Buzz and Jackie's Monterey Adventure 2002

Monday, August 12

Monday brought the Hearst Castle tour. We once again arose early to eat breakfast and get to the bus for the 8:00AM departure. It was about 2-˝ hour ride. We got to see much scenery and lots of the local agriculture -- lettuce, carrots, cabbage, artichokes, and, of course, grapes for wonderful wines. Hearst Castle sits on top of a mountain, kind of in the middle of nowhere. We met up with a few more Corvette enthusiasts at the visitor center and they joined our group:


A very informative movie was seen by all on the life of William Randolph Hearst, the man, and the building of Hearst Castle. We then boarded a clean-air bus for the five-mile drive up the mountain to the castle from the visitor center. The castle is really an amazing place, one you should see for yourself:










The style in which it was completed is amazing. The pools, yes there are two, are fantastic. I would love to swim in either one. The grounds are immaculate. The castle is designed to be a 16th century Spanish style castle, and I am almost willing to bet somewhere in the basement is a place for inquisitions. Not sure the décor is to my style but is definitely interesting. Many of the antiques came from Europe. It certainly was an educating and amazing day. After walking around we were all ready for a rest on the ride home, before we went on a Sunset tour:






The Sunset tour was the 17-mile drive in Pacific Grove. A lovely drive and one all must do if going to the Monterey area. The road was a good Corvette driving road, the idea was to caravan, meaning one car follows the other, not losing sight of the one in front. Yes, its sort of like playing follow the leader. Well lo and behold, someone must have dropped the ball and lost the car in front of them. The first hint was when we passed the Pebble Beach Club for the second time. We now had about 25 cars going in circles, with no one knowing where the restaurant we were going to for dinner was. Thankfully Chaz had his palm pilot with him, and Buzz had his charged-up cell phone with him, so we managed to get in touch with one of the event planners who gave us the name of the restaurant and directions to it. We then arrived there with no problems. "Taste Café and Bistro" in Pacific Grove handled all one hundred of us with style and grace. Dinner was a choice of four different meals. From what we have been told, all seemed very pleased with the food and service.

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