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Our road trip from San Francisco took us three days, all of which we've written a separate blog for. We found our days so full, and each day so different that we figured they deserved a bit of time spent outlining each.
Initially we weren't going to do it at all. Financially a three day car hire is pretty expensive in comparison to bus, train or even flying. As it happened we were both pretty over being surrounded by high rises on all sides (ironically enough we're visiting these big famous cities and keep finding ourselves instantly making our way to the nearest parks or nature reserves). Plus Sjane really wanted to do the drive. Happy wife happy life. So we booked our car for hire and it's lucky we did! The drive down California's West Coast has probably been the highlight of the trip so far for me.
We both had a sense of giddy excitement and overwhelming freedom once we had the keys to our very own car. Having had to be reliant on other people's schedules and timeframes of late, it was strangely liberating to know we could go where we wanted when we wanted. We could start and stop at whatever time we chose, and pull over for photo opportunities or pee breaks or picnics on a whim.
Day 1 saw us making our way to Monterey via Half Moon Bay (Google it). Once we got on the coast we realised this was a very very good decision. The Cabrillo Highway (a.k.a. The 1, in local talk) has lots of strategically placed "Vista Points" to pull over and check out the views. And the views are so worth pulling over for!
Around midday we came across a spot that looked good for a picnic lunch. See the photos for the views from where we pulled up. There were some idiots sitting in a little cafe on the other side of the road with no view of anything bar bitumen while we were drinking in the amazing panorama of beach, cove and ragged cliffs protectively standing guars either side of the golden strip of sand.
Our stopping place for the night (Monterey) reminded me in many ways of the smaller, quainter parts of the Sunshine Coast back home. When we arrived, we went for a stroll and found ourselves chatting to a local about everything from living in Europe in the 50's to local history (where the town of Monterey finishes and Pacific Grove begins- a serious point of contention for those living there... it's a one street distinction) to her health insurance and appreciation of Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Walking home we saw a foal deer walking down the main street (another Sjane OMG SO CUTE moment). Absurd but just highlighted how quiet and quaint the town was. Very glad we were there in Winter (peak season - Summer - goes nuts apparently).
Back at the hostel we got chatting to a fellow traveller (as we so often do) and heard an incredible story of her ride from Victoria BC Canada to the US - Mexican border south of San Diego (around 1500 miles) to raise awareness and funds for mental health and support for military personnel and their families. Check out http://www.gofundme.com/MENTAL-AWARENESS for more info. These are the times you remember that there really are some amazing people in the world willing to fight for the wellbeing of others. Go Marianne!
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Prue Sounds wonderful!