Monterrey Peninsula

Whew, it has been too hot in Tulare - 110 degrees.  We decided to visit the Monterrey Peninsula, one of our targets for this trip.  Drove over to Vandenberg Air Base and spent a couple of days.  We had to buy jackets as the temperature was in the 60's.  I played golf at Torrey Pines and it was by far the most beautiful piece of ground ever.  I thought I would play at Pebble Beach - wrong.  A round of golf was $495 plus either cart or caddie.  Two cups of coffee costs $10.00.  They have four courses and all are beautiful as they wind around the coastline.  We attached a couple of pictures including the Rolex at the first tee.  Homes in the area were all the way from everyday to McMansions.

Went to visit the Hearst Castle.  William Hearst built the castle over 26 years beginning in 1909.  This estate had 260,000 acres at one time.  We included a picture of the pool and the grand entrance.  The castle sits on a mountain top approximately 1.0 mile above the ocean.  Hearst gave the castle and 82,000 acres to California for $1.00 in his will.  The gift included 13 miles of coastline that cannot be developed.
We stayed at Fort Hunter-Ligget while there.  That fort was one of the most remote areas that I have ever visited.  Road in was 20 miles of 1.5 lane highway that went from 0 to perhaps 4,000 feet with sheer cliffs and no guard-rails.  Some old man nearly hit us when he missed a turn.  Visited a 300 year old Spanish Mission that was part of the Spanish Trail.  The Spanish Trail was a series of missions from Monterrey, Mexico up through all of California.  Missions were spaced approximately 1 days walk from one another.  Indians were pressed into service to do all of the heavy work while  monks and overseers supervised.

Iconic Pacific Coast Highway shot

Storybook cottages at Carmel-by-the-Sea

 Another cottage in Carmel

 Hearst  Castle Grand Entrance

 

Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle

Beautiful, dramatic coastline

Signature pine at Pebble Beach.  This tree is their logo.

Clock at the first tee - note it is a Rolex!

Mission Saint Antonio, 1732

 



 

We stopped in Carmel by the Sea with its quirky little bungalows.  We have never seen such a wide diversity of seaside cottages. 

Lompoc to Morro Rock

Yesterday we drove 70 miles up the central section of the Pacific Coast Highway, and it was is amazing.

  At Oceano Beach, campers are allowed to pull their rigs right onto the beach.  This area has large sand dunes, and lots of people bring their ATVs to tackle the hills.

Oceano beach camping

Avila Beach

Morro Rock - there are cars parked around the bottom of it.  It was formed as a volcanic plug.

 Seals at San Luis Obispo harbor

 Shell Beach

Starfish at SLO

 

Along this part of the coast, heavy fog drifts in during the evening, hangs around in the early mornings, and disappears during the day.  It stays very cool, with temps in the 70s, and cold wind.  We wore jackets most of the time.

 

We had the best ever fish tacos for lunch at the harbor.  Rich was amazed at the size of the crabs and oysters they had for sale - oysters as big as his hand, and crabs 7 to 8 inches tip to tip. 

 

Today, we head north again, this time for two days near Cape San Martin. 

 

 



Shelly and Sequoia National Park

We have loved being at Shelly's house.  She has a full hookup in her back yard, and we are all set up.
Monday, we drove 50 or so miles to Sequoia National Park, home of the giant forest, the General Sherman tree, and beautiful mountain vistas.

The General Sherman tree is the largest tree known in the world, and is 2200 years old. 

To give you an idea of how huge the tree is, below is the same photo, clipped and enlarged to show the people at it's base:

 

My lovely Aunt Shelly, and me

Rich at the base of three sisters (above and behind him). 

 

We are leaving the coach, and headed to the coast for a week.  Internet will be sketchy, but I will post when I can.  

 

 



San Diego

Our time in San Diego with family was way too short, but we did manage to do quite a bit, Rich played golf at Torrey Pines, went to a Padres game with Uncle Johnny and cousin Ted.  "The girls", Aunt Wanda, Angela, and I went to see "The Lone Ranger", (worth seeing, we loved it), and some shopping and dining out. 

Travis was "off work" for a few hours, and we got to take him out and about.  He enjoyed meeting Wanda and Johnny again, and got a brief glimpse of old town San Diego. 

It was a fast few days, and we have now moved to Oxnard, Ca.  - right above Malibu.  We are only here two days, then off to see another much loved aunt, Shelly.

What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas

Yep, wherever you are told that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, they are talking about your money, or rather the money you used to have....

Although we didn't gamble away the family fortune, we did find Las Vegas to be expensive...on all fronts, food, gas, hotel, coffee, fun.  It was too hot to stay in the coach, so we stayed at the Mirage Casino and Resort, a beautiful place with everything needed for a complete vacation.  They are set up so you never have to leave the resort but of course, we did.  We had to see the Venetian, Caesar's Palace, all the famous landmarks along the strip.  Oh, and the "Freemont Experience", a canopy'd, light show over a pedestrian street. 

Yes sirrreeee, Vegas is something else.  .  .  .  .  .

In Ceasar's Palace

Part of the Strip

The Freemont Experience

 

 

We moved to San Diego, and will be visiting family here, and further north.  NOW THIS IS WEATHER WE CAN EMBRACE - it's a moderate 78ish degrees during the day, and low 60s at night.  Perfect, and of course, we love all the charm of this area.  A happy coincidence is that Travis is here on business, and we get to see him for a few hours.  

 

Moab Miscellany

Yesterday we took a random drive around Moab, Ut.  It is a small town with one main street geared towards tourists (like us!).

 

 

The town sits in a green valley surrounded by steep, rocky, arid mountains.  Looks cool with all that green, but looks are deceiving. 

 

 

See the tracks on the "Lions Back"?  There is a large, BLM area above town, where ATVs and 4 wheel drive enthusiasts can practice their skills on huge boulders.

 

This unusual home and it's fence are stamped and carved with a southwestern motif.  It is really pretty, and does not look out of place here.

 

This morning we are packing up and heading towards Las Vegas after all.  The terrible heat has cooled just enough that we decided to give it a try.  We will have to stop for one night in Cedar City, just because we limit our driving to under 300 miles a day.

 

I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July...we will try to avoid leading any parades down main street...