Monday I booked another bus tour with Contiki, a group travel agency for 18-to-35-olds, called the Wild Western, a two-week jaunt from July 19-August 1 through California, Arizona and Nevada, as well as a lunch stop in Tijuana, where I presume we'll pick up burritos and hopefully not the clap.
Wild Western tours in previous weeks were sold out, so there's promise of a fun bus packed 50 strong while we sweat our balls off in 100-degree heat.
As I wrote about in last year's European Magic tour review, Contiki's handling of the logistics is flawless. I know everyone says, "Go on your own. You can do whatever you want." But we're not tied to the group except when on the bus, and out of such a large clan, I'm sure I'll find at least a few people to party with. Plus, I can just roll out of bed in the morning and climb on transportation docked 10 feet outside a hotel I didn't have to book on my own. So suck it.
Anyway, here's where I'll be on specific dates. What I could use are tips from people who've been to these cities before, something better than "this place has awesome wings."
July 19 - Arrive in Anaheim: I've got all day/night pre-tour on my own. The Angels are in town, but the Yanks don't roll in for a couple more days. I think I'd rather check out some of the silicone exhibits around town.
July 20 - Lunch in Tijuana: I don't need any tips. I've already gotten the runs on three previous trips to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. I swear Mexico's national flag should be made of toilet paper.
July 20 - Arrive in San Diego: After a earlier tour of S.D.'s downtown area — prior to Tijuana — we return to the land of the Yankees' 1998 World Series triumph. Contiki says: "we will have dinner in San Diego's lively Gaslamp Quarter." Gas, huh? Sounds like I'll fit in fine.
July 21 - San Diego at Leisure: I'm definitely hitting the San Diego Zoo for some pictures. Contiki will then take us to Mission Beach in the afternoon and some nightlife area after dinner. We don't have to do anything but be on the bus in the morning so we'll see. Maybe the people at Mission Beach will want me to stay and show them how I do 12-ounce curls to stay in shape.
July 22 - Arrive in Phoenix: After lunch we settle in at our hotel in Old Town Scottsdale, do whatever after that. I know nothing about the place. I have met women from Arizona State, though, and I've been throwing darts at a picture of my high school guidance counselor ever since.
July 23 - Arrive at the Grand Canyon: After taking a hot air balloon ride over Arizona's Sonoran Desert at sunrise (a term I'm not familiar with), we take a jeep ride in Sedona before arriving at the Grand Canyon. Can you party here? I have no idea.
July 24 - Grand Canyon at Leisure: Helicopter ride for sure. A ton of picture-taking for sure. Other than that, I don't know. Maybe break my ankle on a hike.
July 25 - Arrive in Las Vegas: We check out the Fremont Street Experience, then are on our own. I've been to Vegas twice, so I know what to expect: leaving with a lot less cash than I came in with.
July 26 - Las Vegas at Leisure: Whatever happens in Vegas... ah, shut up!
July 27 - Arrive at Bass Lake: Apparently, Bass Lake is "the gateway to Yosemite National Park" and our home base for a couple of nights. There had better be more to do than listen for crickets.
July 28 - Yosemite National Park From Bass Lake: Rock formations of El Capitan and Half Dome. Cycling. Hiking. Watersports. Cool, now where can I find a beer?
July 29 - Arrive in San Francisco: Optional dinner in Chinatown. Er, we already have one of those, probably with tougher gangs. If the Yankees keep playing like this, maybe I'll partake in one of the city's more popular activities: jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge.
July 30 - San Francisco at Leisure: Does Puck still live there? I wanna punch him in the face. Maybe I'll settle for asking Barry Bonds for an autograph by saying, "I'm hoping to sell it on eBay someday if you ever stop being a total prick."
July 31 - Arrive in Santa Barbara: Looks like some beach-y stuff before taking "the opportunity to experience Santa Barbara's nightlife." Yeah, I think I might try that.
August 1 - Arrive in Anaheim: Then back to NYC on a 10:40 p.m. red-eye flight. Not sure how much time I'm gonna have in L.A. this time around. Maybe only a few hours to say goodbye to the fellow Contiki tourists and have a we'll-never-see-each-other again bitch session that was among the most fun times last year in London.
Related Link:
• Contiki Traveler's 1999 Review and Pics of Wild Western Tour — These tours are pretty scripted, so I'm sure my schedule will be about the same. What people do with their free time, though, ranges quite a bit. I most certainly will sway toward the side of those who won't get a good night's sleep for two weeks.
Sounds like you have a great trip ahead of you. I'm envious.
Posted by Erwin at June 7, 2005 1:22 AM