Vista along Route 1

The Elephant Seals Hanging at Piedras Blancas Beach near San Simeon


Bob and his magnificent microwave oven!


Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park



Pieffer State Beach Park


Pfieffer State Beach Park

From Carmel-by-the Sea:

We woke up to stunning sunny weather today, but in 15 minutes a fog came in so quickly and covered everything. We didn't get started till late in the morning, but the sun eventually came out and it was the most amazing sunny, warm day. The ride up Highway 1 was beautiful. The vistas are spectacular with new things around every bend in the road. We couldn't have asked for a nicer day. We'll continue up Highway 1 to San Francisco

Stats:
Location Today: Carmel-by-the Sea, CA
Traveled 44600 Miles since we left Maryland
Approx. 2919 miles from Md
Visited the following states: Md, Va, Wv., Tn, Ky, Ar., Ok., Tx., Nm, Az, Nv., Ca.
Next Destination: San Fransisco

Highlights:
Stunning Vistas along Highway 1
The Elephant Seals Hanging at Piedras Blancas Beach near San Simeon
Having Hot Leftovers For Lunch Courtesy Of Our On-Board Microwave!
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Pfeiffer State Beach Park (The most unbelievable scenery…..)
Flying Fish Grill in Carmel

Not so great stuff:
Not so lucky on the hotel choice tonight..…. (*ugh*)

Bakersfield to San Simeon

The Hearst Castle

The "Guest House"

The Outdoor Pool at the Castle


The Living Room at the Hearst Castle


The indoor pool at the Hearst Castle

Sunset at Moonstone Beach from our Hotel
Report from Moonstone Beach, Cambria, Califor-n-i-a!!!!

We made it to the coast of California today. The drive from Bakersfield took about 3.5 hours. The first 2.5 were pretty boring, just pistachio and almond farms. The last hour was beautiful as we entered Southern California Wine Country. It struck us how much the rolling hills looked like the Sun-Maid Raisin commercial on TV. The ocean was a lovely site to see after 20 days of traveling across never-ending land. We headed straight to the Hearst Castle. What a remarkable site to see. William Randolph Hearst was only the 47th wealthiest man in the US during the 1920's but he erected a home the likes we have never seen. Not only is there the "Castle" but several "Guest Houses". The Vanderbilt and Rockefeller families were wealthier, but after having seen their homes, this "Castle" was far in excess of their famous homes. Tonight's hotel, the "Little Sur Inn" is a real treat because we pulled into town without a reservation and found one with with a up-close and personal view of the California coast. We managed to settle in before nightfall so we were able to enjoy the sunset over the ocean from our room.

Stats:
Location Today: San Simeon, CA
Traveled 4350 Miles since we left Maryland
Approx. 2900 miles from Md
Visited the following states: Md, Va, Wv., Tn, Ky, Ar., Ok., Tx., Nm, Az, Nv., Ca.
Next Destination: Drive up Route 1 on the California Coast

Highlights:
Rolling vineyards of Southern California
Hearst Castle
Little Sur Inn
Beautiful Sunset
Fabulous Dinner of fresh seafood at the "Sea Chest"
SUN and WARMTH


Not so great stuff:
Can't think of a thing..….

Texas to California

Painted Desert

Painted Desert

Petrified Wood!

Petrified Forest

the Hoover Dam

Construciton of New Bridge over the Hoover Dam

Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas


Hello from Bakersfield California!
Now we know what George Strait was talking about when he said "Amarillo by morning". What he meant is that it smells to high heaven. Amarillo is one of the largest stock trading/selling areas in the country. Livestock as far as the eye can see and the smell to match the sight. We were glad to depart. After leaving Amarillo, Tx. on Saturday, we travelled through New Mexico which took forever and spent the night in Gallop, NM. We both couldn't wait to leave New Mexico, so we got up the next morning and travelled from New Mexico through Arizona into Nevada. We stopped at the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest and ate at a "Triple D" diner in Flagstaff, Az. that was truly YUMMY. We arrived in Las Vegas late Sunday evening, but were fortunate enough to catch sunset at the incredible new bridge that is being built over the Hoover Dam. Looks like a new wonder of the world! We have spent the last four days in Vegas where we visited Red Rock Canyon, gambled, visited with an old friends, Lynn went to the Canyon Ranch spa for a day of pampering. We used these few days to charge our engines for our trip through California which starts tonight. We would go into more detail, but you know….. what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas! We arrived in Bakersfield, CA this evening for a quick stop (not much in Bakersfield but the Buck Owens Museum and Buffet). We are planning to stop at the Hearst Castle in San Simeon, CA tomorrow mid-day and will figure out our next stop from there.

Stats:
Location Today: Bakersfield, CA
Traveled 4,200 Miles since we left Maryland
Approx. 2,700 miles from Md
Visited the following states: Md, Va, Wv., Tn, Ky, Ar., Ok., Tx., Nm, Az, Nv., Ca.
Next Destination: San Simeon, CA and the Coast of California

Highlights:
Painted Desert
Petrified Forest
Hoover Dam
Red Rock Canyon
Straight Flush in Three Card Poker !!!!!!
Getting stopped by a compassionate CHIP's officer and let off with a warning for going 80 in a 65 zone


Not so great stuff:
Lynn's struggle with altitude issues during and after higher elevations
Missing Santa Fe due to Lynn's altitude problems
New Mexico (very dreary and depressing topography)
Cold and windy weather in LV

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Finger Licking Ribs & Brisket at Leo's


Oklahoma National Memorial & Museum


Tree at the Memorial


Oklahoma Beef

Howdy Partners!

