On the road from Los Angeles to San Francisco through California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah.

Before you begin
With this story we want to share the emotions we felt during the trip by providing some useful ideas for those who are planning something similar. The first advice I give to anyone who decides to leave is, however, only to take cues from the stories published on the Web The risk otherwise is to clear the initiative by building a personal journey that reflects the personality of others, not his own.
The route we have to have been a demanding and 15 days have been some 'even though few, I must say, sufficient to see everything that we had proposed to see. Sure, some places we wanted to visit with more calm.
We covered 3300 miles at approx. 5300 kilometers, driving in two. Most distances are served by roads in perfect conditions and with non-existent traffic (excluding major cities).
The only really exhausting stage was from Pahrump (Death Valley) to Three Rivers (Sequoia National Park): 480 miles through mountain passes, valleys, deserts. It is not possible to use less than 8-9 hours.
We spent an entire ca. 6200 euro according to the 2000 flight and 650 euros for the car hire.
We have almost always stayed in the Best Western with an average expenditure, including taxes, of approximately $ 90 per night. The solution is not the cheapest (you can also spend less than $ 50), but the rooms are a certainty and cleanliness is assured.
We used the Fly & Drive Hotelplan for booking of flights, the car and 4 nights (the first two to Los Angeles and the last two in San Francisco, namely those that we would not have changed for sure).
All other nights we booked by internet. Since August, we preferred to fix them all (except one). With Best Western you can book without paying advances and cancel up to 24 hours without penalty. So if we had decided to change the route, would be sufficient to an Internet or phone. There seemed a wise choice, especially since we have been able to save every day, the time needed to find accommodation can get there even at night without the nightmare of finding the word everywhere No Vacancy. In many places the reservation was then proved useless, because we found the place anyway, in others, as in Kayenta (Monument Valley), Page (Lake Powell), Panguitch (Bryce Canyon) and Moab (Arches) at 6 pm the posts in the motel were virtually all sold out. Not to forget, then, that the Internet fares are always cheaper.
For the rest, food and gasoline cost less than in Italy, especially for us who are in Milan.
So, here's what I (Federico Chierichetti) and my girlfriend (Dany) we lived in the first 15 days of August 2004.

 

Flight Milan - Frankfurt - Los Angeles

The Lufthansa flights were on time, even in Los Angeles come with a little advance to one of the afternoon.
Immigration formalities are quicker. The only unexpected is that once removed, our luggage will be declared suspect. So I have to undergo a thorough search of the trolley and I even open the jar of cream aftershave. Obviously not find anything suspect, and after 20 minutes are free to enter the States. I did not understand why they felt that my luggage was suspicious and I think because in Italy I had packed with the film to prevent the opening or, more likely, because the rule of the subsequent sample was touched to us!
Quickly forgotten the unexpected take the Hertz bus that takes us in an instant to the office for the withdrawal of our car. Natascha, the use of Hertz, is kind and when we say that we would have done the tour of national parks says it has at its disposal a machine superior to B (compact) and we will assign without overcharge. But what kind these Americans! Morale delivers a Subaru Outback 4x4, a sort of station wagon with a raised floor of the gums are also suitable to dirt! Adjustable electric seats, cruise control, huge trunk, even though we have only a mini trolley to head, then a cool gran.
Extricate the streets of Los Angeles is less complicated than expected, even if the roads intersecting at right angles in an infinite network in which the machines are still trapped. But the signs are unexceptionable, and instructions that Natascha has given us enable us to arrive at the hotel in less than an hour, so that a po 'I am sorry because I can not have the experience of wrong route at least once!
We are in the heart of Hollywood, in front of the Chinese Theater, the most famous cinema in the world! We take possession of the room, leave the car at the valet (for 2 nights will pay $ 32 + for parking fees!) And although cooked for the trip's start the tour of Hollywood Boulevard, the Walk of Fame, Chinese Theater, the Kodak Theater Today the permanent seat of the Academy Awards (the Oscars). Take one of those double-decker bus with $ 27 that lets us make just a couple of hours in the most interesting and famous of Hollywood studios including Paramount and the headquarters of CBS. Let's also next to the motel where she was shot the final scene of Pretty Woman, the scale of fire. Andateci not sleep, though. It 'very poorly attended.
From the coaches I have the first confirmation on the lifestyle of Americans, for their car is the first house. Inside the car there is a world made of plastic cups, bags, notepad, magazines, neatly spread on all surfaces.
Dinner at 6.30 pm in a fast food restaurant sad specialty Mongolia (yes, in Hollywood there is) then that means eating a chicken salad and a coke. We are really destroyed and the wind chill that we have taken on the coach has laid out. At 8.30 pm we are in the room and within minutes we fell asleep. We also take melatonin, which frankly I do not know if it serves, but is not evil.

