So back on the road... From LA I set off up the pacific coast highway towards San Francisco. The road and the coastline are well known for their spectacular views, you can only really cruise along and enjoy them though because its fairly busy. Put your foot down for more than a moment and you'll be right behind someone pootling along.

Before getting as far as San Francisco I cut inland towards Yosemite National Park. Its packed with people but still spectacular, this is Yosemite Valley.

I made the drive up to Glacier Point, which was under heavy road works at the time. First off road experience in the USA! This is the view of the famous half dome...

I even managed to drag myself from the car long enough to hike up to the waterfalls. The Yosemite falls are all in various states of dried up at this time of year.

Final hike of the day was to see the giant Sequoia trees. The tunnel in this one is a product of early tourism attempts.

Time to introduce the star of this section of the trip. A 2009 Ford Mustang. To be honest, if you bought one (in Europe at least) with your own money you'd never forgive yourself. But it makes a half decent GT car. Mainly because the large engine and cruise control. Not to mention the best bit of the car, the 6 CD MP3 changer with satellite radio! Handling? Er, no. Anyway, the pic is taken Utah at the Bonneville salt flats. When I was their they were busy setting up for an upcoming race event.

Next stop I was back into the National Parks. The Grand Teton range is maybe the most photogenic of all places I went in the states.

Coming from the south you drive through the Grand Teton park to get to Yellowstone. If you like smelly pools of bubbling mud this is the place for you. Obviously, while there you have to go and see Old Faithful erupt.

Traffic jams are a problem in the parks. Bison control is questionable. This bad boy was in no rush.

The north east end of the park is the most spectacular in my opinion. There are great sights at every turn, waterfalls...

... vistas...

... more waterfalls....

and Yellowstone lake. The sun was setting, and the photos don't really do it justice. I still had another 4 hours to drive though. During the drive I hit a huge thunderstorm.