Day Four: Cambria to Monterey - Big Sur
What an incredible day! A complete emotional roller coaster ride.
The day started with brilliant sunshine, which is not to be taken for granted in foggy Cambria. Everyone had a nice breakfast at the hotel, group photo, briefing then on the road. Hotel guests seemed to be lining the little coastal road as we pulled out of the hotel - waving and taking photos.
Our first stop was just a few miles up Higway 1 - Hearst Castle in San Simeon. We didn't have time for one of the tours, but we did a bit of shopping and looked at the castle through the telescope at the visitor's center.
Then back on the road and the start of the Big Sur coastline! The ride was gorgeous. We had sun all the way, and the blues of the sky and ocean were incredible.
We stopped briefly to see the elephant seals sunning themselves on the beach. Then we had a special stop at Ragged Point. The dramatic views of the cliffs and ocean were the perfect backdrop for a very special moment.
One of our participants - Just Jan - started losing her hair for the fourth time in her seven year battle with breast cancer earlier this week. The time had come to take control and shave it all off. We had a special ceremony by the cliff's edge with prayers in many languages and a lot of tears and a whole lot of love. Jan is such an inspiration to us all.
After we all somewhat regained our composure, we once again headed up the coastline. 50 miles of curves and cliffs and beautiful views. We had a lunch stop, then on through the mountains, back to the coast, until we eventually reached our hotel in Monterey - the Bay Park Hotel. Thank you for having us back this year!!
Everyone headed down to the wharf for a group seafood dinner. Service was appalling, but the food was ok and being with the group is what this ride is all about.
The day started with brilliant sunshine, which is not to be taken for granted in foggy Cambria. Everyone had a nice breakfast at the hotel, group photo, briefing then on the road. Hotel guests seemed to be lining the little coastal road as we pulled out of the hotel - waving and taking photos.
Our first stop was just a few miles up Higway 1 - Hearst Castle in San Simeon. We didn't have time for one of the tours, but we did a bit of shopping and looked at the castle through the telescope at the visitor's center.
Then back on the road and the start of the Big Sur coastline! The ride was gorgeous. We had sun all the way, and the blues of the sky and ocean were incredible.
We stopped briefly to see the elephant seals sunning themselves on the beach. Then we had a special stop at Ragged Point. The dramatic views of the cliffs and ocean were the perfect backdrop for a very special moment.
One of our participants - Just Jan - started losing her hair for the fourth time in her seven year battle with breast cancer earlier this week. The time had come to take control and shave it all off. We had a special ceremony by the cliff's edge with prayers in many languages and a lot of tears and a whole lot of love. Jan is such an inspiration to us all.
After we all somewhat regained our composure, we once again headed up the coastline. 50 miles of curves and cliffs and beautiful views. We had a lunch stop, then on through the mountains, back to the coast, until we eventually reached our hotel in Monterey - the Bay Park Hotel. Thank you for having us back this year!!
Everyone headed down to the wharf for a group seafood dinner. Service was appalling, but the food was ok and being with the group is what this ride is all about.
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