Nov 19, Barstow, Peggy Sue's Diner

Today we decided we were heading for Vegas. Along the way we passed near Tehachapi where they have nearly 5,000 windmills generating electricity. You can see a number of them from the highway as shown here.

Check out all the hills.

Click to enlarge...

Peter was thankful for a bit of these roads for a change.

You can watch your dog run away for days!

Some of you may be familiar with Peggy Sue's Diner near Barstow. We stop here often on the church Mexico mission trips. We called ahead to Peggy Sue’s and were blessed with free parking for the night here, and had a great meal at Peggy Sue’s!  Tomorrow, Las Vegas!  Whoo Hooo!  

We wanted to get a picture while here but forgot until we got back onto the freeway. This was the best we could do.

Nov 18, Merced, Malibu, Centurian boats

A travel day to Merced, California, where we were hoping to get a tour of the Malibu boat factory.  I tried to contact them and kept getting a voice mail, so we just showed up hoping to get a tour.  When we arrived they informed us that they stopped making their boats at this location in 2009! But they still make all the towers and parts for the boats.  They were gracious to give us a tour on the spot and we got to see the cool machines that create every piece to go onto Malibu boats.  We learned that it takes 1 man 4 hours to polish and shine 1 stainless steel tower for their boats.  These men work 10 hours a day 5 days per week polishing these towers! 

I have to admit we were a bit disappointed that we were not going to see the Malibu boats built.  But, as God would have it, on our tour, our guide mentioned that Centurion boats are built just across the field from their factory.  So, after the Malibu tour, we went down the road to Centurion and we were blessed with a tour of how they make their boats!  It was great!  Thank you Lord!   White Knuckle Motorsports in Lloyd is a Centurian dealer and our tour guide, Shell, knows some of the guys well. Centurian currently finishes about 2 boats per day.

Blogging is hard work

Just a FYI.

If you're wondering why we don't update the blog very often it's because of the time involved.

Today Peter and I worked at updating the blog. It took 7-1/2 hours to bring us from Nov 5 to Nov 17.

It is enjoyable, just time consuming.

Nov 17 Harbor Church and Carmel by the Sea

Sunday morning was a mad panic. The KOA RV park where we were staying had a train ride on Saturday that we had missed. Suddenly Sunday morn just as we were to leave for church Genesis heard the train bell. After her train ride we arrived at church just as it was beginning.

It turns out that this KOA was the spot where part of  "Undercover Boss" was filmed.

Link to Undercover Boss

We attended Harbor Church in Moss Landing which was quite enjoyable! 

For lunch we went to Carmel by the Sea and then walked to the beautiful beach! This is the same place that the famous Pebble Beach golf course is.

Kid's first touch of the Pacific Ocean on this trip.

Then back to our home in the RV park for supper, laundry and a swim and hot tub before bed!  A great end to a fun filled weekend! 

Nov 15-16 KOA Monterey, Elephant Seals, Hearst Castle

Onward towards Montery, California.  Where we stayed about 40 minutes north of Montery, in a very nice KOA RV park, which had the first pool that has been open since we left Canada.  The pool was heated to 84 degrees, which was lovely for swimming!  We took advantage of swimming and biking at this RV park as well as mini golf.  

During our stay we took a day to travel the Pacific Coast Highway 1. Peter had read many RV forums about the drive and most people recommended staying off of the highway with a motorhome. 

Reluctantly Peter drove the Jeep down PCH1 and then back on 101 to our campsite. Round trip driving about 5 hours. Once the drive was done Peter thought that it could have easily been done with the MH towing the trailer. The highway wasn't very busy because of the off season.

Click to enlarge ...

PCH1 is arguably one of the most scenic drives in the US.

Bixby Bridge PCH1

 California Surfers

 Before

 and after

We stopped to see the Elephant seals basking in the sun on the beach by San Simeon.  This was great to see how they interacted with each other!  Some were fighting, others never moved, and watching them wiggle worm into the ocean was cool!  

Up to 15,000 elelphant seals can congregate on this beach

"I'm tougher than you"

Hitchhiker...

 trying to hatch a Jeep

Then up the hill to Hearst Castle for 2 tours of this awesome monument.  It is the first castle our kids have ever seen up close and personal.   Prior to our arrival they kept asking, “is it really a castle?”  We just said, “you’ll have to wait and see.”  

Peter and I hadd done a tour before but this time we chose to tour some of the upstairs rooms as well. There are 165 rooms in all including 56 bedrooms and 61 bathrooms.

Main door to the Castle.

Many of the architectural elements were shipped over from Europe after being purchased by auction. They were available for sale because of the rebuilding required after the 1st World War.

Chillin by the Neptune Pool 

"Guests" library

Hearst's office

More info here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearst_Castle