Travelog for: Zeitgeist

Hey there, in the next time I will tell you the Story's what happend so far, but at the moment I'm just glad that my passports finaly arrived. And I will go to USA tomorrow!


I'm so excited

Hello Dad.

I am so happy because today started our trip to America. Very early in the morning we arrived at the Airport in Düsseldorf. Purple Tentacle guided us through the airport to the waiting area. We followed him around till we could see the airplanes. They were really huge.

































On our flight from Düsseldorf to London were so many clouds, that we couldn’t see much out of the window.



After a short flight from just one and a half hours we arrived at T5 in London. This is a really cool terminal here. Now we had to wait 4 hours before our next flight to San Francisco will start. The airplanes here were much bigger than the one we took before.







While we waited for our flight we found this nice bear in front of the Harrods shop and this beautiful butterfly’s.





Then our long flight began. We will be on the Airplane for over 10 hours, before we reach San Francisco. Here we were flying over Greenland. Before we could see the land there was a long while only ice to see.







Time to drink some coke. I shared mine with Snowball and Purple Tentacle



Here you can see our flight route.



To kill some time. We were watching the movie “the Lorax”



Finally we arrived at San Francisco. Here I am standing on the union square.



We were so tired from the long flight that we went to bed very early. But tomorrow we will go and discover San Francisco.





Good night Dad

Good morning Dad.

Today is our first real day here in America. I am so happy about it. After a great breakfast we started our tour on the union square. Look we found these cool looking hearts on every corner of the square.





Before we could start our trip to fishermen’s wharf, we had to buy some water for the day. On our way to the supermarket, I saw this cool looking house.



Then we went to the cable car station. I was so happy that we will ride on these famous cars. Unfortunately it was so full on the cable car, that we couldn’t take a photo from our tour. But I promise we will take a picture of the cable car later.
We went off at the Lombard Street. This is a very famous street because this street has very tight turns from the top to the end.





We decided to walk the rest of the way to Fishermen’s wharf. On our way we climbed up a small hill, from which we had a wonderful view down to Alcatraz. I heard that years ago there were a lot of special prisoners arrested.



We also saw this cool fire truck. You could make a tour over the Golden gate bridge with this car, but we didn’t want to ride on it.



Finally we arrived at Fishermen’s wharf. Here we saw a lot of shops and it was full of people.



We went down the pier, to have a look over the bay. From here we had a look at the Golden gate bridge at the end of the bay and we saw this see lions relaxing in the sun.









On our walk around the pier, we went into a Ship museum. The first ship was an old paddle wheel steamer. And on this ship we could see a lot of old cars. It was really cool.











Then we went onto the next ship. It was a beautiful old sailing ship. In the bottom of the ship we could see, a lot of things out of the history of the ship. What it has loaded and how the crew cabins looked like.











After that it was time to go back to the hotel. But before I forget it, here is the picture of the Cable Car I had promised.



See you tomorrow.

Good morning Dad.

Today is our second and last day here in San Francisco, because tomorrow we will travel on to the Yosemite National Park. But I don’t want to talk about tomorrow, because we have planned a lot for today.
After our breakfast, we started our tour at Fishermen’s wharf again. From there we planned to walk to the Golden gate bridge. I am so happy that I will walk on this amazing bridge.
On our way to the bridge, we walked along the beach. Isn’t the view great from here? I could see Alcatraz and far far away the bridge.





After a long way from an hour we are very close to the bridge. I am so excited about it and the weather is so unbelievable nice today.



On the bottom of the bridge we arrived at an old Fort. Fort Point was build 1794 and was completed just before the American Civil War, to defend San Francisco Bay against hostile warships. The fort is now protected as Fort Point National Historic Site, a United States National Historic Site administered by the National Park Service as a unit of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
We looked around the fort and then climbed up the stairs to the top, to have a look around from the top.



















It was cool to look around the fort, but now it is time to move on to the bridge. But wait beneath the fort we found these interesting looking sign. A friendly old man, told us about the story behind this sign. Hopper is a true San Francisco hero. He is one of the many Golden gate bridge’s iron workers that not only risk their life each day maintaining this beautiful bridge, but volunteer to save the lives of lost souls attempting to end their lives jumping off the bridge. He saved 30 people in the time he was working at the bridge.
When he noticed that waterfront joggers have a ritual of touching the fence at the dead-end of the sidewalk next to Fort Point, he had the bridge's sign painter make a sign with two handprints on it, and another sign with two dog paws, because one woman had her dog touch the fence.
Now everybody is touching this sign. We also touched it, before we went the way back to climb up to the bridge.