We moved on from Hot Springs, Ar., on Thursday morning in the pouring rain and cold. The drive to Oklahoma City was not the most pleasant thing because of the weather and we had to miss out on a terrific scenic drive because the mountains were in the fog and rain. Nonetheless an uneventful day yesterday. Today we visited the Oklahoma Memorial for the bombing victims of the federal office building in Okla. It was very moving and well done. Such a tragic loss of life. Who knew then that 911 would make that pale in comparison. The memorial is beautiful. Okla. City is small for our standards and is clean for the most part. Seems like a lovely city. We ate at a dive we saw on the Food Network for lunch (ribs and brisket barbecue) that was terrific, but the outside looked like an abandoned warehouse. We left for Amarillo this evening and stopped for some yummy Oklahoma beef. We will forever be ruined from enjoying an East Cost steak again. The flavor and texture was so different. Bob and I also tried "Calf fries" also known as Rocky Mountain Prarie Oysters (or bull testicles). Quite the gustatory experience -- tasted like fried chicken tenders. Figured if we didn't try them in Okla. then we wouldn't try them. Tomorrow, it will be "Amarillo by Morning" (a George Strait song for all you non country music loving fans). Miss y'all lots.


Stats:
Location Today: Amarillo, Tx
Traveled 2,600 Miles since we left Maryland
Approx. 1,620 miles from Md
Visited the following states: Md, Va, Wv., Tn, Ky, Ar., Ok, Tx.
Next Destination: Albuguerque, NM and Beyond....

Highlights:
The Okahoma City National Memorial & Museum
Ribs and Brisket at Leo's BBQ
Steaks and "Calf Fries" at the T-Bone Steak House (we are going to gain so much weight on this trip!!!)

Not so great stuff:
Pouring rain on Thurday
Missed scenic drive in Ark.
Cold Cold Weather today

From Memphis to Hot Springs, Ar.

Hi Everyone~
We've had a wonderful three days since our last blog. We've been taking some time for R&R. We're in Hot Springs, Ark. The leaves are spectacular and we are staying right on Hamilton Lake. As we were driving in the National Park, we came to a stream that was steaming! The actual town of Hot Springs is a throwback to another era. The once grand hotels of the turn of the century and the 1940-50's are in total decay, but interesting to look at. The Park Service is slowly renovating the historic bathhouses that were curatives early in the 20th century. Spa services haven't really changed that much in 100 years! Today we visited the Ouachita Mountains and Mt. Magazine State Park in the Ozarks. We passed through many small towns that have been almost completely abandoned.

Stats:
Location Today: Hot Springs, Ark.
Traveled 2100 Miles since we left Maryland
Approx. 1100 miles from Md
Visited the following states: Md, Va, Wv., Tn, Ky, Ar.
Next Destination: Oklahoma City, Ok

Highlights:
Gus's Fried Chicken in Memphis (AWESOME)
Sun Studios in Memphis
Lookout Point Lakeside Inn
Hot Springs National Park
Garven Woodland Gardens
Ouachita Mountains
Mt. Magazine State Park (Highest Pt in Ar.)


Not so great stuff:
More clouds and rain on Wednesday
Needing to change hotel rooms because the room was previously occupied by a family with a dog -- night of wheezing ***ugh***






Rocking out at Sun Studios



Hot Springs Naitional Park (Notice the steam rising from the waterfall)



In the refurbished Fordyce Spring Bath House


Garven Woodland Gardens




On the Way to Mt. Magazine

From Memphis

Where Elvis Was Born


Making Hot Chocolate in the Wilderness!


At Jackson Falls on the Natchez Trace

Hello everyone. We are finishing up day six. We awoke this morning in Tupelo, Mississippi to the first sunny day in five days. Although it's a bit chilly for southern tastes we are enjoying soaking up the sunshine, and hope it comes your way soon.

Stats:
Location Today: Memphis, TN
Traveled 1500 Miles since we left Maryland
Approx. 900 miles from Md
Visited the following states: Md, Va, Wv., Tn, Ky, Al, Ms
Next Destination: Hot Springs, AR

Highlights:
SUN!
Driving the Natchez Trace Parkway (Historic Mail Delivery and Indian Travel Route) from Nashville to Tupelo, MS
Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum in Tupelo
Beale Street in Memphis
Listening to Guitar Shorty play the blues and another musician do a Johnny Cash tribute
Seeing Eric Clapton at the club where we were listening to Guitar Shorty
Seeing Merriweather Lewis' gravesite and hearing the story of his sorry demise (he killed himself)
Finding a Synagogue in Tupelo........ (who'd a thought)
MORE GREAT SOUTHERN FOOD!

Not so great stuff:
Driving the Natchez Trace Parkway in the rainy and cold weather--temp in the 40's

First Post Nashville, TN

Hi Everyone~
We've been on the road 5 days now and we finally have a breather to enter our first blog to let all of you know how we are progressing on our venture.

Stats:
Location Today: Nashville, TN
Traveled 1200 Miles since we left Maryland
Approx. 600 miles from Md
Visited the following states: Md, Va, Wv., Tn, Ky
Next Destination: Tupelo, Ms

Highlights:
The Buckberry Lodge in Gatlinburg
The leaves and sights in the Smokey Mountains
A visit to Fall Creek State Park on the Way to Nashville from the Smokies--beautiful waterfalls
The Beef Jerky outlet in Gatlinburg (Bob's special favorite!)
The Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame
Mammoth Cave and Onxy Cave
Great Southern food!

Not so great stuff:
RAIN, RAIN, RAIN
Several 10+ hour driving days.... (I know, expected on a cross country trip!)