Uncertainty had now beset . The only road that takes us to the car park in Zion had been completely covered in mud and debris. The park is shut , with further warnings of flash floods in the next 24 hours . Finding information on potential reopening wasn’t easy . It’s fair to say the web page on Zion National Park needs some upgrading . Fortunately Megan Gurst knows how to make things happen . Some reservations made with Ponderosa Ranch was a godsend We are to be going on a four wheel drive Jeep tour into the back blocks in the countryside just outside the park . If that wasn’t all , there was more off road adventures atv style to follow later in the day .

Momentarily ,we are stuck just outside the park . Zion has an almost ethereal reputation . In our hometown and amongst work friends and fellow Aussie expats Zion has become a must tick travel destination. It’s a place that has majestic trails , surrounded by over hanging rock and mountainous summits . Fortunately for us , it forced us to look in the immediate and less known surrounds . We were rewarded with some hidden gems that turn out just as good as it’s more revered neighbour .

Ok , the Jeep tour of Checkerboard Mesa ( a rock formation resembling a crisscross pattern ) and the surrounding terrain had the kids yawning a bit , but the adults found it pretty interesting . It was good to get out and finally see some rugged terrain that actually had some trees and scrub to navigate . Ponderosa Ranch has a heap of activities for the kids and thankfully this kept the “ I’m bored “ complaints down for the most part .

The atv tour was a highlight . Stetson had the boys and myself wide eyed and hanging on to the Jesus handle white knuckle style . This kid ( Stetson ) barely looked 21 but geez he had his machine sideways along the narrow Sandy track that led down to the slot canyons . The four wheeling was only the beginning . The destination was a treat ; a crack in the hillside rock that opens up into a Swiss cheese like labyrinth splitting deep into the mountainside .

We missed out at Antelope Valley but fortunately we got to see the unique narrow slot canyon formations . The honeycomb red rock , the beautiful light , the narrow passageways into the centre of the earth . The canyons have a sense of mystique that have to be seen for yourself . We were stoked to get in there and explore it .

Finally ,we get notification that Zion National Park is open . We’ve got the last day to make it work . We use Ponderosa Ranch to ferry us in . We gather ( the right call ) that traffic would be intense , with everyone waiting in their accomodation for the call to open up . It was the charge of the masses . National Parks have been extremely busy during the pandemic . Internal travel destinations were the trend .With the US not locking down during the Covid crisis it’s been well documented that large queues were the norm when sightseeing America’s natural wonders . Plans of maybe walking multiple trails were put to bed ; it was the ‘Narrows ‘ that was our mission . It’s unfortunate. I was hoping to take the 5 hour hike to Angels Landing with the older boys . According to our upstairs neighbours and seasoned rock climbers Angels Landing is his favourite trail in all of America .

Zion is heaving at the seams . The drive in is slow as we snake in on the conga line of tourist busses , SUVs and Subaru Foresters . The main tourist destination is a narrow valley sandwiched between two rugged red rocked mountainsides . The first impression was slightly underwhelming. It’s probably not fair , but we’d already seen some incredible parks in Utah . Zion reminds me of the Grampians and Halls Gap but more arid . I think the Grampians are definitely it’s equal . It’s probably why I was slightly nonplussed at first sight . A bus shuttle rotates around the park in around 30 minutes , with busses every 5 minutes apart it’s pretty efficient . We stop off at the Narrows . It’s the most popular trail in Zion . It’s 100 degrees outside ( 38 Celsius ) so any walking is gonna take some sweat and a plenty of water .The Narrows trail has cold running water to fill your bottles up with . The walk is simple , only a mile or so in until you hit the Virgin River . From here on in you get your feet wet and follow the river into the narrowing gorge . Emma , Ben and myself do it with our runners on . Fortunately we are given a gnarly old walking stick that is more than helpful in traipsing over the slippery river stones . We don’t go far but we see and experience enough to return fully satisfied. We did the Narrows . Tex and Ryan go a further half mile up stream . They report back that we missed out but I’m more than happy to get back without a panic .