Dad I am standing on the Golden gate bridge. I am so happy and the view over San Francisco is so beautiful. But it was a little bit too windy here for me.



After the bridge we walked on to the National cemetery. It was very impressive to see all this graves. We saw graves from people who fought in more than one war and survived them. And we saw a grave from a person who got the Medal of Honor.



Before we went back to the hotel we made a short stop at the Palace of fine arts. This place was very special, because you had the feeling like you were in Greece.









It was a wonderful day here in San Francisco. I will always have beautiful memories of this city. But I am also excited to see the next stop on our tour through America tomorrow.

So good night and see you tomorrow.

Good morning Dad.

Today we were driving to the Yosemite National Park. There we will stay two days, before we will travel on to Death Valley.
Here I can show you our car, we rent for our trip. Isn’t it huge?



We were sitting comfortable on the backseat.







On our way to the park, we saw this pretty lake and this cool view when we were making some breaks. But it was so hot outside that we didn’t left the car for too long.





After approx. four hours we finally arrived at the Park. The first thing we saw here was a forest from burned trees and bushes.  It was really strange to see something like this.







We took the chance and climbed down a small hill, to have a first view over the park.





Unfortunately we had to climb up the hill again, to go back to the car.



After a while we arrived at Curry Village. Here you can see our cabin for the next two days. In front of the cabin stands a bear box. There we had to put all our food and shower stuff in, so that the bears won’t get them.





Then we decided to use the time to walk to the Mirror Lake, to see the Sunset there. On our way we walked along the Visitor Centre.



It was a long walk, but it was nice because we had a nice view around us.







Then we arrived at the Lake, just right for the Sunrise. Unfortunately there wasn’t much water at the lake, so we haven’t the feeling of a mirror. But it was I nice Sunset.



Next to the Lake we saw these cool towers.



After the sun set of, it was quickly getting dark. And because we were afraid of bears and mountain lions we quickly went back to Curry Village.
It was a long day and I am really tired. So good night and see you tomorrow.

Good Morning Dad.

Today the weather was a little bit rainy in the morning, so we decided to visit the Mariposa Grove. There we could see the giant sequoias. It was really cool to see these huge trees. We learned that these trees don’t die from age, after thousands of years they easily fall over because they get too heavy.









And not only were the trees themselves giant, their fir cone were also very huge.



In the Forest we found this cool rock.





From the Forest we drove to Glacier point. When we arrived there the rain had stopped and the sun came out. From the viewpoint we had a great view over the park.







Glacier point lies 7214ft / 2199m over the sea-level. It was very windy so high above, so we were hiding behind these rocks to get some break.









After our short break it was time for us, to move on to the Tunnel View. Doesn’t this view is really fantastic?



In the evening we planned to walk to the Yosemite Falls. On our way we stopped at this lake to swim a little bit. But the water was so cold for us, so we only hold our feed into the water.





After a while we moved on, but then we stopped because we saw this Mule deer. It is so cool.



And near the Mule deer we saw a real Black Bear. First it was scary, but then we saw the Park rangers and we started to relax. We were really sorry when we heard that the bear was hurt. We hope that the Rangers could help him.



It took a while but finally we arrived at the Yosemite Falls. They were cool, but I think in spring they were much more amazing.



Because the river bed was mostly desiccated we were brave and climbed through it to come nearer to the waterfall. It wasn’t easy but it made a lot of fun.









On our way back to Curry Village we decided to take the bus again. But we had to wait a little bit for it.



Tomorrow we will move on to the Death Valley. It will take a while before we will get there. So we had to stand up very early. Because of that I want to get enough sleep.

So good night Dad

Good Morning Dad.

Today we will move on to the Death Valley. Shilo told us, that Death Valley is a desert and that it will be very hot there. Luckily we have air condition in our car.
But before we left, we had breakfast. In front of the dining room we saw this black bear and we wanted to ride on it.



Outside we saw a lot of squirrel. They were playing around and searching for something to eat.



Then it was time to say goodbye to the beautiful Yosemite National Park. I had a great time here.















On our way to the valley we stopped at this wonderful mountain lake. It was so beautiful here.





Later we stopped at another lake. This one was a lot bigger than the other and is called Mono Lake





Here I am standing at the Padre Crowley Point. It is the memorial of the padre of the Desert.





After six hours we finally arrived at our hotel in Death Valley.





It is so hot outside that we didn’t want to stay outside too long. So we took the chance that the hotel had a pool and went swimming. It was a strange feeling to swim in a pool and have a look over the desert from there.
We went out of the pool when the sun was going under. Even then it was very hot outside, but we wanted to take some sunset photos.





On our way to the restaurant we saw this old fire truck.





