We have just spent our last night in the US in a (yet another!) Motel 6. We’re at the throwing stuff out/packing/freaking out about how much stuff we have stage of our trip. Happens every time. We’ve put 10,000+ miles on the car and let’s just say it’s not quite in the same condition as when we got it. It needs a new battery, an oil change and a comprehensive service. That happens every time too.

It’s been a great trip – we’ve seen and done things that we hadn’t expected to do when we started out, the camping has been wonderful and the motel/hotel accommodation has ranged from excellent to very poor. I’d happily stay at the Holiday Inn place in Vegas again, some of the little motels we stayed at in out-of-the-way places were lovely, but the motel in Prince George, BC that messed up our booking and then refused to refund us may regret their actions … and if you feel like voting for our reviews of that place, here’s the link:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g154938-d1639986-Reviews-Carmel_Motor_Inn-Prince_George_British_Columbia.html#REVIEWS

Ivanpah Solar Power Facility near Primm on the California – Nevada border – 400 Megawatts

One of the few places we were actually able to get to/park at Malibu Beach

We have been reading about Trader Joe’s recently, so called in to visit one and see what it’s like. They are now owned by Aldi, but have a more ‘wholefoods’ feel to them. We bought a few things, including a bottle of Sauv Blanc for $2.49, but need a corkscrew to open it … oops.

Here’s today’s theme song, we’re in Santa Nella, just south of Sacramento

On the I-5 heading north, Mount Shasta covered in snow in the background