Need wine country

I am completely, to use the correct phrase, 'freaking out.' Why is there no tea here? What are those things that look like polos but taste like the worst thing imaginable? And don't even get me started on the chocolate.
Most of all- where is our money going? It seems we are obliged to tip anything that moves- and inanimate objects. Last night I was in tears in our motel room, throwing all kinds of nonsensical comments in Richard's direction. Luckily he seemed quite unconcerned about the issue and said, 'calm down Doris*, everything's going to be OK.'
Afterthought: they're good at bins here though. And that beach at the front of LA is nice.

*'Dorises' = a blanket term for 'women.'

Grand Canyon

This one's for you Dad

Las Vegas

Translates as 'The Meadows' because it's an oasis (cough) in the desert.
Summary: disgusting

Tacos, beans & ?

And now to Monument Valley, home of the Navajo and for me a love-hate experience.
There is nothing I repeat nothing attractive or romantic about camping, roughing it and so on. Don't believe the hype. As dusk fell I could be found rocking in the bitter cold, head in hands, thinking yes we get to sleep out in the heart of the Valley and yes the moon is rising in a mystical way above those ghostly spires-
...but _ _ _ _ this. I want a hot shower. All I needed was some friendly wine to numb the pain but oh no, even this wasn't allowed - all alcohol being banned from the reservation.
(brighter voice) The area itself is outstanding. Film director John Ford is said to have spent many hours here, transfixed. Each 'monument' has its own name and story to tell. I believe
that ghastly rock band, Bon Jovi, made one of their videos atop one of them.
'Superstition Pathway' is where one can enjoy storybook-perfect echo effects. Simply stand and yelp / wail as appropriate.

Pumpernickel

This week on my holidays I have been in Texas, at a national park called 'Big Bend.' I like it because there are cactuses.
One member of the Group appears to be falling apart but this is just what happens
In any case the hiking has sorted out all of our minds even if it is painful. At the end of one gruelling trek I encountered someone who was visibly a hiking nut. He said, 'where've y'all been?' I said, to Emory Peak, whereby he leaned forward with a slightly crazed expression and whispered, 'so... Did you head up past Black Bear Boulder and round Deer Creek - or did you just take the Cougar Pass?' I said, 'Um, I just followed the signs' and hobbled away with as much dignity as I could.
Here I'd like to give it up for Richard, without whom I would not have been able to approach any sort of tent or indeed reach the top of that wretched Peak.
Please note the views from above-mentioned Peak will do more for your head than any therapist ever could

Houston, we have a problem

As surreal a start to the day as any. Up at 05:00 as always, I crept downstairs to do Internet things. I then heard odd scuffling noises and to my horror an array of shady hostel-dwellers began emerging from the gloom, coughing and leering.
I recoiled and made for a cosy nook by the fire, and was just embarking on a sketch of a huge, glorious cat lying there, when an almighty 'Oh f_ _ _' sounded from outside.
Somebody has driven into our trailer and sort of, re-arranged it.
Do avoid Houston International Hostel if possible.

Familiarity breeds contempt

How is it that some people can be full of charm and happy and raucous, night after night? Why wasn't I made the same? Last night Richard implored me to come and be normal; to play some cards, for example, whilst chortling loudly - but I was far too busy muttering and burrowing myself away under some sheets.

Some facts on New Orleans for you: nicknamed 'The City That Care Forgot' it lies within the Mississippi Delta and is built mainly on sand and silt. Due to human intervention the river now flows too quickly, preventing the natural build-up of said silt, and the surrounding area (though vast) is losing land at a rate of a football pitch every 45 minutes.

Hurricane Katrina was not directly responsible for the havoc wreaked in 2005; it was the many faulty flood defences. Had they been driven 24ft into the ground (instead of just 12 as a cost-cutting measure) they would have held fast. As it was, they simply broke apart under the strain. Of the vast numbers of people displaced by the storm some 200,000 are believed still absent today.

On a lighter note the French Quarter is now full of life - delicious seedy bars, oyster perches, general oddities, and such.

Richard and I have enjoyed some romance in said Quarter. A fellow Korean traveller remarked, 'I see you hold hands - for first time! HA, HA.'

More excitement to follow.

Hell yeah

Goodbye Music City. I liked the hostel lady because she spiked my tea with Jack Daniels. I'm not sleeping too good and wondered did she have any further alcoholic recipes for night-time wellbeing? She looked at Richard and said, 'jus' wear her out, buddy.'
Blush count: 17

Memphis = Blues Capital. There is a large waterway called the 'Mississippi.' Interestingly, this city's namesake is in Egypt, which is why there is an enormous glittering pyramid at the gateway. FYI Memphis is also the hardwood lumber capital of the world. There is a dwelling called 'Graceland' somewhere around here too ( I just don't like Elvis. I longed to vandalise the statue of him at the Visitor Centre and there are others who must feel the same).
May I recommend the Gibson Guitar factory.
We have walked with our feet 10 feet off the Beale etc and would have had a romantic walk along the waterside had it not been for R's obsession with taking pictures of boring barges / himself (in various postions) by that bloody pyramid.
Also today: catfish

Nashville, Tennessee

Known as 'the Athens of The South' for its dedication to education and the Arts.
In 1941 Nashville was granted the USA's first FM radio licence.
Elvis (yawn) recorded some 200 songs here.

American-style curry and beer

We have become part of a band of 13 road-trippers, all in their 20s and 30s and pleasant / sane at time of writing. Richard with his endless knowledge and loud voice / authoritative hair has already established himself as a key member of the Group. I lack any such features, and also have a tendency to shun people in groups above 4 - so may need to work on my position a little
In all we were on the road for 11 hours yesterday. En route we encountered Walmart, the Tesco of the United States. It is like Tesco, only supersized, and saccharine-sweet - until you reach the
Gun Section.
I rose early today and decided to hike out alone into the Appalachians and set a standard for the others; maybe even fight some bears.
A wall of ice hit me as I opened the door. I marched 50 yards out into the snow, said 'ho hum,' turned and went back inside.
For further information on this area please refer to notes of other great traveller, Bill Bryson.