So after leaving the magical place that is Africa behind, onwards to the USA!!!!
When I went to the USA back in 2004 I followed a southern route as below...
So this year thought it was only right to finish the loop and do a northern route from New York to Los Angeles
After meeting some friendly characters in New York we headed on our adventures leaving New York behind towards the USA and Canadian Border, not a bad view from our campsite at sunset.
Up we got, bright and early and headed closer to the border....
where we were lucky to enjoy the view of the Niagara Falls.
There are 3 falls, they are named the Horseshoe Falls, the American falls and the Bridal Veil falls.
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We got there early to beat the masses and to enjoy the first Maid of the Mist Boat tour of the day
and with our sexy blue Niagara Falls poncho's on, we boarded the boat :-)
The falls are not very high approx 50m but they are very wide and when up close you can feel the force...
Just pondering where the pot of gold is at the end of the rainbow:-)
After taking in the view and getting soaked to our cores, off we headed on the open road to a little place known as the windy city...
yep...we made it to Chicago!!
Those of you who know me will no I am safer on four wheels haha, but we had an absolute blast peddling around the city from 7pm so we got to see this beautiful city and it's sights by day and night.
We were a little excited to take in the scenery...
and full of smiles peddling through the different districts.
We got a little excited by a certain musical haha...sing along on our way back to the hotel.
Wakey wakey rise and smile, lots to see...
Me, Jess and Hannah we full of smiles having a funny five minutes in the hoop structure:-)
No matter where you stroll in Chicago there's something different to catch your attention!
So we went a walk to Navy Pier, to take in the atmosphere from the airshow and grab a bite to eat.
This city has something for everyone!
Michael's Landing is at Lincoln Park Zoo
Me and Hannah having our own CSI moment!
Underneath the bean in Millennium Park...
Willis Tower Skydeck 1,451feet at the time of it's completion in 1973 was the tallest building in the world even bigger than the world trade towers in NYC and is now the second tallest in the USA and 8th in the world.
Was great to take in the view but took a few deep breaths before stepping onto the glass bottom floor haha!
After that we deserved a drink and no visit to Chicago would be complete without hearing some blues music...
We had a great time there a perfect end to an incredible city!
The set from Kevin Costners dancing with wolves movie above.
Just chilling in the saloon...
Before stepping into a time machine haha...
that took us into the 1880's!!!
Think we all unexpectedly enjoyed it more than we thought we would and it took us a whilst to accept we needed to step back to the present and leave our 1880's costumes behind!
But onwards and upwards to our next destination...The Badlands National Park
A simple yet pretty place, as soon as we landed it made me imagine what it would be like on the moon with its craters and colour.
After a short hike it was time to get cooking...well after pouring a little vodka into our cups first:-)
We woke upto a stunning sunrise in the Badlands and made the most of it looking out over the White River Valley...
It was definitely worth the early morning wake up!!
After leaving behind the badlands we pushed through South Dakota and went to see the memorial of four USA presidents in a little place called Mount Rushmore!
The faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln are 18m in height and their eyes follow your every move, these black hills really do have eyes!
Another memorial less known but with the potential to be incredible upon completion is that of Crazy Horse (a warrior). This monument was a labour of love and was started as a tribute to the native indians of this area. 
After a busy day sightseeing around the monuments, we headed to a camp site en route... smiling whilst surfing below not because we have gone completely crackers but because the heavens opened and the ground was soaked!!!
Which after a camp fire that night, making smores and watching chris fall off the bench whilst a little tipsy on his JD, me and hannah gave our soaked tent a miss and slept in the laundry room! The comedy value was great ducking the sensored lights, packman arcade game playing through the night but unlike the tents was warm and dry...fab!
Time to move on and set up camp in Cody - the rodeo capital of the world!!!
The cowboys here were crazy, riding the buckin' bronco's! the rodeo was hard to watch at times but I could appreciate how skilled the cowboys were at their craft, definitely got lots of courage to go back for more in-spite of their injuries!
Then Yellowstone National Park called us... one of the most immense, largest active volcano's and most violet on earth!
We we couldn't spend time at Yellowstone and not go and see The Old faithful Geyser!
Seeing these hot geysers is unbelievable, incredible to think the earths core is bubbling away beneath.
Dream team taking in the view at the Grand Prismatic Spring...
I must say the Grand Prismatic Spring was one of my fave places of natural beauty, stunning what nature produces.
Time to head to our Yellowstone campsite with the motley crew below...
It was nice spending time together cooking, chilling by the many camp fires and sharing stories and experiences. We had lots of giggles, Steve's magic tricks, Simon's fiery drinking games and lots of marshmallows toasted in our quest for the perfect smore!
Up bright and early again ready to hike in Yellowstone National Park. This was a steep hike and took our breaths as we started at a high elevation but the views were worth it especially at the 3,122m summit...
one of the things I kept hoping for in Yellowstone was to see a bear... and after bears roaming through our campsite at night walking by our tent (how did we miss that!) we were lucky enough to spot some bears in the wild which was incredible!!!!
