San Francisco.

Our last visit here to San Francisco was some of our most memorable days on our 6 month USA trip. This time I'm sorry to say,we couldn't get out quick enough. How so much had changed in tourism in just 3 years!

This time all the renowned Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 area's were so overcrowded with tourists!!.. Yes I know we are tourists of sorts too, (we like to think of ourselves as almost locals though really). American tourism must be marketing the 3 x West Coast hot spots of Los Angeles, San Fran and Las Vegas, to the best of their ability to the Australian and English public as I think there were more Australian's here than what is left back home!

Alcatraz tours were booked out for 7 days in advance, so unfortunately we only got to see that from the outside.

We did however have an enjoyable day hiring bikes and riding across the Golden Gate bridge to the other side to what once was a lovely quiet little town of Sasalito, but unfortuanley in my eyes has again become such an over populated tourist mecca! 

To top off our 'not so' great trip to San Francisco our motel bathroom roof "caved" in with a water pipe burst from an upstairs room blocked toilet!!!

Anyhow, moving on..............................

Las Vegas!!

Back across to the West Coast for the Connor Family! 

Have traded in the humidity of 92 degrees (F), for 95 degrees (F) of Las Vegas dry heat, which is more similar to our Australian Summers.

Below is a picture of where we are staying.

Courtesy buses run us in and out of the Strip every hour if required from 10am in the morning till 1am the following morning.

First day we walked a mere 10kms up and down the Las Vegas Blvd! Taking in the familiar sights and sounds - Roller coasters through Casino's, shops, bars etc. Anything goes!

Second day we went to the Aquarium in Mandalay Bay Casino, the Hershey's Chocolate Shop (saw the Statue of Liberty done in 800 pounds of chocolate)!! Back to the room for a quick costume change for priority dinner reservation at Margaritaville at 5 o'clock of course!! 

Shopped in the gift shop to bring home some souvenirs for our very own Margaritiville at our house!

Below is a picture taken from the "Las Vegas - High Roller". An observation wheel, similar to that of the London Eye. I would highly recommend doing this as part of your visit here to Las Vegas.

Next stop San Francisco.

Universal Studios - Orlando

Arrived in Orlando to visit with Charlie, Nicole and Victoria. Before going to stay a few nights at their own house, we were lucky enough to be put up at the Lodge at the beautiful Lake Nona Golf and Country Club - many thanks Charlie.

Nestled on 7000 acres is the 'gated estate' of Lake Nona Golf and Country Club. A quick overview  of  offers a picturesque 18 hole golf course, and waterways, multi million dollar homes, 40,000 square foot club house, 18 room Lodge, fitness and tennis centre and swimming pool. Many of the world's best golfers and celebrities have their family homes here.

On the Friday we took Victoria to Universal Studio, where we were also joined our new friend Jack.

Our Jackson was fortunate enough this time to be able to fit on "ALL" the roller coasters that he missed out on last time.

A great day had by all, with "FAST PASSES" being the order of the day. No waiting in lines for this crew!!

During our time with Charlie and family, we were also lucky enough to tag along with them to catch a 'high school' football game, watch countless games of 'College ball' on the TV and Sunday football - NFL. We visited Downtown Orlando and enjoyed 'Smores' around the fit pit, singing Disney songs!! Kids played in the pool, and we were lavished with delicious meals and great company of family friends the entire stay.

Sad to leave Florida today, but extremely greatful for all our friends. It's been a blast!!

Off to Vegas now via Denver Colorado.

NASA Visitor Centre - Cape Canaveral.

Leaving St. Augustine we made our way back towards Orlando. Along the way we stopped and visited the NASA Visitor Centre at Cape Canaveral. What an incredible place to see!

The first men to land on the moon were launched from this site in 1969, and every human space flight launch in the United States since that time has taken place from the Kennedy Space Center. 

One exhibit is a separate facility that holds an original Saturn V rocket and brings the story of America's journey to the moon to life. 

We will miss the launch of an actual shuttle by 2 days. The Press and the public can sit in the viewing stands, approx 3 miles from the launch pad and witness the take off. Within 1 mile of the launch pad at a launch it would blow your eardrums out and within a 1/2 mile would burn you alive! We got to take a tour bus right up to the launch pad on the day we went, experiencing the enormatity of these structures!

The rocket mover (the machine that takes the rocket from the Space centre to the Launch pad) travels at a speed of 1 mile per hour, on a gravel runway. This piece of machinery was operated by 4 trucks on tracks and its top surface area was enormous. It travels along the gravel so as to not put out sparks to ignite fuel tanks. From Space Centre to Launch Pad takes approx 6 to 8 hours fully loaded with a shuttle.

Visit our photo album to see more pictures of our tour. It was one of our tour days when you start out with not much of an expectation of what you are about to witness, but walk out with your 'mind blown' of what this facility and its organisation has accomplished and the work they continue to do.

Our relaxing week at the Driftwood has again not disappointed us! Providing more great characters for us to meet and make strong friendships with, and reaquanting with old friends.

With the Miami Dolphins Vs New England Patriots season opener looming on the Sunday, the street outside our resort was shut down for an almighty 'Patriots Street Party'. Complete with live band, food, drink and dancing.

The game itself was amazing! Decked out from head to toe in Patriots gear the Connor family headed to the stadium after checking out of the Driftwood and heading further south towards Miami.

Sitting high in the stands we were witness to a great opening ceremony of the National Anthem, fireworks and a full field sized flag show and cheerleaders!! Although the day was hot out in the sun (around 92 degree's F) we enjoyed hot dogs, soda's and unfortunately saw the Patriots get beaten.

We headed up the coast to have lunch with Randy in West Palm Beach, in our Mustang convertible, lovely Asian and Thai food. 2 hours further up towards staying our week with Nicole, Charlie and family, we were fortunate enough to stay a couple of nights with our new friend Jack whom we also met at the Driftwood.

Jack is a New York Firefighter. Jack had incredible stories and such 'raw' photos from being on the frontline of that fateful day of September 11. Jack was a great host in his beautiful home and crazy friendly dog - Raider! We saw the sights of Saint Augustine, visited the Alligator Farm and drove along the beach in his big black F250 truck. We are very thankful for all the kind hearted people that take us in on our travels. Jack sent one very happy little boy on his way with his actual old firefighter badge to keep!

We're back - Sept 2014 !!!!!!!

16 hour flight into Los Angeles, 18 hour stop over before our next flight....hey why not go to Disneyland and do the rides that Jackson was too small to go on last time! Running on empty, we trecked out to Anaheim got a $60 hotel room, threw our bags in and headed to the parks! It was less expensive to get a motel room than to store our baggage off site at LAX.

11.45pm our next departure time to Florida (via Houston in Texas). Soooo tired and jet lagged - did not even see the safety demonstration on the plane. 

Arrived in Florida at 6am Saturday morning. Headed out to our resort at the Driftwood beach club (pictured above).

Took about a day to become 'human' again after settling into the time differences. Lovely to see all our friends from here again.

Took a water taxi in and around Fort Lauderdale/Miami on day 3. Wow...the $$$, the mansions, the yachts! How do people get so rich?

Enjoyed some Margarita's & Mexican food with Anne and Erika along Los Olas Blvd.

I saw more MASERATI's today than I've ever seen back home !!!

Back to the pool for a swim, and play some board games before bed. It's taken 3 days before our Australian winter skin and soft feet have finally adapted to the weather and conditions.