Los Angeles - 95 miglia percorse

At 7.00 am we are already on board of our car. The first step is the legendary Denny's where we want to make an American style breakfast and one that you fill up at night. Dany is the skeptical and even though it states willing to try something really heavy, hoping to find cereal and fruit, poor deluded!
In fact, since we entered the temple of unta and fat that makes breakfast, I eat for $ 10 an All American Slam just less than 1,000 calories (well set) composed of 3 scrambled eggs (scrambled eggs), bacon , sausage, strips of roasted potatoes, pancakes, butter and jam all doused with a "good" american half liter of coffee. Dany us the test too, but takes a smaller version and also manages to get a bowl of fresh fruit consisting of a dozen or dying red grape berries. We leave the tip at the table and pay the bill to the cashier. I'm happy.
At this point we are ready to start shooting. By following the map (essential, given the extension of the city) come to Beverly Hills. We do a long ride in the residential area upstream of Sunset Boulevard, in the midst of the rich Villon, all precise, orderly, clean. Around are seen only Asians and Afro-Americans who cut the grass, crop hedges, paint fences. Turning to enter Bel Air, another famous district where the famous live.
Come to Rodeo Drive where to park the car and we put enough coins in the meter for an hour walk. It is still early, I am 10.00 am and shops are opening. Rodeo Drive is beautiful, more for his fame and the feeling of being on the set of a film, that you need. At the bottom is just a street full of well kept shops in Italy. We do a tour in the toilet of the department store Saks Fifth Avenue, we take a frullatone by Jambo Juice and we leave for our next stop is Santa Monica and Venice Beach.
The day was cool and sunny. The Pacific Ocean appears suddenly and with him the immense golden beach home of Baywatcher. The Dany you look around, but you will not see: "where are these Belloni?". The Guardiole with the red life jacket in the shape we are supposed to, and the yellow car, but no figaccioni, or rather, they are normal kids, bored and sealed inside their houses and gray. Then the figaccione so I do: I hide my shirt and I put in laying beside the supposed red. And I do immortalize.
We are a long walk on the shoreline to the jetty where the ferris wheel, the ottovolante of recent years, video games and so many people. Let's go back to the car along the strip of asphalt that runs like a carpet on the sand of Santa Monica and on which passes runners, skateboarders, bikers and rollerboarders. We are in America!
We continue towards Venice Beach home of the beat generation of long ago. Even today meet curious characters, tattooed, full of pircing, gym and hair. The atmosphere is cheerful and struscio is between the beach, an array of shops selling everything really and the famous outdoor gyms. I must say that it is pleasant to watch, look at the people who love to expose.
It is now afternoon when we come to Universal Studios. The aim is not to visit them (I was already a few years ago in addition to visiting with Dany including Orlando), but equally we want to turn around in the park to buy some gadget. First of all the magliettina tends Rock Cafe. The Dany is satisfied for the purchase, I bought a T-Shirt of the Billabong (made in Australia!).
Council, however, a visit to Universal Studios, this time we have missed, because in a half day at least, can see the real set of many films and TV series we all loved (ticket: $ 50 each). And then are the originals. All other Universal Studios on American soil (Orlando) and Europe (Disneyland Paris) are reconstructions.
We go out with fatigue by taking a completely blocked Freeway (it's rush hour). We have put in to get head The under the famous Hollywood Sign in writing that the city can be seen only in the distance.
After a stop in a market Seven Eleven to stock water and basic provisions for the start of our journey on the road tomorrow, we start looking for a road that is close to the legendary name. It is found!
Everyone says that approach is difficult because there is no access road open to the public, but there is a way and allows you to see a neighborhood clinging on the hills above Hollywood, which has the flavor of Europe (I recalled Lisbon). Just take Hollywood blv in an easterly direction. Some block after the Chinese Theater, turn left into Argyle blv after the bridge and the Freeway, the road starts to climb. There are a lot of incorci, but following the instincts will come right under the word even if a genuine access does not exist. Excellent photos at sunset.
Dinner Pollo Loco in a little recommended by the parties refer to 9:30 pm and we go to bed.

Da Los Angeles a Las Vegas – 277 miglia percorse

Bissa breakfast at Denny's (now we are home) and at 9.00 am we are ready to tackle the 270 miles that separate us from Las Vegas.
I start to drive, so now we find the road between Freeway and the other leads us on Interstate 15 North, towards Las Vegas.
The first half of the trip does not offer landscaping ideas worthy of note, but the happiness we feel to be really on the road is more than enough to keep the mood through the roof.
We stop after 130 miles to Barstow for a quick pee and buy a bag of ice, the ice to keep drinks fresh. The Dany take the controls for the remainder of the trip: For the first time at the wheel of our Subaru must admit that if the quarry, even if it has the tendency (which does not leave for the holiday) to be a little 'too middle of the street, as if the strip of the lane which was the median size in the two machine. The cruise is set at 75 mph. Proceed quiet, no traffic signals while the thermometer more than 40 ° C.
1 .00 pm to reach past our hotel, the Excalibur and for those arriving from the south is one of the first Hotel of the Strip, the main street of Las Vegas. The style is fabulous castle of King Arthur. It is huge and with its nearly 4000 rooms was one of the greatest 10 years ago when it was built. Today I think is one of the smaller ...
Enter after leaving the car in the parking lot. Who knows if we can remember where it is ... the parking lot contains not less than 3000 cars.
We try very hard on the check-in (can not get there unless you follow the signs that let you navigate through the hundreds of slot machines) and we take our room. For $ 66 we have something like 40 square feet of room in the medieval style with a huge bathroom and equipped with every comfort! Really not bad.
In short, we are ready to explore Las Vegas. For casinos, we have a budget of $ 30 that we'll play around with Slot Machines of each hotel.
Visit the Luxor (the pyramid-shaped), the Bellagio (the one that reminds Lake Como), the Venetian (the one in the shape of Venice), the New York New York, which I leave you to imagine something like the Caesar ' s Palace, Circus Circus, The Mirage, the Manadalay Bay, the MGM Grand and the Tresure Island. Each visit means taking a hit of hot absurd when you exit a blow and polar ice when you enter. Luckily that Dany has forced me to bring a sweater! As expected the most beautiful hotel is the outside, while inside the casino, the buffet, the attractions are more or less all the same.
This city is really a delusion, there are 120 thousand rooms, hundreds of thousands of slot machines, games, movies, entertainment of all kinds. In 10 years (I was here in the past of'94) has been transformed, magnified, immostruosita! But it is really fun and even some 'disturbing to see the amount of Americans who spend hours in front of the slot, in the vain hope of winning. I believe that they too will be aware, but continue to play for not thinking to their problems. Las Vegas that is absolutely a visit even if one night is more than enough unless you are fanatics of gambling, the Imax cinema or ottovolanti. I think it is the most American of American cities.
We refer back to the Strip after sunset to enjoy the orgy of lights that illuminates the sky to day. Witnessing the spectacle of the dancing fountains in front of the Bellagio at the rate of "Con Te Partiro" by Tom Jones (nice and short) and late evening return all'Excalibur where dinner in 10 minutes from Mc Donald's, we lose a few more U.S. dollars to Slot ee to 10.30 pm, destruction fall into the arms of Morfeo.

