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12/28/2019 Highway 1. We have moved to San Simeon State Park along the Central Coast of California. I was out early to walk Bear and caught a cute little sunrise.
12/28/2019 Highway 1. We have moved to San Simeon State Park along the Central Coast of California. I was out early to walk Bear and caught a cute little sunrise.
Today we are just out exploring the area around San Simeon and Cambria and what do we find…..
Today we are just out exploring the area around San Simeon and Cambria and what do we find…..
Yep, that there is a wild California Zebra! ….and the real story is; they are descendants of the zebras that were released from Randolph Hearst’s zoo. Apparently a lot of the animals he was keeping were adopted by various zoos around the country but nobody really wanted the Zebras, so they were simply released on the property and they have continued to proliferate throughout the years.
Yep, that there is a wild California Zebra! ….and the real story is; they are descendants of the zebras that were released from Randolph Hearst’s zoo. Apparently a lot of the animals he was keeping were adopted by various zoos around the country but nobody really wanted the Zebras, so they were simply released on the property and they have continued to proliferate throughout the years.
Next stop, “Elephant Seal Point”. This time of the year, the seals are out in great numbers and really pretty entertaining.
Next stop, “Elephant Seal Point”. This time of the year, the seals are out in great numbers and really pretty entertaining.
Next up, the beach at San Simeon State Park. This beach is within walking distance to where we have set up camp. The first thing I really noticed was that there were lots of people walking around looking at the ground and picking things up…..but all my eyes could see were rocks. We asked a couple people and it turns out tht everyone is looking for Moonstones. A couple example were shown to us and the next thing you know, _we_ are also walking around staring at the ground!
Next up, the beach at San Simeon State Park. This beach is within walking distance to where we have set up camp. The first thing I really noticed was that there were lots of people walking around looking at the ground and picking things up…..but all my eyes could see were rocks. We asked a couple people and it turns out tht everyone is looking for Moonstones. A couple example were shown to us and the next thing you know, _we_ are also walking around staring at the ground!
Really nothing fancy going on here. I just liked this profile picture of Dylan with the ocean and sun setting.
Really nothing fancy going on here. I just liked this profile picture of Dylan with the ocean and sun setting.
12/29/2020 Moonstone Beach. Well, yesterday we just learned about Moonstones and today we are at “Moonstone Beach” and oddly enough, we found not a single Moonstone here. Strange.
12/29/2020 Moonstone Beach. Well, yesterday we just learned about Moonstones and today we are at “Moonstone Beach” and oddly enough, we found not a single Moonstone here. Strange.
We only spent a couple hours here and I didn’t take a lot of pictures, but I really liked the look of the rocks and the water and the setting sun.
We only spent a couple hours here and I didn’t take a lot of pictures, but I really liked the look of the rocks and the water and the setting sun.
The kids liked climbing the rocks and looking at sea life.
The kids liked climbing the rocks and looking at sea life.
I’m trying to put words into Dylan’s mouth for this scene. Keep in mind, I have no idea what is ACTUALLY happening here, but in my head it’s something like “….and the mighty god ‘Ra’ moves the sun across the sky every day and gives us life” ........or something.
I’m trying to put words into Dylan’s mouth for this scene. Keep in mind, I have no idea what is ACTUALLY happening here, but in my head it’s something like “….and the mighty god ‘Ra’ moves the sun across the sky every day and gives us life” ........or something.
12/30/2019 Hearst Castle. Really, what trip to the Central Coast is complete without a visit to the Hearst Castle? It’s a pretty legendary place at this point and is quite remarkable. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is on a level that simply can’t be explained with words or truly captured in pictures. It’s a tad over the top in my opinion, but I guess that’s sort of the point. I think that level of opulence and grandeur was something that was looked up to and revered in that era, but it’ll be interesting to see if the newer generations “get it”.
