Carmel, Hearst Castle and the coastal road

Leaving Monterey we headed down the scenic Route 1, a sometimes hairy route along the coast, but first we drove through Carmel-on-the-sea (Clint Eastwood used to be Mayor).










We came across the Carmel Mission by accident and stopped to have a look, but there was a service going on so we didn't see inside. 18th century adobe and very Spanish looking.










These are some scenic views along the coast.




















From memory I think there was a 'Xanadu' in the film 'Citizen Kane' which was supposed to be about W. Randolph Hearst, a sort of Thirties version of Rupert Murdoch. Anyway, Hearst Castle is the real thing. We arrived in the rain to find that the 'restrooms' (toilets) were closed because of the drought. The place itself was amazing, full of Flemish tapestries and Italian carved wood misericords (choir stalls). Think Portmeirion only grander.




















Sunset over the Pacific-just good timing!



We've been in Pismo Beach for two days in an excellent Best Western hotel. This is the view from our balcony. Tonight we finally had a relatively cheap meal in a pizza joint. No frills-just nice wine and good pizza. This is an expensive area generally, so it was nice to find a restaurant that was more our sort of place.
Carolyn is enjoying the view from the balcony one last time.









We went to the other Monarch Butterfly grove this afternoon. Here they join up in 'clusters' occasionally. They look like a bunch of brown leaves!