It was cool to see Death Valley, but I am very happy that we only stay here for one night.

Hello Dad.

Today we stood up very early because we wanted to leave the Valley before it’s getting too hot. But even at 9 o’clock in the morning we have still around 100 °F / 38°C.
I am happy that we will leave here and hope that it will be a little bit cooler at the Grand Canyon. But before we will get there, we have a long journey from around 6 hours today.
Good bye Death Valley.



On our tour we were looking out of the window. It seems like the road will end at the horizon.



It was so hot outside and there were so many hills, that we had to make a break to give the brakes on our car the chance to cool down a little bit. Far away we could see a river.



Oh no, on the horizon the sky is getting very dark. Some minutes later it was raining very strong and we couldn’t see much from the road.



After 6 hours we finally arrived at our hotel near the Grand Canyon. When we opened the door to our room we were really surprised. It was not only a normal hotel room, it was a suite. So we started to explore our suite. We found a kitchen, a living room and the bed room.



























But it was too early to go to bed, so we drove to the Grand Canyon and watched the sunset there. It was really beautiful.













It was a long day for us, but I am happy to see more from the Grand Canyon tomorrow.
So good night Dad.

Good morning Dad.

I have slept very well last night; the bed in our suite was very comfortable. But we had to stand up early, like the days before. Today we were planning to visit the Grand Canyon again and at noon we want to move on to Page.
So let’s start. Right after our breakfast we checked out of the hotel and drove to the Canyon. On our way to the Canyon we stopped in front of the National Forest because we saw this cool bear. His name is Smokey and he helps the Park Rangers to prevent the forest from fire.





Then we arrived at the Canyon. We started our tour at the Village Route Transfer.







From there we took the shuttle-bus to the Trailview Overlook. Because the weather was so beautiful we decided to walk to the next Viewpoints. We walked to the Maricopa Point, Powell Point and Hopi Point. It was a distance from 1,5 miles / 2,4 km. It was getting so hot while we walked around that we decided to take the shuttle to the Mohave Point. 















Then it was time to move on to Page. On our way we stopped at the Desert View. Here you can see the cool Watchtower.









Before we left the National park, we stopped again to say good bye. From this site the Canyon looks less impressive then from the viewpoints. But it was a great time here.



Yeah we finally arrived at Page. Tomorrow we want to visit the Antelope Canyon, but today we only want to relax a bit. So we drove down to Lake Powell near our hotel and enjoyed the beautiful sunset.

Hello Dad.

This is our eighth day here in America and I am just a little bit tired at the moment and the others seem to be a little tired too.









In the noon we want to visit the Antelope Canyon here in Page. Because we have some time till then, we went to Lake Powel again.
We climbed around the rocks and after that I could relax at the water and swim a little bit. The water was crystal clear and very refreshing, with the heat outside.





On our way to the canyon we stopped at the Horseshoe bend. Look Dad the Colorado River looks like a horseshoe here.  I was too scared to go nearer to the edge, to have a better look at the river.



Then we moved on to the Antelope Canyon. It was very impressive to have a look at this giant rocks and the light that shines on them.







Here I am standing on the south entrance of the canyon. From here you can imagine how small it is inside the canyon.



After one and a half hours in the canyon it was time for us to move on. Today we will drive to Bryce Canyon. Host dad was very nice and let me drive a little bit on my own.



I am such a good driver, that I could drive without looking



Then the others wanted to drive also, so we changed places and I took the chance to play around with the others in the car.

Good morning Dad.

We woke up in our cool country hotel near the Bryce canyon today.





It is a very nice hotel and we had the feeling like we were on an old western ranch, inside and around the hotel.



After our breakfast buffet we drove to the canyon.  We started at the Sunset point and walked the 0,5 miles/ 0,8 km to the sunrise point.







From there we saw a trail, which goes down the canyon. This trail is called the Navajo Loop and in our map we could see that the short part of the loop is 1,3 miles / 2,1km long. It is a moderate hike so we wanted to try it.
We had wonderful views inside the canyon.









What will be behind this tunnel?





Wow what a great cave. But we found no animals inside.





Dad look I found this tiny squirrel it was very nosey.



It was very nice here, but we have to move on to the Zion National Park. Good bye Bryce Canyon.



After a short trip we arrived at the Zion National Park.







First we checked in into our hotel and after that we drove to the Zion human history museum and from there took a shuttle bus to the Zion Lodge. We haven’t much time till sunset so we decided to take the trail to the lower emerald pools. Unfortunately it was so dry that the waterfall and the lake were mostly parched.

Hello Dad.

