Highway 1

After surviving Hearst Castle, we headed out for our next stop, Monterey, and the luxurious accomodations of the Marina Dunes RV Park. We originally had high hopes of beach front views from the windows of our RV, but instead had to settle for the soothing sounds of the big rigs flying by on Highway 1, just 40 feet from our site. We digress.

We have always wanted to see the stretch of Highway 1 that runs from San Simeon to Monterey. I have heard two things about the route. #1, the most spectacular views you have ever seen, #2 the scariest damn road you have ever been on, and you are in constant danger of being knocked over a 1000 foot cliff by some boulder falling from above. Boulders or not, we headed up the 1 in our easy to maneuver 28 foot RV. The first five miles was easy driving and I commented to Kelly, "this road isn't so bad." Just then we turn the corner to see a "road narrows" sign and a view of a switched-back road heading up a cliff with no end in sight. I tried to reassure Kelly, but she wasn't having any of it. We didn't end up with many pictures because Kel refused to let go of her armrests. That being said, we would do it again in a second. We survived and the views are amazing. The ocean is beautiful, clean, and unspoiled. Every surfrider foundation ad or commercial should be shot there. My dad had told me before we left that we would love the 1, but I needed to use the turnouts and stop to enjoy the view. I was fearing for the survival of the family as I slowly creeped past the first six turnouts, but finally forced myself to stop and go stand on the edge of the cliff. Amazing.

A great day, on a road we had never seen. Awesome!