The shelter building trip I went on in the last part of August, was a result of an invitation from my friend Don Major.  He set it up for me and guided me through the whole process of registration and meeting, etc.  One of the things I was suppose to do on that trip, was visit with his family as well.  That didn't happen but I told him I would come back in a couple of months to make amends.

So honoring my promise, I took off on the afternoon of Friday, October the Fifteenth and once again, I was off for LA LA Land.

I didn't have any travel agenda and once I got in my car, I just decided to take Highway Seventeen to Highway One and continue south until a Motel of interest came up.

I drove and I drove and I drove and not one vacancy until I came to San Simeon.  Well if I am going to spend the night, I might as well tour the castle.

This was located down the street from my motel.  I was impressed and attracted to the contrast.  I actually tugged on the flower to make sure it was real, attached and not a plastic decoration.

I also spent some time in the evening and morning at the beach there.  Somebody was trying to send a message in a bottle but they forgot to put a cap on it.

Later, as soon as the castle opened up, I started taking pictures of the grounds. 

It is still amazing to me that people erect shrines like this.  It has been happening forever though so I am not surprised.  Maybe the Hearst Castle doesn't compare to the pyramids or other shrines in the world for magnificence but it could be right up there.  Even more  amazing to me is that one man set out to do it.  What was he thinking?  I'm only 56 years old and by the time this is finished I will be able to live in it for ever?  For ever being never.

The outdoor pool    I am not sure if I would want to swim in such an artsy pool.  It's fun to imagine sitting around it to watch movie stars strut their stuff.

I'm a flower nut and I usually restrict myself to photographing close ups of them.
This wall   was just begging to be shown.  A close-up just wouldn't do it justice.

This is typical of my usual subject choices

The tour ended at the indoor pool

with tourists abounding

I leave and continue on to La La Land.  Not much else happened except the usual traffic tie ups.  Tomorrow, I visit with Don Major and his family.  I am really looking forward to seeing his daughter.  She was 6 the last time I saw her and she taught me two games to play.  She should be 9 now.

Next

JimRHuff


© LED Foot Lighting, October 2004