It was quite a contrast starting the day at the laundromat and ending it at Hearst Castle. We were able to get a ADT tour (guided with handicap preferences. (No steps, and a personal guide for 4). So, after lunch at the trailer we headed north some 24 miles, near where Hwy. 1 is closed and headed for the Hearst Castle. That section of the road has been closed for almost a year now from the terrible rains of last year that washed out Highway 1 near Mud Creek. (aptly named , eh).
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| View from the porch of the Castle, (Pacific ) |
In between those events, Ruth used the ATM machine for the first time since Netherlands last April, and she actually did it on the first try. (She is great at technology. HA!)
Reservations at the Castle are advisable in order to secure a set time. There are busses running every every ten minutes from the visitor's center (purchase tickets) and we were right on time at 2:00 PM. The road up to the Castle rises some 1,700 feet from sea level (almost) and is a five mile run up very winding roads around the mountains. Our driver, Russell, was excellent, with part of the road is one way to avoid any conflicts.
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| Coming down the 1700 feet there is a photo op. |
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| Our driver Russell was very careful and helpful. |
Briefly, I will tell what I remember about the facts of the Hearst family as you can get all that information and more on the internet.
The only son of the George Randolph Hearst is the well known William Randolph Hearst. He was at one tine the world's largest publishing owner. He was the one who, along with his wife , Julia Morgan inherited the land from his father. This was at one time 250,000 acres of three separate land areas some from original Spanish land grants, that stayed in the family. George earned his money from the silver rush in Nevada in the 1800's trekking the silver over the mountains in mule carts. William, who inherited much of the father's wealth, collected (along with Julia) artifacts from all over the world. At that time the US dollar would buy much of anything if the price was right. He had the money until the late 1930's when he went millions into debt, after that it was a struggle until after his death the state of California 'inherited' some of the land and the castle. It is now run as a State Park. Use of the castle still was kept in the contract for the family to use.They can still use the tennis courts, pools and building today for family friends and functions. On it's heyday Hearst entertained the "idols:" of the day . The list is too long to print here. Enjoy the photos
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| The kitchen circa 1920's. (High tech) |
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| It is an ice box with refrigeration as it wasn't invented yet. |
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| The main dining room. Opulence for sure. Flags from Sienna,Italy |
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| The setting is English pottery |
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| One of dozens of tapestries. Seasonal (hunting) |
So I will spend both today and tomorrow putting some of the photos on the blog for you to see.
Some outside photos ( More tomorrow)
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| Looking ver the reconstructed Greek pool. Leaks meant "redo" |
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| One of the many steps top the front portico. |
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| A view ofthe front entrance (4 floors of rooms) |
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| A view of the back side. A carillon on top. |
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| Unbelieveable view from the 'veranda'. (1.700 ') |
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| The indoor pool has gold leaf in the floor and pool. |
The Visitor Center is bnew to many who visited years ago, all buses take certain groups, stop at a spot and pick up the guide at the castle upon exit. I'll add a few photos.
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| HIs collection o ftapestries is extensive .One set marks the seasons. |
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| The gardens surround the Castle. This is the rose garden with 1,000 rose plants |
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| The pergola was the longest in the world at one time. It contained many flowers and vines in bloom. It was believed to be more than a mile long. The pillars were all cement. The cross beams were steel. |
1 comment:
Bob and I visited here in the last century so it was and will be (tomorrow) interesting to see the place again. I do remember that blue tiled pool.
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