Utah …….I loved it .10 days packed with everything you could’ve asked for in a holiday . I’ll drink to that

Emma and Ben wading down ‘ The Narrows ‘

We leave the furnace of Lake Powell . Our destination ?…..Zion National Park . Regrettably we leave without viewing Antelope Canyon . The Navajo Indians manage Antelope Canyon Reserve . With the ever present threat of Covid 19 and the vulnerability of the Indigenous Navajo they have shut the canyon off to tourism . We could barely complain , there’s not much we’ve missed on the trip so far . Although the pictures on brochures and it’s website of people traversing through bizarre honeycomb canyons would’ve surely had the kids buzzing . I had been told by a couple of families I know that had visited Utah that the kids thought Antelope Canyon was the highlight of their trips . Ahhh , well maybe we can find something just as good .

We drive west , taking the 4+ hour drive through to Kanab . We briefly stop off at the Moqui Cave .

As had been the case a couple of times already on this trip there can be some unexpected and sudden changes in weather . It’s easy to forget that you are at altitude a lot of the time in Utah . Thunderstorms and streaky clouds can funnel in over ridges from seemingly nowhere . Whilst closing in on Zion we were greeted with a blaring alarm over our radio warning of potential flash flooding in Zion . At 1st it seemed ludicrous as there was barely a cloud in the sky but as we got closer dark thunderheads started to appear on the mountains ahead . By the time we decided to leave Moqui caves the sky was an ominous dark grey . Temperatures had dropped quickly and the smell of rain was in the air . The two mums Megan and Emma came to a call of arms . “ Let’s wait the storm out . We don’t want to drive in winding unfamiliar roads in a potential flash flood .” We we’re just 25 minutes from our accommodation. Tex quickly piped in ..” That’s bullshit . The mums are just acting like pussies . Let’s just go now !” Eventually testosterone won out . We took our chances and scurried to Zion Mountain Ranch as light rain started to fall

Wow , our accomodation at Zion Mountain Ranch was excellent . Both families stayed in seperate 2 storey log cabins with upper and lower balcony’s , great shower and bathroom amenities and just a really cool authentic feel of country America . The surrounding farm had grazing bison , a mini farm with free range chooks , pony’s and a couple of big old sheep dogs . The restaurant at the main office and shop exceeded our needs . It was great .

Wow , how spoilt can you be . The peace , the big skies , the open mountain ranges and the fresh air . As a de facto Angelino you definitely appreciate space and clean air . The kids enjoyed themselves too . Kids love seeing animals , especially animals they can touch . Tomorrow we’ll hit the famous Zion National Park …. But wait , there’s news . The park is closed due to a mudslide brought on by a flash flood ! Are you fucking serious ! Shit , we’ll have to find something else to do . Luckily I’m here with the best two organisers going around .

For now , it’s time to drink to the serenity

Well , hound dawgs . It’s the middle of summer in California . Everything is almost normal . The new normal that is . Covid is floating around in the background . The numbers are on the rise again . It’s all about the beds here . If the ICU beds fill up , restrictions come back . It’s become a choice thing here . There’s plenty of vaccines to chose from . It’s up to you to decide which race you’ll run . For us , we’ll run with the flock and be vaccinated . With 95%+ ( I’ve read 99%, but that was a couple of weeks ago ) of all Covid hospitalisations coming from the unvaccinated it looks like a simple equation . Time will tell , but I’m confident we’ve done the right thing .

There are little things about living here that still frustrate . Taxes . Every year we are subject to both countries trying to tax us for anything we have . It can become complicated and costly . With accountants in both countries costs are definitely higher . This year we were left with a confusing tax bill on our superannuation fund in Australia ( it’s called a 401 here ) that left us gobsmacked when California decided we owe them a substantial sum . We are still flattened by this development, especially during Covid when earnings have been lower . I guess we can be taxed by both countries …..pricks .

Petty fraud is another bugbear . Every year we are forced to change our keycards due to card skimming fraud . This year we’re getting supermarket transactions on Emma’s card in Utah weeks after we came back . The banks are always prompt at recognising the fraud and reimbursement but it still shits you when you’ve got to cancel your card and wait for another one to come in the mail . To add insult to injury Emma’s new card didn’t arrive at all . Hilariously it also was stolen in the mailing system before it even got to our house . 2 and half weeks later Emma finally got her card . It’s a big country , with a lot of people and unfortunately a lot of crooks .

