BLUES HIT AMERICA
This is a recap of all I can remember on our latest and most ambitious trip to spread the gospel according to BAAC to hitherto unknowing regions of the world.
As we had an early start from Heathrow, it was decided the best idea would be to travel the afternoon before and have a quiet relaxing evening, good night's sleep and depart on the 11 hour flight refreshed. We therefore left base at varying times in the afternoon and contacted one nother on arrival at the Heathrow Park Hotel. First mistake - "let's have a drink" suggested omeone, so off to the bar overlooking the runway and starting Mr Hockin off on what was to ecome a regular occurrence - waking up with a hangover, even at the prices the hotel were harging. Anyway, a good companionable start to the holiday. (P.S. only 2 made the early morning run!)
A nice big English breakfast to start the day (I think Steve went up 3 times to the buffet) nd then off on our adventure to Heathrow. No problems checking in (Mr Watts had left his passport and American money in Barnstaple, but we were able to pick it up for him) and then a ander around the duty free area with everyone trying to calm down a very excited young member of our party (Mr Heard) who couldn't wait to get on the plane.
Off we went punctually, and it was time to experiment with all the films, games, etc. on the nboard video systems. Modesty forbids mention of the winner's name of the Hangman game, but uffice it to say it was my seat number appearing as the record holder at some 50,000 points. ichard was a good opponent but suffered a 14,000 point defeat. Several good films helped the ourney pass over the water, and in no time we were flying over the Canadian wilderness - snowy astes that stretched for hundreds of miles making some fantastic shapes below us with the cebergs and glaciers.
We landed at Los Angeles and I was a bit concerned that the in-flight Skymap said that we still had 32 miles to go - one hell of a runway - anyway, off we got, the usual long-winded trip through U S immigration (at least they don't let just anyone just walk through), baggage eclaim, and the courtesy bus to our first stop, overnight at the Wyndham Hotel, Los Angeles.
No disappointments here, huge rooms, all mod cons, even a telephone in the bathroom! No point npacking much so we were soon off for our first American meal at a Denny's restaurant a nice 20 inute stroll from the hotel. A few jugs of beer with the meal, and then back for a nice early ight. Fat chance! At the top of the Wyndham there was a Sportsman's bar (don't know why they let us in then!), which had marvellous views over Los Angeles - a great sight at night. The first major competition of the tour was a pool challenge - to be honest due to excess Budweiser I can't remember who won, but I'm sure it was a good game.
Mr Heard engaged a couple of Americans in conversation, regaling them with such great literary hrases as "the beer's crap innit" and various other gems of communication hardly guaranteed to ndear us to the local populace. I think that he had made the mistake of ordering European beer nd the price of that tends to be prohibitive so that didn't help the situation much. Never mind, off to bed drunker and poorer.
Jet lag caused myself and room-mate Mr Jewell to be wide awake by 2:30 am, and after chatting or a while, at about 4 am we decided to go for a stroll and see if there was a fitness room in the hotel. As we entered the lift Mr Heard emerged, having been wandering around for the previous couple of hours so we all got the fitness room opened and did our early morning run on the treadmills in there. Rowing machines and weights were also available and tried, not least because some females had arrived to work out.
After showering, we wandered off downstairs to be confronted by an absolutely dripping Mr Watts who (expletives deleted) said if he ever had the idea of an early morning run in the rain again that we were to persuade him to desist (my words).
All together then for the trip to pick up our vehicles, with Laura and Hannah the only ones to own up to a good night's kip. Nice wagons - what they call luxury minibus is what we would call space wagons - automatic, tinted glass, air conditioning, etc. Off we went to try and find our way out of Los Angeles and pick up the Interstate 10 to Las Vegas. This is where the first problem of the trip occurred. It transpired that the lead vehicle map-readers, Messrs Jewell and Watts couldn't read them, and eventually the trailing van with the Davies family and Messrs Heard and Rundle on board got fed up with taking the wrong turns that they overtook and turned on to the correct road (more by luck than judgement!).
Heading out into the desert, we stopped for lunch at the town of Baker, California, a small town out in the middle of nowhere, on our way seeing two of the most incredible rainbows. Probably due to the clean air in the desert, the colours were quite remarkable.
