Cabin Fever

Saturday 28th April 2012

We've made good progress today, and are set up to enjoy a leisurely two days meandering down the Pacific coast.

There's not a lot to say about the drive today. The countryside was pleasant, in fact, had we been at the beginning of our trip I'm sure I would have said it was lovely or beautiful. Over the last few days we've been spoilt with scenery. We left the desert behind long ago. So we're used to the rolling hills of western California now, a bit like we got used to the slot machines in Vegas. I'm glad we got as far as we did today. We've spent a long time in the car and my legs are cramped, but it will be worth it over the next couple of days.

We stopped for lunch on the shores of Clearwater Lake, at a rest stop especially for Claire. Apart from the monster mosquitos, and the strange man parked nearby in a Rolls Royce, it was a nice stop.

Today is the first day we have not eaten in somewhere. We had an All Bran and banana breakfast, a packed lunch, and this evening we bought salad and stuff to eat in.
This means that today is the first day we haven't felt obliged to tip anyone. The tipping system in America is somewhat different to that in the UK. Or so the guidebooks have you believe. If you did what it said in the guidebooks, you'd be tipping just about everyone, and you'd have no money left after the first week.

Both of us are fairly mean tippers at home. We'll normally leave a tip in a restaurant, if the service was particularly good, but nowhere else. Here, you're expected to tip your waitress (15-20%), the bartender ($1-2 each drink!!), and just about anyone who helps you in any way, even if you didn't want or need help. When you pay for food, even if it's takeaway food, or a buffet when you pay before you start, there is the option to add a tip to your credit card payment.
After a few days, we got fed up and rounded the suggested amounts down, as most of the time we only go somewhere once anyway! A few waitresses have earned the full 20% (the diner in Victorville and the mad waitress in Mariposa). One did not get a tip at all (cold chips, wrong beer, poor power supply, implied hangover or drunkenness!). Most of them get 10%. Fast food and takeaway staff get nothing.

Apparently, waitresses/waiters and bar staff earn a very low wage here, because it is expected that they'll receive tips. We don't really like it. We've discussed it a lot, and Claire thinks that it encourages good service, whereas I think that we should get good service anyway, and leave a tip if it is extremely good. Why should I tip someone for doing their job right?
Having said that, the service from our waitresses has been excellent so far. The waiters have been OK, but the girls are winning by a mile at the moment.

Anyway, I'm sure you've had enough of my cheapskate talk by now.

Tonight we're staying in a hamlet called Redcrest, which is in a forest of Giant Redwood trees. Yes, more giant trees. Redwoods are different to Sequoias in that they tend to be taller but not as wide. And strangely, their bark seems less red.
We're staying in another cabin tonight. I was a bit dubious when Claire suggested it as cabins can be a bit dodgy. Last nights was OK, but nothing special, and it was freezing.
Today's is lovely, possibly the best place we've stayed on the road so far. It's right amongst the Redwoods, has a heater that works and a big comfy bed. What more could you ask for? Oh, freshly ground coffee instead of the giant coffee teabag that's normally provided? Yes, we've got that too. And it's only 2 dollars over budget. And it's quiet and we haven't seen or heard any evidence of cockerels yet.
We're currently enjoying a bottle of Californian wine in our cabin, the first wine we have had since arriving in America!

Tomorrow we'll hopefully be cruising along the coast with the roof down. We shall stop on the way to look at more big trees. There are some here that are so big that you can drive through gaps in the trunk!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:California