From Las Vegas to Tusayan (Grand Canyon); 322 miles done

The Dany alarm me as usual at dawn (6.30 am). We do breakfast at Round Table Buffet dell'Excalibur, an all you can eat that with $ 10 a head we can eat an impressive amount of food. Before starting to search our car throw away U.S. dollars to another slot and win ... in a coup "well" $ 5. Which obviously riperdiamo now.
We load the car (we found!) With our few things and we head toward the Interstate 93 towards Grand Canyon. Let us now pause and this gas is extremely profitable, in fact we notice that the car of two old, there is a very useful polystyrene container that contains ice and drinks always fresh. We inform you and discover that Dany is on sale in the mini-gas station at $ 3. Buy it instantly. We will become the indispensable companion for the rest of the trip, the source of soft drinks and basic provisions (fruit and snacks for the most part) always fresh. We improve every day!
Few tens of miles after passing through Las Vegas to Hoover Dam, which besides being an extraordinary work of engineering (water and electricity supplies to millions of Americans) also marks the border between Nevada el'Arizona. The day is beautiful, not hot, it soon and then I decide without being willing to hear me say "no" that the visit to the dam should be done (imagine the happiness of Dany). With $ 10 a head we see a brief slide presentation on the history of the dam and a quick guided tour of the base where there are generators powered by the waters of Lake Mead, which then is nothing but the artificial lake upstream of the dam formed by the water Colorado River. The visit I liked very much, but the council only to those who are curious / passionate about these things. On the other hand, must at least walk on the edge of the dam.
We move towards our goal, but to Kingman we decide to deviate from the Interstate to travel along a stretch of Route 66, Seligman s up, where return on I93 to Williams.
Apart from the satisfaction of having come a little bit of myth in total solitude, Route 66 does not offer big ideas. Some village here and there when we celebrate the myth of a road that now has been supplanted by Freeway and Interstate.
Williams, however, which is 50 miles from the Grand Canyon is worth a brief stop to visit the shops on either side of the seat main street that has maintained a 'taste of the old West.
We arrive at Tusayan, on the outskirts of Grand Canyon National Park, at 4.00 pm under a sky threatening and actually scourged by lightning. We leave our suitcases Rodaway Inn Red Feather and 5.30 pm in the park after we had purchased the National Park Pass $ 50 that will allow us to visit all the national parks that meet.
We dedicate the afternoon to the West Rim. In summer the road that runs along the west edge of the Canyon is viable only with free shuttles that run continuously and 7 stops linking the West Rim Interchange with Hermit Rest (point further west). We decide to take some steps with the other shuttle walk along the footpath that runs between the road and the edge of the Canyon. Needless to describe the view: immense, infinite. The storm has cleared the air and the clouds are moving the remaining rays of the sun lighting up the Canyon to spot leopard. We see the sunset while walking between Hopi Point and Mohave Point. In reality it would be better to do the opposite, a Hopi from Mohave, because then we would have had the sun directly in front, but basically just stop and turn his head. Breathtaking.
Tiredness and patrons queue too long, preventing us from dinner to Yuppy-Hee Hoo, the Steak House more "in" of Tusayan and then folded, aihmè, (I want a T-Bone!) On a faster Wendy's. I am 11.00 pm. Tomorrow we expect the East Rim. Good night!