At last, Las Vegas came into view, the hotels dominating the skyline as we approached, most of them being dwarfed by one of the latest, the Stratosphere, which was to dominate a couple of nights for our party (and the rest heard about it continually for about a week!)
Arrived at the Sahara Hotel on the Strip and we checked in to the usual high-standard rooms ith bags of space. We had pre-arranged to meet Frank and Doreen at 7 pm, so an early meal at the Sahara. They do an evening buffet for $4 with a huge choice and as much as you can eat. Frank and Doreen were waiting for us the lobby, with Frank bemoaning his bad luck on the gambling tables (we brought him luck - he won every day after we arrived).
We took in the Circus Circus Hotel, inside which is a re-creation of part of a "Big Top" and aw one of their regular acts, a couple of acrobats, and then strolled across to the Stratosphere. Now this edifice is 1,000 feet high to the observation platform, above that is a rollercoaster and above that a ride which shoots people to the pinnacle - something approaching 200 feet in 2.4 seconds. A few cowards claimed vertigo as the reason for not going up, but a number of stalwarts braved the ride. Doreen said it went so fast that her shoes were left on the floor. Good job they all had strong knicker elastic!
Messrs Cox, Watts, Jewell and Hockin managed to find a bar in the Casino that sold Bud for $1 a bottle - a good end to our first day and when we got back to our hotel we discovered Messrs Heard & Dunlop on the Blackjack tables (and winning!) A few dollars in the slot machines and then a couple of hours kip (still jet-lagged).
The next morning the weather was gorgeous and after our incredibly expensive breakfast (!) - $2.99 for as much as you can eat of fruit, cereal, fried breakfast, etc., we drove along the Strip to the race registration HQ. Everything went smoothly, although it later transpired that Mr Jewell had entered the 45-49 age group instead of the 35-39 group. Some good clothing and shoe bargains were transacted at the race expo, and then we all trooped off to one of the local shopping malls.
This was about the size of Bideford, and I don't think anyone saw much more than half of it, but the Nike shop took a lot of our money, as did the Levi's 501 establishment. Mr Davies started his shoe collection (by the end of the trip we thought he was possibly starting up in the footwear business when he got home), and everyone managed to find some terrific bargains - Nike shoes and 501s for about $18 etc.
As it was still warm and sunny we decided to travel to Red Rock canyon - of course getting ost on the way, but eventually arrived there only for the Davies wagon to realise they didn't have enough gas to travel the circuit of the place and get safely home. Richard joined the crew of the other wagon (for the first appearance of those red shorts), and we carried on, finding some places to stop and take some photos. Mr Cox spent most of the time looking for Indians with his hero John Wayne in pursuit. He did find some signs of Indians, or so he says as he insisted a road sign warns of Indians who could shoot arrows around corners. Mr Hockin and Mr Jewell clambered to the top of one rock formation, Laura and Hannah followed them partway before realising how high it was (and how much more difficult it would be on the way down), and Alan C and Richard only just off ground level. At the bottom was Andy W, who was using his namesake's camcorder to tape the exploits of the group.
Back to the hotel to meet up with the others and a meal and a couple of drinks. Mr Heard had become quite animated due to the fact the we had been in Las Vegas for 24 hours and still not been to the Star Trek exhibition at the Hilton Hotel so we humoured him and everyone went in. I must say it was absolutely brilliant - the bar was done up like the inside of a spaceship and he virtual reality ride was possibly the best we experienced during the trip. We strolled back to the Sahara for yet more drinks, a few more dollars in the slots and the blackjack for Mr Heard who was now becoming an inveterate gambler and was rapidly becoming Frank's prot&eacut;g&eacut;. This was followed by a relatively early night for most (about 1am) due to the fact that we had o be up at 5:30 am the next morning, with the 5K race starting at 7 am.
