From Greenwich Meridian to International Date Line.

But first, a note about the TSA, the US port security department. I know they have a job to do and I know it's all part of the travel experience in this day and age. I also thought that the reason for having a "TSA approved" lock on your case was so that the TSA could open your bag without cutting the lock off. Don't believe it. No lock on my case and a note left inside saying that it had been opened for security reasons and therefore they were not liable for damage or removing it. I wonder if they are liable for anything that goes missing from the case though? I also object to being questioned as if I was a terrorist and/or an idiot when my security scan detected a handkerchief in my pocket. Rant over. This post is being composed at 35,000ft somewhere over the Nevada/Utah border as Air New Zealand fly us back towards London and 0 degrees longitude. (Incidentally we have good reason to believe that Jenson Button is on the flight but no doubt he turned left when boardi...

We said our goodbyes to Denise and Steve and flew down from Missoula to Los Angeles (via Portland) on the Monday evening before checking in to a quirky little bijou hotel in Beverly Hills. One full day was left in the city so we had booked a tour described as "LA in a day" and off we went early next morning. The first photo stop was Santa Monica pier, followed by a bit of a walk around at Venice Beach. It all looked rather run down and not particularly attractive or exciting...maybe it looks better in the height of summer. Next was a look at Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive which boasts the most expensive shopping in the world. For example, just to get an appointment at gentlemans outfitters, Bijan will set you back a non refundable $1,500. Unfortunately I had a prior engagement. Still, it was a very pleasant part of the city in which to have a meander. Lunch was at the Farmers Market...think London's Covent Garden and you will get the idea. We just had a tuna melt sa...

Having spent a second comfortable night in Kalispell we set off fairly early for the return drive to Missoula. The scenery alongside the western edge of Flathead Lake was just as pretty as on the journey up and we stopped at one or two scenic spots for the obligatory photo opportunity. Much of the remainder of our stay was spent socialising. The weather warmed up somewhat over the course of the week to a very pleasant 17C and at one restaurant we were advised that we were the first people to have sat outside for lunch this year! On the Saturday, Denise had invited over several friends and neighbours for evening drinks and nibbles; once again we were able to sit outside, although a well stocked fire in the fire pit kept most of the chill at bay. For our last full day in Montana we went on another road trip of some 375 miles to the Bannock National Park. Bannock itself is a ghost town having originally sprung up during the late 19th and early 20th century when gold was discovered i...

Having made it all the way to Montana, the plan was always to get out and see some of the countryside and in particular, the national parks. Unfortunately, it was still too early in the year to get into Yelowstone, so instead we headed 150 miles or so north from Missoula towards Glacier National Park. The scenery was wonderful. Quiet roads with little traffic, lakes, pine trees, mountains, rivers and wildlife....mostly deer...including one extremely close call. Along the way there was the occasional small settlement, a few gas stations and general stores. Most of these advertised "beer, bait, pizza, supplies", presumably in order of importance. Many of the dirt tracks leading from the main road were unimaginatively named "Mountain view" this or "Pine ridge" that. We passed Flathead Lake, the largest lake west of the Great Lakes. It looked cold and uninviting, but we found a good spot for lunch overlooking the water. Pressing on we arrived at Kalisp...