#23 Feb 2014 Loofas, Ostriches and Both Ends of the Rainbow!

Loofa Farm! Yes, loofas are farmed just like zucchinis or cucumbers.

Years ago when I first purchased a loofa I was told it was like a sponge from the ocean and used to exfoliate skin. Loofas are farmed just like any vegetable. Who knew? Not me!

The loofa farm was free and very informative. We also visited an ostrich farm, learned very little and paid $4 each to look at ostriches and emus. Live and learn!

We have been traveling for over 2 months. It has been a time of learning and adjusting, sometimes better than other times. When someone starts a new job/relationship/direction in life there is often a time after 6 to 8 weeks when they wonder if they have made the right choice. Our question was along the lines of “Can we continue to live together 24/7 and still love one another?” A few days ago we realized that we were both feeling “confined” and needed to open up to one another. We had reverted to old habits of not listening carefully. We needed to remind ourselves that we both want this travel but not always in the same way at the same time. Patience and open hearts! We love each other and this lifestyle.

March 1st we headed north to Salinas. This rainbow along the highway reminded us to trust in God's promise to always be with us. He will guide us if we listen.

#22 Feb 2014 Hearst Castle and Zebras!

Yes, we found the answer to the zebra mystery. Read on!

Financially, Randolph William Hearst was very successful and he wanted to build his idea of a European castle on the ranch his father had started. In 1919 at age 56, he started creating his vision high on a hill near San Simeon, California.

The day we visited the Castle was the first day of rain in months so we bought some pictures to show the place on a beautiful, sunny California day.

On the ranch Hearst had a zoo with exotic animals such as polar bears, camels and yes, zebras. Due to the economic times, in1936 Hearst started to sell some of the exotic animals. The zebras had adapted to the ranch and grazed with the cattle and were never sold. Today they still roam with the cattle and impress passers-by.

Casa Grande, the castle, was the centre of hospitality for the Hearst family and guests who included Hollywood stars, Presidents and business tycoons. The evening would begin in this great room which is larger than many modern homes.

About 9 PM dinner would be served in the refectory.

Yes, that is Heinz ketchup and mustard in their store bought containers. Hearst loved the history and style of Europe but this was a working ranch and he wanted everyone to remember where they were.

The formal gardens are beautiful and connect all the buildings and the Neptune Pool.

Three guest cottages contain bedrooms, bathrooms and sittings rooms. All guest were required to go to the main house for their meals, even coffee or snacks. This was not a hotel.

The indoor Roman Pool is breathtaking. There are over a million one inch Murano glass tiles, some of which contain a layer of gold leaf inside.

From the hilltop you can see for miles, and miles and miles.

#21 Feb 2014 Monarchs and Missions

Monarch butterflies are fascinating with their brilliant colour and up to 2,000 mile migration. Once again we were in the right place, at the right time and asked the right questions.

All monarchs east of the Rockies spend winters in one location in Mexico. Monarchs who live west of the Rockies migrate to about 200 sites along the California coast, one of which is about 5 miles from here. We arrived to see orange specks all over the sky.

In this location, there may be up to 30,000 Monarch butterflies at their peak. At this time of year, most of them have started their return north so there were only about 2,000 flitting about. Look carefully at this tree.

When the weather is cool or windy the butterflies cluster on a tree for protection. The brown underside of the wings blends into the tree.

The butterflies mate on the ground then the male carries the female high into a tree where they stay for 8 hours to complete their mission.

Around the world queen butterflies only lay eggs on plants in the milkweed family. The caterpillars eat the milkweed leaves and stems and become poisonous to predators. When the caterpillars turn into butterflies, they are still poisonous thus providing a natural defense system. This milkweed has a caterpillar on the stem.

Authorized by the Spanish crown, Franciscan padres established missions across California. Founded in 1804, Santa Ines Mission gives a glimpse into the life of the padres and their goal to teach the native (Chumash) population Christianity, Spanish culture and a trade. This would support and protect Spanish California from the Russians and English. With updated pews and maintenance by the Mission, this Catholic Church has been in continuous use since 1804. Over 200 years!

One third the original size, today’s garden is ornamental and peaceful but from 1804 to 1834 it was the centre of activity for a large ranching operation.

#20 Feb 2014 Danes, Dunes and Disappointment

Danes established the community of Solvang in 1911.

There are more Danish bakeries within a block in Solvang than there are in any block in Denmark. There are many ethnic shops and a Hans Christian Andersen museum and bookstore.

Santa Ynez Historical Museum and Carriage House has a fantastic display of modes of transportation from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.

Original stagecoaches bring to life the old west that we saw on TV and in movies. Inside the coach, up to 9 people would each have 15 inches of bench. On a very busy route 12 people could ride on top, hanging on for dear life.

This Bronson Wagon was built in 1898 by William Brewster – not this Ralph William Brewster.