Well kiddies , I do feel sorry for the lockdown situation back in Australia . It must be depressing and it is a fortunate reality of living in the USA that vaccines are plentiful and civil liberties are fiercely protected . We’ll live with the frustrations that can come with living abroad and also enjoy its benefits . There’s no virus suppression here . It’s get vaccinated and at least in the short term you’ll be safe ( I think long term too ) or take your chances to not vaccinate and that you won’t catch it or have an immune system that will handle it . Good luck with that . Selfishly I see the Aus situation with frustration …… We can’t come back and we can’t get back and at the moment we’ll get by , but geezus to all my friends back home just get yourselves vaccinated for your own sake . And selfishly if you do that …..we may just get back to see you . Cheers

We farewell Moab goodbye and head south ( I think ) . The destination is Lake Powell . I’d never heard of Lake Powell until Emma booked this holiday. Unfortunately I had to do some homework to find out a little more about this place . I hate having to dig stuff up to explain our experiences but it’s important to gain perspective. Lake Powell was formed when the Colorado river was dammed to create the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963 . This event backed up the Colorado river , engulfing some 96 canyons , producing 2000 miles of coastline ( more than the entire West Coast of the US!) and the 2nd biggest man made lake in the US . Lake Meade at the other end of the Colorado river is even bigger . This is typical ‘ can do ‘ US style of infrastructure. Would Australia do this with such an incredible geographic icon ? I’m not sure , even though we did dam the Snowy river . It’s the US way . If it can be done ,consider it done . You only have to think Las Vegas , a city built on sin in the middle of a desert .

The drive south stretches out of the undulating canyons of Moab into vast stretches of flat scrubby desert . The outside temperature hovers at 40 Celsius . We push along the state line separating Utah and Arizona . The roads are pretty good out here but you notice the lack of overtake lanes on the Arizona side . In fact there isn’t any , at least not where we are driving . There are times when you have to sit patiently 6-8 cars back waiting for your chance to overtake a truck or RV . Along the roadside in the middle of nowhere bob up small tents with tables occupied by Native American Indians selling jewellery and stones . Unfortunately we rarely if ever carry cash , so we kept on driving with some regret . It’s an incredible part of the world . What’s even more mind boggling is people live out here in small towns on straight roads with nothing around , and I mean fuck all .. It’s an oddity that’s hard to fathom . You think of your kids or their kids and wonder what they could do out here . In my desperation to relieve myself we find a large groceries / furniture /everything store to find comfort . It was here I found the kids , the local kids . They were all working , pushing trolleys ,scanning goods and sweeping floors . Good on them but , shit if they ain’t working here what else are they doing out here in the 40+ degree desert ? Eventually we drive into Monument Valley completely unplanned .

We are extremely lucky to have stumbled into Monument Valley . It was a considered location on our original itinerary but we deemed it too far out of our way . It’s lucky we suck at reading maps . It was a brief stop of only a few minutes . The rock site fatigue of our boys meant that the whinging was painful enough . We stopped , we saw , we kept grinding through the desert . To be honest , I think Arches National Park may have it covered but the backdrop of this place against the flat surroundings gives it a sense of grandness . I drive off with a smile on my face , reminiscing all those roadrunner and coyote cartoons in printed in my childhood memories .

Lake Powell . The signs tell us we are close but gee you can’t see it . We dissect through Page , the main town for the lake . It’s unremarkable , but there’s quite a few restaurants and hotels . Finally , we reach Glen Canyon Dam and all is revealed . It’s as if the earth has split and filled with a deep violet blue water . It’s got to be one of the strangest backdrops I’ve ever seen . A brutal , barren , dry crust encasing an unworldly lake . We all stare quietly for a moment . Shit , when you think you’ve seen enough amazing things on this trip and now this place shows up . And we are staying on it .

We meet up with our friends , the Gerst family . Emma and Megan’s magnificent planning has at Lake Powell resort . The next 3 days has us jet skiing , boating , pooling , dining and drinking at Lake Powell .

We leave Lake Powell having done a lot . Tex and I went jet skiing to some crazy cliff jumps . On one occasion a large house boat passed by chanting “jump , jump , jump as I hovered on the edge . Tex had already leapt the 40 foot + drop . I felt sick . I launched ,desperately wailing my hands backwards as I tried to keep myself vertical . I made it just as I started to to tilt backwards . The one regret was not getting any photos or videos . We didn’t really have anything to keep our phones dry . Another icon was ticked off when we visited Horse Shoe Bend . Geezus , can Utah offer up any more ? This place has been out of this world . It’s time to drive to Zion .