The 5K race was run around the Strip past some of the big hotels, finishing on a nice fast downhill stretch. Everyone went off fast, especially all the lechers in our group who had been ogling a scantily clad female with a rather wonderful body. She stormed off at the start but then slowed right down as she was being filmed by a crew from some publication so we had to continue our races deprived of some of the visual attractions. Everyone had excellent races, Pete led the club home in 8th place (see attached results), even though he was suffering from the now familiar hangover, and the majority of our runners picked up awards in their age groups. Pter, Andy J, Andy W, Hannah, Laura, Carol and Joe (possibly the best performance of all, beating his father, mother and older brother, as well as Mr Heard who must have still been suffering from his fight with the Klingons), were the prize winners in a field of over 400. Mr Hockin later gained more fame by featuring in the one photo of the 5K on the results page on the official Web page on the Internet.
After breakfast we split up for the day - the two Andys and Peter went for a champagne trip to the Grand Canyon by helicopter (flight over the Canyon, descend into it for a champagne dinner and then a fly-past over the Vegas Strip as dusk fell with the neon signs lighting the place up marvellously). The Davies family escorted Heardy to a local skydiving centre for him to have his first (and only) jump in America, before travelling to the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead to where the rest of the party had already travelled. It was another lovely day and the Dam and Lake were at their most photogenic in the warm sunshine.
5:30 pm meet back at the hotel was the arrangement and off we all went to the Stratosphere for the first show we were to watch - "American Superstars plus the Spice Girls". This consisted of a number of look-alikes singing some of the hits of the various artists including Gloria Estefan, Charlie Daniels (absolutely brilliant fiddle playing), Madonna (who fell in love with Joe),and Michael Jackson (the star of a superb show). The final act was from the Spice Girls and even this was very realistic as the American versions couldn't sing either! When the show had finished, we managed to find our $1 Budweiser bar again just to ensure that Pete would have a hangover for the half marathon.
4:00 Sunday morning, Mr Cox knocked on everyone's door to make sure that a) everyone was back from the casinos and bars, and b) they were awake and ready for action. We had to travel down the strip to the MGM hotel car park to get our transport to the start. We arrived at the start at 5:50, 13 miles into the desert (26 for Frankie) with the temperature below zero and only a few hardy souls left the shelter of the buses until 6:40 when it was time to line up for the start. The two Andy's and myself were lined up alongside one of the all-time greats, Ron Hill, as the gun went. The first mile was slightly uphill and then as we crested the rise it was gently downhill or flat all the way to the finish - which we could see from 12 miles out.
Pete again led the team home but the best runs probably came from Andy Jewell's pb of 1:17:20 (hang on, he wants to tell everyone his splits again), and Carol, who in her first attempt at the distance clocked 1:42:13. All results should be attached. Hannah and Laura had accompanied Mark and Joe to the finish, and when we had all finished we travelled back to the Sahara (crammed into one van), for showers and breakfast.
The MGM Hotel and theme park were going to be today's first visit and we decided to use the CAT bus that travels up and down the Strip all day. We paid our $1.50 and boarded, but Pete had a worry - he wanted to know if the buses stopped at the bus stops - a weird question which elicited some strange stares from all those within earshot. Anyway, on to the MGM - what a huge place, over 5000 rooms and it took us about 20 minutes to walk through the Casino to reach the theme park. The Davies family decided to purchase tickets for the day whilst the rest of us strolled through looking at the attractions - and there were some nice ones!
Mr Watts spotted the main ride - called the Skyscreamer, on which people were winched 250 feet into the air then released themselves to hurtle groundwards at 70-80 mph missing the floor by about 12 feet. He decided he must go on this, but could find no other takers so we continued on our way. Some decided to take the opportunity to phone home (after the hassle of getting an international line - the phone companies, like almost all the rest of America thinks the world starts and ends with the U.S.A.). Laura's mum, on hearing her daughter's voice remarked "Laura, you sound a long way away", quite an obvious statement really, and one of the silliest quotes of a number of very silly ones over the 10 days.
