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[JCZ]

Jeff met us here at our home at 6:00 a.m. on Sat.  

Jeff, Terrie and I headed south on Hwy. 99 for the San Simeon MITM GTG.  It was still dark as we left the house.....







As we headed south of Tracy on I-5 we noticed the sun starting to rise...here it is at 80 mph.











We had a slight hiccup.  Terrie and I were talking about who knows what, via our wireless intercom and I was on automatic pilot. In Tracy I turned off of I-5....I guess I was headed for Jim's shop.  At the top of the Altamont I realized my mistake and we were able to turn around and get back on I-5 in short order.  I told Jeff Terrie got us lost.

Soon we were headed up over Pacheco Pass



We arrived at Mission Cafe in San Juan Bautista where Ron had already arrived.  5 star rating on Trip Advisor and 4 star rating on Yelp.....must be a good breakfast place.

[JCZ]

Soon the four bikes were headed south on Hwy. 1 and a few scenic detours along the way...

[JCZ]

We pass the Pt. Magoo Lighthouse.   The light is actually in the smaller building on the right side of the island and slightly down a bit from the top



We stopped in Big Sur at the River Inn for a break....





Our next stop was at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, to show Ron and Jeff the McWay Waterfall.

    http://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_mcwayfalls.html

This is the view from where we were parked when the rest of the Nor Cal krew came cruzin by....



















Back on the road....headed south on Hwy. 1











and eventually we arrive at the hotel in San Simeon





As soon as we were registered and everybody put their bags in their rooms, we all headed to eat.  Some went across the highway and others went into town for some great b-b-q.

Being the halloween holiday season, Cambria was having a scarecrow festival (their idea of scarecrows and my idea of scarecrows are worlds apart) that the whole town got in to.  Here's a whole scarecrow marching band...



and they were every where....in the oddest places...









all of these scarecrows were at the different hotels along Moonstone Beach Dr...



yes, the man on the ladder and the bird are a scarecrow

[JCZ]

Main St. Grill in Cambria.  Their combination b-b-q (two pork ribs and two beef ribs, beans, bread and salad) is recommended!    Van even made his token quick appearance before once again disapearing down the road...



the restaurant across the street where the less adventurous went to eat.....




and now it's time to head off to Hearst Castle.  Here's Mark of the infamous Ride Like A Pro West Coast on his new to him, CVO Ultra Classic



San Simeon Bay, where Hearst had several warehouses. 

and the castle up on the enchanted hill....













Houston....we have arrived

















The docents in the period costume and roll playing was interesting.....but they didn't invite us to stay for dinner.





Marion Davies, 35 yrs. Hearst junior, was his live in girlfriend.  He bankrolled all of her movies through MGM.

[JCZ]

The neck snapping moment when the tour guide told us that the art work is original and real and that the white statue in the corner is appraised at $44 million.





and a publication of Hearst's, the Cosmopolitan











the kitchen....it was always open 24 hrs. a day and guests and emplyees (he was very, very good to his employees) were always welcome to go help their selves to a late night snack



they even had beer on tap....







the medicine cabinet in the kitchen







the guest rooms with the original furniture....

[JCZ]

the guest library





and Hearst's personal working library.....this is where he did all his work late at night.



and a fruit bat up in the ceiling of an outdoor hallway



and lots of the little beady eyed guys.   Yes, they're very, very real!





















Back at the hotel for the late night stories....yes, they were being told.
































Speakin of late night activities.....it's past my bed time.  I hope you've enjoyed the journey this far.  I'll add to it tomorrow.

[BANDANAGIRL]

  Great pictures Jc 

[sgchick]

Great pics JC...and a great time!! 

[naitram]

Magoo you're looking a bit possessed..... 

[RidinRuby]

Thanks for the ride report and great photos

[Eagle Eye]

Thanks JC...great report! 

[JCZ]

Back on Moonstone Beach Drive in Cambria as we were leaving Sunday morning.  Yep.....those are surfers out there on their boards...waiting for the big one.

Contrary to popular belief of some of those back east, all Californians do not live on the beach next door to a movie star.....but a few lucky souls do.

[GregKhougaz]

Magoo you're looking a bit possessed..... 

REDRUM ! !

Great pictures, JC.  Sorry I had to miss....   

[JCZ]

Leaving the area Sunday morning, we took a last ride along Moonstone Beach Dr.   Yep, those are California surfers out there....waiting for the big one.
















Leaving Cambria we headed up Santa Rosa Creek Rd.





Road signs that you'll find on just about any two lane back road in this state...

[JCZ]

Back out on two lane roads....Roger and Melanie led us down a road to Nacamiento Rd. that I don't believe any of us had ever been on.  Great road....let's go......