From Tusayan to Page (Lake Powell) - 196 miles done

We wake up (or rather me Dany alarm) at 6.30 am. The complimentary breakfast the motel is disappointing, even a non-existent: hot drinks, yogurt and pastries. Definitely not enough for what we expect, then complete with a deluxe breakfast in McDonald's face. Eggs, bacon, toast and marmalade. So you think!
We return to Grand Canyon National Park and take the street along the East Rim. We find a small parking area just to the most unknown outside Yaki Point, one of the first Points East Rim View. In summer the individual access to the East Rim View Point is closed to private traffic, and or leave the car in small parking areas along the East Rim Drive and then a walk or take the free shuttle that Visitors Center along the entire East Rim with stops in all the view points. We opt for the first alternative. Thus, we arrive on foot at the beginning of the South Kaibab Trail that leads from Yaki Point in the Canyon. We chose this trail among the many that allows approx. one and a half (according to the guide, but we would have spent less time) to go down in Canyon for approx. 300 meters to Cedar Ridge, where the landscape is breathtaking. If you wish, then, you can go down to Colorado, but it is not recommended during the day for the distance, both for the heat.
The morning was beautiful and at the moment is not really that hot (almost 2000 meters of altitude help). The trail is steep and sometimes uneven, but definitely feasible and efforts are rewarded by the feeling that you feel. Going into Canyon we realize the immense place. Remaining on the board can not fully perceive its real dimensions. I envy those who have time to spend a night camping in the Canyon to reach the Colorado and trace the North Rim.
Reach the end (at Cedar Ridge) half an hour we stop to contemplate the landscape. There's so many people, but we seek a secluded place to enjoy the silence and the immense landscape. Now we have to go back. The guide says that we must go back to at least double the time it takes to get off. Will be that we are trained (swimming and race all year) is not hot, but we are in less than 50 minutes we are already on that we put the same time it takes to get off. Given the speed we could continue the descent from Cedar Ridge to Skeleton Point (an intermediate step before the last stretch towards the Colorado), patience. Throughout, however, from Yaki Point to Cedar Ridge and back, we have approx. 3.5 miles in 2 hours.
Brief stop in the parking lot for refreshment and then on, to the other View Points. We stop at all and come up to Desert View, the last stop before leaving the park.
It is here that begins to flood with mad thunder and lightning (the time change with an impressive speed in these parts). At a certain point and starts to hail. Abandoning the Grand Canyon under the direction of the flood in Page, Lake Powell and this tempaccio not abandon us for the rest of the day.
Along the way the landscape is a continuous succession of gorges and canyons. We would like to stop at any moment but we have to get there.
Once in Page in the late afternoon we take our place in the Best Western Arizona Inn. The room is spacious, clean and with view over the lake ... or better on the Glenn Canyon Dam and Lake of a nail, because the water level is the lowest in recent years because of drought and then the lake has sunk to a fifty meters in the Glenn Canyon, hiding our view! With the rain today is not just say that here there are problems of drought.
Since time does not help, we are a long car ride: dam of Glenn, Whawheap Marina (National Park Pass required), Antelope Point, where we go back tomorrow to visit the Antelope's Canyon that is closed when it rains and the beaches of Lake Powell tomorrow where I hope just to make myself a nice bath. The scene must be truly surreal, "the water has invaded the Glenn Canyon for hundreds of miles, but is perfectly in keeping with the red rocks ..." but this is what is written on our faithful guide Routard, because we do not currently you see nothing because of the universal deluge in progress! Tomorrow is beautiful, though!
Dinner at the Glenn Canyon Steak House on Lake Powell Blv. Finally, I eat a T-Bone and I drink cold Budweiser 2: excellent! Dany take the tenderloin and a couple of kilograms of lettuce, and is happy. I spent $ 52 are quite acceptable. The post then its West. Night!

From Page to Kayenta (Monument Valley); 204 miles done

That sun, finally!
We do breakfast at 7:30 am and we are already on the road. Remake, this time under the sun, made the rounds yesterday in the rain and the shores of Lake Powell would be perfectly suited to dark blue that has invaded more than 40 years. The overall effect is very surreal. The vantage points along the road to Wahweap Marina are many.
We arrive at the Canyon's dell'Antelope around 10.00 am, in time to get better at between 11.00 am and 2.00 pm, because the sun enters the narrow canyon illuminate an amber color red as ever. The tour, organized and carissima only ($ 21 each), ca.1 lasts an hour and a half. We arrive at the entrance to the canyon with guided Jeepponi on the red dirt from the native Navajo. The visit is worthwhile to be done, shame that there is a little 'too many people, given the narrowness of the place, even if our tour in comparison to the next is almost midday desert!
The road that leads from Page to Kayenta (I160), hall of Monument Valley, is truly wonderful, for every mile the colors changing and the landscape changed from flat to rugged all the time. The rumblings of the Monument are numerous: monoliths that stand out in blue surrounded by expanses of "bush" green and yellow as the eye can see.
A brief stop at our Best Western Kayenta Weather Hill of (good) and path to the entrance of the Monument along the 25 miles of Scenic Route 163. The Visitor's Center offers already a breathtaking view on the three most famous monoliths the "Mitten", those who remember the gloves from the box. We pay $ 10 for entry into the earth because we are Navajo (which are nothing compared to what is spent all'Antelope's Canyon) and we leave our car for 17 miles of dirt road that winds through the most scenic valley.
The time is the best, it is now almost 5.00 pm and the sun gives the landscape a warm red. Say that the late afternoon sun is essential to see these places. All around us the view is unforgettable and we are impressed in the mind some of the most beautiful images of this trip. People running in auto disperses then there is not really the crowd that I feared to find and often fail to listen to the silence ...!
We finish the tour just minutes before sunset. He enjoy from the terrace of the Visitors Center, which, I repeat, has an exceptional view. Many guides suggest the John Ford Point as the best point from which to watch the sunset, but at that time is totally in the shade and we prefer starcene in the sun.
Tip: the dirt road is in good condition and traveled with the camper. Guided tours aboard Jeep Navajo, as well as being more costly, have the disadvantage of being crowded (10 people per jeep) and the stops are pre-defined in duration, only the time to do a photo and on. If you can avoid, also eat a lot of dust.
All'Amigo late dinner at Cafe of Kayenta recommended by our Routard offering cuisine Mexican / Navajo. Clean, economical ($ 14), managed by women (we see the efficiency) and fast. Is unfortunate that some 'late (9.00 pm) and are among the last patrons of the venue. Kayenta evening falls asleep really early. To try the Hamburger served in homemade bread, a sort of huge Tuscan panzanella. Good night!

From Kayenta to Moab (Arches e Canyonlands); 341 miles done

The day begins with a fantastic sun! Starting at 8:00 on I163 North toward Moab. Ripasso near the Monument. Even with the sun in the morning ... che bello!
At some point the mirror I realize that we have just traveled the stretch of I163, whose landscape is my PC Wallpaper home for years! Yes, the famous stretch of road that seems right up to the putting in Monument Valley and then turn sharply to the right. Nail, so there 'no one, and we stop to take the photograph that I dreamed! Become my wallpaper. This time, pero 'la foto l'ho fatta io! The best time to photograph this stretch and 'the morning because the sun illuminates the monoliths.
We arrive in a flash a Mexican Hat a tiny village famous for overlooking the San Juan River and within walking distance because there is the famous rock in the shape of a Mexican hat in precarious balance of the same name. At some point, a few miles after the Mexican rock, we find the indication for the Valley of Gods. The guides do not speak but I had read something on the Internet, and then decide to turn and try to go by car.
Decision strongly advice! The detour takes approx. 1 hour (17 miles on a dirt road in good condition). We meet just a couple of cars throughout the journey. The scene is legendary: it is a valley full of dense "bush" low green, surrounded by high Mesas that you saw in the distance from the Monument Visitors Center. There's something mystical, that's why they call the valley of the gods!
The icing on the cake is that the tour ends on 261. Grabbing in the east, in the stretch leading to the I95 will "scale" in the true sense of the word Mesa which frames Valley. The road, paved only at the bends, is in good condition so that we meet a camper (although it is not recommended). At the top the view is spectacular.
By devizione in the Valley of the Gods, we bypassed the town of Bluff, defined by the very nice guide, but not for nothing that we feel guilty not to be passed. What we saw was fantastic.
Come to Moab around 2.00 pm. Pause for a few seconds to our Best Western Greenwell Inn and then left for Canyonlands, where to stay until sunset.
Canyonlands is a vast park, divided into three sections farthest one another and not linked. One of them is accessible only by jeep. There remains to choose between The Needles and Island in the Sky. We opt for the second which is only 40 miles from Moab. A dozen miles north of Moab off to the park for a very scenic road. First we stop at Dead Horse Point is a state park near Canyonlands (admission $ 7) famous not only for paseaggio, partly because it was the set of the final scene of "Thelma & Louise" as the car falls on deaf ears .
In both parks you can run comfortably in the car, stopping at points along the most charming and a variety of trail for a few or many miles.
We do 2 short but impressive.
The first is the Walheap Dome (1 miles extendable up to 3) that leads to a lookout with views of a crater covered with salt or volcanic "meterorica" (still have not understood). The second is the Mesa Arch Trail (1 mile) that leads to a natural arch on the mesa overlooking a spectacular view of the canyon below.
I must say that what one can see in Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point has nothing to envy to the Grand Canyon, but the variety of landscapes, the horizon as far as the eye and the colors more intense, I have a stronger effect ( personal opinion, though). In the evening we return to Moab and we are sure to blow the Moab Brewery where a Steak House are also beer (try the Dead Horse). I eat a NY Steak and Dany insists with his sad chiken's Caesar Salad. Dinner outdoors and the warm dry climate is ideal (vade retro air conditioning!). the view is not that great because the terrace overlooking the main road. I must say that Moab is a town very happy and full of young Americans who like to spend the holidays here, including a rafting down the Colorado, Mountain Bike tours and evenings of fun.
We look at all: we are dirty (red sand), burned (sun to peak at 2000 meters of altitude) and
hungry.
It is decided: tomorrow morning, we rent mountain bikes and we will do an easy trail around the border of Arches National Park. It is almost 11.00 pm. Night!

Moab; 96 miles done

After a hearty breakfast from Denny's going to hire two bikes. It is not a problem to choose where. It is full of shops and, as we have told the Visitors Center, the prices are the same everywhere. The price changes according to the model.
We stop by Slicky Rocks Bikes where we take $ 75 for two very good bike with dual shock and disc brakes (you have the bike with disc brakes). There the mountain Bike Racks ie door bike and after a short test of the testing we do recommend a course of average difficulty. We opt for the Klondike Bluffs Trail is located 16 miles north of Moab just after the junction for Canyonlands.
It is along approx. 16 miles / re the goal is the northern border of Arches National Park from which, they assure us, there is a magnificent view over the park.
At 9:00 am ... we are ready to ride! We carry 3 liters of water we consume to head to the last drop. The trail is half easy, gentle slope towards the border with the Park. Then begins the difficult part about Slicky Rocks, ie on real rock expanses of white. The climb is arduous and Dany freezes every time on the ground there is a little 'sand (with gridolini that well blend with the verses of the local fauna). The sides of the trail is full of dinosaur footprints dating back more than 65 million years ago. The fatigue is felt and the heat comes in short at 38 ° C. But we are equipped and filled with water, then go ahead without hesitation.
In two hours we reach the goal. The network, which marks the border with Arches. has a small step for people who come up here and walk 10 minutes come to see the valley beyond which the Arches is all her beauty! We are just two of us! What silence! That hot! That scene!
We stop a lot 'to enjoy this peace (and recover) and then begin the descent. Legendary, fun. We employ approx. 1 hour and a half. We come to self devastated, thirsty and sweaty but excited for doing something really fun and out from the usual routes strabattuti tourists.
Return the bikes, we take a bath decongesting the pool of our Best Western, we eat a pizza from Pizza Hut at 4.00 pm and we enter this time in the car, to Arches National Park. Map in hand, run along the road of the park and we stop, as well as in the most scenic (beautiful that the sight of Park Avenue!), At the start of the most famous trail. Let four:
• The Devil's Garden Trail, which takes an hour to / King leads in the vicinity of all the most beautiful natural arches, first of all Landscape Arch, the symbol of the park as well as the longest arch in the world, but the Tunnel Arch and many others;
• the Balanced Rock trail, very short, around the homonymous famous rock balanced precariously and Double Arch Trail, which comes early in an impressive double arch. For the record both sites have seen the first 10 minutes of the film Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade;
• The Delicate Arch Upper View Point Trail we do at sunset. There is nothing to be done, the late afternoon sun gives the landscape so that not a mystic.
Do not take to the trail that reaches just below the Delicate Arch (3 miles) because we are too tired.
Unfortunately, we visited the park in less than 4 hours (a little 'too fast) and we are sorry not get under the Delicate Arch (which is the most beautiful in the park), but we are happy to have spent the morning at in giro Mountain Bike because the satisfaction and reward for the effort was one of the most beautiful moments of our trip.
The fact is that after a quick shopping market and a copious dinner Moab Brewery's (too cute!), We return to motel at 10:30 pm and collapsed under the weight of 16 miles by bike and 4 miles by foot. Night!