12/30/2019 Hearst Castle. Really, what trip to the Central Coast is complete without a visit to the Hearst Castle? It’s a pretty legendary place at this point and is quite remarkable. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is on a level that simply can’t be explained with words or truly captured in pictures. It’s a tad over the top in my opinion, but I guess that’s sort of the point. I think that level of opulence and grandeur was something that was looked up to and revered in that era, but it’ll be interesting to see if the newer generations “get it”.
The outdoor pool is one of those “defining features”. When you see this pool, you KNOW it’s Hearst Castle.
The outdoor pool is one of those “defining features”. When you see this pool, you KNOW it’s Hearst Castle.
I found the indoor pool a tad more visually interesting. You could spend hours in this pool room and still not scratch the surface of all the small intricate details.
I found the indoor pool a tad more visually interesting. You could spend hours in this pool room and still not scratch the surface of all the small intricate details.
They still had two G_I_A_N_T Christmas trees set up.
They still had two G_I_A_N_T Christmas trees set up.
Grace found tile work that included bunnies, so her day was 100% complete.
Grace found tile work that included bunnies, so her day was 100% complete.
To me, if this place has ANYTHING that is to lust over and wish you had in your life, it’s the views. Quite simply, it gets no better than this. Close enough to the ocean to really get a sense of how immense and beautiful it is, but also far enough away to not suffer the consequences of living next to salt water. The view is completely devoid of anything that will restrict your view. There are an abundance of trees and shrubs. Large, beautiful rolling green hills. Unending Wildlife. In my humble opinion, you could live in the castle or pitch a tent and it just wouldn’t matter because it has THIS!
To me, if this place has ANYTHING that is to lust over and wish you had in your life, it’s the views. Quite simply, it gets no better than this. Close enough to the ocean to really get a sense of how immense and beautiful it is, but also far enough away to not suffer the consequences of living next to salt water. The view is completely devoid of anything that will restrict your view. There are an abundance of trees and shrubs. Large, beautiful rolling green hills. Unending Wildlife. In my humble opinion, you could live in the castle or pitch a tent and it just wouldn’t matter because it has THIS!
12/31/2019 We've moved to Pinnacles National Park for the new year. Movies, sparkling juice and confetti poppers are the order of the evening.
12/31/2019 We've moved to Pinnacles National Park for the new year. Movies, sparkling juice and confetti poppers are the order of the evening.
1/1/2020 Pinnacles National Park. This place was a fun little side trip for us. We saw it on the map and it was sort of “along the way” for us, so we said “what the heck, why not?”. Bear’s morning walk reveals some local wildlife and they were actually quite interested in us…..
1/1/2020 Pinnacles National Park. This place was a fun little side trip for us. We saw it on the map and it was sort of “along the way” for us, so we said “what the heck, why not?”. Bear’s morning walk reveals some local wildlife and they were actually quite interested in us…..
……until Bear opened his big ole’ mouth and scared them off!
……until Bear opened his big ole’ mouth and scared them off!
The “Star Attraction” at Pinnacles are the Talus Caves. Talus caves are formed when narrow valleys get infilled with boulders that fall down from above. The boulders just happened to be larger in size than the valley they are falling into and just like that, you have a cave system below these massive boulders. Here’s a good example for you….
The “Star Attraction” at Pinnacles are the Talus Caves. Talus caves are formed when narrow valleys get infilled with boulders that fall down from above. The boulders just happened to be larger in size than the valley they are falling into and just like that, you have a cave system below these massive boulders. Here’s a good example for you….
There is short-ish trail that leads to the caves and it’s a very pretty walk through the forest and moss-covered rocks. Along the way you’ll stumble across this unnatural tunnel (a.k.a. it’s man made) but, come on, who doesn't love to walk through a rock tunnel?
There is short-ish trail that leads to the caves and it’s a very pretty walk through the forest and moss-covered rocks. Along the way you’ll stumble across this unnatural tunnel (a.k.a. it’s man made) but, come on, who doesn't love to walk through a rock tunnel?