We left the MGM whereupon Mr Cox exhibited a bizarre taste for riding escalators whilst pretending to try and find the shortest route to another hotel. After a great deal of abuse (mostly justifiable), he finally reached the place we had aimed for (about 20 metres from where we had started), and wandered back towards the Sahara. En route, we realised that we might be able to catch the first sea battle of the day at Treasure Island. In front of this hotel, two life size ships of the time re-enact a battle which the Americans win and ends with the band playing Rule Britannia as the Captain of the English ship sinks beneath the waves on the deck of his boat, whilst saluting the crowd - great entertainment and all free!
5:30 pm and all meet in the lobby again, for Frank to regale us with stories of the two wonderful ladies he had run the marathon with en route to a commendable time of 4:43:45 considering he had hardly trained for a month. Taxis were then ordered and it was off to meet Gordie Harris' brother Jimmy and his wife Billie at their local - Paddy's Pub. When we arrived the party had already started with an Irish singer/guitarist encouraging us to join in his renditions, which we did with more and more gusto as the alcohol levels increased. Various other people from the bar, including the landlord, who was brilliant, joined in and performed and we had a super night, being made most welcome by all in the bar.
Back to the Stratosphere for a couple of cheap beers to keep us happy then everyone split up - some to bed, some to eat and others (Frankie and Alan H as usual) went to the blackjack tables, after we all wished Frank and Doreen a safe journey home.
Breakfast next morning was late, not many takers for my early morning run either. The Davieses and Heardy went to another shopping mall - Steve was running short of new shoes I think. The rest of us travelled back on the CAT bus (after Pete had ensured that this one was also going to stop at the stops), to the MGM - Wattsy had somehow persuaded Laura and Pete to accompany him on the Skyscreamer - the rest would watch and film. It looked amazing, and the three said it was, but there were no other takers so off we went to Caesars Palace.
These hotels just keep getting bigger and more ornate, and no description or photos of this one do it justice. Mr Cox was again able to fulfil his fetish for escalators, as there was a particularly long one from the Strip to the hotel, and then we wandered into the shopping area, called the Forum. It is almost impossible to describe this place, false skies constantly changing, all types of Roman statues, fountains, etc. all the way through - the street seems to go on for miles (remember this is just inside one hotel). Hannah found the eighth wonder of the world (for her), a huge lollipop in the sweet store but fortunately she didn't buy it as it was about 8 feet tall. At the end of the Mall was a huge Trojan horse and people were able to climb inside to take pictures of the statues etc. from a new angle. As we strolled back, someone noticed that there were virtual reality rides so we purchased some tickets and went in. Two of the four were very good, one of which was a rollercoaster simulation which suddenly turned into the Cresta Run and left us all with sore knees from being banged on the sides of out seats - great fun, too much for Mr Jewell, but time to get back to organise the last evening's entertainment.
We met the Davies family and Alan H who had gone shopping again and visited another show, Viva Las Vegas, which they enjoyed, and then they had managed to catch a Treasure Island battle, so Heardy was hyper again. That evening Mr Cox had obtained some free tickets for a show called The Extreme Scene. This was for over 18s only so Carol and the two boys went in search of video arcade action while the rest of us got taxis downtown to the show. Good move, as the show was first class with a couple of tremendous singers and all drinks priced at $1 each - a major attraction. Pete yet again came up with a classic - on hearing someone say the choreography was good, he said he thought the dancing was as well - there's not much hope left!
After the show, we went to Fremont Street, the original Las Vegas Strip, where that have put a huge video screen/roof across a large shopping area with different video / laser shows played on the ceiling with music on the hour every hour. It's called the Fremont Street Experience and it certainly was. Back to our hotel, where someone pointed out that we hadn't had any grub yet so we took advantage of the hotel's late offer. After midnight they did toast, steak, eggs and hash browns with tea or coffee for $1.99. This filled a hole very nicely. Some bright spark suggested going out to take some pictures of the Strip and the Stratosphere fully illuminated, this was to the liking of some whilst others decided to have a last go for a fortune on the tables or the slot machines. Either way, it was another very late night.
Richard was the only taker for my by now regular 7:30 am run next morning, and during the course of it he managed to step squarely on a discarded heel from a ladies shoe. The nails were still in it so it stuck right on to the sole of his running shoe - gave me quite a laugh to start the day off - Richard in high-heeled trainers!
