Exploring California: Visiting Hearst Castle

I am decidedly adding a new chapter to my blog.  In addition to capturing brief snapshots of every day life, I would like to document my travels.  I have a love for travel coupled with a passion for architecture.  This can make for some scenic trips as well as beautiful photography.  Also, for anyone traveling my way, it may prove some helpful travel tips. 


The first week of June, 2010 Dave and I took a trip down the California coast to visit Hearst Castle.  We left San Jose in the early afternoon on Wednesday intending to arrive at the San Simeon Campground before dark.  From San Jose, we followed the Historic El Camino Real (also known as Highway 101) until we reached California Highway 46.  Points of interest along the way were Gilroy (famous for its fields of garlic),  Pinnacles National Monument (impending trip), and Mission San Miguel (pictures saved for a future post).



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Driving west along Highway 46 was a fortunate stroke of serendipity as we cut through miles of sprawling vineyards, refined wineries, and gorgeous mountain vistas that fell off into the Pacific Ocean with the setting sun.

We chose to pitch our tent at the Washburn Area of the San Simeon Campground, and enjoyed an easy hike Thursday morning along these trails.


We had advance-purchase tickets for the Experience Tour at Hearst Castle; which proved an eclectic experience.  Personally, I didn't care much for the castle itself.

Just so cozy, and inviting...

Home Sweet Home...anyone?

The gardens and vistas, however, were phenomenal.

I was also captured by the hundreds of minute architectural details.

The Greco-Roman Neptune Pool

And my personal favorite...the indoor Roman Pool; decorated from floor to ceiling with 1" square mosaic tiles.  Absolutely breathtaking.  And yes, I took all of these pictures myself.

We drove back to San Jose Thursday afternoon along California's scenic Highway 1.      

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I have never seen the water so blue as it was this first week in June.  

Some attractions we passed along the way include:  Los Padres National Forest, Soda Springs Trails, Treebones Resort, Elephant Seals, Plaskett Creek Campground, Sand Dollar Beach, Kirk Creek Campground, Big Sur, and of course Carmel & Monterey. 

Snapshot #26: Sunday Night Dishes

June 28, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Since Dave finished school for the semester and is no longer putting in 12-16 hour study days, he has graciously volunteered to do more around the house.  Our typical negotiation is that when I cook he does the dishes; this system--while not yet perfect--works well for us.  Recently I gave him charge over Sunday dinners, leaving clean-up duty to myself.  I confess there are weeks when I leave the clean-up until Monday morning.  

Snapshot #25: Balancing the Budget

June 26, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Today Dave and I are balancing the budget...in between World Cup Soccer games.

Snapshot #24: Morning Swim

June 25, 2010.  San Jose, California.

Snapshot #23: Secondhand Lions

June 24, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Last night Dave had a networking social with Cisco, so I took the night off and watched this enchanting movie.

Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #22: Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

June 23, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Home-made gifts can be some of the best kind.

Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #21: Freshly Baked Bread (no machines here)

June 22, 2010.  One of the joys of life.  For recipe click here.

Snapshot #20 : Hand-Painted Cards

June 21, 2010.  San Jose, California.  My newest hobby; one of the creative advantages of a spending freeze.

Exploring California: Snapshot #19: Alum Rock Trail

June 19, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Today Dave and I walked for 2-1/2 hours along the Alum Rock Trails that go to and all around Alum Rock Park.  Dave was disappointed we didn't see a mountain lion.

Snapshot #18: Laundry

June 19, 2010.  San Jose, California.  

Snapshot #17 : "Letters"

June, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Thoroughly enjoying Marjorie Pay Hinckley's "Letters".

Snapshot #16: Beached Seal

June 16, 2010.  Santa Cruz, California.  Last night Dave and I drove to Santa Cruz for a walk along the beach at sunset...we didn't find the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean (turns out the Santa Cruz boardwalk is a south-facing cove)...but we did discover this beached seal.  

There was an enthusiastic family that determined it was their role to save the seal's life by getting it back into the ocean.  They proceeded with pouring buckets of water onto the seal's back and cheering it along until it was once again in the water.

Part of me wonders if the seal wasn't thinking, "Run, run away from the crazy loons!  Stop pouring water on me!  Gosh, can't a seal take a nap around here?"

Snapshot #15: The Finished Top, for Baby Girl Quilt #1

June 16, 2010.  San Jose, California.  I finished it last night.  Not easy to get a good picture of it though.

Snapshot #14: Zazu Needs Attention

June 16, 2010.  San Jose, California.  

Snapshot #13: My First Ever "Mitered Corners"

June 16, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Thank You YouTube.

Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #12: Morning Tea

June 15, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Egyptian Licorice, by Yogi.

Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #11: Very Healthy, Yet Yummy, Homemade Soup

June 14, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Chicken broth, yellow onion, green onion, basil, cabbage, tomato, garlic pepper, poultry seasoning, and shrimp (or chicken or beef). 

Snapshot #10: Living with Infertility

June 14, 2010.  Santa Clara, California.  Last night Dave and I went to a small get-together with other summer interns from BYU, and their families.  It is always a rich experience when I am  priviledged enough to discover another person's story.  I met someone who will likely become a dear friend.  Turns out we have shared similiar experiences on our journey toward parenthood.  Empathy is a very powerful thing.

Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #9: I have finally mastered Mom's amazing chocolate chip cookies! (only took me 30 years)

June 13, 2010.  San Jose, California.  I had to make them, bake them, and take them to a party.  The true test of my committment to a diet.

