In one week and two days I will be jetting off to Los Angeles.
I’ve managed to track down two other people who are going on my Trek, via leaving a message on the Trek America message boards- and one of those two is travelling with her friend too. They’re all staying in the same Hotel in Los Angeles the night before the trek starts too. So I know there will be at least 4 of us plus the trek leader. But I’m a bit worried that’ll be it, because despite much facebook searching I haven’t managed to find anyone else going on the trek, I’m the only one who’s written on the message boards, and Trek America are still advertising my trek as ‘available’. Most are ‘closed’ this close to the departure date, or at least ‘limited’.
However, I have found out that one of the other treks travels with us for most of the time, it’s a 6 week trek which then goes and does the South of country afterwards, so I’m really hoping it wont just be 4 of us and the trek leader.
It’s my birthday today (21 so I will legally be able to drink in the US, Hurrah!) and I’ve got a few helpful trek items as gifts. This includes some funky luggage tags from my mum and dad, and my brother got me an awesome ‘camping survival’ kit. It’s a big water bottle filled with emergency items- including a poncho, an emergency blanket, a whistle with a compass, a pen knife with a knife, fork, spoon and bottle opener, and a torch. Ace.
Just incase you want to know where I’m going, here’s my itinerary (it’s a flexible trek so might not be exact, but its a vague idea- my mum suggested I do this):
- Day 1: (Tuesday August 5th) Depart from Los Angeles- visit to Universal Studios and Hollywood
- Pacific coast
- Monterey (coast)
- San Fransisco
- San Fransisco
- Yosemite National Park
- Yosemite National Park
- (Tuesday August 12) Lake Tahoe
- Idaho/ Nevada
- Jackson
- Yellowstone National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
- Sioux Indian Lands (and Mount Rushmore)
- Badlands National Park
- (Tuesday August 19) South Dakota
- Minnesota
- Chicago
- Chicao
- Ohio
- Niagra Falls
- New York
Which is where my Trek finishes! But I’m staying in New York for an extra night, flying back on August 27. Fun fun fun.
The numbers have gone a bit wrong on my itinerary list there.. but I don’t know how to fix them so will have to leave it! It’s meant to be 1-21 list.
By: katiemcp on July 26, 2008
at 1:36 pm
If there’s only 5 of you on the Trek you’ll still have a whale of a time, and some major perks too. You’ll be able to spread out in the van (our tour was totally booked up so every seat in the van was taken which was a little uncomfortable at times, but alright! You’ll also get more of a say over the music played in the van etc. Our trek was similar to yours in that it was 1/2 of another tour… our was the Transcontinental North, and there was another van with people doing the Trailblazer at the same time as us. They were the lucky ones though because their van wasn’t totally full so they got the perks of a smaller group, but the benefit of having us around at the camp sites etc. for socialising and partying with!
Quite a few of those things which you got for your birthday will come in handy! Particularly the water bottle (if it’s a big one!) the poncho, the flashlight… although if you can get your hands on one of those incredibly geeky head flashlights where there’s the band which goes around your head, as looser like as you may seem, you’ll be greatful as it’s so practical, you can shine it directly into your backpack whilst using both of your hands to rummage around to find stuff. Failing that, Maglites are really good too… very powerful things and you can just sit them down in the tent and it’ll light the whole thing up!
As for what you were saying about the ‘flexibility’ it does happen. Our first night was supposed to be in Finger Lakes, but instead we just went straight to Niagra so we could have an extra night in Bannf later on. When in Bannf, we found out the white water rafting season had finished so going on to Yoho (I think it was there) was pointless, and everyone seemed to love Bannf so much (except for me but I think that was just because I was really ill and had to see a doctor whilst I was there) we did a vote and decided to stay in Bannf for a 4th night lol, but overall, you’ll pretty much stick to the itinary!
By: Caroline on July 28, 2008
at 12:45 pm
Oh good, I’m so glad they wont just be cancelling the trek because not enough people are doing it!
By: katiemcp on July 29, 2008
at 2:49 pm
Hi Katie – sorry seem to have missed most of your blog – been bit busy !
Thanks for coming round Sat night it was lovely to see you.
Your itinery sounds great – have heard San Francisco is great, I’m sure the National Parks will be awesome & as for Niagra Falls, well I’m sure you’ll tell us all about it when you get back! PS- get yourself a little brown bag from Bloomingdales in New York apparently they are the thing to have!
Will try to keep up with you – take care Debbie & Dave x
By: debbie pearson on July 29, 2008
at 10:08 pm