Emma and I hatch a plan ; we’ll leave the kids at the hotel and revisit Arches . We can’t leave this place without doing the ‘ Delicate Arch’ hike . Apparently , it’s a must do .The kids have told us they are not leaving the hotel and who can blame then when it’s 38 Celsius (100 f ) .

I bribe Leroy . I let him know that there’s a cash reward for coming with us . It’s probably stupid of me but I just want my kids to experience these type of things . They may never see it again , but in reality they just don’t care . They’re not old enough yet and that includes Tex who is 16 . Tex opts out ,Leroy comes . Emma and I are quiet. We know it’s only a 4 mile hike ( 6 or so ks ) but it’s rated hard and is all up hill on the way in . It doesn’t take Leroy long to realise this when we round a bend , revealing a long ascent up a huge rock embankment. “ I’m not going any further . You didn’t tell me it was uphill “, he protests . It takes us several minutes to convince him to continue, and a promise of a new baseball bat .

The funny thing is yesterday we abandoned an attempt to walk Delicate Arch partly due to fatigue and also a freak thunderstorm that just happened to creep up over the hills . The next day the same thing happened on cue . Emma and I looked at each other and didn’t say a word . We are doing this fucker ! Leroy included . Dark , bloody dark . Lightening too . We just lock our jaw and keep marching and hope Leroy doesn’t feel our sense of foreboding.

We are not alone . There is still a few people braving the heat and the dark skies to see the jewel of Moab , Delicate Arch . It’s not just hardy travellers, hikers and seasoned backpackers doing these walks . There’s families with young kids , grandparents and even dads with babies strapped to their chests . The walk is strenuous, nothing extreme but the altitude is noticeable. Staying calm , controlling your breathing and not trying too hard to suck in the big breaths is helpful . We see one elderly woman bent over in a nauseous state . There’s not much we can do , she has family at her assistance. Eventually the site of this incredible rock formation is the worth the effort . Delicate Arch ……stunning .

Arches is a feast for the eyes . I haven’t seen everything or even a lot but for pure photographic fervour this is the place . You could take a thousand photos on your iPhone and not realise it until you look through your phone at the end of the day. This is the most incredible landscape I have ever seen . No exaggeration.

The arches , the rock formations . The ease with which you can drive from one stunning backdrop to another makes this a park in high demand . 800 cars at a time are only allowed in the park . At 7am it’s reported that most of those 800 cars are already lined up to get in through the rangers booth . The park opens at 8am . We decide to hit the park around 3 pm . We know it’s hot but we also know the park is quiet and we also know that the early evening traffic is a couple of hours away . It pays dividends . It’s approximately a 45 mile round route with several stops along the way taking you to a host of incredible rock formations .

This is it kiddos . I’ve been to a lot of National Parks . I’ve been to The Great Barrier Reef , Uluru , Yosemite , The Grand Canyon , a shitload of others and a few more on this trip but Arches National Park is pretty hard to beat . I just wish you could’ve seen what I’ve seen with your own eyes . You’ll be mesmerised .

The 1st thing you notice about the Moab environment is how hot and dry things are . It’s super dry . The air has a sandpaper like effect on the skin . Your nose is super dry , the corners of your mouth are constantly textured , fury and rough . Your eyes are always watering . By the end of the day it feels like your skin has been stretched hard . Extra water is needed but it’s pretty hard to drink too much when you are constantly out sightseeing , the need to pee at every stop gets tiring . It doesn’t take long before you sense that you are actually starting to cook if you are exposed for too long . It’s as dry as I’ve ever felt and it’s like that everyday .

To add to the heat and low humidity is the elevation . You are constantly above 4000 feet . A persistent low level headache affects both Emma and I for the 1st 3 days . It’s like a vice has been clamped across the temples , wrapping around the side of the head . On the 4 th morning and last day in Moab we both notice the head ache has disappeared.

Canyonland is the least revered of the 2 national parks in Moab but certainly shouldn’t be missed . It’s about a 35 minute drive back out of Moab and can easily be done in a few hours with little need to walk too much . The drive to Canyonland slowly sees us climb further . It’s high plains territory We detour into the aptly named Dead Horse point reserve for our 1st drive by look . The trap here is this is a State Park and not a National Park , so our prepaid National Park permit ($80)doesn’t apply . $20 gives us a 3 day pass , it won’t be needed as we’ll be out in an hour , but don’t be dissuaded as the time is well spent .

