Snowboarding Symi

Last week Mummy, Daddy and I went to Arizona Snowbowl to go snowboarding. The weather was very chilly and the wind was very cold. I was really excited.

We had to drive the RV up the mountain, it was very slow, bumpy and not snowy. When we got there it was freezing cold. You wouldn't believe how many clothes we had to put on.

I needed to go to snowboarding school. I learned how to go heelside but first you need to learn how to stop. I got really good at going heelside. I had a full day lesson.

The second day we went snowboarding I learned to go toeside but I didn't do it with a teacher. I got used to it. So I was able to go on the chairlift. It was so much fun.

At the end of two days snowboarding we were all shattered and sore all over, but it was really fun. We all wanted to go again. It was the best two days ever.

Sedona: surprise, more riding

Walking to Chimney Rock Pass

 After the first two days riding we met with our RV neighbours who were visiting Sedona on a MTB trip. Andrew and Chris from Pennsylvania, and Jim from Durango Colorado. Naturally Rob picked their brains on where they had been riding. They had the good fortune to ride with a local who Chris knew from his motocross days. He marked out the legendary ‘white line’ trail (google this). Rob now has a list of rides to tick off the must do list. Definitely one of the joys of travelling is meeting people from other walks of life.

Mescal Trail, hmmm good

Top of Girdner, finally

Yesterday Rob rode with Jim, Andrew and Hilda (from BC, her and husband also doing an RV trip and mountain biking. Poor husband is recovering from a broken hand) starting in NW Sedona after getting an RV shuttle to the trail head from Chris who wanted to rest. Rob's big lesson for the day was that the car park is called a parking lot (I was being ripped into here). You have to use the right language here so you don’t confuse the locals. Fuel is gas, gas is propane, the garbage is the trash and so it goes on. The day started on Chuck Wagon, fantastic flowing singletrack, before climbing onto the Mescal trail. This was the first real introduction to slickrock (rock that is like glue) and learning to trust the endless grip, particularly while near edges or doing stupidly steep short climbs. Words can’t describe the riding on this trail and the pictures can’t do justice to the stunning scenery that constantly changes. Rob was on the lookout for a Vortex (the Earths energy) as Sedona is very new age and into this. There are no end of places to have Psychic readings done and photo’s taken of your aura (please!!). There is a Vortex tour that will apparently change your life, discovering the Earths’s energy will bring balance, harmony and joy to your life. Maybe we need to drop into the New Age Superstore around the corner and find out more. After the Mescal there was more amazing riding on Aerie, Cockscomb and then Girdner. Girdner promised to be a quick run to the highway and back to the RV park, however it was never ending with very technical riding, a flat out descent and a killer climb (definitely no vortex felt here). Greed got the better of us and we continued south of the highway on trail until the hydration packs were empty. Luckily there is a quick road descent back to town!

Cockscomb Trail, classic scenery

Today we had a great family ride. Rob having done some very hard work finding sort of suitable trail (80% was great, let’s not talk about the 20%). We did a very nice loop of Aerie and Cockscomb trails.

Symi world

Symi's Owl Story

Today  I saw the most amazing thing. But I have to tell you the whole story.

We were climbing on rocks and my dad came up and said "do you want to look in between those two rocks?" So I went in between. It was awesome. 

But that's not the best bit. We went  to see if you could climb over the top, my dad thought we could. So we went back to see if  Marissa could come over and she could. So we walked over and my dad helped me across but we couldn't go any further.

Then Darcy spotted an owl. Every time you said hello it would look at you strangely. It was amazing.

That  night we had a campfire and ate dinner.

Arizona: Snow to desert

After the long drive (500km)from Joshua Tree National Park to Flagstaff (7000ft), we enjoyed two days snowboarding at Arizona Snowbowl. It wasn’t the fastest drive up to 9000ft, but slow and steady was fine, just add gas to the V10 at a rate no one would want to calculate. Luckily we scored two beautiful days, the day we arrived in Flagstaff was windy+++. Symi learnt quickly helped by a four hour lesson day 1, by day two she was doing short chairlift runs. By day 2 Fiona had stopped bruising her behind. Rob enjoyed some long blue runs loving the ‘new’ snowboard, awesome control and none of the catching edges of the old school boards (thanks Kose).

Huckaby: views to die for, looking forwards

After two days we have travelled 30 miles and 3000ft ‘down’ the road to Sedona. Much warmer than the -7ᵒC minimums that we experienced at Flagstaff. Rob (like a rat up a drainpipe) quickly hit the bike shop to get a map and riding advice, and then some local trails. The possibilities here make Rotorua look small! There are also some classic trails to ride but some come with the warning of ‘beyond advanced’ and double black rating (gulp). Might be working up to that. This am rode from the RV Park (Rancho) up a short road climb to the black diamond rated Huckaby trail, beautiful views and singletrack followed by dodgy river crossing by boulder hopping. Then followed a brutal climb up to the Midgley Bridge. Payback was a scenic ride across the Jim Thompson trail then down grand central (oh yeah, and the other choices were plentiful) to town and coffee with Fiona and Symi.

