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Big Sur Road trip!
We were really looking forward to our road trip back towards the coast and down the Big Sur heading for L.A. Took around 4 hours in the Mustang to get from Yosemite to lovely Lucia Lodge on the Big Sur coast. The Highway had been closed recently due to bad rock falls but opened up the day before so we were really lucky that we managed to really drive the Big Sur! Stopped in at Carmel on the coast beforehand which is just south of Monterey - this little town was like Monaco but an American version! It was very quirky and cute though! Then headed along the twisting road towards Lucia, staying at the amazing Lucia Lodge. This is truly a gem, unbelievable views and the cabins are something else! The cabin was very cute inside, had a mini sitting area and stove to keep you warm if necessary! We spent the entire time outside sitting on our wooden arm chairs staring at the amazing view or up at the lookout point drinking the champagne that Gillian and Euan had kindly organised for us. The restaurant is the only one for around 25 miles so that was our only option and a good one, got lovely little table by the window. It gets quite chilly at night so they had the fire lit which was lovely. ...not the cheapest meal or wine but lovely!
We really didnt want to leave the next morning at all - wish we could have stayed here for a few more nights but the journey from Lucia on the big sur to L.A looked a long one so we had to get going!! But by the time we got it together (and had an amazing b'fast at the restaurant) it was mid morning. We stopped at Hearst Castle en-route, William Hearst built this ridiculous sprawling mansion and surrounding houses and gardens in the 20's, he was loaded and the house is full of ancient art and egyptian artefacts, but we found it a bit weird. Also, the house is made entirely of concrete, close up its a bit ugly!!
We didnt realise the journey from this point would be so long, ended up being in the car for around 8 hours - and Mike and I are fairly pale and don't really take a great tan, so you can imagine what our faces looked like by the time we reached L.A!!! Drove along Malibu with the beachfront houses and through Santa Monica - all on Highway 1. L.A looks pretty amazing at night too - got a little lost at the end, found ourselves on a ridiculous 10 lane freeway heading the wrong way but we finally got it right and made it to Hotel Erwin on Venice Beach! We've got a balcony that looks out on to Venice Beach, room is very cool and it has a rooftop bar with amazing views! Venice beach is a bit scary, especially in the evening and at night so we are just getting taxi's or driving everywhere!
It's cocktail hour now so heading off for my first Mojito of the day .....Lucy xxx
(sorry the blog is so long - i finally got my fake nails taken off at a random salon and I can type really fast again!!!)
- comments
Nancy I would never leave the rooftop bar! The little lodge on the mountainside looks so beautiful and how nice of Gill and Euan and the boys to equip it for you! You're seeing so many places it all looks wonderful. Las Vegas next, enjoy! Nancy xx
Ricardo Sounds like you're making the most of the car! You should try Compton, i hear its lovely... Enjoy L.A x
jillsy Looks amazing...weather perfect. Loved Carmel when i was there...its like something out a fairytale. :-)
Daddy Fantabulous.
Dad & Dorothy Check on your flights to NZ, hopefully OK due to ash Cloud in Chile effecting flights to AUZ at present
Gillian Don't worry about your flights, Lesley is keeping a close eye on the situation! Enjoy LA, hope you bump into some more new celeb BFFs!!
Lesley Flights should be fine - still flying some flights across the Pacific and the ash is moving. You have 3 people keeping a close eye on your flight - will email you contacts at Trailfinders...
Dad and Dorothy Looking Good!
Nancy (Mrs Ross the elder) Look after my boy, Lucy, I hear he is tired and hungry - more pizza! Looks great!
Nancy Love your Bev Hills pics, you looked like you were really enjoying it! To make you feel even better it is just chucking it down here and won't go off!