Bristol to Seattle: a journey of scientific curiosity and christian faith: The Great California Adventure - journeys and arrivals in the City of Angels

On the pier at Vincent Beach

First a quick introduction to the cast. First and most important, obviously is me. Two things you need to know 1) I love Birthdays and turned 30 during the trip. 2) I love Giant Pandas. Second, my ‘Californian’ friends; Diana and Yongbom. They lived in Bristol for a few years whilst Yongbom completed his theology PhD and attended my church which is how I know them. Diana is a California native and that is where they are currently living in the vicinity of LA. The UK contingent is Jenny, Colin, and Lucy. Jenny and Colin still attend my church in Bristol and Lucy used to be Bristol based but is now in the vicinity of London.

Wondering if my luggage is sitting in the cart outside the plane

Mount Rainier from the air

Monday was a day of travel. I left Seattle at about 10:30am and flew via Sacramento to LA.I arrived at about 2pm and there waiting for me were Diana and Yongbom with a welcome sign. We went off for lunch (a grilled cheese sandwich at Panera Bread) then went to fetch the mini-van. An eight seater with plenty of room, until we added all out luggage and the massive amounts of food we bought.

Malibu from the air

LA from the air

Dipping our toes in the Pacific

We collected the British contingent (Jenny, Lucy, and Colin) at 4pm. We dragged our jet lagged friends to the beach and paddled in the Pacific, a first for the Brits. We started the holiday tradition of group photos on the pier at Vincent Beach. We had a lovely meal Italian meal at C&O Trattoria with yummy complimentary garlic knots (fancy garlic doughballs). Diana and Yongbom then took us to ‘The Grove’ but we didn’t spot any celebs. With traffic we got to the travelodge in Passandre by about 10pm. Finally the jet lagged were allowed to sleep.

Vincent Beach

At the Grove

On the way to Yosemite

The Travelodge had complimentary breakfast which gave us a natural meeting place in the morning. I also had a chance to do my first sketch of the holiday. Palm trees seemed like the best snapshot of LA. After breakfast we set off via Fuller (seminary where Diana and Yongbom went) and Trader Joes (grocery store where we bought lots of food) for 6 hour drive (+ numerous rest stops) to Yosemite. Lunch was at Grapevine where we ate in an “In ‘n’ Out”. This is a fast food burger place but it sells good quality meat and fries that taste like they might of actually come from a potato. They also have bible verses printed on the base of their containers, turns out with 3 trained pastors in the group they knew all the references – that’s reassuring!