The vehicle is a nissen SUV, a gas guzzler. Nice and new (only 20K on the clock) and the built in technology impressed.
On leaving Alamo, we immediately got a little lost. The Navmii isn't working, but thankfully had down loaded a map onto the ipad. Anyway, we missed the turn off to the 405. However, after al ittle tiki tour around we found it. After that it was 405 to 10 down to Santa Monica, then on 1 along the coast. Passed through Malibu and other famous surfing beaches. Out to sea we could see the oil platforms around the Channel. At Oxnard we joined Rte 101. Stayed on this until we arrived at Santa Barbara. Got off the 101 and immediately took the wrong turn and got lost (again). I must have a word with my navigator. Parked up and went for a stroll around the block. Found Santa Barbara Coffee Roasting company so stopped for a coffee and a bite to eat. Well the food selection was minimal to say the least. Both of us had a interesting interlude with the bathrooms here. The light kept on turning itself off, thus rendering one in total darkness. After much fumbling the light could be re-activated.
After our coffee break we found the place we were originally looking for - Stearns Wharf. Turns out when we came off the 101 we should have turned left rather than right. Anyway we parked up and walked out onto the pier or wharf. Bit on the windy side and threatened to rain. So, we left Santa Barbara and hit the 101 North.
Our next deviation was to get back on Rte 1 and drive through Lompoc and Guadalpe. What a large area of horticulture, acre upon acre of strawberries and vegetables. It was now raining. With about 20 miles of rte 1 left we cut out and joined the 101 again ( having driven through Santa Maria). At San Luis Obispo we left 101 and rejoined route 1 again. Finally arrived at Cambria around 4:30 pm. Checked into the motel (we are the only ones staying here). Real 1960 style motel, but with good free wifi. Decided to go eat around 5:30 pm. Went to Linns pie cafe, which on our arrival was just shutting up shop. However, they allowed us to order and eat. Good selection on the menu. Their New England clam chowder was good (mind you I rarely eat New England chowder so what would I know!).
Now here it is around 7:30 pm in our motel with the heater going staying warm.
Tomorrow we have an early start tomorrow as we have to be at the Hearst Castle visitor centre at 8:40 am for the 9 am tour. The, we continue on rte 1 to Monterey.
Finally a few words on Best Western Airport Plaza. The hotel is old and a little tired (looks to be still the 1970's or 80's. However, the service was excellent. The room was well away from the main road so the noise was much reduced. Did hear the roar off traffic from 6 am on-wards. Lynley said she heard the planes taking off or landing at LAX. They froze my chill bags for my insulin, provided a suitable and adequate breakfast (not hoards and hoards of people eating. The breakfast room was mainly outdoors around a much diminished pool. Well, would you believe a spa pool. Anyway they offered the usual fare ( cereal, doughnuts, waffles etc) plus scrambled eggs, rolled oats. The hotel also ran us over to Alamo (at no extra cost). This was much appreciated as I would have either organised a taxi or end up going back to the airport to get an Alamo shuttle.
Having a few issues getting photos to put on this blog. For some unknown reason ipad and iphone bluetooth won't recognise each other. Need to sort this out plus why the navmii app as well.
Post script on last night in LA. With Linda we settled on eating at TGI Friday. Busy, busy, busy, we had to wait 20 minutes for a table. Families everywhere. Looking around we were the only caucasians on the premises. Meal was under whelming to say the least. The bill offered a range of tip suggestions based on 20%, 10%, 8% etc. Cheeky.
Thanks to an app set up for me by Karla we are able to keep in contact with Regan and Kerry who are currently in San Francisco. Great to know what they are up to including photo's.
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