Road Trip USA (2015)

We absolutely love the Victorian houses in the city of San Francisco, California, USA. Phenomenal architecture. Living in a tower like this one would be really awesome.

Going down while riding a cable car in the city of San Francisco, California, USA. When we approached this intersection I couldn't help but thinking about the famous Abbey Road album by the Beatles caused by the person crossing the road. The depth we're having to go down into plus the view of the Bay Bridge in the distance made this photo even more special.

No matter how often I look at this photo I always see a smiling sea lion. Obviously it isn't smiling, but it sure looked like a happy chap, one of the many resident sea lions on Pier 39 in the city of San Francisco, California, USA.

Sharon Marie and her friends lying side by side in the marina at Fishermans Wharf in the city of San Francisco, California, USA. We really loved the colours on all of these sailboats. They truly brightened up the place.

Miss Alison is just one of the many colourful sailboats in the marina at Fisherman's Wharf in the city of San Francisco, California, USA. We loved the lovely reflections in the water.

We stayed in one of these houses on the hill in the town of Sausalito, California, USA. Looks incredibly idyllic and the views certainly are. Getting there by car and parking not so much though.

Taking some precious prosecco time while waiting for the ferry in the town of Sausalito, California, USA. The weather was absolutely beautiful and we loved the views over the San Francisco Bay while sipping our cool drinks.

While on the ferry from Sausalito to San Francisco, we spotted this lovely sailboat sailing near the Golden Gate bridge in the San Francisco Bay, California, USA. The reflections on the water are almost magical.

Arriving by ferry from Sausalito came with a beautiful view of the Port of San Francisco in the downtown area of the city of San Francisco, California, USA. From here we walked towards Fishermans Wharf to take another ferry back to Sausalito. It's a great alternative to an expensive bay cruise.

I find downtown areas of big cities fascinating, especially when there are lots of skyscrapers with glass panels reflecting the buildings around them. Combined with power lines some really nice city lines were created here in the city of San Francisco, California, USA.

Exploring the downtown area in the city of San Francisco, California, USA. Considering this was at the end of the afternoon where it would be normally very busy with people leaving for home, we were surprised that Market Street was really quiet.

We stumbled upon this lovely drum bridge while exploring the Japanese Tea Garden, part of Golden Gate Park in the city of San Francisco, California, USA. It is actually possible to use it as a bridge. Not really comfortable though.

Enjoying a lovely morning tea in the Japanese Tea Garden, part of the Golden Gate Park in the city of San Francisco, California, USA. We loved the small delicacies that came with it.

We were totally surprised to find a real Dutch windmill while exploring Golden Gate Park in the city of San Francisco, California, USA. It's in very good condition and clearly maintained very well.

It took a while before we found it, but this sure is a different perspective on the Golden Gate bridge in the city of San Francisco, California, USA. It was actually a very quiet spot as well.

The Golden Gate bridge is not to be missed when in the city of San Francisco, California, USA. Close to a hundred years old and still as beautiful as ever before, especially on a gorgeous day like the one we had.

We were surprised by an air show while having lunch near the Golden Gate Bridge in the city of San Francisco, California, USA. Especially loved the odd one out and still don't know why that one was singled out.

We thought it to be good idea to climb the Filbert Steps in the city of San Francisco, California, USA. Turned out to be quite strenuous. I counted 273 steps from the bottom up to Montgomery Street, then 121 more steps until we arrived at the Coit Tower driveway and another 51 stairs up to Coit Tower. Pretty exhausting but well worth the effort.

Spectacular downtown view from Coit Tower in the city of San Francisco, California, USA. We have been in San Francisco many times before but this was the first time on top of Coit Tower. Definitely a thing we can recommend highly.

Great view from the top of Coit Tower in the city of San Francisco, California, USA. On this beautiful day this Frisco view allowed us to see the Marina and the Golden Gate Bridge.

While driving south on coastal highway #1 in California, USA we stopped at a lovely pumpkin patch. Even with Halloween more than a month away the pumpkins were ripe and ready to be sold.

The sea lions at the pier in the small town of Santa Cruz in California, USA are fun to watch. As they live here under the pier it is not always easy to get up there. This one was trying to get up there and only succeeded after a few failed attempts.

It's always a fun experience to check out the pier in the small town of Santa Cruz in California, USA. The sea lions that have made this pier their home can be very loud at times. We decided to go down some steps and see what was happening. Found these two sea lions that were obviously having an argument of some kind.

We loved spending the night in Carmel-by-the-sea in California, USA. Most of the buildings in the city centre could easily be portrayed in a fairytale setting, like this little restaurant called 'The white rabbit'.

It was to be expected after a hot summer but the waterfalls in Yosemite National Park, California, USA had all dried up. This dried up river bed is usually a wild stream. Still very beautiful though.

Time for reflection in Yosemite National Park, California, USA. We had such an amazing day in this fabulous park. As there was no wind at all, the mountains and trees reflected beautifully in this mirror lake.

I am always mesmerized by reflections in either lakes or puddles. As there was no wind we had this beautiful view while in Yosemite National Park, California, USA. It's hard to tell if it's night or day!

We drove all the way up to Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park, California, USA. The views from there are truly spectacular, especially around sunset. While the sun was slowly setting we admired the changing landscape around us. This here is Half Dome which looks like it's on fire.

We loved spending some time at the shores of Tenaya Lake in Yosemite National Park, California, USA. Especially loved that sky and the ripples in the calm water. Way too cold to swim in but had a drink while enjoying this view.

On our way to Death Valley we stopped at Mono Lake in the state of California, USA. It's another worldly experience and without the water it could be the moon. And then that sky! Wow!