The museum currently has a special, private exhibit of Japanese kimonos with a video showing how they have been created for centuries. The detail is exquisite.

Another local recommendation was Oso Flaco Lake with a boardwalk made of a flexible material which creates a very comfortable mile long walk.

It goes over the lake with dozens of birds including pelicans.

The vegetation is well signed as the walk winds toward the ocean. The outlook point provides a high perspective of the ocean for miles and miles.

There are so many views of the ocean that we can’t stop at all of them but we are tempted.

For miles there are signs about Andersen’s Pea Soup in Buellton. When we asked locals about the soup it was not well recommended but we had to try it. We should have listened to the experts. Decades ago the soup may have been outstanding but today our palates expect much more than cooked peas. At least the avocado and tuna salad plate was very good.

#19 Feb 2014 Elephant Seals and Zebras?

February 22nd we headed for Pismo Beach on the California coast between Los Angeles and San Francisco. We had no idea what we could explore in the area except spectacular coastline.

We setup in Pacific Dunes RV Resort and marveled at the sand dunes right by the resort.

The next morning we asked at the front desk about local points on interest. She gave us so many we decided to stay for a week. One of the best aspects of retirement travel is time. When we arrive in a new location we ask local people what they like to explore and we always get ideas that aren’t in the glossy brochures.

Our first drive was north along scenic highway #101 where we saw zebras grazing with cattle. We have no idea why they were together but there were many other people stopping with the same quizzical look and taking the same photos.

Our destination was an elephant seal rookery. This view shows hundreds of seals along a secluded section of coastline. There are no rocks on this beach, just seals.

In early December adult male seals, weighing up to 5,000 pounds, arrive to claim their portion of the beach.

A few weeks later pregnant females, weighing up to 1,800 pounds, arrive and form harems. Their life cycle continues with birthing, nurturing and mating.

In January the sand can’t be seen for elephant seals doing everything nature intends. Now, in late February, the late arrivals are completing their life on land for this season and preparing to return to the sea.

We can only marvel at God’s very noisy, fascinating creatures.

#18 Feb 2014 Family Bound!

This RV is our home but not our family. We miss them and it’s time to head in their direction. February 13th we headed the RV back towards California and setup again in Casa del Sol in Hemet. The Banks upgrade performed as well as Ralph could have hoped. Hills are much smoother and Ralph is more relaxed.

Arizona has some very attractive overpasses which make the drive much more interesting.

Valentine’s Day we participated in a great breakfast at the park. Eggs, sausages and pancakes topped with strawberries and whipped cream and Valentine decorations around the hall. There are many such events in the parks and we participate when we can.

It was time to catch up on this blog and remain current. I realize I have not said much about the weather lately. That’s because it has been beautiful – from the low 20’s to low 30’s C. We had 2 or 3 cloudy days in Mesa but otherwise sunny, sunny, sunny. It’s very easy to get used to expecting nice weather day after day.

In Mesa Regal every site has a fruit tree – grapefruit or oranges. Our tree was new and, therefore, no fruit. At night we walked around looking for unoccupied sites to pick their grapefruit for our breakfast.

Near Temecula we found a fruit stand with huge grapefruit, oranges, etc. We enjoyed wine tasting at Frangipani Winery from the beautiful patio overlooking the valley. As we chatted Ralph mentioned that his rings have been loose since he has lost weight over the last several months. He showed me how easily his wedding ring could slip off. You guessed it, his ring was missing later that evening. We searched and checked the car, etc. but we had been many places since the winery.

We visited Auntie Gwen and Uncle Bob in Riverside again and treasure our sharing and laughter. There was much teasing about Ralph being able to misbehave without a wedding ring. We came away with fresh picked fruit and many ideas about being “ring free”.

We watched the Olympics on NBC and were pleasantly surprised at the coverage. As expected there was lots of background on US athletes but also on Olympians from other countries. Hockey faded from the coverage after the US was eliminated from the men and women’s events but we knew the results. Go, Canada, Go!

We expected challenges with the RV. After all, it's our home on wheels and gets lots of shaking, particularly on concrete roads. We discovered the shower was leaking and the toilet was backing up on the same day. Ralph’s bus experience with lavatories came in handy. He also applied his silicone expertise in the shower. After the toilet experience we discarded the rubber gloves he used and purchased new ones. Days later, when I started to clean the bathroom I put on the new gloves which Ralph had previously tried on for fit. They didn’t fit me very well in the left ring finger. One wedding ring in the glove! I promptly phoned Auntie Gwen and told them Ralph would have to start behaving with his ring in place. More laughter and much relief!

Ralph has attended a bus conference for the last several years. The location alternates across the southern US and this year it was in Los Angeles. He attended as a visitor and re-connected with several vendors. He wanted to let people know he was retired and had not just disappeared. Ralph came home feeling very good about his career in the bus industry and the contributions and connections he has made.