From Moab to Panguitch (Bryce Canyon e Zion) ; 349 miles done

Today is San Lorenzo (the tournament).
We do breakfast Moab's Jail House Cafe, a place found by Dany serving breakfast outside. Excellent quality, American style. After the full (food and gasoline), starting at a time of Panguitch our base for visiting Bryce Canyon.
I calculated a little over 150 miles, but I obviously wrong dramatically since we are 250 miles (and we have no way wrong!). We, the I70, along which more than 100 miles there is no human settlement (at the sign is clear: No Gas, Food or Lodging for next 106 miles). In exchange, the panorama is spectacular. Slowly from the desert landscape becomes mountainous with forests of pine trees all around. Emerge from I70 West and take 89 South for a sixty-mile up to Panguitch.
Take the room to the usual Best Western (New Western Motel) and to 2.00 pm we are at the entrance of Bryce Canyon. The road that runs through the park is 18 miles long (one way). We stop in the most significant and we walk the many trails, the most beautiful of which is the Navajo Trail from Sunset Point dell'Amphitheatre penetrates deep into the most spectacular of the park, where the Hoodoos, pinnacles red dust with powdered sugar veil, dominate the landscape. E 'un trail pretty hard, also traveled on horseback. At sunset, after the whole visit, dirty sand to red marrow, we return to Sunset Point: What color is also a little time away has designed un'arcobaleno huge! And then the altitude (2500 m) makes the climate very pleasant. Overall, the day was less tiring than expected, although the scenery was once again unforgettable.
In the evening we return to Panguitch, which incidentally is a very quiet town, out of chaos tour of Ruby's Inn, which is just before the park. Dinner at the Cowboy's Smoked House on Main Street.
Excellent my steak cooked on a stove fueled by wood Mesquites. The Dany insists with his Chicken Caesar's salad ...

From Panguitch to Las Vegas; 263 miles done

Today we will take it calmly, the Dany me to stay in bed until 7.30.
We decide that before you leave to the time of the Zion National Park is the case of stopping for a walk in the Red Canyon, just before Bryce. We were there yesterday passed without stopping, but we had hit the red color of the pinnacles. We do a walk of 45 minutes (they even managed to lose) in total solitude, view the time. E 'il Pink Cliffs Trail.
The stage to reach the Zion is short, 60 miles. The altitude along the road and the temperature decreases with increasing humidity. The road that leads from the park to the Visitors Center is an incredible winding, narrow, surrounded by towering red mountains, in places a one-way alternate. More, it is painted red, not to conflict with the surrounding landscape. There are 37 ° C.
Given the high number of tourists from April to October, the Park, which is a deep furrowed by Canyon Virgin River, can be visited only by using the Free Shuttle that travels across its length, until the Temple of Sinawava. So we with the shuttle around the Canyon because we decided to drive along the River Side Walk beginning at the end of the road and winds where the Canyon is so narrow that at some point you will probably be necessary to walk into the river (if you want forwarded in creek council to take your shoes "Germans" that dry quickly that we were lacking).
We return to some places on foot, to enjoy the landscape, and others in the shuttle. There is a stifling hot and humid! We would also venture on the path that leads to the Lower and Upper Emerald Pools, but a storm is approaching and it is not advisable to stand under the trees. Let us then a stop at the Canyon Lodge.
The Zion is a beautiful park even though I must say, quite chaotic in August and after all not so different from many landscapes that we can find in Europe, the Dolomites, for example.
It is afternoon and this evening we have not booked any hotel. The idea is to draw as closely as possible to Las Vegas to break the long journey that separates us from Death Valley. We try to stop in St. George, 120 miles north of Las Vegas, but we realize that this is a great city, chaotic and not at all capable of curious, and although it is somewhat 'delay in deciding to make an effort and up in Las Vegas. At the bottom is a fun city and the idea of maybe spend another night in a super economic super room in a super hotel we like. In fact ... we find in one place at the Luxor, the pyramid-shaped. With $ 89 + tax will give a mega room at 19th floor, at 19,308. We rest a while ', also enjoy the room, and then we jump into the Pharao's Buffet, an all you can eat that with a $ 16 head fills us all'inverosimile! Outside there are over 40 ° C and are now past 8.00 pm.
We realize that it has closed the circle. We were left Las Vegas a week ago at the time of the Grand Canyon and we are new here, a little 'sad, after seeing posts unforgettable! Nothing but sadness, we still have a lot of things to see!