Huckaby: same location as above looking back. Looking down not advised!

This afternoon we are off for a short walk (some people are still recovering from snowboarding) around chimney rock.

Just another view

Trails north of West Sedona. Maps and signs every junction.

Joshua Tree National Park

Sunrise with the moon setting, superb!




Skull Rock, Darth Vader inspiration?

So finally, after “getting organised” we left the warm climate of Indio where we had been swimming in the pool and lounging in the spa for the desert landscape of the Joshua Tree National Park. We decided to try getting an RV spot in the national park on one of the busier weekends of the year. We left it to the Sunday of a long weekend and ignoring the full campsite signs hoped someone would leave early. They did and we were in.



What an incredible place! We stayed at Jumbo Rocks Campsite which certainly lived up to it’s name. It was nestled amongst the most amazing collection of huge granite rocks and boulders that were formed 800 million years ago from lava. Many people were climbing up onto the rocks and it was amusing to look around in all directions and see people perched on these huge outcrops enjoying the expansive views and the spectacular sunsets.



There's an owl in there

Our favourite activity was picking a highpoint and trying to scale it. Simone’s most memorable expericience was seeing a Western Screech Owl perched high up in a very narrow gorge. She and Rob spent a good ten minutes observing the owl, who was looking curiously back at them. Unfortunately they did not have a camera.

Still haven't found what I'm looking for.

 For all our family it was fantastic to get back out into nature, on our bikes for an exploratory ride, meet some like-minded people (including kids for Symi) and do what we have dreamt of on this trip.

Next on our agenda is Flagstaff so we can indulge in some snowboarding at Arizona Snowball. Stay tunned for our snowboarding post!

On the road

Wednesday was a busy day with Rob dropping the hire car back to LAX airport, getting a shuttle bus back to Anaheim and then riding 30k's (mainly on the Santa Ana bike route) to get the RV. We then threw our belongings into the RV creating chaos and hit the road Thursday am. There was the obligatory trip via Walmart to buy some basics like pillows. Luckily the RV is very well equipped and we don't need to buy much. We also stopped by Jenson USA (bike shop) to buy a bike rack.

Walmart Anaheim, time to leave LA :)

How do you decide where to go first? Easy, find a DMV centre with an appointment the next day. This turned out to be Indio, just near the Joshua Tree NP. The process turned out to be very simple and quick (ten minutes). Just add money (9% transfer fee).There was no chance of going unsupported camping so we are at a campground just south of Indio, nice scenery but noisy at it's next to a highway. It will serve the purpose of allowing us to 'get organised' (Fiona's family mantra).

 

Slide out, first cooking in RV

Monkey?

 

The Happiest Place on Earth

On Thursday 6th February I went to Disneyland.

 

One of my favourite rides was Space Mountain. It was a rollercoaster. It was really slow in the beginning. You go through a small portal and you go into space. When you're in space you all of a sudden go around a sharp corner and go down sudden drops. It was so good we got a fast pass but when we were almost finished the machine broke down and we were in it so two strong men had to push us out. The machine finally started again.

Me at the back with my Dad

 I also got to meet Minnie Mouse in her house and get a picture with her. I liked her dishwasher.

So that was my day at Disneyland. I had a great time.

Los Angeles

We are coming to an end of our time in LA. The RV has been paid for (thanks to the biggest rise in a week for the AUD since Sept) and we should pick it up today or tomorrow. We can’t wait to get on the road. While shopping we have begun to stock up on some food supplies such as sushi ingredients that we have no idea how difficult will be to find once we head east. We have also acquired some new snowboarding gear ready to hit the powder.

While here we spent a day at Disneyland and a day at California adventure world. We chose a very cold day for Disneyland with the advantage being that it was quiet. The favourite rides for the day were Space Mountain, Raiders of the Lost Arc and Pirates of the Caribbean. Symi met Minnie Mouse. Yesterday we went to California Adventure world and it was quite busy. Symi and Rob managed to ride the California Scream (big roller coaster with a loop) five times, Fiona had a go late in the day without getting sick! Some tips, get a fast pass for Cars or California Flying very early, single rider cues can be much quicker and don’t ride the Grizzly Bear unless you want to get wet (very in Rob’s case).

Evidence! Symi didn't get the motion sickness gene

Partners in crime. The California Scream in the background.

Other than running around trying to get RV things done we have gone to Huntington Beach and Pier. There is a great retro diner on the end of the Pier (Katie we thought of you). We went for a brief drive in Beverly Hills, saw the Hollywood sign from a distance, spotted many, many expensive cars including a Bugatti Veyron on Rodeo Drive. We then went to Santa Monica Beach and Pier to ride another roller coaster! On Sunday we went for a buffet Mexican breakfast with our AirBnB host Octavio and his good friends. It was a different experience, the food was great but there were many unfamiliar things that we all asked a lot of questions about. Staying at an AirBnB has been great, it’s a fantastic way to experience a new place and Octavio has been very helpful getting us orientated and answering our many questions about where things are.

The end of route 66, history lesson for the day!