This was the end of the Las Vegas adventure - bags packed, last breakfast, checkout from the hotel and off we went to Los Angeles (again by a circuitous route as the lead car map-readers were on their by now familiar form). We stopped off Peggy Sue's, a 50's style diner near Barstow, for lunch, gatecrashing a private lunch!. We had heard about storms on the coast, and as we drove across the desert the winds increased and the rain started - not the best of welcomes but one good thing, Pete suddenly developed the knack of map-reading and he directed us unerringly to the Carousel, our resting place for the next four nights.
After checking in and showering we all met in reception and were advised that Acapulco (the bar not the place) was a good watering hole where Mexican food was available and other restaurants were close by. So off we trooped, Mr Cox, who had been feeling a bit the worse for wear all day, had an important duty to perform - the presentation of the results and prizes from the sweeps held on the combined times of the 5K and half marathon races. For the record, Hannah and Alan H were winners, Andy W managed two seconds, while Laura and Pete took the third places. There were also some presentations of some pills that an eminent physician had prescribed after Hannah and Coxy had explained some of the symptoms exhibited by some of our group.
Alan C himself received a bottle of pills called the Bald Zone that had been concocted by Dr Y B Bald MD, SCALP, from Balder, Colorado (to date they don't seem to have worked). Mr Heard was prescribed a daily dose of "Star Wreck - the Next Aggravation". Two pills to be taken daily with 40 ozs of prune juice and head for the nearest planet with comfortable plumbing. These pills came from Dr Getta Life from Space Cadet, Virginia. The final member of our party to fall foul of the American doctorate was Andy "Virus" Jewell. Now, as we all know, Andy is not a well man and his prescription was Dr Mal Practice's Get Well pills, specially formulated at his laboratory in High P.O., Kondriac Falls, Missouri. He has to take two pills with an 8oz glass of tequila sunrise with a 4oz chaser of the same. You won't get better, but guaranteed you won't care either!. These pills are alleged to cure everything from bad moods to inflamed haemorrhoids. After this, I decided to have an early night, but I understand that the BAAC (Bideford Amateur Athletic Choir), in the guise of Watts, Jewell, Rundle and Davies (C), managed to give the locals a laugh with their karaoke rendition. Mr Heard was also the source of amusement after sampling a section of a jalapeño pepper that was considerably hotter than he expected.
The next morning we strolled across the road to Disneyland - the weather was glorious as we entered looking forward to a full day's entertainment. Steve, Carol and the boys decided that we were becoming too embarrassing to be with so they wandered off on their own, and we began working out way through all the rides and amusements. Too many to mention, although Indiana Jewell (sorry, Jones), Splash Mountain (photos available!), the Riverboat (where we passed an Indian island and Coxy was once again on the lookout for hero John Wayne), Splash Mountain again and the Star Wars simulator (with R2D2 and companions - we think Heardy went on this about 10 times), were some of the highlights. Andy J went missing, and we found him queuing up with the 10-year olds to have his picture taken with Tigger and Pooh (yes Andy, Tigger was the one with the stripes!) and he cried and stamped his feet when we told him we were going. Peter & Hannah found a really exciting ride on some cars that reached all of 5mph and then it was time to watch the parade and then back to the digs.
Five of us then decided to travel to a bar that the concierge had told us had a great floor show. Bit worrying when the bouncers carried guns but in we went and after ordering the beer, not the easiest of tasks as Heardy couldn't seem to remember what he had ordered or else I had ordered the wrong thing, anyway finally resolved and a young lady arrived and wished to take one of us onto the balcony. Pete lost the toss but came down smiling after finding it was just a bit of fun, so much so that he didn't put up much of a fight to go up again (and again!) while the rest of us studied the wonderful floor show that was taking place - all very tasteful. Eventually enough beer was consumed and we returned back to the hotel.
Thursday morning - not much time left now! Load up the vans, and off we went with master navigator Peter Hockin in control. Straight to our destination, Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood (although Andy Jewell did come awfully close to broad-siding a police car!). We booked up for a guided trip around the area. Very informative - lots of photo opportunities around the stars houses and near the famous sign, then back to some more shopping in Hollywood itself. Don't think Steve bought any shoes today, but some great bargains were had by all before we climbed back on board the wagons and headed for Santa Monica Beach, the home of the Baywatch babes - No Fat Beach as it's called (at least until I got there!)