From Las Vegas to Pahrump (Death Valley); 323 miles done

This morning we decide to do things very calm. The check-out at the Luxor should be made by 11.00 am (among other things if you pay by credit card can be done directly from the room through the TV and avoid the queues of quarters) and up to the last we're in the pool (or better in pools) to sunbathe and swim. After 8.00 am, there are over 35 ° C., but standing in water just does not feel.
We start at a time of Pahrump, our base of support for the visit to Death Valley, we visit that between this afternoon and tomorrow morning, to make the hours less hot. The path along the I95 North expects to coast up to the famous Indian Springs Base 51 the immense area in which the military says are kept alien ships (those who are fans of X-Files knows what I speak). Nothing special, as even if the base adjoins the Freeway, the soldiers are careful not to leave things in sight suspicious.
Turn on 160 West and in the space of an hour we arrived at our destination. We take our place in the Best Western Pahrump Station (brand new, nice and clean, even if plugged into a sad little town) and now we start at a time of Death Valley. It takes a 40ina of miles to get to the park, where we stop for photos at the sign that defines the entrance.
We leave tomorrow at the crossing for Dante's View and arrived at Zabriskie Point directly. Begins to warm, hot 110 ° F ie 42 ° C, and we are still almost 1000 meters of altitude. The landscape is lunar and in the distance, over there at the bottom, s'intravede depression brine to -86 meters above sea level. The next stop is at the Visitors Center in Furnace Creek, where with our National Park Pass give us the map of the park. Having to travel a very long (so far we did Pahrump-Shoshone-Zabriskie Point-Furnace Creek and we still lack Furnace Creek Water-Bad-Shoshone-Pahrunp) do not lose time and after the visit to the museum's start on a long stretch of road 57 miles where the total is no more master. The thermometer reaches our personal best: 122 ° F or 50 ° C round. Our car holds perfectly and we can enjoy this fascinating fact nothing expanses of salt surrounded by arid mountains and colors of iron and manganese. We do Artists Palette loop that climbs the mountains and leads to a mezz'oretta plenty of deviation, we come to the Devil's Golf Corse to see up close and salt formations shaped by wind and Bad Water to reach the pond of salt water to -- 86 meters above sea level. Every time I go out of a wind at 50 ° C, we invest in making full sweat instantly so impressive. I must say, though, which is a fantastic experience these extreme temperatures (here the record was 57 ° C in the past)! The day is cloudy and the sun shines through that helps to give the place a hellish aspect. The sunset is nothing short of surreal. From Bad Water (for the last stop) a lack Shoshone ca. 45 miles to walk at dusk in total solitude. Around us only stretches of road salt and, sometimes bumpy and winding (albeit flat). Within us a subtle s'insinua anxiety due to the fact that the total darkness and the absence of other humans (not even a car crossed) is doubtful to be able to get somewhere. It seems there is no final destination. Instead, well beyond the 9.00 pm here in the distance the lights before Shoshone and then to Pahrump with the reassuring signs of McDonald's (for dinner) and Best Western (for rest). We are saved and tomorrow is a replica of the trail. Arrived at Furnace Creek, however, continue north-west to Three Rivers.

Da Pahrump a Three Rivers (Sequoia N.P.) – 480 miglia percorse

The stage today is the longest of the trip. We need to get to Sequoia National Park. We ca. 400 miles plus 26 of the deviation to Dante's View, the peak of 1700 meters with a fascinating view across the Valley of Death. Ago "cool" because it is early and we are in the mountains.
Continue after the I190 Furnace Creek in a westerly direction until Olancha first and then proceed south on 395, then west on to 178 and then north to the 65th A distance through the air would not exceed the 80 miles on the ground is reflected in the circumnavigation of the Sierra Nevada. The journey is tough because the features of Freeway are few and steps to be overcome are many. But it is a truly fascinating journey in 8 hours of travel pass from the desert of salt heated to -86 meters to the deserts of sand dunes, to be closer to Mount Whitney, the highest peak of America (4400 m) with dense forests of pines. Temperatures that cross pass from 40 ° C to Death Valley at 9:00 am 25 ° C, Towne Pass and then back to 35 ° C in the desert of California.
We arrive at the Best Western Holiday Lodge Three Rivers (a few miles south of the entry of Sequoia National Park) in the afternoon.
We are destroyed, but now wish to visit the Giant Forest dwelling of the living The world's largest: the General Sherman giant sequoia, 2700 years of life, 84 meters in height, 31 circumference at the base and an impressive speed of growth (say guides).
The road that leads from the park to Forest, the Generals Highway, is 25 miles long, but it takes approx. 1 hours to reach the front of the General Assembly because it is very narrow and winding. The goal is located at 1600 meters altitude.
The landscape is magnificent: the Giant Forest is populated mainly by sequoias millenarians. We feel so small ... a feeling that I was ever trying.
It is a little 'late, are almost 7.00 pm and the sun no longer illuminates the enormous mass of the General Assembly except the branches with leaves that are not less than 50 meters in height, but we have the advantage of being almost alone . I will stop touching the trunk of a sequoia, not so much smaller (He is unapproachable) and I am almost feeling, is alive, the trunk is wet transpires! It is truly an enchanted place and, without wanting to be trite, it seems that one of the many holes in the trunks of redwood should go out from time to time a dwarf or an elf! Walks to be done are many and all so beautiful, let us just a little bit, because decorating is almost evening.
Late dinner at River's View Restaurant on the way back. There systemic outdoors, on the edge of the river, a group of young Americans playing music. A magnificent starry us that it is time to go to sleep.

