Day #18- Sandcastles in the Sand

We woke up this morning and made coffee like we do each day.   We brought my little purple Keurig, Kcups, Sweet n Low, creamer, and our Yeti coffee cups with us.   We actually didn't haul all that into Phyllis's house, but we did use it in all of our hotels.  Anyway,  we decided that we were mere blocks from the beach, so why not have our coffee and watch the waves??  We bundled up and made our way to the beach.  We just sat for awhile, watching people, instead of waves.  We got to laughing at the people trying to set up their beach gear- tents and blankets- in the whipping wind.  We then decided to brave the waves and go walking in the surf.  When that water first hits your feet, it chills the body from head to toe.  Surprisingly,  it doesn't take that long to get used to the cold.  We walked in the water and had fun finding all sorts of creatures.   I could have stayed there all day picking up shells and crabs and who knows what else.  We are returning to the beach with friends tomorrow, so I can have more fun collecting. 

Our tourist activity today was a trip to the Hearst Castle.  Multiple tours of the grounds and homes were available, but not one explored all parts.  We really wanted to take the evening tour, but it was sold out.   So, we decided on a tour of guest rooms, libraries, and William Randolf Hearst's private residence.  The castle is quite a distance from the visitor center and a bus ride winding around a hill with hairpin turns is the only way up and down from the home(s).  Loren was a white knuckle rider, but we made it to the top.  The bus was empty except for us and for some reason, we were the only people on our tour, too.  We had our very knowledgeable tour guide all to ourselves.  She took down the velvet ropes and let us into areas a full tour likely would not have been able to visit.  The art and opulence of this place was mind blowing.  I felt like we were walking thru The Great Gatsby novel.  All of the furnishings, art, clothing...were donated by the Hearst estate.  I wish we could have seen the entire place, but at $25 a person for each tour, that was not gonna happen.

We reluctantly got back on the bus to wind back down the hill.  4 miles down the road is an area where Elephant Seals nap on the beach.  We found the area and got out to see the animals.  Out of the 100 seals, all but one slept.  The one not sleeping, turned to face us, and started howling.   It looked like it was staring straight at Loren.  Based on his seagull experience (see Alcatraz day), Loren assumed he was again going to be attacked and so we once again ran for our lives. 

I am not sure what tomorrow will bring, but I know that Sunday will be 1st wedding anniversary fun.  Stay tuned...