The room is dark when I wake up at 7:30. We are not in a rush to get going this morning and the kids have the option to get up and swim or just sleep in. Check out is 11 AM, and we decide to just enjoy the peace and quiet and the beds and rest. I finish a book I was reading and around 10 AM a knock comes on the door. I forgot to put out the Do Not Disturb, but it is probably good timing as we need to get up and get going. The shower is hot and feels good. We have not had issues with the shower in the RV, but having a full size shower is nice.
We are all up, showered and packed for the trek back down the hill to the RV. Once there, we have to decide if we are going to do a very short hike or just spend some extra time stopping along the coast. I trip out the 65 miles to the Hearst Castle and the GPS is telling me that it will take two and a half hours. Seems like a long time, but after driving at the end of the day yesterday, I am not going to second guess it. It was about right on for that portion of the trip, and averaging more than 25 miles per hour along these roads would be suicide. We opt to make some extra stops along the way and not try to push it to get to the destination.
We fix a quick breakfast/lunch and then hit the road. Immediately, I realize the driving is tougher than I thought it would be. Again, worth it for the sights and views (not that I can really take in anything but the lines on the road and the next curve up ahead). We stop every few miles for some pictures or just to take in the view. I have to pull over to let cars past from time to time, though I am not really holding anyone up. I am able to keep up with most of the traffic, so even if I let them by they are stopped by the next car or RV in front of me.
Wendy would like to make a stop where we can walk down to the beach, but finding one where there is enough parking space to put the RV is difficult. We do find a beach with a bunch of seals and stop for some pictures.
Probably 10 to 15 stops as we drive south, but we are still keeping pace to be on time for our 4 o’clock tour. I knew I needed gas as we left Big Sur Lodge and have kept my eyes peeled for a station along the way. The only one I had seen did not have a drive large enough for me to pull in and then the low fuel light comes on. I know I have 50 miles left, and although the GPS says there is only 20 miles to go it is saying we have well over an hour left. Once again, the running out of gas panic sets in. Luckily I find a station at Ragged Point about 5 miles later. We pull in and I wait in line for a spot as Wendy and Georgia go check out the store. Once at the pump, I look at the price. Guess they have you at this one. $5.35 per gallon - but I would have paid more based on by fuel gauge. I go in and pre-pay for $100 worth which will give me a little over a quarter tank. That will be enough to get me through until we hit civilization again. The guy inside makes a joke that “you’re not in Kansas anymore”. I inform him that there are probably longer stretches in Kansas and I should have known better than to enter this drive without a full tank. The guy at the pump next to me informs me that the price at the last station that I passed was $5.75 – so this is a bargain. In goes $100 and we are off again.
Next stop is Hearst Castle. Once in the lot and settled we head to the visitors center. This stop has been on my list of things to do since my trip to California in 1976. I have not been able to fit a visit in on each of the trips out, so this was a must do. On the ride up to the estate, you hear some of the history. Days ago, I needed to pick which tour we would do. I opted for the tour of the first floor, the most general but the one they suggest for first time visitors. Once at the top, you are greeted by your tour guide who keeps everyone in line. No stepping off the tour carpet. No touching ANYTHING. The art and furnishings for this estate were mostly antiques purchased over the years. Very neat to see all these items that you would normally only see in a museum in a setting where they were actually used. Jackson asked the question how much was he worth when he built the house. The guide politely told him that Hearst was not very forthcoming with his net worth, but the estate and furnishings cost 12 to 15 million. A large sum for its day. We then walked the grounds and took in the beautiful landscaping and pools.
We also learned about the zoo he created and saw some of the zebras roaming by the roadside as we left the estate to continue our trip down CA-1.
Another 60 miles to our campsite, but the driving is now much easier as we are off the coast by a bit. We can still see it and catch glimpses of the landscape, but it is a nice change to enjoy it from the distance. We are staying tonight in a KOA in Pismo Beach and we pull in around 8. Not much of a campsite, but we have electric and water so all is good. A quick dinner, some TV and then catching up on blogging before heading to bed.
Off to LA in the morning!