Author Archives: John Rintoul

William Randolph Hearst – more dollars than sense

After our late dinner visit with Joey & Sam in Paso Robles we drove to Cambria where we would spend the next two days. Betty forewarned the innkeepers of the Olallieberry Inn of our late arrival and they left a … Continue reading

Posted in California Dreamin' | Leave a comment

Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas

About four miles north of the Hearst Castle along Highway 1 we came to the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery. This is the largest elephant seal rookery on the west coast. We were assured by our hosts at the Olallieberry … Continue reading

Posted in California Dreamin' | 5 Comments

Scenic Coast Highway 1

Wednesday morning we left Cambria and headed up Highway 1 along the coast to Pacific Grove. The drive along Highway 1 was one of the expected highlights of our trip. Highway 1 is one of the iconic scenic highways in … Continue reading

Posted in California Dreamin' | Leave a comment

Green Gables

When we arrived in Pacific Grove we headed for the Green Gables Inn, our home for the next two days. Green Gables was built in 1888. It is “a Four Sisters Inn.” For the English majors among us, to my … Continue reading

Posted in California Dreamin' | 1 Comment

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Sea Nettle Jellyfish The Monterey Bay Aquarium was a much anticipated pleasure. Betty had visited the aquarium over 15 years ago on a business trip to the Asilomar Conference Center which is located on the Monterey peninsula. She was so … Continue reading

Posted in California Dreamin' | Leave a comment

Pacific Grove Walkabout

As you can see from the map below, we saw quite a lot of Pacific Grove on foot. We spent the morning walking through the exhibits at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and then after lunch we headed off on an … Continue reading

Posted in California Dreamin' | Leave a comment

Monarch Grove Sanctuary – This is what Pacific Grove is all about!

After stopping at the Pacific Grove Visitors’ Center to pick up a map and suggestions for dinner, we headed north on Lighthouse Avenue to the Monarch Grove Sanctuary. You have probably read about the Monarch butterfly migration. Monarchs from the … Continue reading

Posted in California Dreamin' | 2 Comments

Point Pinos Lighthouse – A white dwarf?

When we arrived at the Point Pinos Lighthouse we were baffled by its modest stature. North Carolina lighthouses by comparison rise to a lofty height. I assumed that the Point Pinos Lighthouse was a mere toy – built by the … Continue reading

Posted in California Dreamin' | 1 Comment

Stockton, CA – It compares favorably with Detroit and Toronto

After rescuing the Teddy Bear in Pacific Grove we headed through rural California to Stockton. Our drive was leisurely – along a 45 mph two-lane highway. No one was in a hurry so we were able to dawdle and enjoy … Continue reading

Posted in California Dreamin' | Leave a comment

Sonoma Wine Country

We spent our last two days in Sonoma. A tour of California’s wine country was one of the primary reasons for this trip. We soon learned that understanding wine country in two days is a fool’s errand. On the plus … Continue reading

Posted in California Dreamin' | Leave a comment