Hearst Castle

On Monday we had on our itinerary to go visit Hearst Castle. This castle is located about 2 hours north of us in San Simeon, CA. We left from base around 9 am and pulled into the parking lot at Hearst Castle at 11:10 am - with a few stops. You start out taking a 5 mile bus ride to the top of the mountain that the castle sits on and then your off to start your tour. We decided to take the 'first-time visitor' tour and got a general overview of the grounds of the castle. We walked through the main house, through a guest house, sat in the theatre and walked by the pools - both were enormous - one was indoors with a 10 foot diving platform into a 10 deep-end. It was amazing with 24-carat gold inlay on the tile floor. Mom has those pictures to share when she gets back to NC.

The front of the Castle

Walking up to the outdoor pool
Jackson strapped on looking over the pool

He was ready to climb the walls to get outta there - only 10 minutes into the 75 minute tour!

Mom, Jackson and Mema overlooking the grounds.

After the tour, a movie of the castle, and some gift shop-shopping, we rode a few miles north to see the infamous Elephant Seals lying out on the shore. There were hundreds of these guys laying around and more in the water catching food for the day. From a distance they looked like flat rocks or driftwood, but upon closer examination, there were snorting around, kicking up sand, and making 'manly' sounds - just think LOUD, LONG burps and wet farts - ha ha! Someone said it sounded like they had just eaten Mexican food and had a bad case of indigestion! They were quite a sight - and sound!