As we approach the end of our first month away from NZ it is a good time to reflect perhaps. So far so good - the stress is still dripping slowly from us as we ply the American freeway system. All 10 lanes of it in most parts. We are adapting now to always driving on the 'wrong' side of the road and to the huge volume of traffic always on the roads.
Petrol/gas is about $3 US a gallon (they're still in the archaic imperial system here which is slightly irritating).
American's love their cars and 90% of the cars on the roads are late model. They also love their dogs and dogs are accepted in all hotels and motels at a small additional charge. There are a lot of 'Doggy Day Care Center's around and a host of dog stores selling all the latest fashion's for your pooch.
Food is disappointingly expensive and despite joining every supermarket's 'club' for 'member savings' we are very limited by what we can afford. Fresh fruit and vegetables are of a good quality but very expensive. Stone fruit is in season at the moment but average cost is about $10 NZ per kilo. There are some interesting products such as cheese in a spray can, peanut butter flavour ice cream, baby cauliflowers and cabbages that would fit in your palm and bison/buffalo mince none of which we have tried.
The children are doing their 18 kilos of correspondence school work with enthusiasm. I just hope they will get through it all before we get home...
We are all well and happy so long may it continue.
Off to Lake Tahoe tomorrow to celebrate 4 July fireworks on the lake.