Route 1 & 17 Mile Drive

We have driven north and south along the coast, throughout the winter. Rather than driving the whole coast at one time, we have done it in segments.

Driving from San Diego to San Francisco along Route 1 was spectacular. The Pacific Ocean is so different from the Atlantic. There are alot of cliffs and rocks in the water, with a small number of sandy beaches. The Pacific is a lot rougher than the Atlantic. The beach houses are on cliffs high above the water with spectacular views. (See picture of house overlooking the ocean)

After we reached the San Francisco area, we took a ride to Carmel and 17 Mile Drive, where the Pebble Beach Golf Course is located. As Delton looked over Hole #18 on Pebble Beach, you could just see the look of awe in his eyes. (See photo). He was in golf heaven!.

As we continued on 17 Mile Drive, we came to The Lone Cypress. It's amazing how this tree has survived, all by itself, facing the weather and seemingly to grow out of the rocks. (See photos).

Seals seem to love basking in the sun and sand along the Pacific. We have seen this scene many times along the coast.

A Tri-Tip Steak and a Bobcat

We finally moved up to the San Francisco area. We're staying in the Coyote Valley RV Park, just south of San Jose. It's one of the closest to San Francisco and definitely the nicest one.

As we backed into our spot, we met Michael, who was busy cleaning his car in the spot next to us. He was very friendly. Michael and his wife Imkelina (shown with Delton) were planning on leaving the next day. Our friendship clicked immediately and they decided to stay an extra day. They invited us to join them for diner at their site. We brought salad and dessert. Michael cooked a Tri-Tip Steak. We had never heard of it before, but it was delicious!

After they left, we met some more people, Ken and Margaret (shown with Joni) from Canada. After visiting with them for a short time, we discovered that they shared our love for biking We decided to go on a bike ride on the 16 miles of trails which are located next to the RV park.

As we rode along the trail, Joni looked up and saw a BOBCAT!!!! (The picture shown is not the actual bobcat we saw - it was taken off the internet.) At first Ken thought it was a mountain lion because there were signs at the trail entrance warning bikers and hikers of mountain lions in the area. But, after closer inspection, we decided it was a bobcat!

Ken decided to continue to ride past the bobcat, who was actually ON THE PATH! The bobcat was stalking something and not real interested in us, but Joni wouldn't move till he was gone. A few minutes later, more bikers rode past the bobcat and he jumped into the brush. Seconds later a rabbit darted across the trail with the bobcat in hot pursuit leaping across the trail. The bikers almost crashed in him. I'm almost positive the bobcat caught the rabbit as he was only about 5 feet behind him. Then they disappeared.

That was our first ride on the trail. We will definitely be on the lookout as we ride there daily. Many people use these trails, so I guess there are not that many sightings. That was an exciting and unusual experience!

We enjoy meeting new people and making new friends on our traveling adventure. We hope to meet up with our new friends from Coyote Valley RV park in the future.

Hearst Castle

The Hearst Castle is like an enchanted castle. It was built by William R. Hearst and used for his own personal retreat. As you can see, it was built high on a hill above the Pacific Ocean. (See the pictures looking up at the castle -above Joni - and looking down at the Pacific from the guest house patio)
Once we were at the castle, we couldn't get far enough away to get a complete view of the castle in the camera. We couldn't drive our car up the 5 mile long driveway. We had to go to the welcoming center and ride the tour bus up. The road was steep and had many switch backs - one of Joni's favorite kinds of roads.

There is an indoor pool and an outdoor pool. They are built in a Greco-Roman style. The outdoor pool has many sculptures around it. The indoor pool is made with Venetian glass and gold tiles. Real gold! Also pictured is the diving board of the indoor pool. The diving board looks like a balcony overlooking the water.

Hearst created this retreat to entertain his many celebrity friends and famous guests. (pictured is a view out of the bedroom window.) It was his desire that after his death, the State of California would open his house to the public for everyone to see his many treasures and pieces of art. He traveled the world collecting many antiques, sculptures, tapestries and more to display in his home.
There are many guest houses on the property. Pictured is the one we toured. It only has 18 rooms and faces the Pacific Ocean!!!!

