let the day pass by. That evening we met two totally neat Canadians – father and son – and from then on we hiked with them together. The four of us – that was a much better feeling in bear country and sure enough – on our last day we had to pass by a bear really close because he was blocking our path. Funny, that the bear wasn’t afraid at all of Jenny’s bear bell!!!!:-)
After 43 km we finally reached our destination on the third day. Altogether, these were the three most strenuous days in our lives, but also very exciting and totally awesome!!!
GREETINGS TO BRUCE AND JAMESON :-) It was a pleasure to hike with you!
Tomorrow we leave Canada and head towards Seattle. See you there!
Love - Daniel and Jenny
P.S. We remember for Canada – bear bells don’t work!!!!
Rocky Mountains, Canada
Off to the Rockies…first to Banff National Park, then to Jasper National Park - 5 days of adventure, mountains, lakes, glaciers, water falls, bears and „pit latrines“!!!
First off, we would like to praise the Canadian Gemuetlichkeit - cruising along WIDE OPEN ROADS with 90 to no more than 100 km per hour and letting the countryside pass by you, that has class (And we NEVER went faster, so that no one could say “hey, those German speeders And beside the highway, that is NOT the shoulder – NO, its the bicycle lane :-).
And when you come to an intersection, there are no traffic lights! NO, whoever gets there first, drives first (it works - UNBELIEVABLE)!
The only action on Canadian highways is when a bear suddenly shows up on the roadside – suddenly ALL cars stop in the middle of the street and everyone grabs their cameras. One time we also got lucky and saw two bears off the side :-)
In four days we experienced so much - we looked at impressive water falls, climbed down deep canyons and up high mountains, swam in crystal clear mountain lakes and stood on everlasting ice.
We always camped on so-called “camp grounds”, which means here a place to put up your tent and a pit latrine (with NO lights!). And still we felt very comfortable and at night around the bonfire we met a really nice Canadian family :-). Okay, we admit that after three days we did start to smell a bit (the will was there – but no SHOWERS!!!).
But at least that kept the mosquitoes and the bears away (so we didn’t need Jenny’s bear bell after all :-) )
Now we are back in Vancouver and tomorrow we are heading out to Vancouver Island…
Daniel and Jenny
First off, we would like to praise the Canadian Gemuetlichkeit - cruising along WIDE OPEN ROADS with 90 to no more than 100 km per hour and letting the countryside pass by you, that has class (And we NEVER went faster, so that no one could say “hey, those German speeders And beside the highway, that is NOT the shoulder – NO, its the bicycle lane :-).
And when you come to an intersection, there are no traffic lights! NO, whoever gets there first, drives first (it works - UNBELIEVABLE)!
The only action on Canadian highways is when a bear suddenly shows up on the roadside – suddenly ALL cars stop in the middle of the street and everyone grabs their cameras. One time we also got lucky and saw two bears off the side :-)
In four days we experienced so much - we looked at impressive water falls, climbed down deep canyons and up high mountains, swam in crystal clear mountain lakes and stood on everlasting ice.
We always camped on so-called “camp grounds”, which means here a place to put up your tent and a pit latrine (with NO lights!). And still we felt very comfortable and at night around the bonfire we met a really nice Canadian family :-). Okay, we admit that after three days we did start to smell a bit (the will was there – but no SHOWERS!!!).
But at least that kept the mosquitoes and the bears away (so we didn’t need Jenny’s bear bell after all :-) )
Now we are back in Vancouver and tomorrow we are heading out to Vancouver Island…
Daniel and Jenny
Vancouver, Canada
Hello Everyone :-)
After two pleasant, entertainment filled flights, we’ve finally arrived in Vancouver - and are THRILLED!!!
Although we have discovered that the city is made up of 50% Asian citizens, 10% TOTAL freaks, 10% backpackers (also freaks :-)) and only 20% real Canadians, it was absolutely worth it to start our trip here!
Everyone here is soooo friendly - unbelievable, you just have to stand around looking like a touri, and already someone comes along and offers to help.
Like the friendly old Chinese man (what else :-) ) who suggested that we rent bicycles to discover the cit. After about 45 minutes of walking, we finally found the bike rental - And the tip was really SUPER!!! We cycled all along the harbour and around the 12km long city park.
After a long and exhausting day in Vancouver, we fell into bed shortly after 8pm. At least we were up and fit early the next morning so that we could pick up our rental car!
We’re off to the Rockies!!! Bears watch out for Jenny’s bear bell! :-)
Many greetings from Canada!
After two pleasant, entertainment filled flights, we’ve finally arrived in Vancouver - and are THRILLED!!!
Although we have discovered that the city is made up of 50% Asian citizens, 10% TOTAL freaks, 10% backpackers (also freaks :-)) and only 20% real Canadians, it was absolutely worth it to start our trip here!
Everyone here is soooo friendly - unbelievable, you just have to stand around looking like a touri, and already someone comes along and offers to help.
Like the friendly old Chinese man (what else :-) ) who suggested that we rent bicycles to discover the cit. After about 45 minutes of walking, we finally found the bike rental - And the tip was really SUPER!!! We cycled all along the harbour and around the 12km long city park.
After a long and exhausting day in Vancouver, we fell into bed shortly after 8pm. At least we were up and fit early the next morning so that we could pick up our rental car!
We’re off to the Rockies!!! Bears watch out for Jenny’s bear bell! :-)
Many greetings from Canada!
Good Bye!
So… our suitcases - uh, backpacks are packed…and we are ready to go!!! Thanks so much for all your dear wishes!!! We have the BEST families and friends in the world … one more reason to come back next January :-)
One more biiiiiiigg hug for everyone! See you in six months!!!
Good bye!!! :-)
One more biiiiiiigg hug for everyone! See you in six months!!!
Good bye!!! :-)
Welcome
Welcome to our Blog. We are happy to have you join us on our trip :-) –we miss you already!!!
Here are a few “users’ tips” (especially for you mom :-) ) for this site. On the map on top you can always see where we currently are. If you click on the red PIN you get additional information (Its magic!!!* :-) ... For each article we post, you can give a comment or just send us some greetings. We look forward to reading them all :-)….And last…you can see some of our fotos in the foto album (the remaining 100000000 we will show when we get back *you’ll have to sit through that*). That’s all for now!
Have fun!:-)
Thanks for joining us!
Jenny and Daniel
Here are a few “users’ tips” (especially for you mom :-) ) for this site. On the map on top you can always see where we currently are. If you click on the red PIN you get additional information (Its magic!!!* :-) ... For each article we post, you can give a comment or just send us some greetings. We look forward to reading them all :-)….And last…you can see some of our fotos in the foto album (the remaining 100000000 we will show when we get back *you’ll have to sit through that*). That’s all for now!
Have fun!:-)
Thanks for joining us!
Jenny and Daniel
Abonnieren
Posts (Atom)
