Road Trip

Once again the fog covered everything when we woke. We hadn't slept as well as we might have. It is not a good idea to sleep on cheese cake. So it was a bit of a lazy start. The only essential that we packed up our gear ready to check out. Fortunately it still fitted in to the same number of cases. We didn't want to have extra at this stage because it is too hard to get around with lots of bags.

We left our bags in the luggage store and caught the cable car to go to China town. Aimee wanted a San Francisco sweat shirt and that is the place for the best choice and best prices. We arrived just after 10-30am and it was still quiet which made for easy shopping. In no time Aimee had what she wanted and we explored some of the other stores.

Lunch was pork steamed buns from the bakery. A cheap and very tasty meal. Soon it was time to go back to the hotel then go to the airport to collect our rental car. We had decided to get a taxi to the closest train station and then get the train to the airport. The first part worked really well. The taxi and train were exactly as planned. The track closure was not. About halfway to the airport we had to get off the train and get on a bus for a 3 stations then back on another train to get to the airport. The taxi driver tried to convince me he should take us to the airport, if he had mentioned the delays I would have said yes.

More was to come. It took more than an hour waiting in a line to get checked in for our rental. They were unbelievably slow and it was immensely frustrating. Eventually we got our car a Kia Sportage. A bit larger than I had reserved but good to drive. I am using my phone with Google maps to navigate and they worked just great. The hardest part was leaving the airport, then it was using three different highways to get to Santa Cruz about an hour and a quarter south. The traffic was good in our direction. The traffic jam going the other way was over 25 miles long as people returned from the beach on Sunday evening.

Our motel was across the the beach and Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. The Boardwalk was a large amusement park, with all sots of rides. After dinner we wandered through the park, looked at the rides, but did not go on any. It was possible to pay per ride or to buy a day pass. The place was crowded even though it was late on Sunday night.

Then to bed. Another good day, even with the frustrating delays.