Adventure #34 - Hearst Castle

We woke up to rain. We weren't surprised but expected it later in the day.

Over breakfast, our waitress tells us she heard the 1 north was closing before Big Sur due to potential mudslides, and there is no detour up that way. Which means if we go ahead for the misty views and head that way, we would have to backtrack to get to the 101. An hour and a half each way in normal conditions, could add up to a 3-4 hour detour, not quite what we had time for.

We decided we would go as far a the Hearst Castle since we had reservations and turn around there. It would only mean a twenty-minute backtrack to Cambria where the 46 will take us over to the 101.

Since this trip had a wash-out, we plan to return at another time. 

We arrived at our destination and just past the entrance was a big Cal-Trans sign of the closure ahead. It's official, we will turn back after our adventure of the castle. 

From here, I will share photos only. 

No way could I write like the curator of a tour...you should really take a tour if ever in the area. We did the Grand Room Tour with accessibility. We got to go in through the kitchen which is not part of the tour and met up with the regular tour group inside the Grand Room. Next time we hope for better weather and will do a different tour and hang out longer.

The Side Courtyard: The Architects Office was off the kitchen.

 The Kitchen:

The Dining Room:

The Grand Room: For someone who loves Christmas, this was the perfect first visit! There were two towering Christmas trees on each end of the Grand Room. One tree is for the girls, the other for boys. The children were instructed to pick one toy, any toy form under the tree. If plans develop as we hope for next Christmas, we hope to do the Twightlight Tour.

The Billards Room:

Outside:

We went across the street to the Hearst Ranch Winery at Sebastian's. Picked up a bottle of wine and a few other souvenirs. On the property was this church or maybe a schoolhouse? There is also the Adobe Ranch House that can be rented for a more lavish experience.

The little town of Cambria requires another visit as well.

Heading over the 46 was a bit foggy.

Traveling up the 101, parts cleared up, while ahead we could see more storm clouds to come.

Arriving in the bay area at commute time is not the best idea, but it moved along and made our way to Fairfield, our next stop on this adventure.

Adventure #33 ~ Annual Christmas Road Trip!

Y'all know how much we love our road trips!

We've been on a few this year while doing our adventures, but this is has been a tradition for six years now.

Usually, it is a long weekend type trip, Thurs - Sat with a days drive before and after.  We picked this week for a number of reasons. Of course, Meyer's Sale is the main event, but it's also the best time for us to get away. Christmas programs at schools and church haven't happened yet, along with other local events we like to attend.

This year a regional meeting was scheduled the Tues of the same week we like to leave. The plan was to leave on Monday afternoon and headed to Ontario, CA for that meeting. After the meeting, we would drive over to the coast and take the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway 1) up to the Monterey/Santa Cruz, stopping in San Simeon for the night and take the Hearst Castle tour the next day. Driving up the coast would be perfect! It's been a while since we have done that drive or been up that way.

In fact, it had been 25 years!

By the time we reached Ontario the sun was setting. We got checked into our hotel and went looking for dinner. We found a Maria Calendars close by, it had been a long time since we ate at one, so gave it a try. Then we remembered why! Not the best service and the food wasn't great either. While chatting at the table, we decided to google Christmas Lights and see if there was a list of ones in the area. We were lucky to find one, so off we went.

The drive was only 15 minutes from our location. Along the way, we saw other houses as well. Unfortunately, when we arrived at our destination, the house wasn't lit. Maybe they hadn't put them up yet, after all, it's only November 26th! Others were though!

On the way back, we stopped at one of the houses we had seen...

I just love all the Christmas lights this time of year! We are sure to see a lot on the adventure.

In the morning we woke to a beautiful view out our window that couldn't be seen the night before.

While hubby went to his meeting, I lounged for a bit, soaked in the huge tub for a bit more, arranged a late check out before heading to Ontario Mills. Only by the time I got there, hubby called that the meeting was over, so I had to turn around and head back. I believe God had his hands in this plan. When I pulled up, I just sat in my car trying to decide where to start and the best entrance for me to take. The mall is huge! Just as I was deciding I had picked something I really shouldn't do, that is when the phone rang. Thank you, God!

Once on the road, heading to San Simeon, our next destination, the drive should only take just about 3 hours. 

WRONG!!!!

The HWY 10 was a parking lot. Once on HWY 101, we had even more traffic. When we were back on the 210, the cars navigation system said to take the 126 off of HWY 5. That didn't sound right. Last time, when we had the trailer behind us, the directions said to take the 134. Not sure which way the other would take us, we went the way we knew. Trying to avoid any traffic wasn't happening, so we were patient, captured a few sunsets along the way.

Once we got past Santa Barbara, the sunset and traffic was great. We finally got to our hotel just in time for dinner. In fact, they kept it open waiting for us, and we were not disappointed. Our room was great! Our room didn't have a view, but that was okay. It was only for a night.

Tomorrow will have a lot of views!

Adventure #32 - Monster Energy Race