We drive a few miles in and officially enter the Canyonland National Park . This section is known as Islands In the sky . Most spots up here are vantage points to amazing views . The one walk we did do was to Mesa Arch . It wouldn’t be much more than a mile round trip but Mesa Arch is a must walk , even if your kids are whining . Soon as you reach it they’re more than happy to climb over everything and more than happy to throw rocks into the abyss . There are some heart pounding cliff edges to venture up to . I did creep out to a ledge myself . I thought with all my past experiences in construction on high rises and swing work would keep me in good stead , but no . At one stage an almost involuntary stomach drop and need to relieve myself overwhelmed me . Laying down relieved the situation . Ive been to the Grand Canyon , flew over it too but I hesitate to say it but Canyonland has to be close to its equal . Yeah , big statement but I think the accessibility of Canyonland , the sense of vastness and a drop off from most view points that feeds into the horizon gives this place a sense of scale that is dramatic . It’s big up here and it really makes you feel insignificant in the scheme of things .

Canyonland was hard to beat but Arches National Park is on another level . Just wait to you see Arches , it’s insane .

We (Tex;Leroy and myself ) had flown into Salt Lake City before . It was freezing then , 4 months later it was nearly 40 Celsius . The contrast was extraordinary. I had been watching the weather forecast with interest . An unprecedented hot spell had hit the upper Midwest . By the time we arrive we are a mercifully at the end of it , but geez it’s still brutally hot . When we leave the air conditioned sanctuary of the airport and enter the car park the kids scurry to our rental car demanding I start the car immediately so as we can get the air pumping . 4 months earlier it was a winter wonderland. A city hemmed in by mountains covered in snow , pine trees dusted white , chalets , chairlifts …..beautiful . Just what you imagined . This time it was a more industrial / agricultural feel , scotched harsh by a fierce sun . Things would change . Emma had us travelling 3 and a half hours to Moab , from Salt Lake City . The first 2 and half hours were pretty unremarkable . It was pleasant enough with mountains slowly fading on our left , drifting into rural middle America . Eventually we descend into a valley and then slowly climb again .The road started to undulate , pushing into a landscape of ridges , red rocky embankments , cliffs , drops and sweeping bends . Canyons , carved faces of red granite , distant shapes and monoliths started to appear . Shit , it looks like we ate driving to Mars .

Wow and wow again . The landscape coming into Moab can not be under hyped and this was only a small taste of what is to come . It was like the ranges had been mined , open cut style with layers , but this had been curated by Mother Nature over god knows how many thousands of years . We pass by Canyonland on the way into Moab . Emma tells me that this is a place we will be visiting tomorrow . I can’t wait . The last few miles before reaching Moab is dissected by a highway cut through massive red rising rock and gorge on either side . Everything feels big , like prehistoric big . It’s a theme that will continue throughout the next few days .

Moab sits on the Colorado river . Yep that’s the same Colorado river that runs through the Grand Canyon . Moab is essentially a tourist town that works off 3 magnificent natural wonders of the US ; Arches National Park , Canyonland and the Colorado River . The town itself sits on the 191 . It has a few restaurants, gift shops , some cool arts , crafts ,stone and crystal shops and an area set up around some food trucks . It was busy each time we headed in but I enjoy a bit of people watching and the buzz of people in holiday mode . All up I think Moab is a pretty cool little town , there’s not much either side of it ,apart from of course the brilliant Utah landscape .

The next few days it’s time to drive , hike and drive whilst listen to the kids complain , but one things for sure the effort will be worth it .

Well Ole dawgs , things are finally starting to move forward in LA . It’s been a grinding 18 months but as of June 15 California will be completely open . As a strong critic of a lot of things that happen over here you’ve gotta hand it to the Yanks with their secondary response to this pandemic , particularly California . In our relatively small town of Hermosa Beach ( 20000 people ) I don’t know of one parent or adult in our town that hasn’t been vaccinated . On most social gatherings , walks in parks or beaches I don’t wear a mask . There’s an unknowing trust here that you’ve gotta respect . I recently heard that 56% of Californians had either been partially or fully vaccinated from covid 19 . This takes in consideration that they have just opened up the criteria for 12-16 year olds to be vaccinated , whilst under 12 years of age still await approval . That’s over 39 million doses already administered. It’s an extraordinary response from a State that guards it’s civil liberties with sometimes absurd fervour. You’ve gotta dip your lid to these figures . 39 million doses in just over 4 months ! Over to you Australia .