Mono Lake in California, USA occupies part of the Mono Basin, an endorheic basin that has no outlet to the ocean. Dissolved salts in the runoff thus remain in the lake and raise the water's pH levels and salt concentration. Awesome place and so, so quiet.

We just love driving in the United States. Roads are generally good and nature is phenomenal. This is one of the long and hot drives in California, USA on our way to Death Valley.

Looking past a dead tree at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park, California, USA. A stunningly beautiful area, especially during sunset and sunrise.

Sunset over the sand dunes at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park, California, USA. The few people in the sand perfectly show the size of the area and how high the dunes are. It looks easy but it's incredibly hard to climb those dunes.

Sunrise on the mountains at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park, California, USA. When the sun rises behind the mountains, the mountains on the opposite side are illuminated first, providing a more pink than orange glow.

Early morning tranquility at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park, California, USA. We had to make sure to dress appropriately as early morning temperatures in Death Valley are quite low, but experiencing the sunrise made it all worth it.

The desert lights up at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park, California, USA. Being all alone there so early in the morning was a truly magical experience.

Sunrise shadows at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park, California, USA. Admiring how the early morning light slowly covers the surrounding dunes.

Wonderful yellowish colours in Mosaic Canyon in Death Valley National Park, California, USA. A bit of climbing was involved but otherwise a quite accessible and beautiful canyon to explore.

Walking into the Golden Canyon in Death Valley National Park, California, USA. It is not just plain desert in Death Valley and many canyons can be found, some of those pretty well hidden and/or off the main roads. Walking in these canyons are advised to be done early in the morning because of the heat.

Badwater, the lowest point in Death Valley National Park, California, USA. Being below sea level it is one of the few places in Death Valley actually containing some water.

Painted mountains in several pastel colours can be found along the Artists Drive in Death Valley National Park, California, USA. Absolutely worthwhile taking this interesting detour.

A true artists palette with many beautiful colours can be found along the Artists Drive in Death Valley National Park, California, USA. Definitely a must-do drive when spending a day in Death Valley.

Zabriskie Point is one of our most favourite parts in Death Valley National Park, California, USA. Amazing ridges and colours provide some breathtaking views.

As dry as it can be on the Twenty Mule Team Drive in Death Valley National Park, California, USA. An interesting side tour but requires some careful driving on the sandy roads.

Overview of the valley from the observatory point called Dante's view in Death Valley National Park, California, USA. Interesting drive to get up there and a perfect view.

We loved the Casino Royale, our hotel on the Strip in the city of Las Vegas in Nevada, USA. Pretty small in comparison to the mega resorts that surround it, but a really nice atmosphere.

We have witnessed quite a few of the orchestrated fountain shows at The Bellagio in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. This one however was by far the best, gorgeous fountain choreography on "The good, the bad & the ugly" by Ennio Morricone.

Helicopter view of the Hoover Dam in Nevada, USA. We enjoyed a great helicopter ride from Las Vegas (Boulder City) to the Western parts of the Grand Canyon.

Flying over the foothills on the Western side of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA. Pretty remote area revealing amazing structures and colours.

A pretty remote airstrip in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA. Amazing structures as seen from the helicopter flying us towards the Colorado River.

Approaching the landing spot while flying over the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA. Let's land and have some lunch.

Imagine having lunch with this exceptional view. Well, we did in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA. After an amazing flight from Las Vegas we landed near this perfect spot where a very nice champagne lunch was served.

Our ride back to Las Vegas was patiently waiting in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA. We had an absolutely awesome time in this magnificent spot with the most amazing views and a great champagne lunch on top of that.

Whenever I am in Las Vegas I always make time to visit the fountains at The Bellagio. Located on The Strip they cannot be missed. Carefully orchestrated shows are provided every fifteen minutes. This here is the grand finale of one of those shows.

Lonely rocks standing strong in Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, USA. It's amazing what millions of years of erosion has created. A true privilege to be able to witness such beauty.

Late afternoon at Mather Point in Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, USA. Even though you will definitely not be alone there this view makes you feel humble and all alone in the world.

Especially during the golden hour, the sun is providing this perfect golden glow over the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA. It's truly a sight you want to come back to again and again and an unforgettable experience.

Got this insanely impressive view of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA. I was extremely lucky with the weather, almost clear skies, and the golden hour made it all the more special.

At the end of our trip we enjoyed some resort life in the beautiful Marriott Resort in Palm Desert, California, USA. Awesome landscaping and lovely villas to celebrate our ten year anniversary.

Sunset over the Marriott Hotel lake in Palm Desert, California, USA. We truly loved the short boat ride on the lake to the Japanese teppanyaki restaurant.

When there is an awesome sunset there are people enjoying ìt. Experienced this sunset on Ocean Beach in the city of San Diego, California, USA. Absolutely loved the colours in the sky.

This beautiful pelican was proudly standing watch in the La Jolla area of the city of San Diego in California, USA.

A beautiful fur seal dozing off while basking in the sun on the beach at Seal Rock in the La Jolla area of the city of San Diego in California, USA. It really seems to be totally relaxed.

I truly enjoyed watching the fur seals that are always present at Seal Rock in the La Jolla area of the city of San Diego in California, USA. They looked so satisfied basking in the sun.

Another day and another beautiful sunset on Ocean Beach in the city of San Diego, California, USA. I just loved the contours of the pier against the bright orange sky.

The end of the day after a spectacular sunset is so peaceful. Here enjoying the sunset clouds on Ocean Beach in the city of San Diego, California, USA. The reflection of the orange glow in the water between the rocks is really having a calming effect.