Pacific Coast Highway

We're working our way north, taking the PCH as much as possible.  It merges with the 101 freeway at spots so it's again a combination drive.  The two lane portions have been pretty cool; some of the towns we've passed through have been pretty awesome...some not so much.   We've seen numerous signs announcing a town's name and population has been less than the elevation.  One in particular listed only 18 people as it's inhabitants.
One of the stops along the route was at an old Spanish mission that has been restored.  Dr. Canas' sketches of some of these mission sites inspired me to make the detour to see it, and I was surprised by the size of it.  I was expecting some tiny little settlement with one or two small buildings but there were several buildings and some of them were well over a hundred feet long.  All were surrounded by thick adobe walls that also contained courtyards, corrals and other outdoor areas, and all the buildings had the overhanging roofs that provided shade and helped keep the adobe buildings cool.  I found the visit very enjoyable.

So we stopped near San Simeon last night, where the Hearst Castle is located.  I'd love to tour it but I don't think it's going to be possible considering the logistics of having Buddy with us.  Unfortunately we can't even drive past it and get any photos of it, but we stopped and got some pics of the coastline yesterday.  It was gray and overcast, so the rocks along the shoreline looked even more foreboding than they otherwise might.

We're going to continue north today, with the plan to get past San Francisco.  We plan to stay in San Rafael for 2 nights and I will take Buddy for a visit with Rhonda tomorrow.  Hopefully we'll have time to go back into the city for a little bit of sightseeing too.  Adios for now friends!