My heart is so happy again! I was starting to have serious doubts that I was going to find anything that I loved in California, outside of the Sequoia trees, but on Saturday morning I made the decision to head to the coast and travel along the Pacific Coast Highway 1 between Cambria and Monterey. I hadn’t planned beyond that. What a great decision!
Highway 1 along this section is stunning. The middle reaches remind me a lot of the Cape (South Africa), party because of vegetation and partly as the scenery is quite similar to Chapman’s Peak Drive. Like most things in the U.S. though, it’s just super sized!
I have included a few photos below of various sections of my ride along Highway 1.
I had initially considered camping but my right hip and lower back have been quite sore the last week or so, so I decided that would probably not be a good idea. I booked into a place in Monterey on the beach as I was hoping to see the sun set and rise over the beach. Unfortunately the weather didn’t plan along with my plan. It was overcast when I arrived and left the next morning but at least I managed to have an early morning stroll along the beach. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed feeling the sand beneath my feet.
It took a while for me to decide to head into San Fransisco. My whole trip was planned around me finishing in San Fransisco, so this felt like cheating. However, I eventually convinced myself that it was a good thing as Border Control informed me that I needed to leave the U.S. a day earlier than I had planned, so this visit would allow me to see the things I would miss otherwise. I was therefore happy to do the sights on the outskirts of San Fransisco. The city centre was however a no-go area until my friends, Nicola and Gale, are with me.
I am so glad I made this decision, as not only did I get to see Golden Gate Bridge from a number of different angles, I also got to visit Point Reyes and its lighthouse (it reminds me of Cape Point), Lands End and best of all I got to spend time with Elaine and Dave again. I met the (Scottish) couple, who live in the Bay Area, on a hike in Bryce Canyon and we immediately hit it off.
I had contacted Elaine to find out if I could leave my hiking gear with them for the next few weeks as I wasn’t using it. It would be great to not have to lug the excess baggage about! Elaine had no issue with that and invited me to spend a couple of nights with them, which I am so glad I did. What an amazing couple! I have also fallen in love with their two Whippets, Chester and Spencer.
Below are some of the photo of the sights described above, as well as photos of Elaine, Dave and the boys.
As San Fransisco reminds me so much of Cape Town, albeit much bigger and more commercialised, it seems fitting that I end me trip here. After all, Cape Town still remains being my favourite city in the world. I can’t wait to get back there! I am so going to hire a Harley and ride it along Chapman’s Peak. Woohoo!!
Mel & Trinity 