Awoke well rested and grateful for these new friends that welcomed us into their beautiful home. I was still hopeful that I would be able to squeeze another day in but when I called work for an update and studied the maps and calendar I knew I had to get going. Had a delicious breakfast that included freshly squeezed orange juice from the backyard trees!
it was goodbye to all four as Colin had promised to make Ceviche after they all toured some wineries. I set out to follow Hwy 1 along the coast all the way to Tiburon, across the Golden Gate where Annemarie lives. The first stretch was not. Ear the water much but I found it interesting as I passed through brown, scrubby, drought country that suddenly became emerald with fields of food crops
I couldn’t help but believe that some of my Grown in the USA produce came from the area near Guadalupe. It was a beehive of activity and looked like it took a lot of work to keep it all watered and fertile. Further along the road I saw signs Avocados 7 for $1 and kiwi 10 for $1!! I wish I could bring some home. I saw many sites but only stopped at a few for pictures as there was a lot of ground to cover
somehow I managed to take a turn down a long beautiful stretch to find I had to turn around and make my way back to the highway. It was worth it
I just had to stop and stare at the ocean as I had missed it so much, home is calling me
I saw a couple cars parked in an odd place and realized what they were looking at so had to capture the randomness of a field of Zebras near San Simeon
Just past Hearst Castle which I had seen on the last trip this way were the Elephant Seals who had drawn a big crowd
While stopped for construction I bemoaned the fact that the best views were mostly looking South
But not all of them
I did follow a few annoying drivers who wouldn’t use the turn outs and would have had to speed up to slow down for corners but often I was alone on the highway and Audrey just hugged the curves. When I was 28 miles from San Francisco I contacted Annemarie to get directions. While we were (hands free) talking I drove into a thick fog that lasted until halfway over the Golden Gate Bridge. At one point I could only see two car lengths ahead!
Good thing Hwy 1 goes through the city and over the bridge as it was around 7 on a busy night and traffic was thick and challenging. I really do need to plan to get into major cities earlier and in the day light! Suddenly the fog cleared and it was beautiful but I missed seeing much until then
I found her place and we had a great evening which started with a little joke for our friend Shannon. I had met Annemarie when she came to Bella Bella in June for a visit with Shannon.
Not only did this kind woman open her home to me but she took me out for a lovely dinner and we visited until late. We researched my route for tomorrow and it is supposed to be clouded right in on the first part of a ‘treacherously’ winding coast route so rather than stretch the long day further I am going to head on 101 to Eureka and beyond. I am now tucked in and tired out after a 9.5 hour day to go 618 Km! I am all about the journey though and every winding Km was fabulous.
triumphgal 