What’s with all the

 Sans & Santas???

Mon 21^st Jan

From San Francisco:                 Named after Saint Francis of Assissi

to San Jose:                            Saint Joseph- Patron Saint of Workers

to Monterey:                           Morning tea by the pier

to Carmel-by-the-sea:              Named after Our Lady of Mount Carmel  Beautiful hidden mansions set into the cliffs overlooking the beach- Brad Pitt & Clint Eastward (mayor of Carmel in 1986)

to San Simeon:                       You’ll have to tell me what this one is named after.  But I do know about Hearst Castle- A man had a dream to build a European Castle on his ranch which many actors and novelists came to visit ie. Clark Gable & Charlie Chaplin.  After driving through some beautiful woodlands and coastal roads we came across the property.  When we arrived it was too late in the day to do a tour but when Neale asked someone about tix they gave him free ones to see the story of the Hearst family at the theatre ($40 worth).

to stay at Santa Barbara:      Saint Barbara-  It was founded on Dec 4, Feast of St Barbara day.  We do not know her as a Saint today as she was removed from the Liturgical Calendar in the 1960’s)  We didn't spend a lot of time here.  The next morning we were ready to move on to L.A, sleep over at our friends' place and fly home.

I will write one more blog post after we get home and I've slept off any jet lag. 

Thanks for following our blog and our travels and thank you for your thoughts & prayers along the way,  Susan & family

Crooked Street

Sun 20th Jan

A quiet Sunday drive in San Francisco.  Not today.  After long delays on the freeway caused by a car accident and major road works down at the pier we made it to Pier 39 to enjoy the view, shopping and Bubba Gump's Shrimp Co.

In the afternoon we took a crooked drive down Crooked Street and ended the evening by watching the sun set over the Golden Gate Bridge.

Bubba Gump's Shrimp Co. 

(Stock Photo)

Going down Crooked Street

'Selfie' on the Golden Gate Bridge

Sunset at the Golden Gate Bridge

Crazy Sunday traffic on the bridge

Oh Sugar, Sugar…

Sat 19th Jan- Jelly Belly Factory & Clothing Factory Outlets 

Jelly Belly Factory:  Today we drove an hour or so north from San Fran out to the Jelly Belly Factory which Hayley was keen to see.  Turns out we all enjoyed the experience- even Neale who got picked as a 'brave' volunteer to eat an unknown bean and work out what it was.  It was a 'booger' bean!   Eww.

Neale's favourite: Cappuccino.
Susan's favourite: Birthday Cake Remix & Apple Pie-they tasted just like b'day cake batter with sprinkles in it & an apple pie.
Aidan's favourite: Sour Cherry followed closely by Dr Pepper but definitely didn't like the dirt flavoured beans.
Hayley's favourite: Candy Floss & Cranberry.

Notice the flavours!  

Ai wearing one of the compulsory factory caps

The factory is on 'Jelly Belly Lane'

Clothing Outlets:   

Hayley: TOUCH- Classic consumer.  Our touchy feel girl needs to go through every rack of clothing- touching & feeling each piece and showing her nearest friend all she admires.

Aidan:  HEARING- Shopping snob.  If the music isn't right, he's out of there!  If it is right- he'll find 2-3 items that are unique, individual & black.

Susan:  SIGHT- Sales seeker.  She'll scan the entire store and head for the sales racks first.  If it's not on sale, it's a rip off!  And no brand names.  Brand names scream social hierarchy.

Neale: VOICE- Spontaneous spender.  If something catches his eye, he'll ask the sales rep. lots of questions, tell them his life story and buy the item (usually at a reduced cost 'cos he's such a nice guy).

Dancin' to the Jail House Rock!

Fri 18th Jan   All over the city today: 

Alcatraz, Cable Cars & Steampunk Clothing Stores

"If you're going to San Francisco, 

be sure to wear flowers in your hair."

Thr 17th Jan  Today we drove out of the snow capped mountains into the valleys and straight highways across to the bay area.  Once in San Francisco we jumped on a hotel shuttle bus to the International airport, then a train into the city, and had tea at a Shopping centre food court before having a night at the movies.  'Not many options so we settled on  The Impossible (A true story about a family visiting Thailand at the time of the 2044 Tsunami); exhausting movie but great special effects & makeup.

View from our room of San Francisco

Yosemite National Park

Wed 16th Jan

Today these beautiful photos, taken by Hayley, speak for themselves.

When there's something strange 

in the neighbourhood

Tues 15^th Jan   Sierra Sky Ranch, Oakhurst

Stopped at our new favourite grocery store for some supplies- Von’s.  It was a another day of driving past orchards of apples & oranges and, sadly, past many grain fed cattle lying around in the mud looking longingly over the fence at the lush green grass.

We drove into Sierra Sky Ranch in Oakhurst, California mid afternoon. The ranch was built in the late 1800’s by a Cattle rancher but he unfortunately went into debt.  He sold the property to the Government which they turned into a hospice for army patients.  The story goes that the Rancher was so devastated about losing the ranch that he died of a broken heart over his beloved ranch (or committed suicide).  Our hosts told us that you can still see him wandering around by the woodshed where he died all those years ago.

This Ranch retreat was just what we needed after our time in Vegas.  During the afternoon Neale read, I slept, Hayley took 1000’s of photos and Aidan chilled out in front of the tv.  I woke suddenly to the sound of children laughing and running. Aidan & Hayley were quietly sitting on their beds watching tv and said it was just some kids in the hall. I didn’t think there were any other children staying but maybe they’d just arrived.

In the evening Neale & I sat in the lounge room playing board games.  Our hostess came around asking if anyone wanted anything- ice water, hot drink…  One lady from Tibet asked if our hostess knew any ghost stories.  Hmm.

A nurse lived here for a time taking care of the TB patients and her 2 children stayed here as well.  They died tragically and guests have told the hostess that they can still be heard running up and down the hall and laughing together.  ???  What ???

So we asked if there were any other children staying at the moment and she said “No.  Have you heard them, have you?”   I slept with my ear plugs in that night!