Toadfrogs and Elephants

Today started off with a big breakfast – typical with a bed and breakfast. We are staying at the Wicky-up Ranch Bed and Breakfast and there was another young couple we really liked – Holly and Jay.

The rest of the day, Wade and I spent hiking in the Sequoia National Park. Monica (the hostess at the B&B) had pointed out a few “must sees”. I enjoyed the drive up, but I think Wade would have been car sick for sure if he wasn’t driving. There were lots and lots of switchbacks. The first stop was the General Sherman Tree, which I must admit is huge! The next stop was a hike that ended with an amazing waterfall. Wade and I had lunch at the bottom of the falls and then did some “off trailing”. We climbed maybe half way up the falls over huge boulders – lots of fun. I did get quite a sunburn, but well worth it. After we had been so impressed with this waterfall, we decided to continue on to King’s Canyon to see two more waterfalls that were just off the road. Neither was as impressive as the first one, but still amazing sights.

The Huge Trees

Wade and I took the long way home, grabbed dinner at Applebee’s, and were in bed by eleven o’clock!

I think I mentioned that Wade and I ended up with a PT Cruiser from the rental company. The only problem we have found with the car is a little light on the dash that won’t go away and dings for about 15 minutes every time you start the car. I tried to call the rental company and ask them about it, but they wanted to send me back to the rental location, which wasn’t really an option.

Wade and I started the day with a drive north. On our way to our destination, we happened upon Morro Bay. We stopped in this quaint town looking for lunch and found a street festival. I ended up buying tile coasters and a new vase. Wade and I both admired the creativity of the locals (read into that what you will). We then walked down to the water to have fish and chips. There is a fantastic view with a huge rock (Morro Rock) in the middle of the water!

Then we were on our way to Hearst Castle, which is similar to the Biltmore in North Carolina. William Randolph Hearst built the castle and continued work on it until his death. The castle is amazing, but it is obvious there were grand plans left uncompleted. Hearst ran out of money and then died before he could complete the work. The house was built to look like a Spanish Cathedral and has a lot of Spanish influence. My favorite part was the ceilings. Hearst collected antique ceilings and had them placed all over the house – they were amazing!

After the tour of the castle, we made a stop on the rocky beach of San Simeon. There was no path down to the beach, but it was worth the slipping and sliding (me in a skirt and flip-flops).

Then we were on our way to a bed and breakfast for the next two nights. We knew they were expecting us between 9 and 10, which should have been exactly right. However, I was engrossed in my book and not paying attention to the directions I was giving Wade. We ended up backtracking a little before we were headed in the right direction, but we made it.

The last wedding! We managed to make it on time to our first Catholic wedding. The service was an hour long, then there was an hour break, and then a six hour reception (two hours for cocktails and four for dinner and dancing). We attended the wedding and then went for ice cream before arriving fashionably late at the reception. We even saw some familiar faces – Bonnie, Alex, and Sarah (friends from my years in DC)). This was one of the prettier weddings I have been too. Maren’s dress was stunning and the flowers were gorgeous!

Michael and Maren

After the reception, Wade and I went to the Santa Monica Pier and rode the ferris wheel that you can almost see in the background.