The Griswolds are Back!

The Griswolds A.K.A. the Cliffords have returned from their R.V. Road Trip up the Coast of California.Hearst Castle was our first stop half way between L.A. and San Francisco in beautiful San Simeon. The 71,000 sq. foot compound is perched on a hilltop 1600 ft. above the crashing waves of the Pacific. It was built by newspaperman William Randolf Hearst and Architect Julia Morgan in 1919.
Warning: Don't take a two year old! Andrew wanted to touch everything. He kept setting off the alarm because he stepped off the carpeted areas while touring the rooms.We headed north up scenic Coast Highway One to Piedras Blancas to visit the Seal Rookery. The seals are found all along the coast line where they come to molt. They shed their furry black coat and replace it with a shiny new silver one. The kids loved it!We stayed the night in an R.V. Park in San Simeon and headed to Solvang the next day. No passport needed to tour this little Danish village, just strong legs. We decided to trade in the R.V. for a Surrey Cycle. It was the perfect mode of transportation. We rode up and down the quaint streets stopping at the most delicious bakeries. We had to experience their famous Danish Doughnuts, the Aebleskiver. Yum!We toured the Hans Christian Andersen Museum. He is the famous Danish Author who wrote fairy tales, 'The Princess and the Pea,' 'Little Mermaid,' The Ugly Duckling' and 'The Emperor's New Clothes' are some of his most famous.
We finished our tour of Solvang at the Old Mission Santa Ines. This was the only building that existed when Danish educators decided to build their school and village. Kate has been studying the California Missions this year. Infact, the day before school let out for Spring Break I was able to go with Kate's class on a field trip to the Mission Luis Rey in Oceanside. It was fun to see yet another mission.
Malibu was our next stop. Our R.V. space overlooked the Beach. The girls had a room with a spectacular view.
The weather didn't cooperate the next day, so we decided to head back and think of a plan B while we enjoyed the scenic drive. I was hoping to see Matthew McConaughey out surfing. Word around town is he is often spotted there on Malibu Beach.
We decided to tour the Queen Mary in Long Beach. There is a "Ghosts and Legends Tour" that I had heard about. It is a special effects, walk-through show created aboard the ship that dramatizes actual paranormal and historic events that have been reported over the years.
It was a lot of fun but Emily and Andrew didn't seem to think so. Chad and I had to cover their ears and bury their heads against us as we walked through the tour.Our last night was spent on the beach at Carlsbad camp ground just minutes away from home. It still felt like we were on vacation.
We will have to travel a little farther up the coast next time when we have a little more time. We thourally enjoyed Spring Break 2009.