It must be lonely at the top.
Santa Barbara, CA
July 13th, 2017
Tag: road trip
Solvang, the Sunny Field of Denmark
A little piece of Denmark in the County of Santa Barbara in southern California, founded in 1911 by a group of Danish immigrants who bought 10.000 acres of land and named it Solvang – Danish for ”sunny field”. While the settlers followed American ways, learned English and sent their children to the local school, they still kept their Danish traditions to this day. From their renowned Danish pastries to the Festival Theater channeling Shakespeare’s links with Denmark, Solvang is as every bit as Danish as any city in Denmark itself, and a postcard-perfect one at that.
Read about the history of Solvang here.
July 12th, 2017
Madonna!
Driving south from San Simeon on CA-1 and then US-101, your way will inevitably bring you to another castle of opulence. The High Temple of Kitsch, a Symphony in Pink by the Brass Ensemble, the legendary Madonna Inn. From ”roses are red” to ”think pink” to ”red or dead”, every banality you’ve ever heard or thought of, will come to mind and take on a new meaning. This place has to be seen to be believed – from its Alpine Swiss hotel exterior down to the lavishly decorated restrooms, everything dressed in all shades of pink, with brass accents breaking the ”monotony”. Seeing ”la vie en rose” has never been easier, no rose-coloured glasses necessary. And that is only the ground floor; you haven’t even seen the rooms yet!
Mr. & Mrs. Madonna
The Madonna Inn, San Luis Obispo
July 12th, 2017
The Roman Pool
Sheer, mind-blowing magnificence in thousands of tiny smalti, left me speechless.
{The Roman Pool is decorated from ceiling to floor with 1″ square mosaic tiles. These glass tiles, called smalti, are either colored (mainly blue or orange) or are clear with fused gold inside. The intense colors and shimmering gold of the tiles combine to create a breathtaking effect. The designs created by the tiles were developed by muralist Camille Solon. The inspiration for some of these designs came from the 5th Century Mausoleum of Galla Placidia.}
For more about the Roman Pool, please go to the Hearst Castle Pools webpage.
July 12th, 2017
After an opulence-induced overdose, the antidote
The clean, straight lines of the empty tennis court. And the sturdy curves of the wrought iron furniture, one set in each corner.
July 12th, 2017
Opulence Unlimited
As if the whole of Venice had landed in Versailles, too much opulence can be terrifying. But you keep on looking, because you simply cannot stop.
July 12th, 2017
Mapping Pacific Grove & Monterey
Mapping the 17-mile Drive, making sure I won’t get lost (I get lost anyway, my navigator has to recalculate regularly, I don’t know what I would have done without it, most likely wouldn’t go on a road trip in the first place). 
Other vehicles one should expect to see often in the area – golf carts. There are so many golf courses in Monterey Peninsula, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was totally covered in green. Must have something to do with the local household income which is higher than the U.S. average. Rather obvious, judging by the magnificent villas, cottages and other exclusive properties. This is a golf course on Pebble Beach.
Moving towards the north to Point Pinos Lighthouse, the oldest existing lighthouse on the West Coast, still an active navigational aid today. It sits, as you may have guessed, next to another golf course (and a cemetery, but I have no photos of it).
A tired golfer taking a break.
Tranquility in the Memory Garden, Pacific House near the noisy-touristy Fisherman’s Wharf.
California’s First Theatre. Built as a lodge and tavern for sailors, it was used as a theatre in 1850 when U.S. Army officers from Colonel Stevenson’s 1st New York Volunteers produced plays as a money-making venture. Tickets sold for $5 each and first night receipts totaled $500. Now closed due to structural deficiencies, until further notice. [source]
Another sunset, another farewell. Next stop, Cambria.
July 11th, 2017
17-Mile Drive
The difference a day makes. Exploring parts of the 17 mile drive, a scenic route through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula. Blue skies, calm seas, slightly higher temperatures, off with the rain jackets, sunglasses, sunscreen, still ended up with a sunburned nose, this was getting closer to the California Summer I had in mind.
Views from Restless Sea to the Bird Rock Vista Point which is teeming with wildlife in all its possible forms and sizes – some more photogenic than others.
Beach life
Carmel Beach. White sand, mile-long stretch, dog friendly but, oh! so chilly on that day. I was really surprised at how chilly it can get on the coast, even in July. That was not the California Summer I had in mind!
Carmel-by-the-Sea
July 10th, 2017
Paper Dog
*Recent Resident Posting* on the bulletin board of my building’s website:
Hi! My name is [….], and I live with my mother in apt […]. I’m looking to see if anyone is in need of dog sitting/walking. I’ve had experience sitting dogs, and cats for a good amount of time. (If you need a reference, I have […..] from apt 23). I’m reaching out because I love pets, especially dogs, and would love to sit or walk them as a means to work and to pay my tuition in school. I’m also a after school teacher/Head counselor, so if you need me to take care of your child, I’m available to speak about it at anytime after 6:30pm, which is the time I get out of work. If you need someone to dog/cat sit or babysit call me at […-…-….]. Thank you.
July 10th, 2017
The Humble Fabulist 