You’ll also pass through this little cut through these rocks. On this day, there was a strange anomaly in temperature change. As you passed into this opening, it INSTANTLY got VERY cold….and it was not a cold day. It had a very “eerie” quality to it and almost unnerving. Look in front of Grant in this picture, you can see his breath on this otherwise sunny day.
You’ll also pass through this little cut through these rocks. On this day, there was a strange anomaly in temperature change. As you passed into this opening, it INSTANTLY got VERY cold….and it was not a cold day. It had a very “eerie” quality to it and almost unnerving. Look in front of Grant in this picture, you can see his breath on this otherwise sunny day.
Okay, so remember you are in the bottom of a valley in this cave system, which means that there is bound to be water here and today, it’s running pretty high. The trail is actually washed out here. This is supposed to be terra firma here! I actually made this crossing carrying Grant because he refused to do it on his own. Not sure how I made it out with dry feet, but I did.
Okay, so remember you are in the bottom of a valley in this cave system, which means that there is bound to be water here and today, it’s running pretty high. The trail is actually washed out here. This is supposed to be terra firma here! I actually made this crossing carrying Grant because he refused to do it on his own. Not sure how I made it out with dry feet, but I did.
The big news once you are inside the cave system is the fact that it is L_O_U_D! The quantity of water, the speed at which it is running and complete lack of anything that absorbs sound makes for a VERY noisy hike!
The big news once you are inside the cave system is the fact that it is L_O_U_D! The quantity of water, the speed at which it is running and complete lack of anything that absorbs sound makes for a VERY noisy hike!
Given the direction we have decided to take on this trail, the entire hike into the caves (and beyond) is uphill. We are nearing the top at this point and this is what is looks like when you look down into the caves where you just came from.
Given the direction we have decided to take on this trail, the entire hike into the caves (and beyond) is uphill. We are nearing the top at this point and this is what is looks like when you look down into the caves where you just came from.
Still going up and yes, it is _that_ steep!
Still going up and yes, it is _that_ steep!
We’ve popped out on top of the cave system and we’re still heading up at this point. This was a great opportunity to gain some perspective on where we are and what these caves look like when you're not inside them.
We’ve popped out on top of the cave system and we’re still heading up at this point. This was a great opportunity to gain some perspective on where we are and what these caves look like when you're not inside them.
Back inside for a brief moment….
Back inside for a brief moment….
….and you’re looking at the last narrow and wet staircase to the top.
….and you’re looking at the last narrow and wet staircase to the top.
At the top you are greeted with this little man-made reservoir. I later asked a ranger why it existed and he said that back in 20’s and 30’s as the Army Corp of Engineers was working here, they all complained about the heat (over 110 degrees in the summer I’m told), so they built this reservoir simply so they would have a place to cool off.
At the top you are greeted with this little man-made reservoir. I later asked a ranger why it existed and he said that back in 20’s and 30’s as the Army Corp of Engineers was working here, they all complained about the heat (over 110 degrees in the summer I’m told), so they built this reservoir simply so they would have a place to cool off.
As you leave the reservoir, you have the choice to go back down through the cave system or finish the loop above ground. We have selected to take dry land and sunshine for the return trip…..mainly because going DOWN a bunch of wet stairs in the dark sounds like a less than ideal situation for our crew. Not a bad choice in my opinion when you get views like this. Below us here in this picture is the cave system we just came up through. Hard to believe, but it’s down there and you can STILL hear the water.
As you leave the reservoir, you have the choice to go back down through the cave system or finish the loop above ground. We have selected to take dry land and sunshine for the return trip…..mainly because going DOWN a bunch of wet stairs in the dark sounds like a less than ideal situation for our crew. Not a bad choice in my opinion when you get views like this. Below us here in this picture is the cave system we just came up through. Hard to believe, but it’s down there and you can STILL hear the water.
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