Up quite early and determined to breakfast in Carmel so that we can attack Highway 1 early in the day. Better to do this early when I am well-fed and caffeinated. It is a fairly rigorous drive and demands focus and reflex.
But first, a note about how to leave a hotel's third floor when it is multilevel and there is no baggage trolley that can handle going up and down stairs. I could handle this without batting an eye when I was younger, but I was very glad to have my daughter with me to do the heavy lifting. It proved to me that I am, indeed, older and maybe not as strong as I think I am. That is probably a good thing.
On to Carmel. I remember it from years ago. It is the same. There is a certain dress and a certain bearing and I do not now and never will possess it. Sarah and I are reckoned as outsiders the instant we hit town (even by the hiker at the Wayfarer's Chapel), but we persevere and find a good parking spot near our destination. The Cottage is a little shabby chic cafe in the heart of downtown Carmel.
We shared a corner booth that was so tight that neither of us dared to breathe. It was right off the hallway to the bathrooms, so we get to see all the best people go by. They all look very familiar, like I should know them from some TV show or something. But we need coffee, and I'm afraid it shows.
My breakfast was nothing special, but this was Sarah's:
And then it was time to attack the road to Big Sur.
Wow. I had forgotten just how beautiful it is.
Sarah asked me repeatedly how close to Hearst Castle we are. She has her heart set on seeing the zebras. I fear that might not actually be possible, but I hope.
Traffic is cooperating. But we are stopped at least four times to wait for repair crews. Highway 1 shows some real evidence of age. Who knows how much longer some of the eighty year old bridges will last.
It is a gorgeous fall day. Mixture of fog and sun.
And then we are flying along after San Simeon and there they are. Zebras! Sarah is so happy. Me, too! We high five it and sing louder with Jackson Browne.
Cambria lunch is chili at a bar and grill.
Shortly thereafter, we see the sign for these:
So we just have to stop
Once we have our samples and purchased our cookies, it's time to get serious about heading home.
Before we know it. San Louis Obispo. Arroyo Grande. Santa Maria. Vandenburg Gate. And then there it is: Vandenburg Village. Constellation. Jupiter. Mercury. Lunar Circle. Andromeda Drive.
Home! Michael waving from the open garage. Wow! He's standing in the garage. How is that even possible?
We are home. Unbelievable. Thanks be to God. Signing off now. Thanks, ya'll. It's been real. DD+
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