On a lighter note it’s been good to get the kids back to school and playing sport . In baseball poor old Leroy was drafted to a team of battlers that saw winning a rare event . Add a broken leg mid season and you can see things don’t always go your way . Hermosa Beach plays baseball and basketball seasons that see teams divided mostly within the town . The kids are ranked and drafted accordingly . The system can be manipulated when fathers have their own kids in the team . Generally it works pretty well . It’s something we don’t do in Australia and sometimes I laugh at how kids are always ranked , rated and compared over here . Club sport or the team sport we play back home in Australia is played right throughout a region . It’s localised here . It has its positives and negatives . It’s nice to keep it local but at times the kids sport blurs into dad ‘ one upmanship .’ This season ended with some great finals finishes , culminating in the last game going to an extra inning with a little guy I’m fond of ( Nolan ) pitching to give his team the title . He duly delivered but with chattering teeth and some good fielding by his teammates. They won 7-6 with guys on bases . It was tense but also a great finish . It felt like a metaphor for our town and state . The lid was finally coming off and its time to celebrate but not without some nervous moments .

It’s nearly summer in LA . It’s been a cool Spring but this week the temperatures are finally nudging the mid 20s(Celsius) along the coast . I try not to bore you with the surf anymore but it’s been pretty reasonable here . To have waves pushing into summer is a bonus. Right throughout the pandemic the beach has been an important source of solace to myself and many others , including my eldest son . I’ve finally got Tex over the line . He is committed to surfing and within a year will rapidly surpass my talent level . My brother and I are lifelong surfers . None of our kids have taken this great sport up , but Tex is now addicted . It should be a lifetime passion that will serve him well . I just never thought it would happen in Los Angles .

I think that’s it hound dawgs . We are not far away from getting on top of things over here . I’m not saying it’s over or there won’t be continual dangers and outbreaks but the proof is in the pudding . The numbers are coming down and you have to admit the coincidence in the increasing vaccination percentages and the falling in hospitalisation and infection rates has to say something . We are lucky to have Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson &Johnson as a choice . Emma and I had Pfizer . There were some mild side effects but we now both feel well . In fact I feel better than well . I feel assured . As an over 50 and an A blood type I’d rather be vaccinated and risk the side affects than get sick with this thing . It should give us a chance to get back to some normality , like watching our kids play sport . To the Aussies back home ……. I can’t preach to anyone on their choice to be vaccinated or not but I will say that a team effort has its benefits …. take a leaf out of California and trust science . You’ll benefit in the long run . You’ve gotta drink to that

A day at the baseball was good enough but it was made better by a stay at the W Hotel by Marriot on Hollywood boulevard . Or at least it should of . When I pulled old black Betty (2006 Nissan Pathfinder ) into Valet parking we quickly got an idea of the company staying here . A , Rolls Royce ,Lamborghini and an assortment of luxury vehicles waited to be parked . Add to that barely clothed women pushing through the waft of an intoxicating incense of ganja and you got the picture of some Hollywood style rap event might be going down . Leroy was quick to remark that the girl walking past “was nearly naked “ . Like as if I didn’t notice .

As far as hotels go this joint looked pretty plush . The foyer , bar and restrooms were all polished stone , touch sensitive light . The joint had rockstar vibe , oh and that strange incense of sweet ganja seemed to be the hotel signature scent . The elevators , both in the morning and evening and just all the time smelt of …you know that funky smell I’m talking about . It became a running joke . “ Maybe we can take a can of that special spray home with us that these guys use .” The sounds of music ,voices shouting and barely dressed girls alerted us to the pool deck on the top floor . The hotel was hosting back to back pool parties . Ben , myself and the boys stayed in our rooms whilst Megan and Emma went up for a look and yes confirmed that there was plenty on show in the pool area . It would continue into the night . Leroy said he’d heard two girls say it was a lesbian rave event . We laughed it off . Turns out he was right . A night of broken sleep ensued, punctured by screams and shrills and banging and even what seemed like gun shots . The hotel was beautiful, the acoustics horrible . By morning I reckoned I’d squeezed in 4-5 hours of broken sleep . It was only when Emma rolled back the blinds that we saw how humerus the situation was . We had left our window open . We were on the 11th floor . The pool deck was on the 12 th . No wonder it felt like a disco was on top of us . It was .