Snapshot #8: According to Design

June 12, 2010.  San Jose, California.  It is a pleasant day when the sewing machine works according to design.

I've started to wonder about her name...

Snapshot #7 : Living Made Simple

June 12, 2010.  San Jose, California.  In an effort to make it through Grad School without taking out student loans, we moved to San Jose with only those items we could squeeze into our car...

...Zazu (the Cat) has already put several holes in the air mattress, leaving us sleeping on a pile of blankets.

Snapshot #6: Giving Dave a Foot Rub

June 10, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Dave had a most excellent day at work yesterday.  He is getting along very well with his colleagues.  We have by now learned that he is going to be working on the negotiation of leases, as well as several special projects that will tighten up the company's PO processes and save them hundreds of thousands.

I have never seen him happier at a job.

Snapshot #5: Designing a Baby Quilt

June 9, 2010.  San Jose, California.  Now don't get overly excited...these are for the Hope Chest

Snapshot #4: Dave's Hiking Sandals, Our Trail Map, and the Flower He Picked For Me Along the Trail

June 3, 2010.  San Ramon Campround, California.

Snapshot #3: Mission San Miguel Arcangel, Est. 1797; National Historic Landmark

June 2, 1010.  San Miguel, California.  We drove past it on our way to visit Hearst Castle.

Snapshot #2: An Artist's Rendering of Herself

June 1, 2010.  San Francisco.  My most favorite of all the paintings in the Academy of Art Spring Show.

Snapshot #1: Architectural Model from the Academy of Art Spring Show

I have decided that I am going to start taking snapshots of my daily life, to share on my blog.  My hope is that I will find this easier to do on a more consistent basis...as well as create unique vingettes to remember the journey by...so, here's to progress in the blog world.

June 1, 2010.  San Francisco.  I've been contemplating the idea of getting my Master's in Architecture.

He Works Hard For His Money

Today Dave starts his internship at Cisco.  He's not exactly sure what he's going to be doing...a rotational program in the Capitol group of Corporate Finance...but what is that exactly?  Hopefully we'll know soon...we've given up a lot in order to be here. 

Probably since the day we met, I've been giving Dave a hard time about still not knowing what he "wants to be when he grows up."  An unfair expectation from someone who takes for granted that she's always been very passionate about her career choice...as well as unable to bring in a salary quite as cushy as her husband's.  Nevertheless, since Dave has failed to produce an answer to satisfy my demand, I have made it sort of my personal qwest to help my husband find an occupation that he just can't live without.  But just the other day, I had an "Ah-Hah" moment when my own brother (who has also sacrificed much to go back to school) said, "I don't really care what I do, so long as I sort-of like it, and I make lots of money." 

Well Boys, "Touche, Touche." Today it's Hats Off to Dave, to my brother, and to all those who work extremely hard for their money.

California Dreaming

I am back in the Bay Area, this time with the love of my life (yes, that would be my husband Dave), a cat that plays fetch (called Zazu), a kitchenaid (color red), and a butter bell (my most favorite invention ever).

Our short trek (only 1day, instead of 5) began at midnight on Monday, May 24th.  We decided to drive all night, in order to make it to our new home in time to get a key--before the leasing office closed.  It was a beautiful drive; our timing was perfect...driving through the sage-brushed desert of Nevada during the darkest hours, with the sun rising over the desert mountain peaks as we made our way into Reno, and sunshine greeting us over the beautiful mountains of Tahoe that welcomed us back to California.  I had forgotten how beautiful are the rolling green hills surrounding San Francisco and the Bay Area.  God's creations are magnificent!

We arrived at our summer apartment close to 12:00 noon...very pleased with the apartment and the amenities (without prior knowledge of what we were getting ourselves into, having booked the lease via the internet).  Turns out, some of Man's creations are wonderful too.  I am confident that we will enjoy our summer here...I am looking forward to using the lap pool especially.  Here are some pics of the apartment complex, almost like a resort.

My Favorite Blogs to Follow

Although I am not the most consistent blogger myself (a probable New Year's Resolution), there are several blogs that I read more often than any others:

http://www.keepinghistory.blogspot.com/ is my older sister's blog.  She lives on the Isle of Anglesey, a part of Wales, England.  She has 3 adorable little boys and now a brand new little girl.  I have been over to visit her twice in the last 3 years, but that is not near frequent enough!  I love going online to read her narratives and see the photographs of my little nephews growing up.  She is an amazing mother and sister!

http://www.themcintyrefamily.blogspot.com/ is one of my mission companion's blogs.  We were a dynamite pair as missionaries, but since our days in El Salvador, we have never lived in the same state.  When she was in Utah, I was in San Francisco; when I was in New Jersey, she was in Houston; and now that I am in Utah, she will be heading to another state for her husband's medical residency.  I am thankful that I can still partake in some of her life's daily adventures through her blog.

http://www.amaviaggiare.blogspot.com/ is my old roomate's blog.  We lived in the same household on Treasure Island, San Francisco.  But she recently moved to Italy, where she is teaching English and discovering life abroad.  I love seeing the beautiful pictures of Florence and the surrounding area; traveling vicariously!  Thanks Liz!

http://www.progressivepioneer.com/ is the blog for an aquaintance/friend I met while living in San Francisco.  Several years ago she married, moved to the Salt Lake City area, and began living her dream.  Her blog tracks her life, her lifestyle, as well as many useful tips and fun giveaways for a healthy and self-sufficient lifestyle.  This week's giveaway is DoTerra's Dr. Mom Essential Oils Kit. The following link will take you into her world: