Mission.
Gareth and Francis have to make the long and arduous journey from Los Santos to San Fierro, taking in the delights of Route 1, Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Monteray et al along the way while surviving switchback turns, impromtu hikes and Americans who don't know what a hostel is (shockingly true.)
Status: Completed.
Mission Highlights:
1. Hiking up the Salmon Creek trail was certainly the highlight of the day. After many many miles of driving along mind numbing highways and interstates while looking out upon a coastline which looked inhospitable in the dark grey of the sky and rolling fog we came across this little treasure. A break from the driving was certainly needed and it didn't look too difficult a task to make our way up to the waterfall that we could hear from the roadside. 1 hour later we found ourselves scrambling over rocks and developing our climbing skills as we endeavoured to make it back down to the car before all the light of the day was gone and we were left fumbling (and almost certainly stumbling) in the dark.
2) Blazing an open road along Big Sur with no traffic to hinder us for over an hour. After our hike we discovered that we had about an hour to make it to Monterey so that we could book into our hostel for the night. 67 miles of coastal road lay before us. It was time to see what our rental car could do when put to the test. It was a quick drive along roads that I can only compare to the Ring of Kerry except it was both better and worse, wider road but the turns were dizzingly sharp and sometimes seemed to be almost 360 degree turns. Thankfully both car and I were up to the task, the fiercely strong coffee I had earlier certainly also helped with my concentration as we sped from one bend to another.3) Having Japanese food for the first time in a lovely little restaurant in Monterey. It was my first time trying any Japanese food and if the rest of it tastes as good as what I had in Monterey I'll certainly look forward to it. Also it was incredibly cheap, a surprise in what is so obviously a tourist town and during some kind of festival.
Lowlights:
1) The weather was dull and the road was long. We were worn out by the time we made it to Monterey and unfortunately missed the festival which was some kind of modded and classic car show thing. Old American muscle cars roared up and down the streets spitting fire from their exhausts. Frankly it reminded me of the country town experience of the tools riding around all night in a Vauxhall Nova with a racing exhaust to make it sound better than it is. I must admit however the cars these guys had were in a different league. Some could have passed for something that was the product of a show of Pimp My Ride.2) The fact most people in Monterey don't know what a hostel is. We were in rather a panic when we finally arrived in Monterey at about 9.40, leaving us 20 minutes to find and check in to our hostel or face the prospect of being refused entry and (God forbid) spending the night in the car or some ludicously expensive motel or hotel. Gareth asked one person for directions to the hostel to be told they didn't know what that word meant. A police officer gave us confusing directions which sent us in the wrong direction until a kind petrol station attendant managed to give me the correct directions and phone number of the hostel. One phone call later to tell them that we were on the way and ascertain that we could check in and the day was saved. But it was a close run thing there for a while. A stressful way to end the day.
Other interesting tales from the road:
1) Petrol station attendant in one small town along Route 1 informs us that she has never eaten out in anywhere other than two local fast food restaurants which are franchised of major chains. Think Maccy D's or Burger King but in this case I believe is was something like Wendy's and Jack in the Box.
Next up: San Fierro.