Seeing mother and baby together.. some moments are priceless!
Full of smiles and happy to see the bears we headed to a hidden gem that seems to be underestimated...
The Grand Tetons National Park!
Blue skies, sunshine, crystal clear waters and great company...bliss!
After literally being dragged away from the Grand Tetons...Jackson Hole beckoned.
The boys did a great job here whipping up a fry up for us all before we went horse riding through the hills!
Jackson is a cowboy old skool town and themed accordingly, stetsons and pistols at the ready!
After a little sightseeing in Jackson we were rewarded with another stunning sunset over the hills.
An exciting morning ahead, making our way to Yosemite National Park!! This was one of the places we'd all been looking forward to but after hearing of the fires spreading across parts of the USA wasn't sure if we'd be able to go there but lady luck was on our side:-)
First stop was the Giant sequoias...
What, there's more bears in the woods???
Yosemite National Park did not disappoint was a beautiful place with lots to see.
But it definitely made you feel small!!!
and despite taking different routes and paths was great to all cross paths at the bottom of the falls!
Yep I can't help it, i'm a sucker for a rainbow!
So where to next...San Francisco baby!!!
Was great driving in and over the Golden Gate Bridge!!
We walked around Pier 39 and saw the seals lazing in the sun at the waters edge...
Before boarding for the sunset cruise... (yes in our $20 dollar thrift store outfits which was comical seeing peoples reactions to our individual dress sense haha!)
and underneath the golden gate bridge as the sun started to set...
Before the sun set on an incredible evening in this charming city!
After leaving the boat we went a wander around by Pier 39 before eating some beautiful thai food in the city.
The next day we strolled around Union square...
Enjoyed the delights of China Town (and we lost Simon there!!!)
Walked up the steep streets to see Nob Hill where many mansions were built and enjoyed the views looking back down before heading to Little Italy.
As we strolled towards the Golden Gate Bridge we saw the San Francisco America's Cup boats ready and waiting to be raced the next day...as we now know the USA won too!
Alcatraz looking a little eerie as always...
The Palace of Fine Arts...
Cheers to our last night camping was great sharing this experience with such good friends, Hannah, Jess, Georgia, Steve, Ollie, Min, Simon, Sora, Richard, Hannah, Laura and Olivia and made more memories as we have trekked the northern trail across the USA.
Arriving in Los Angeles first stop Hollywood
The Beverley Wiltshire Hotel where pretty Woman was filmed!
The dream team making our own star!
Taking a stroll down Hollywood's walk of Fame...
and collected a few awards along the way haha!
The last lunch before we went our separate ways after sightseeing in Tinseltown. Miss you guys already x
Was excited to get back to California to see an old friend... Tami girrrrrrrrrrrl!!!!
Was great staying with and spending time with Tami in LA.
We went to The Getty Museum getting cultured and taking in the views.
Me and Tami went for a workout...
cough, cough...I meant we went to supervise a beach workout haha!
Tami wants me to move to the sunshine state,
maybe I could used my lifeguard qual?! Haha.
Then after a flight back to the big Apple, my friend from home Liz left the UK behind to come meet me in New York!!!!
We left no stone upturned in Manhattan we had a blast walking miles around the city.
Not a bad view was it from our trek over the Brooklyn Bridge, definitely worth the walk.
We had some comedy James Bond moments on the New York subway, literally having to run and jump across open carriages on our quest to get to the last carriage before it broke loose for Staten Island!
But we got to see lady liberty standing tall...
We called by 42nd street and strolled through the famous Grand Central Station,looks just like in the movies.
We went to The Top of The Rocks, and braved the heights of the Rockerfeller Centre
Great view by day...
We chilled in Union square watching some talented street entertainers showing off their musical and dancing talents, which was great to see.
We visited a couple more popular sites in New York...
We both finally cracked by the end of the week and found our feet leading us down 5th Avenue to a little shop called...
Tiffany's...early birthday presents!
We spent time walking through the beautiful Central Park.
Yes Liz, it's Bow Bridge (y'know where Patrick Dempsey pretends to jump in the film Maid of Honor)
...and no visit would be complete without passing by Strawberry Fields.
After a tough day enjoying Central Park, we went to see the hilarious show First Date on Broadway...
and for a few cheeky cocktails costing a cheap $20 each from the rotating lounge overlooking times square.
Cheers to another great visit in the city that really does have it all!
Then it was time to say farewell to this great city and country until next time...
What can I say, after working hard at camp this summer it was great to see some more incredible places across the USA whilst sharing this experience with some wonderful friends along the way xxx
AMAZING Pics danni! Is there anything that you don't do haha! Looks like your hard work paid off after working in the USA think you def deserved to see the sights. Missed you lots xxxxx
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