From Three Rivers to San Francisco; 266 miles done

Today we expect the final stage on the road, 260 miles to San Francisco. We start from a regenerated bath in the pool dell'Holiday Lodge. The beach break allows us to realize that for our error or the Agency of Milan will have to deliver the car on the day of departure at noon and not at 6.00pm as planned. I try to call Hertz to request the change of place of delivery from Downtown San Francisco to avoid having to get 9 hours in the airport before takeoff.
The English speaking and I understand that, but with the Hertz call center was impossible to extricate. The service is automatic, you need to press 1 if you are a stranger, 2 if you want to know this, 3 if you want to ask that, then I can not speak with the right provider. So we decide to move to San Francisco in person, everything will certainly be easier.
We the I99 West to Visalia, then finally the 152 west 5 and 580 North. The landscape becomes interesting to 70 miles Approx. from Frisco, where the endless hills burnt by the sun has a yellow gold.
Meanwhile, the outside temperature begins to fall relentlessly: to 2.00 pm, when we come to Oakland, on the outskirts of Frisco, there are 68 ° F, ie ca. 20 ° C. the cold wind of the Bay, is beginning to be felt.
We come to the Frisco Bay Bridge, the bridge that connects it to Oakland. It is a long bridge opened in'36, a year before the Golden Gate, but the fame of his rival makes it a little interesting for tourists. The temperature is below 20 ° C and the famous fog makes everything gray. Relatively quickly find our Best Western Tuscan Inn. At Fisherman's Wharf, the district overlooking the Bay and near North Beach. It is known to be the most animated of Frisco, with the Piers (the most famous are the 41 from where we board for trips in the Bay, Alcatraz among all, and 39 a sort of huge shopping center made of tens of shops, restaurants, fast food). The location is excellent, we are one step away from the Cable Cars terminus of the tram / funicular leading to Union Square, the main square of the city.
First we decide to do a long walk on Mason Street, up to Hertz, passing through the center, testing our legs on the incredible ups and downs that make Frisco unique and visiting the museum of the Cable Cars which is also the place from where all the cables that drag up and down the city trains.
Hertz in the 30 seconds we understand that there is no problem, nor any overcharge, to change the place of delivery. Perfect!
Meanwhile it was done tonight and come back (on foot) to Fisherman's Wharf, where dinner at the Crab House restaurant on Pier 39. Pappa me a whole crab cooked their way in an excellent sauce made of garlic. Do not eat the crab at Frisco is a little 'how not to eat pizza in Naples!
Walking at night among the unnecessary (but much appreciated by women) of souvenir shops and a nanna!

San Francisco; 51 miles done

At 8.00 am we are already in the car, we stop by Starbucks for a European breakfast, just to start riabituarci to taste the classic cap and Brioches we await our return to Italy.
We dedicate the whole morning to visit the most interesting of the city:
• Lombard Street, which we alone in the car, given the time and since it's Sunday
• Chinatown
• North Beach, the neighborhood Italian
• Telegraph Hill with Coit Tower
• Twin Peaks with its view of the city
• Golden Gate Park, where we do a walk of an hour among the residents who spend their Sunday outdoors between races, a course in Yoga and a Barbecue.
Visit, still in the car, the old Presidio military today National Recreation Area which, in fact, garrisoned the Golden Gate, the narrow stretch of sea that allows the entrance to the Bay that is now dominated by the Golden Gate Bridge.
We arrive in front of the bridge when the sun begins to tick from the fog, which soon dissolves completely. Do not say that there is a decidedly photogenic Bridge, will be for the location, the entrance of a bay carved by winds and strong cold, it will be because it is red, but it is a really good show, so that we walk up at the center of the bay (admission free walk). Under the Bridge, on the Frisco to Fort Point is the outpost for the defense of the bay, saved from demolition thanks to the will of the designers.
In the early afternoon, passing through this time by car to the Golden Gate, we come to Sausalito, the marine village that lies just over the bridge. Lunch in the sun and we do a walk. The village is nice, and is an exclusive holiday resort, but not worth a stop too long.
Riattraversiamo Bridge, paying a toll of $ 5 and we realize that at this point our faithful and beloved Subaru Outback is not really there anymore. The further away we visited and to turn in a city are better ways or feet, Frisco also suffers from a chronic lack of parking spaces (dear) that increase its resemblance to the old Europe.
Then, after 3281 miles (5250 km.), After thousands of miles of asphalt and dozens of miles of dirt roads, the riconsegnamo to Hertz. It is as if we had a dog abandoned on the roadside. We feel disorientation without our kennel where we spent many hours of traveling, laughing, singing, eating, planning your route, admiring the infinite landscapes, writing this story and also some risk of stroke along the endless sleep straight through the mythical West! Oregon 505BBF this is his plate.
We console with a trip by ferry across the bay (jump Alcatraz already visited a dozen or so years ago) to take advantage of the beautiful and warm day, to admire the skyline and, once again, the Golden Gate.
eniamo for the first time since we in the States, all'Hard Rock Cafe, in the end is a room that is part of the history of America in Rock.
Here in Frisco it feels a little 'a home in our old Europe. Who has traveled and visited the European capitals, strolling along its streets seem to be any time in London from time to time in Paris, from time to time in Lisbon. Then just go into shops, in fast food restaurants to realize that even here the American style, though more discreet, reigns supreme.

From San Francisco to Milano via Munich

Still missing half a day before they have plenty of leave for the airport. Take off at 9.00 pm, but we go to the airport around 6.00 pm scrupulous operation in view of the check-in due to any yellow to orange in the level of terrorist risk.
Take good now the Cable Car, the line from Fisherman's Wharf to Powell Station leads through Union Square. Let's book in Lori Dine, a local 50 years with armchairs covered in red skay. We dedicate the whole morning shopping. Visit Macy's, Levi's Store, Nike Town, Timbelrand, etc. ... I buy a pair of jeans that according to the son Dany too cool and still cost less than half compared with Italy (35 against 80) .
We stop to take the sun (even today the fog was on vacation) on steps of Union Square at the time its employees from leaving the city office for lunch. We enjoy their eating habits, rigorously practiced outdoors: reign the "big salads" (women) and sandwiches (men) in addition of course to half a liter of coffee.
Going back to Fisherman's Wharf while walking through Chinatown Chinatown Gate by entering a short distance from Union Square. Here lives the largest Chinese community in the United States.
We are quite a few 'melancholy, as is normal after a journey of over 5000 kilometers through some of the most beautiful places on Earth. Paint on a map with the pen, sitting in the sun on the bay, the route that we have come in 15 days and we are really proud of. The images of this trip does not leave us ever.