American road trip

[Gaston aires]

A few photos of the area, some of Bisbee, a couple of wild animals, etc.
Phil

 

[Gaston aires]

Our American Road trip has taken us on an amazing journey through most of Arizona with almost daily changes of scenery, mountains, valleys, canyons, desert, and we have loved every minute of it. However, the mood has changed here and is likely to get worse. Coronavirus has shut airports, schools, sports stadiums, and it looks like we will be staying here for some time. I guess we will have to sit tight and see what happens.
At the moment home seems a long way away, and our airline, Norwegian Airlines is in dire straights. No more photos, trying to preserve data.
Going to Palm springs for a couple of weeks but the mood has seriously changed here.
Phil

 

[scousebird]

Our American Road trip has taken us on an amazing journey through most of Arizona with almost daily changes of scenery, mountains, valleys, canyons, desert, and we have loved every minute of it. However, the mood has changed here and is likely to get worse. Coronavirus has shut airports, schools, sports stadiums, and it looks like we will be staying here for some time. I guess we will have to sit tight and see what happens.
At the moment home seems a long way away, and our airline, Norwegian Airlines is in dire straights. No more photos, trying to preserve data.
Going to Palm springs for a couple of weeks but the mood has seriously changed here.
Phil

I hope you can enjoy the rest of your trip.

 

[peterc10]

Our American Road trip has taken us on an amazing journey through most of Arizona with almost daily changes of scenery, mountains, valleys, canyons, desert, and we have loved every minute of it. However, the mood has changed here and is likely to get worse. Coronavirus has shut airports, schools, sports stadiums, and it looks like we will be staying here for some time. I guess we will have to sit tight and see what happens.
At the moment home seems a long way away, and our airline, Norwegian Airlines is in dire straights. No more photos, trying to preserve data.
Going to Palm springs for a couple of weeks but the mood has seriously changed here.
Phil

Phil, Palm Springs is Ok for a few days, but it is a bit like Eastbourne or Bexhill. Nearly all retired complexes.

There is a really good cable car ride to take you up to the top of the mountain that overlooks Palm Springs and large swathes of the desert. Not sure if it will be running because of the virus, but if it is it is well worth it as the ride and the views are outstanding. But take a coat because the temperature at the top is much colder than at the bottom. When we were there at the beginning of May there was still snow on the top.

With regards to the mood we found that people in California, especially on the coast, were much more lay back and friendly that in Arizona or Nevada. But has just been on the news that California is shutting down a lot of things now, so you may find it has changed.

Good luck with the rest of the trip. If Norwegian Airlines lets you down I hope that IATA or ATOL schemes will get you back. If not the travel insurance should.

 

[PeteH]

If you are looking for Camp ground discounts, to ease the load. We used "Passport America" quite a lot. Especially midweek, you can get up to 50% off the standard charge?.

Passport America, The Original 50% Off Discount Camping Club

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[Gaston aires]

Phil, Palm Springs is Ok for a few days, but it is a bit like Eastbourne or Bexhill. Nearly all retired complexes.

There is a really good cable car ride to take you up to the top of the mountain that overlooks Palm Springs and large swathes of the desert. Not sure if it will be running because of the virus, but if it is it is well worth it as the ride and the views are outstanding. But take a coat because the temperature at the top is much colder than at the bottom. When we were there at the beginning of May there was still snow on the top.

With regards to the mood we found that people in California, especially on the coast, were much more lay back and friendly that in Arizona or Nevada. But has just been on the news that California is shutting down a lot of things now, so you may find it has changed.

Good luck with the rest of the trip. If Norwegian Airlines lets you down I hope that IATA or ATOL schemes will get you back. If not the travel insurance should.

We are actually staying at Hemet, near palm springs but same applies. We have friends there. Booked this before virus fever otherwise probably not got in there. People are flocking to campgrounds. Probably best to stay put and hope we can get home. We are better off than lots of other people, still have the van and maybe extend the trip up to other areas.
Phil

Phil, Palm Springs is Ok for a few days, but it is a bit like Eastbourne or Bexhill. Nearly all retired complexes.

There is a really good cable car ride to take you up to the top of the mountain that overlooks Palm Springs and large swathes of the desert. Not sure if it will be running because of the virus, but if it is it is well worth it as the ride and the views are outstanding. But take a coat because the temperature at the top is much colder than at the bottom. When we were there at the beginning of May there was still snow on the top.

