Thanks so much to you all for responding. I will check out the various threads and web sites that have been suggested. Thanks also for the tips for desert driving, not something we are used to in the UK !
Slag ,many thanks for your suggestions regarding proposed routes and sights and I may well contact you for more info.
Re- the tune Off to California, the one we play is in a Hornpipe but I am aware that the same, or very similar tunes,often have a variety of slightly different names. Whatever its name its a grand tune.

Once again many thanks to you all.