PCH

The drive along the Pacific Coastal Highway began in the fog and ended in the fog. Here and there, were glimpses of brilliant sunshine. So much to see and do. We could spend six months and not scratch the surface.


North of Cambria we swung into the notorious Hearst Castle, an incredible piece of architecture build by a very wealthy and famous west coast businessman. The sign said "Experience the Dream". We are already living our dream so we turned around and headed up the road. Poor rich people... so much to take care of.

The Hearst Foundation donated 21 miles of coast to the state of California, undeveloped in perpetuity. Awesome country.



Big Sur and the roads that run through it are everything that has been written about it and more.



Traffic was not heavy, but there were caravans of travelers, many not from this country. We met and spoke with people from Holland, Belgium, Great Britain and this motorcycle formation from Japan. There was another motorcycle group of about 50 people from Germany, all driving Harley's and dressed in leathers. Guess the economy is still ok in some parts of the world, huh?

And then there were other travelers. Pelicans flying in formation and diving for schools of fish.


Elephant Seals by the hundreds, mostly females and juveniles, a few pups. The 5,000 pound males have left, swimming back to Alaska, dodging white sharks and Orca. 70% of the young don't survive that first year swim. But today they relaxed on the beach, making belching noises and mock fighting each other. And smell!! Almost as bad as Vulture poop...



The ground squirrels drove Sam and Lu absolutely crazy. They were aggressive little rodents and probably not the best thing to allow in your lap. I'll let you know if I develop any strange rashes...


We drove through the mountain passes and into Salinas Valley, home of John Steinbeck, Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winner in Literature. That's on the bucket list for tomorrow, but tonight we are holed up in a nice little Motel 6 with an awesome Mexican Restaurant next door. After last night Connie deserves a lot more than that. Hope she doesn't strangle me in my sleep... What a good girl. My partner.

Steinbeck wrote "Travels with Charley". My book could be "Travels with Connie".