Today is our second day in the Zion National Park. We started our tour at the visitor center and took the bus to the Temple of Sinawava. From there we followed the Riverside walk.





At the end of the trail we walked through the riverbed and followed the Narrows a short while.





After this refreshing walk through the river we moved on to the Weeping Rock. It was very impressive here, because this rock really looks like it was crying.

Hello Dad.

Our trip is close to its end. Today we were visiting the Valley of Fire. It is a desert again, but with very interesting rocks.
This rock is called the Elephant rock. Can you discover the Elephant?



Here we are at “the Cabins”. These historic stone cabins were built with native sandstone by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s as a shelter for passing travelers.











Here I am standing in front of the Mouse Tank. Named for a renegade who used the area as a hideout in the 1890’s. Mouse’s Tank is a natural basin in the rock where water collects after rainfalls, sometimes remaining for months.



On the half-mile round-trip trail to Mouse’s Tank, we passed numerous examples of prehistoric petroglyphs like this.



Here we are standing at the Rainbow Vista visiting point.













This multicolored sandstones look like the German flag, don’t you think so dad?



I really like the White Domes because they were very impressive.



Because it was so hot, we decided to move on to Las Vegas our last stop before we will return to Germany.  I think this highway looks like the ones, which you could see in American road movies.









Viva Las Vegas!!!



Our hotel is the Stratosphere tower. It looks so amazing huge from down here.



Here you can see the view from the View platform on top of the Tower. Behind us you could see the Strip.

I wish you a wonderful good morning Dad.

Today is our first really day here in Las Vegas.  After a great breakfast at the Mandalay Bay hotel, we visited the shark reef, which was build inside the hotel.
At the entrance I saw this cool crocodile.



Luckily there is a window between this Komodo dragon and us. I think he wanted to eat us.





Dad I touched a real ray. It was so cool and he feels like … hmm like jelly.



In this underwater tunnel and the reef connected to the tunnel, we saw a lot of different fishes and sharks. I also saw the big white sharks and a sawfish. The sawfish scared me more than the white shark, because his saw was so amazing huge. But he was too fast to take a picture with him, so I can’t show him to you.





Dad I am in New York.
Just a joke, near to the Mandalay Bay hotel is the New York New York hotel. It really looks like a small version of New York. They even have a small Statue of liberty.



Here I am standing on the Brooklyn Bridge.



Inside the hotel I had the feeling like I was standing on a street in New York, it was really cool.





Because it was so hot outside we had the idea to take the chance and visit an exhibition here in Vegas. We decided to have a look at the Titanic exhibition. We weren’t allowed to take pictures in the exhibition, but I can tell you that it was really impressive and sad to see the things from the ship and to read about all the hundreds of people who died on the ship.



Here I want to show you the Luxor hotel, were the exhibition was. The hotel looks like a giant pyramid and you have the feeling like you were in Egypt because of all the deco. 























When its dark outside Vegas looks like a completely new place. Everything is really flashy, because there are lights everywhere.





But one of the most beautiful things in the evening is the view at the Paris hotel. Doesn’t is looks wonderful with all this lights?



Before we went to home to our hotel after such a great but exhausting day, we stopped at the Bellagio hotel, because I wanted to show you this amazing foyer.



Good night Dad.

Hello Dad.

I am a little bit sad, because this is our last day here in America. This evening we were flying back to Germany, but luckily we have the whole morning to look around Vegas.
After our breakfast we went to an M&M shop. It was a very big shop with 4 floors full with M&M’s and merchandise. Have you ever seen so much M&M’s in so many different colors? I was really impressed.





Here I am standing right in front of the huge Caesars Palace. It is the biggest hotel we have seen here in Vegas.



This is a replica of the famous Trevi-fountain. It looks really beautiful. Dad will I travel to Rome one day, to see the real Trevi-fountain?



In the Venetian hotel they were celebrating carnival the whole year, but unfortunately we didn’t see anyone in a costume. Shilo told me that this hotel really looks like a small version of Venice.







In front of the Tropical Island hotel stands a pirate ship and every evening there is a show in which the ship is sinking.





Before we leave we wanted to do one very important thing. So we went into a casino and played on a slot machine. It made really fun, but after a short while I game away my dollar.



Then it was time to say good bye to the beautiful and flashy Las Vegas.



When we arrived at the airport Shilo told us, that we had to wait one hour before our flight will start.  First we sat down to wait for our flight.





But it was too boring for us. So we had the idea to play some games to shorten our idle time.







Our return flight took 10 hours and we all were sleeping most of the time. The craziest thing is that we started in Vegas on Saturday evening and landed in Düsseldorf on Sunday evening. Because of that we all were really tired and went to bed as soon as we were home.