In Salamanca, Spain

We arrived in Salamanca in the afternoon yesterday. We missed our connecting flight from Paris to Madrid (due to very thorough and slow security) but managed to get another flight pretty soon. In this way we still got to the airport in Madrid in time to catch the bus to Salamanca.

Yesterday we went to El Pony Pisador, a restaurant I used to go to when studying in Salamanca about 10 years ago. It still looks exactly the same, and has a Lord of the Rings theme. El Pony Pisador means The Prancing Pony for you fellow Tolkien fans out there. Photos to follow. Now onto a proper site seeing in Salamanca!

In Southborough, Massachusetts

After a long drive Friday we finally arrived in Southborough a little after 9pm. It's good to have arrived but it was also a really good trip. The route we choose turned out to be a great sampler plate of this enormous country. Our milage for the trip ended on 3608 miles or about 5805 kilometers. The extreme length of Sweden N – S is 1,574 km (978 mi).

We will have a few days here before we head out to Europe. But now it's time for dinner with Ben and Nicki.

Saint Louis - Missouri

We spent last night in Saint Louis, Missouri. Our friend Jonathan gave us a great tour of the city. Below are some photos from our stay there.

Tonight we are staying in Columbus, Ohio, where we just went and had some really good ice cream. The flavors were interesting to say the least, one of the kinds I had had goat cheese in it. How was it? Fantastic!

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We are in Lawrence, Kansas

Today's drive took us through Kansas. After driving over the Rocky Mountains the day before we were now in flat country. Fields stretching as far as the eyes could see. The road taking us in a straight line across the state. We did not take that many breaks today and almost drove all the way through Kansas, stopping in Lawrence where we are going to spend the night. We were just treated to a very nice dinner. Tomorrow will see us taking a short trip to Saint Louis. 
On our drive yesterday, from Moab to Littleton, Colorado, we took this photo in Utah:

Clouds over Kansas.

Fields in Kansas.

Sky over Kansas

Cows, field and a dark sky.

Our trip tomorrow to Saint Louis.


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Day 3 - Zion to Moab

The drive from Zion to Moab took us through a widespread, desolate landscape. It's a place where you do not want the car to break down or to run out of gas. Fortunately non of these happened. We were surprised by the amount of snow. The bed and breakfast here in Moab is a really charming place, outdoor jacuzzi, great room and tasty breakfast. Slow internet connection here so more photos to follow. Now onto Littleton, Colorado

Day 4 - Moab to Littleton


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Day 2 - Williams, Arizona to Zion National Park, Utah

Today's drive wasn't quite as long as yesterday's. We spent about 7 hours in the car.

Seeing the Grand Canyon was spectacular. No photos can do it justice. The vertigo. The birds soaring below you. Also very spectacular was the drive north from Grand Canyon to Zion National Park. The Arizona landscape seemed to change character every 30 minutes or so. Desert to pine trees and back to desert again. Lots of incredible rock formations. Driving through Zion in Utah was breathtaking with mountains on all sides.

Tomorrow: Zion to Moab


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In Williams, Arizona

It took us a good 12 hours from Lompoc to Williams. We had plenty of brakes and also took a detour on the AAA recommended scenic byway, right after we entered Arizona. While on this detour the sun happened to set and we were driving up and down windy mountain roads in the dark. This is when you are extra thankful for those new brakes.

We got in to our hotel around 10 pm and went to bed almost straight away. There is a lot cooler here with snow left in heaps. Today we will be going north to Grand Canyon and then on to Zion national park.

Below are some photos and a map showing the next leg of our journey:

Outside Maricopa.

Outside Maricopa

Stop

Fourth Photo

 

The scenic byway on route 66 just before the sun sets.

 

Williams to Zion 

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Road Trip - Heading Out

After a day of packing we are finally just about ready to head out. Tomorrow, Friday, we will be driving from Lompoc, California, to Williams, Arizona. 589 miles or for our metric friends 948 km. It should take us about 10 hours depending on how many breaks we will take.  We are planning on a fairly early start around 8 am. The camera is charged, the mp3 player is crammed with 55 hours of Lord of the Rings, the car has been checked by an actual mechanic, in short: we are as ready as we can be.
Below is a map showing the first leg of our journey.


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A good bye - Some photos from California

These are taken at the La Purisima Mission State Park in Lompoc while walking the beautiful 3 mile loop. 

 

 

Below: Pismo beach in late March 2010.