We took a short road trip two weeks ago, heading up the Interstate 5 to San Francisco first.
We cut across Highway 152 at Gilroy to get to the 101 and passed this beautiful lake.
Moments later, along this beautiful, rural drive was this scene.
Our Welsh friend Trish Yeats, co-owner with her husband, Bob of Windy City in San Mateo, a Chicago-style pizza ( and genuine Texas BBQ) joint.
And this is Bob Yeats, a longtime pal.
This is the interior of a section of Windy City, with my photographs of Chicago on the walls.
The first morning we stopped by the flower mart on the way into the city.
One of many beauties inside the otherwise drab building.
These two apparently found something amusing about me.
As seen from a parking structure, this is the backside of a funeral home. If you have a particularly limited budget, that moped can schlepp your loved one to their final resting spot.
My wife, Julie inside the Cable Car Museum.
In the basement of the museum is the ancient infrastructure that powers the cars around San Francisco.
I can never resist shooting cable cars when I’m up there.
Another cable car, with the famous Transamerica Building.
Chinatown was next.
This couple looked absolutely nothing like all of the other people on the sidewalks.
Inside one of Chinatown’s many bakeries.
Catfish on sidewalk display.
Back at Trish and Bob’s Belmont home.
This old barn is at the top of their property.
Next it was a drive south to San Simeon, with the sort of traffic I’m used to in Los Angeles. This was a bit south of San Jose.
Our hotel of choice in San Simeon, on California’s Central Coast. Every evening – weather permitting – these fire pits are fired up.
Early the first morning along Highway 1.
San Simeon hills.
This is very near the tourist favorite Hearst Castle.
Along the windswept Highway 1, on the way to Big Sur.
The Piedras Blancas Light Station.
The Piedras Blancas Light Station.
Hearst, back in the day, populated these foothills with many exotic animals. But, now it’s mostly cows, with the occasional sighting of zebras.
Looking south on Highway 1.
Turkey vultures exist there in high numbers.
Near San Simeon, early morning.
A closer view of a turkey vulture, off our balcony.
Two crows pretending they’re B2 bombers – but, with talons.
We have witnessed many spectacular sunsets at this spot and this was no exception.
And this particular sunset was one of those never-ending ones. An hour or so later, after dinner, this cloud shape still existed in the otherwise dark sky. The color had, naturally, drained but the light did not want to quit.
The tiny hamlet of Harmony has a glassblowing studio (Harmony Glassworks), owned by Eric Dandurand. He has this old pickup truck out back that’s been there since my father was a toddler and time has given it an art patina.
A late night drive along Highway 1.
Further south from San Simeon and Cambria is Cayucos and this is their pier.
One of our waiters while up there, who had incredible hair.
Usually, I spend a lot of time with the elephant seals but this time, only a few minutes.
This huge rock is directly in front of the largest gathering of the seals.
Birds feeding on the sea’s edge.
On the way back to LA, on Highway 46 – aka The James Dean Death Road – with Morro Rock off in the distance.
There are now many excellent wineries up that way. This was taken from my car, along the 101 freeway, heading back home.
