Back to the US of A

My husband and I have enjoyed our trips to the USA so much that, when we could organise our rosters to have 7 days off together, there was no question about where we'd be holidaying. 

I have done a 4 day trip to LA before, and that was easy. Seven is a luxury! 

We're flying with Virgin Australia again, on the Boeing 777. I had booked economy class tickets, but when offered a chance to bid for an upgrade by email, I accepted. I recieved notification three days prior to departure that we'd been successful, and we are now travelling in Premium Economy. What a treat. 

Our plan is to hire a car (we usually use Alamo - their office is easy to get to, staff are pleasant, there are not usually crazy lines of people waiting) on arrival in LA and drive to Seattle to visit relatives. Our first night will be spent in Santa Barbara, and then we'll find accommodation on the run. I'm not a big fan of 'winging' accommodation on international holidays, but I don't want to either limit or over stretch how far we can drive each day. It is an 1840 kilometer trip, and I'd like to arrive in Seattle before lunch on the third day. Unrealistic? We'll find out. 

Friends at work have lent us some SIM cards for AT&T, which they had sent to them by Mobi Passport. I should be able to insert the sim and call up on arrival in LA to buy credit.