We weren't allowed to use our flash while in the house, so many of our indoor pictures came out very dark. This one is of the dining room. Hearst liked to seat himself in the center so that he could visit with as many of his guests as possible. he even allowed the help to dine with him.

This is an attraction well worth the trip. Our pictures can't really show the magnificance of the castle. It is very lavish. I can't imagine living in this life style, but Hearst built it mainly as a showplace to entertain his guests.

Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Pismo Beach

Our next stop was the coast. We decided to stay at a few parks that were just off Highway 101. That gave us the ability to drive up and down the coastal highway to see the sights and to enjoy the beach at the same time.

As we drove north on 101 we encountered some unusal stone piles that someone had made into art???? I think???? (see photo) . Heading north we drove into Santa Barbara. The beaches there were nice. We walked out onto the pier to view the beach from the ocean side. It was a pretty good sight. (see Joni sitting on the pier) As we walked along the sand, we saw a homeless man displaying his sand sculpture. We took a picture and he requested
some compensation for his hard work. He said he does a sculpture every day. This particular day, the sculpture had a military theme. Actually, he does pretty good work!

California is know for it's surfing. On one very windy day, there were many wind surfers (pictured) out in the ocean. I don't know how they keep from crashing into each other.


Our next stop was Pismo Beach RV Resort. Since it was spring break, the park was full with lots of kids. It's a great family park. See the photo of our site. You can see the dunes right next to us. The ocean was right over the dunes, but the beach was wide, so the water wasn't very close.

The RV park we stayed in is to the far right of this beach picture, behind the trees and behind the dunes. We spent Easter at Pismo Beach and we sure did miss our home church in Grapevine, Texas.

Ronald Reagan Library

The Reagan library is about 45 minutes from Los Angeles. Reagan picked a spot high on a mountain top with beautiful views of mountains, valleys and even the Pacific Ocean.

The library follows President Reagan and Nancy Reagan's life historically and personally. It's the largest of all the Presidential libraries containing many documents, photographs, state gifts and much more.

Reagan had a dream that one day Air Force One would be shared with the American people. His dream has come true. Air Force One is on display facing a 200 foot wide by 60 foot tall glass wall with an inspiring panoramic view (pictured). It's a 707. We were able to board the "Flying White House". It was an experience that makes history come to life as we realized how many presidents and world leaders flew in this plane, promoting freedom and democracy.

Inside the plane, behind the cockpit, is the large communication center. Then the President's office and First Lady's office behind that. Towards the rear of the plane are the staff rooms for the cabinet, guest compartments for official photographers and security, and then the press. We weren't allowed to take any pictures inside the plane.

Also in the Air Force One Pavilion were the Marine One Helicopter and the Presidential Motorcade limousine (shown).

Reagan wrote daily in his diary (see photo) and many love letters to Nancy. They had a very loving relationship. Some of those letters were on display.

We were able to view an exact replica of the Oval Office as it was when Reagan was president. We took a bunch of pictures there, but none of them came out. We were not allowed to use our flash, so all the pictures came out too dark to see anything.

Outside the library, on the grounds, is the Memorial site where Reagan was laid to rest on June 11, 2004.

Also on the grounds is an actual piece of the Berlin Wall which was presented to Reagan at the library. The Wall stands at the entrance to a reproduction of the White House Rose Garden.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the library. Reagan was a GREAT president. Our country would strongly benefit with another president with Reagan's integrity and passion for a free America.

A Visit With Ken

Joni's son, Ken, lives in the San Francisco area. We had an opportunity to visit with him in San Diego because he had a business meeting there.


Ken flew down to San Diego and we met him at the airport. We had a great day enjoying the coast. First we drove up along the coast to LaHoya. After we took a walk along the beach, we decided to grab a bite to eat. We chose a restaurant along the beach.

After that we continued to drive north, checking out some seals lying lazily on the beach and admiring the power of the ocean.


Ken stayed at a hotel on the coast across from the USS Midway Air Craft Carrier. After a cup of coffee at the hotel, we left to go back to Indio.


Ken may be moving to Denver pretty soon. We're hoping to get up to the San Francisco area before he leaves for Denver so that we can enjoy visiting with him some more and letting him show us his stomping ground.


Since we spend our summers in Colorado, Ken will be able to join us in Fun Valley, CO for some hiking, rafting and horse back riding. We can't wait!