There was another storm approaching so the weather wasn't brilliant although still dry, and they were actually filming something on the beach (but we didn't find out what). Lunch on the pier, desperately trying to avoid an aerial message from the hordes of seagulls (Andy W failed), and then back to the hotel - easier said than done. By this time both vans were getting short of petrol, and we spent 30-40 minutes trying to find a filling station, then we found three in the same street!. After innumerable direction changes and wrong turnings, we managed to make judicious use of the car pool lanes on the freeways to get back just in time to catch the bus to tonight's entertainment - The Buffalo Bill Wild West Show.
Eventually we all got there in time for the start, and introduced ourselves to the waiter by clearing the two pitchers of beer on the table before he had even laid the cutlery - this was going to be a good night!. The price for the two hour show included as much as you could eat and drink and I think we must have come close to the record consumption levels. The show had some excellent acts - cowboys, some marvellous Indians doing traditional dances, and finishing with an American version of Tommy Cooper - very funny and a first class evening, so far. The journey back to the hotel was quite amusing with lots of clowning around, particularly from one person who took about 200 photos (with no film in his camera). When we arrived back some of us decided to finish the night back at the Acapulco with Mr Heard on the prowl with his camera again (film in this time) and the resulting prints showed just what a state some of us were in.
Friday morning - the storm had arrived. It was absolutely chucking it down and very windy. Hardly the perfect day for a trip to Universal Studios, but we had no choice - this was our last full day. As we desperately searched for rainproof gear, we had one consolation - the weather was so bad there was hardly anyone else in the park so we no queues for any of the attractions, although it took Hannah and myself so long to get fitted up with our rainwear that everyone else had disappeared. When we finally all met up it transpired that we had done nearly all the same things so it didn't matter too much. First of all we went on a tram ride around the complex showing us the sets used in films over the years and subjecting us to some of the special effects. Jaws, Earthquake, The parting of the Red Sea, flash floods and many others. Too many other shows to mention but in particular the special effects demonstration and Backdraft were really good, and Waterworld promised to be so too but the heavens opened again and it had to be abandoned. The two favourite rides were Back to the Future and Jurassic Park, both of which were sampled several times.
Back to the hotel with the weather finally relenting and almost a full house for the training run (second of the day for some!). After going for a meal we decided to have a last night at the Acapulco bar. By midnight most of us had drifted off, leaving just the heavy drinkers! Peter, the two Andys, Alan H and Laura. It was another karaoke night, and apparently the men had the place jumping with their performances. Finally persuading Laura to join them after subjecting her to a rendition of "Young Girl", they finished the night clearing the bar as Laura & The Lunatics for a version of "New York, New York".
Only two turned up for the last morning run on American soil, then we all went for breakfast and a final trip to the local shopping mall on the way to the airport. Pete and Andy W managed to buy some new shoes (not sure about Steve), and yet again we were amazed at how cheap everything was in the stores. When we reached the airport, we checked in and visited the duty free shop as we waited for our flight to be called. Just stopped the girls from making for a flight to Honolulu although I agreed that it seemed like a good idea. The flight home was virtually all in darkness, but the various films, games, and other entertainment meant it passed quite quickly although only Pete and Carol found it easy to get some sleep.
First disaster of the trip was on arrival back at the Heathrow Park Hotel - Pete's battery had run flat over the time that we were away, but after two (!) calls to motoring organisations, before long his group were following us down the M4. Disappointing turnout for the evening run when we got back, only the ubiquitous Cox and Rundle carrying the flag as everyone else wimped out!.
THE END
Well, not really, "to be continued", would be better. I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. For such a large, diverse group to be together for 11 days we all got on well and I would certainly recommend a trip to this area to anyone. Thanks to our sponsors, Devonshire Pine and West End Precision. Thanks also to our travel agents - Kay & Ian from Robinson Travel for ensuring everything went so smoothly.