The Hollywood strip , the walk of fame , the stars . A lot have been here and to those that haven’t … keep your expectations low . Covid has hurt bad . It’s a bit of a ghost town once you move past Graumans Chinese theatre . Hollywood in its physical state really represents the Hollywood dream …..it’s out of reach and not as glamorous as it seems . LA has been hit hard with homeless encampments during the pandemic . The desperate state of the underprivileged has seeped into the tourist panorama . Venice , Santa Monica ,Hollywood …the foreground has inhabitants we don’t want to own up to . It’s probably our worst fear . Hollywood has never been nice in my time here and it’s a lot worse now . Would I recommend tourists see it ? Of course. The reality of Hollywood is that it is grimy , desperate , tacky and quite unremarkable. The stars on the pavement … yeah they hold your attention for just a bit . The hawkers selling their fake CDs are still to be avoided but there’s less of them now . Spider-Man , Freddy Krueger , Batman and co are still on the sidewalk soliciting photos but once again there’s less of them . Day tour busses line the streets but business is lean . Times are tough in Tinseltown . International and interstate tourists are not here . Vagrants , the mentally unstable , the homeless ..they’re here . Maybe they always were but with crowds down their no longer inconspicuous. The smell of urine , weed and last nights liquor linger in the mid morning shadows . Hollywood never looked so ugly . The low self esteem, the lack of pride in this town is totally illuminated in Hollywood. This place badly needs a reinvention .

As an observer and someone that doesn’t mind looking into corners and alleys and off-shoot shops I could still find some value . Gentrification may just be in its infancy in Hollywood. Maybe the hardcore skate , fashion and weed empire is the 1st cog in the wheel that will drag Hollywood out of the self pity pool that it is mired in . At the moment Hollywood is a reality ….it was never meant to be that way . This is where dreams are made of ……..Isn’t it ?

When Megan and Ben offered us a late week offer to go to the baseball and stay in Hollywood for the night ,we thought . Why not ? It’s been 4 years since we last saw a game and this might give a different perspective of what I saw the 1st time . With covid restrictions socially distancing to seating and capacity less than half full it definitely should be more comfortable. Last time I was impressed with the whole hearted attempt to entertain the crowd but geez they needed to as the game as a live spectacle was a kin to watching house painters sand down weather boards . It didn’t help that the Dodgers lost 3-0 . For me baseball is definitely a tv sport . Saturday’s game was definitely more entertaining . An 11-6 scoreline ( a loss to the Giants ) and some 24 combined hits did provide a whole lot more to focus on but still this game is a hard watch live . A full crowd would’ve helped . I guess as a Melburnian and an avid AFL spectator I’ve been spoilt when it comes to live sport .

Fortunately for us Ben and Megan know their shit when it comes to booking stuff . VIP parking put us only 40 metres from the gate which pretty much led straight down to our seats . Dodger Stadium ,also known as the Ravine is pretty much a drive in only venue . It’s not dissimilar to the old Waverley park . The Stadium itself has a grand feel about it but I couldn’t help but notice it feels like a 70s facility with makeup on . It’s not really a modern day stadium built around spectator comforts . The criticism isn’t meant to be harsh , as everything about the place is more than adequate . It’s true to LA style …..70s and “don’t fix it if it ain’t broke .”

To all those that complain about the price of food and drink at AFL games …look away

I didn’t fancy paying $16 for a steak sandwich , which by the way is more like a burger . A hotdog and fries will do it and I must say the dodger dog was pretty bloody good . I was more than happy to finish of Leroy’s half eaten version . I am not a hot dog person at all , especially the dogs I’ve had here . They have been bloody horrible , but the Dodger dog had no complaints.

Alcohol …. didn’t bother . I did declare that I’d id drive back from the game if any of Emma , Megan and Ben would like to drink . The prices made sure that I didn’t have to worry about navigating Megan’s car through nighttime LA traffic back to our hotel room . Ben would be sober enough

All and all it was a good day . After 4 years my knowledge and appreciation of baseball is vastly greater . You do see how fast and powerful these athletes are and fuck do they hit the ball long and hard . We’ve seen 2 games now and unfortunately both have been losses to the arch enemy the San Francisco Giants . One day we’d like to return the favour and take our US friends to a big game of footy in Melbourne . Then they would really see a sporting spectacle .