Day 17 – Cross country

I’m currently sat in Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson airport awaiting our flight to LA. I’ve been sat here for some time as Tom’s uncle had to drop us off at 7am – our flights at 2.50pm. Spent a bit of time dozing on uncomfortable chairs and people dodging along the vast concourse. For a large airport there’s very little here; people just seem to flow through rather than shop before flights, as in many UK airports.

One thing this place does have is an amazing array of electronic devices to help you become even more lazy. The toilets flush themselves; the taps and soap are automatic; paper towels get dispensed by machine and event the bins make a whirring noise as they compact your trash. I’ve currently reading Bill Bryson’s “A Walk in the Woods” where in he and his companion go without every day things as they trek through the Appalachian trail. Sitting here I’ve likened my journey to his but being a polar opposite. Where he has his fear of the woods and lack of convenience we’re navigating an urban jungle where the amount of convenience is overwhelming. You wouldn’t believe how offended people seem to react when you don’t want all the trimmings; should I run or play dead?

The flight to La was basic delta cattle class. No frills or food here, you even have to swipe your credit card to watch a movie. Can’t really complain though as we flew accross the entire country for less the 90 pounds each.

Managed to pick up hire car; took three attempts though as I kept finding faults. Don’t want to be taking any chances when we’re driving through the desert to Vegas. Ended up with a 2.5 litre Chrysler that’s brutishly slow.

Ended the day in Oxnard after enjoying a stunning drive along the Pacific Costal Highway Route 1, through Malibu, at sunset.