Memories and, of course, wine tasting!

Today we took drive west to Cambria and San Simeon which are about 35  miles away.  I mentioned in my last post that I used to spend my summers in this area when I was a child, so here is a little history before I move on.

When I was young both my parents worked so our next door neighbor would watch me for the day.  Obviously, at this age, these people became very close to me and were close to our family.  When I was 5 we moved from the area but stayed in touch with these neighbors.  Shortly after we left the neighborhood they moved to Cambria, California where, my uncle (as I called him), had obtained a job as a tour guide at Hearst Castle.  This would have been around the early 1960’s when California had just obtained Hearst Castle and set up tours.  So, when I was around 7, and I don’t remember how it happened, I began spending my summers with them. I would leave as soon as school let out and would not return until just before school started.  Looking back on it now I do not know how my mother allowed this, but she did.  I loved my summers in Cambria and continued going there until I was around 14.  One of the cool things was that I was able to go to Hearst Castle anytime I wanted, for free, as my uncle was a guide.  Also, at that time, during the summers, they would allow the guides to bring their family members to the castle once a month on the weekends, after the tours, to swim in the outdoor pool, the Neptune.  You can imagine how exciting this was.  To be able to swim in this amazing pool, amongst the statues and to use the dressing rooms that many famous people had used.  In addition, as the Hearst family still had access to the castle and the pool, I met many of the Hearst kids, including the famous Patty Hearst.

So, that is the history.  Now I return after not having seen the area in 20 years and am amazed to see what has occurred.  The town, which was not a tourist destination when I was there, is now an arts type town, with galleries and shops and some small cafés and restaurants.  Where the family I stayed with lived has been fully developed where there used to be vacant lots.  It still has the feel of a small town but does have more traffic and people.  It was nice to see the town and we had a great lunch at a little café recommended to us by our RV park owner.

We took a drive up the coast as we were told about the viewing area for Elephant Seals just north of Hearst Castle.  From what I can gather these seals have been stopping at this beach twice a year since 1990 to mate, birth and molt.  This time of year they are mating and giving birth.  It is amazing to see these huge mammals all over the beach.  Just as we arrived one had given birth!

As we got out of our truck I saw these two squirrels on a rock watching the seals.  I just had to get a picture.

The beach is covered with the seals and their babies.

You gotta love the face!

Mother and baby.

After lunch we drove back to Paso Robles but first stopped at two wineries.  The first was Aron Hill winery,www.aronhillvineyards.com/.  A small winery, so their prices are high but very high quality red wines, especially a new varietal we had never tasted, Primitivo.  OUTSTANDING!

Next stop was Peachy Canyon, www.peachycanyon.com.  I had previously tried one of their wines and was impressed so I really wanted to see what else they offered and to taste them.  We were not disappointed.  They produce a very good Zinfandel.

So 4 wineries down, just 249 more to go!