San Francisco, Redwood National Park (California), somewhere near Coos Bay (Oregon) and Seattle (Washington)

The morning after our first night in San Fran, we headed out to Alcatraz island and the prison there.

As I'm sure you all know, Alcatraz hosted a high security prison for a lot of years, but before that it had been a defense point when gold was discovered near San Fran in 1848. After that it was a military penitentiary before being handed over to the prison service (which is when it hosted Al Capone and the Birdman). Once it had been closed down, in the 60's, a group of American Indians moved there and tried to claim it back as Indian Island, a symbol of all the land they had once owned in the US. Eventually they moved on out, after about 19 months and it became the National Park that it currently is. I thought all that was pretty interesting. Obviously going to Alcatraz the prison was the big thing, we had a look around it, and I can quite happily say that is the closest I ever want to get to the inside of a prison.

The one thing that really suprised me about the island were all the flowers. Alongside the crumbling buildings were the most gorgeous and vibrant flowers, kind of absorbing the buildings back into the island.

After we left The Rock, we had a look around Fisherman's Wharf, ate some clam gumbo in a sourdough bowl and then went on a cable car ride.

The steep hills of San Fran really do put Sheffield to shame... they have to be seen to be believed, its like a rollercoaster!

The next day we departed San Fran for Redwood National Park. The drive was again along the coastal 101 highway and took forever as we got stuck behind trucks and RV's and people who just drove ridiculously slowly. We had one full day (the next) in Redwood National Park, in the morning we took a 'walk' down to see the tallest Redwood tree in the world (not biggest, those are the Sequoias in Yosemite which we couldn't see because of the snow). It was a lovely walk downhill to the bottom of the woods, by the river, and a nice flat stroll through the trees, but then a horrible climb back out the previously lovely downhill slope to get back out, we earned our lunch that day.

I passed on the beach hike in the afternoon to do some much needed washing, so the next day we got up and after Redwood we finally left California! Thats the longest I think we were in any state, but it's just because Cali is so long and thin and we travelled south to north through it. I don't have any pictures of Oregon, which is a real shame, because it was BEAUTIFUL. The whole state was so green, apparently it rains a lot there, and it has a lovely combination of miles of coastline, forest and farming land. They grow a lot of turf grass there, so it's really pretty to look at. I can't remember the name of the place we camped, but it was by a lake and in a wood and was very pretty indeed. On arriving in Oregon, after setting the tents up, we went for a ride in some dune buggies. Best. Activity. Ever. I loved them.
Imagine what is basically a chassis frame with huge wheels, being strapped down into it, and then been driven up, along and down almost vertical sand dunes at 70mph. I just cant describe how much fun that was. There are no photos for you now as unfortunately getting covered in sand ruins your camera so I didn't want to risk it with mine, but I think another member of the group got a couple.

Finally, this morning we set off for Seattle and a brand new state, Washington. I've been really looking forward to this city in particular and I haven't been disappointed so far. Everyone is really friendly and it has a brilliant music scene, along with a massive music museum (I'm going tomorrow, Toby you will be so jealous, it looks awesome!). Tonight me and a few of the others went to a mexican restaurant just a few blocks down from our hotel then found out about some live music to go and see tomorrow, it should be a good day. And the weather is warm! Amazing!

Love you all, I'll try and get in another update tomorrow night before we head into Canada :)

xxx