WINE, HEARST CASTLE and PACIFIC OCEAN

Spent time in Paso Robles, CA. Approximately  200 vineyards located in the area. Lots of wine to taste. Also Hearst Castle in San Simeon and Pacific Ocean within an hour's drive. This was definitely my type of camping - walk the dog with a class of wine in hand. Met lots of nice people at campground. Most were from California and Oregon.

Adelaida Winery Cellar

Eno Vineyard

Not a bad way to spend the day

Thumper and llama

Wild Coyote wine cellar

Thumper checking out winery

Hard day tasting wine

Hearst Castle sits high on the hill. Driveway winds its way up 5 miles to the house, which at times seems like it is in the clouds. At one time, polar bears were part of the menagerie of animals kept at the estate. The pools are beautiful. When money is not an issue, it is fascinating to see and hear how this mansion came to be.

Pacific Ocean in San Simeon

entrance to Hearst Castle



walkway from bus drop off



dining with your closest friends



Neptune pool

view of mountains

indoor pool

 and the travels continue

Arrived in California!!!!  Left Las Vegas and headed across desert to Bakersfield, CA. Originally we were going toward Lake Tahoe area, but weather is still cold and snow, so we came to Bakersfield where it is warmer. We stayed at Bakersfield RV Resort. Amenities include a restaurant on premises - very good!!! They had a St. Patrick's Day dinner which Skip enjoyed. He loves corned beef and cabbage. I had their Shepherd's Pie which was excellent. Went to one of the local farmer's markets.

campsite in Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield RV Resort

Skip loading up on fresh produce

Now in Paso Robles, CA. Wine Country!! There are at least 200 vineyards in this part of California. We are staying at Wine Country RV Resort. We are near San Simeon (Hearst Castle which we will be going to). Approx 250 miles or so south of San Francisco. Somehow we will make our way through this "rough terroir" of vineyards!!!!  We went to Big Bubba's Barbecue for dinner - ate dinner in jail.

on way to Paso Robles

oil wells along highway

vineyards on highway

dinner in Paso Robles



Yesterday, we went to Tobin James Vineyard and to White Horse Vineyard. So many vineyards and so much wine to drink each day!!!

That was our "tough" day yesterday!!!!!

 

 

Las Vegas!! It has been over 10 years since Skip and I have been here. The only change is more hotels and more people!!!!




light show in downtown

light show set to Heart music

Also went out to Hoover Dam. Unfortunately, the weather turned nasty. Cold - snow showers - and rain.



Skip rubbing Sphinx toes



Picture taken from Tillman bridge



Parting photos of Vegas

 

 

inside The Palazzo hotel



Had a great time - now on our way to California!!!!!!

Spring training has begun. Spring cannot be too far off. Chicago Cubs v Arizona Diamondbacks. Weather was beautiful.



Cubs dugout



Diamondbacks

Before leaving Apache Junction, we went back to Elvira's for lunch. Great Mexican food!!!!!

Can't leave Arizona without visiting Grand Canyon. Five and half hour drive from Apache Junction, we camped at Tuscayan RV Park right outside entrance to the South Rim. Grand Canyon is affectionately called "the hole" by local residents. At 7,300 elevation!!!! Highest we have been so far.

entering Flagstaff area

awesome

South Rim

more from South Rim

We went back at sunset with Thumper. After her visit, Thumper was inspired to start creating her own "hole" back at campground.


I have an idea!!!!!!!



Thumper digging her Grand Canyon

sunset view





 Las Vegas here we come !!!!!!!!