Driving The Pacific Coast Road

North America » United States » California
March 13th 2016

Published: June 25th 2017

Geo: 36.5544, -121.924After our brief stay in Perry Mason's town, we were firmly on the Pacific Coast Hwy (Hwy 1) that would take us most of the way north (with 1 major detour to Death Valley). An early stop was going to be Santa Barbara but we weren't going there for the surfing. Some years ago we had met Rami and his wife, Cindy, on an Antarctic exploration boat and we had stayed in touc... Read Full Entry

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Every Castle Needs An Indoor Pool

Elephant Seal

Slaughtered en masse for their oil-producing blubber, the northern elephant seal was at one time close to extinction. By 1892, many assumed that this poor species had quietly disappeared forever.

Elephant Seal

In 1922, the seals received government protection and since then, the global population has ballooned up to 160,000—all of whom are descended from Guadalupe Island holdouts.

Elephant Seal

Seals, sea lions, and walruses are collectively known as pinnipeds.

Elephant Seal

Males max out at around 13 feet long and 4500 pounds, while the heftiest females are some 3000 pounds lighter and 3 feet shorter in length.

Odd Man Out

Elephant Seal

Unlike most other ocean-going mammals (like whales and dugongs), these beasts aren't fully aquatic: They clamber out of the water to rest, molt, mate, and rear pups.

Elephant Seal

Male Elephant Seal

Expanding the proboscis enables an elephant seal to amplify snorts, grunts, and loud, drum-like bellows that can be heard several miles away.

Elephant Seal

26th April 2016

Elaine & Doug
non-member comment

Great detail on the Hearst 'Castle'! WR was obviously a guy with more money than common sense and this property certainly reflects that conspicuous consumption. Having said that, we're not so sure that any of us would spend virtually unl
imited funds with any greater degree of propriety. But we'd certainly be willing to give it a try!

26th April 2016

Amanda
non-member comment

Two handsome devils you have there Deb

26th April 2016

may-vic
non-member comment

Funny to see a bottle of ketchup and mustard jar on such an elegant dining table.

26th April 2016

Elaine & Doug
non-member comment

We wish that you hadn't posted this pic. Now Elaine is talking about buying the vacant lot next door and having a duplicate structure built for us.

26th April 2016

Amanda
non-member comment

I love happy stories

26th April 2016

Elaine & Doug
non-member comment

I (Doug) observed 2-3 dozen elephant seal on a small island, while hiking the West Coast Trail, and calling them smelly is a bit of an understatement. Can only imagine what 17,000 of the creatures do to the air quality!

27th April 2016

may-vic
non-member comment

I (Vic) do recall stopping for glimpse of the Hearst Castle while on our motorcycle trip up the coast. We did not go for the tour but the ride up the coast was truly spectacular!

27th April 2016

may-vic
non-member comment

Very nice indeed; a good buy for Mr.Hearst.

10th May 2016

mss-2014
non-member comment

Nice little shack!

10th May 2016

mss-2014
non-member comment

What's the difference between a Castle and a Mansion?

27th May 2016

carolcooke
non-member comment

So great that you could catch up with him!

3rd September 2016

Becky Borgman
non-member comment

It's easy to forget that the excesses of the wealthy create a lot of jobs for the middle and lower class people here in the US, and perhaps around the world. Just think about how many people Hearst employed creating his castle and how many
were employed to maintain it to this day.

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Driving The Pacific Coast Road

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