Driving Highway 1 – Day 2

Sunrise brings birdsongs, the mist and two small boys who don’t like to sleep in. But on this day I was pleased to join them. We left our luxury accommodation as quiet as we could and stole down to the beach. Sea Lions frolicked in the water, an early morning surfer was carving it up, jet-stream shadows crossed the sky and the playground on the beach was empty just asking for fun. While the boys played I photographed the scenery and talked to the locals. On our return we woke the rest, went for another walk, enjoyed sea salt cookies and hit the road north for an amazing day of sights and sounds.

First stop was the astounding Hearst Castle. Perched atop the mountains near the sea surrounded by a wildlife reserve, this place was the epitome of decedent opulence. Arguably the best and most amazing one person can create in a lifetime it follows a reading of Ecclesiastes 2:1-11. Beautiful grounds, gardens pools and buildings, a playground for the rich and famous – now all dead and the castle is likewise falling into slow disrepair. Grand and beautiful yet everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Below the castle on the seashore, Elephant Seals call out their incessant cry bringing the next generation to birth in a never ending cycle evident of the effortless sustaining care of the Lord.

After a lunch break we took on the most challenging part of the coast as we entered the section famously known as Big Sur. Soaring cliffs, landslides, and high bridges all with the churning ocean below. For the Aussies reading this, imagine the Sea Cliff bridge but higher, windier and running on for 30kms of hair-pin turns. Stunning! We stopped often for photos and for churning stomach relief. Particularly exciting was the 10min drive through Big Sur town-ship where a bush fire had attracted more than 50 fire trucks. We saw the fire from the road but thankfully were un-threatened.

As the twilight fell we journeyed through the outskirts of Monterey and then on to our accommodation at lovely Santa Cruz. Discovering the first of our less-than-salubrious accommodations, we ate out at a magnificent Chinese Restaurant and went food shopping at the local strip. Bedtime in a shared room with strange lights, odd bathroom and little floor space was “entertaining”. A day of enormous contrasts from beginning to end left us exhausted and exhilarated with the things we are so privileged to experience.