With regards to the mood we found that people in California, especially on the coast, were much more lay back and friendly that in Arizona or Nevada. But has just been on the news that California is shutting down a lot of things now, so you may find it has changed.

Good luck with the rest of the trip. If Norwegian Airlines lets you down I hope that IATA or ATOL schemes will get you back. If not the travel insurance should.

 

[peterc10]

We are actually staying at Hemet, near palm springs but same applies. We have friends there. Booked this before virus fever otherwise probably not got in there. People are flocking to campgrounds. Probably best to stay put and hope we can get home. We are better off than lots of other people, still have the van and maybe extend the trip up to other areas.
Phil

You are the other side of the mountain from Palm Springs. If you want to look at something local (in American terms) have a look at Joshua Tree National Park. Could probably do it for a day trip if your friends have a car, and there is some great scenery.

Good luck and safe travels wherever you go.

 

[PeteH]

I think, There are actually a couple Camp-grounds In Joshua?. Look on the N-Parks site?.

 

[Gaston aires]

I think, There are actually a couple Camp-grounds In Joshua?. Look on the N-Parks site?.

All state campgrounds have been closed from yesterday 18th March. Looking grim but our Hemet site is great, except it’s eerily quiet everywhere.
I know the UK has similar experiences but we would rather be home now.
Phil

 

[peterc10]

All state campgrounds have been closed from yesterday 18th March. Looking grim but our Hemet site is great, except it’s eerily quiet everywhere.
I know the UK has similar experiences but we would rather be home now.
Phil

When is your return flight booked for Phil?

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[Gaston aires]

When is your return flight booked for Phil?

4th April with Norwegian air. Their website says we can only make cont 2 days before our flight. Watch this space?
Phil

 

[DiggerJon]

I feel so sorry for you that your "trip of a lifetime" is being cruelly curtailed. I was so fortunate in 2010 to spend 6 months touring around the Western states of the USA and your travel notes have brought back wonderful memories of a truly fantastic trip of my lifetime. I'm now digging out the blog I did for the trip and settle down to read it over the next couple of days.
Please stay safe and hopefully you will get home soon where, if you are going to be ill, you feel safer!

 

[PeteH]

We where very fortunate in that, the one time we had a potential issue, Our Son lives in Texas. And we made our way slowly back there. ( I was bitten by a Dog, on a camp-ground n`r Phoenix, and they had to test for Rabies. 12 days of "Sh*****g my self.). HE reckons I ain`t been right since!! Cheeky bugger!!. Stay Safe.

 

[Silver-Fox]

We where very fortunate in that, the one time we had a potential issue, Our Son lives in Texas. And we made our way slowly back there. ( I was bitten by a Dog, on a camp-ground n`r Phoenix, and they had to test for Rabies. 12 days of "Sh*****g my self.). HE reckons I ain`t been right since!! Cheeky bugger!!. Stay Safe.

Bloody hell ?

 

[StephandJohn]

Strange times we live in.People stranded all over the world.
Are you near the airport at the moment?
Good luck and keep us posted please.
Steph

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[Gaston aires]

Strange times we live in.People stranded all over the world.
Are you near the airport at the moment?
Good luck and keep us posted please.
Steph

We are in Hemet. The van is stored at Riverside 40 miles away. LAX is 40 miles from Riverside, we have to stay around here in case we hear of a flight home. Norwegian air say we can’t contact them until 2 days before we are due to fly home on the 4th April. Travelling is out of the question right now. Stay put and hope. At least this site is safe and open. This is not part of the “ great American road trip“ ideal but hey ho.
Stay safe to all Funsters
Phil and Gill

 

[StephandJohn]

Goood luck. Let us know.
Steph

 

[CousinIT]

Been trying to explore buying in the USA for a six month trip as hire is too expensive. Couldn’t arrange insurance. so shipping our own van over but again although can insure it its $3500 ouch!!

Hi Bessy,
We are also looking at shipping, via Seabridge is that how you are doing it?
Cousin IT

 

[StephandJohn]

Just noticed that the last post was March 2020 when they were having to come home due to covid. Wonder what happened?