SAN FRANCISCO - PORTLAND

TRAIN 14 . SEAT 44 . HRS 17.5

This is now the bar where i shall measure ALL train journeys and i can tell you right now it will take a major miracle to top the journey that i had...

I actually started the trip in a pretty bad mood, i had hung around all day after checking out for my 9pm bus to take me to Emeryville to catch the train. Then when i arrived at the station i was shouted at for having a bag that was too heavy... i already felt sorry for my train companion and was praying that i wouldn't have to sit next to anyone. 

So the train get's in and there is a VERY poor system for us all to get on, i obviously push to the front and get on and ushered to seat 44... little did i know that the occupant of seat 43 was about to crash into my life and make it 100% better. 

I figured i should introduce myself to this girl as i am going to have to spend 17 hrs next to her and attempt to sleep at some point on the journey. So we engaged in some casual small talk however i would say it took all of 23 minutes for us to realise we are in fact soul mates! 

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Tears of laughter, VERY LOUD cackling, me face planting the chair, me demonstrating how a curtain works, Becca showing off her snacks to me, i demonstrated a clever tuck and roll on the trouser leg and forced a full sock tuck on her for sleepy time, many stories, the creation of the best playlist know to man (FYI still waiting for that), the sharing of my stolen aeroplane blanket, full sleep WITH a hand hold... (not requested by me... even though it is my all time favourite thing in the world!!!!!), waking to Sinead O'Conner 'Nothing Compares To You' at sunrise and attempting to climb over my sleeping buddy and managing to make it look like a full body mount (i retreated to my seat).

I LITERALLY COULDN'T HAVE BEEN HAPPIER!

And i haven't even mentioned the scenery which of course was AMAZING!!!

LOWLIGHTS INCLUDE:

The worst sandwich anyone has ever eaten, the worst tea anyone has ever drunk and walking in on two people having horrible oral sex in a disabled bathroom. Unwanted! 

All in all it was an absolute dream and we were devastated when the journey came to an end and we had to part.. however a re union was on the cards. Would we meet again in Seattle? 

This is a train journey that will never be matched..

SWIMMING POOLS OF THE WEST PT.2

Next up on our swimming pool tour is the small yet delightful pool of The Mission in San Francisco.

Now i did have to walk a fricken age to find this pool but it was worth it.

In complete contrast to our last feature in Santa Monica this pool had a modest 4 lanes.

BUT.... the outside is a wondrous dream!

It is an outdoor pool with an excellent view of sunset (if you swim at 6pm like i did) and you can see into the back of many an apartment like a crazy stalker.

My only complaint was a loose lane rope that caused one large lane and one tiny lane... 

but otherwise a lovely swim was had. 

NO. OF POOLS: 1

LOCATION: The Mission, easy to get to by bus

INDOORS/OUTDOORS: OUTDOORS

LENGTH: 1x 25m 

WOW FACTOR: 8/10

CHANGING FACILITIES: 7/10

SAN FRAN  7x7

It may be compact but they really have crammed a lot in here...

Certainly one of the prettiest cities in the states and on more than one occasion i felt as if i were in a Disney Movie ready to launch into song while i danced along the Golden Gate Bridge with my favourite mop for company this is after my love affair with the local drag queen who turns out to be a softy despite her street name...

Alas neither of these things happened however i did cycle along the GG bridge and into the town of Sausalito which takes the Disney parody to a whole new level.

San Francisco is also the city where hipsters come to bask in the sun like the sea lions of pier 39. I have been to my fair share of hip and trendy towns but this one takes it a new level. With impromptu gigs popping up on street corners, whiskey drinking teens all wearing the latest trends it was all very too cool.

A kind friend took me on a craft beer tour which was greatly enjoyable and i wish i could remember all the places we went. I can recall the name of one though, Mikkeler Bar on Mason, the interior was great and really modern and they had some fun, modern art on the walls which i also liked. They have thousands of beers... so if you like beer, go here. The only other bar i can recommend is Zeitgeist in The Mission, this place is great if you like rock and they have a huge garden at the back... a good place on a weekend. 

I did squeeze a swim in... but more of that later. Enjoy some snaps 

SWIMMING POOLS OF THE WEST PT.1

As you all know i am a fan of swimming, my love and search for the perfect pool is bordering 

on the line of obsession.. i think this is fine and a healthy way to spend my time. 

While on tour i have been swimming in a different pool in each city. 

First up is the magical and vast offering from Santa Monica LA.

It is safe to say that i was BLOWN AWAY by the 16 lane swimming pool on offer and 

spent a good 15 minutes deliberating which lane i would choose to spend my hour in. 

The whole experience was a dream!!!!!

BADGER RATINGS:

NO. OF POOLS: 3

LOCATION: Tricky to get to but WELL worth it

INDOORS/OUTDOORS: OUTDOORS

LENGTH: 1x 25m 1x 25m 1x 50m

WOW FACTOR: 10/10

CHANGING FACILITIES: 8/10

LA LA LAND... 

The city of impossible public transportation and giant freeways, where neon found 

it's home and the super mall reigns king.

The vast size of this pocket of the west is in-comprehendible, as you journey through 

the concrete pathways it seems as if there is nothing but more and more concrete and not a 

sole in sight just other SUV's and Buick's. Then you twist and turn and you're there. 

The beauty of the city is best seen from above; travelling out of the warm valley and 

up intothe cactus covered peaks you reach fresh air and you can pause to gaze at the 

wonder that lies beneath you. This concrete carpet stretches for miles and miles, further than 

you can see,and the air up here is rich with the scent of pines and tropical flowers. I didn't want 

to go back down to the bright signs, the BIG gulp drinks and the yoga glad women. 

But down i did go, exploring the streets on two wheels not four and discovering the secret 

pockets of Venice with its tiny canals with tiny wooden clad houses surrounded by 

hummingbirds, ducks and lazy cats. 

In three days i ventured as far as the slowest bus in the world would carry me and left at just the

 right time. I'm still longing for another cactus or succulent sighting and another dip in the 16 lane 

pool that filled my never ending swimming dreams...

#mustbuystretchypants

#neverenoughcactus

#16LANES!1xpool

#biggulp

AT THE CENTRE OF IT ALL IS THE GETTY

HONEY BADGER DON'T GIVE A SHIT

THANKS TO JO TAYLOR FOR THIS FINAL BADGER SNAPSHOT

I am already starting to feel a little narcissistic... the tour starts Monday with the sunny sights of LA.
A lovely friend has offered to pick me up from the airport and i am already receiving tour guide offers from friends of friends, exciting times!