 

 

 

 

Symi's Guacamole

We have been discovering the delights of cheap avocados. We arrived in the USA the day after the Super Bowl and people must not have bought the anticipated numbers of avocados. Good for us as they were 50c each. Symi is the guacamole maker in the family. Her recipe is below

Guacamole 

2 ripe avocados
1/4 finely chopped red onion
1/4 C chopped coriander
1/4 C chopped cherry tomatoes
Juice 1 small lime
1/2 tsp cumin
Salt and pepper to taste

Roughly crush avocado flesh with a fork. Mix in all remaining ingredients. Serve with corn chips or what ever else you fancy.

Nearly own an RV

We have agreed to buy this RV (http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/1999-Fleetwood-29-110980622?mytrader=true ), have a look before the link disappears. Rob went for a test drive and Fiona commented it feels like driving a house around! On Saturday we will do the final checks to see that all works. All being well we will pick up next week.

Today we are off to the 'happiest place in the world', Disneyland. Simone is mildly excited!! We went to Luna Park in Sydney to get in some rollercoaster practice, Rob is hoping the training worked and will have a rollercoaster partner today. For those who don't know Fiona gets terrible motion sickness and will not be going on things that spin or turn quickly.

The Italian Connection

While in Sydney we visited Adeline, the first cousin of Rob’s Mum. She lives in an amazing old house in Bexley (near the airport) that was built in 1888. The Callose family purchased the house in 1919 as a weekender to escape their business in Sydney. Then the house was among dairy farms! While visiting we discussed some very interesting family history with Adeline, who for an 86 year old has a very sharp memory. Rob’s Great Grandfather (Batholomeo Callose, top left wedding photo) and Great Grandmother (Katherine, bottom left wedding photo) first emigrated from Italy in 1884. In 1903 when naturalised Batholomeo was a fruiterer. At some point later he begun a manufacturing and import business. B Callose and Sons Pty Ltd were the first manufacturers of pasta in Sydney (maybe Australia) and imported goods from Italy. A photo below shows a lorry picking up goods from the wharf at Circular Key. The Great Grandparents had five children including another Katherine (Auntie Katie, getting married below) who is Adeline’s mother and Angelo (second from left top wedding photo) who is Rob’s Grandfather. After marrying Auntie Katie moved into the Bexley house where Adeline was born. Adeline has lived there since. There is an amazing amount of history in the house with many old ornaments and fittings. Most of the lights are turned on by pull cords. Symi has been taking great delight in nearly being as big as her Grandmother (left) and Adeline (right).

On our way at last

On Friday 24th January the Wallers finally made it onto a plane out of Perth with close to 160kg of luggage. With three bikes, two snowboards and all our luggage for a year there was a fair bit of culling going on when we did the final packing. I think we all breathed a sigh of relief when we got everything checked in. There was definite relief when we got it all into the hire car considering we used a trailer (thanks Adam) to get to the airport in Perth. While we are thanking people we want to say a massive thanks to everyone who helped us with cleaning, packing moving etc as well as Sue and Mac for accommodating us all for a week.
 

Our week in Sydney has been fun with not much to do in the way of jobs. We have been out exploring up to Palm Beach where we climbed up to Barrenjoey lighthouse for a fantastic view over Palm Beach and Pittwater. We then went on to discover the delights of ocean pools which were a first for Fiona and Symi. We followed this with a long and scenic drive (some might say we were not quite sure where we were at times) through the very expensive houses near Palm Beach. Evidently if Rob lived in Sydney this is where it would be - with the proviso that he had a lot of money and did not need to work. 

Another day we met up with Liam a school friend of Rob's and walked along the stunning Sydney coastline from Waverley to Coogee. Liam was assistant director on the TV show Wonderland and amused us by pointing out the areas they had filmed in as well as the house used (Photo) for the outside shots of Wonderland.

 

 

 

Other highlights have been catching up with family and friends. Rob managed 4 rides which was fantastic. These were Old Man Valley at Hornsby (short and sweet), Lane Cover River National Park at Pennant Hills, Lake Parramatta (surprisingly the highlight, very technical and thanks Eugene for showing the way) and the famous Manly Dam.   Photo is at Lake Parramatta, preparing for the many rock drops to come at Moab :). Rob also managed to be in Sydney when HMAS Creswell at Jervis Bay was renaming it's training divisions (one of them Waller), will do a separate post on what was a great day..

                

We made it back to Sydney International Airport on Feb 3 without drama for the longest Monday of our lives (40 hours). We flew out of Sydney on the A380 (very smooth and quiet, pity about the massive wing view in cattle class) and landed at LAX on time. We eventually made it through the slow immigration with some nervous moments being quizzed about our length of stay. We picked up the hire car without drama, just fitting our gear in took 20 minutes. We then began to experience the MASSIVE freeways of LA, just the thing for a tired brain. After navigating to a Walmart and buying a GPS system, Fiona and Rob had the pleasure of trying to program to our destination. It should have been easy but the long Monday was taking its effect. We eventually arrived at our AirBnB which is great. Our host Octavio is very friendly and helpful and we have been picking his brains on how to function in LA. 

After a long sleep it’s time to go RV shopping with the aim of not spending too long in LA.