A Long Drive on Highway No.1(Part One)

Santa Lucia Mountains

             Most of the people in U.S. relax themselves by enjoying the scenic drive along the Pacific Coastal region surrounded by beautiful hills, forest areas and mountain streams with many flora and fauna.You might have already guessed what I meant : it is the much admired and travel led California Highway No.1. All along the way you will find captivating sea beaches on one side and mountain slopes on the other side with dense  greenery,tall imposing trees and woods aglow with changing seasonal colors and multi-colored birds. Far  away from urban congestion and bustle one can feel a fresh invigorating experience with a sense of tranquility without foregoing modern facilities- I mean,wayside restaurants and shelters. We started our three day trip to Malibu from Sunnyvale to cover nearly a distance of three hundred miles.We stayed for the night at Buellton, a small town , as ours is a leisurely journey without any worldly day-to-day distractions.
             
            As we started toward south, cherry and strawberry gardens appeared adding co lour and charm ,
 to the busy roads so smooth and comfortable to travel by. Most of the villages we passed by, bore names connected with sea like Marina, Sea View, Sand city and Sea Side etc.On the way we passed by the pastoral river valley called Caramel River Valley surrounded by towering grey Santa Lucia mountains.This  valley is one of the finest areas of viniculture(cultivating vine gardens for making wine). The Caramel River flows through green plains flanked by dark cliffs of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Many state protected parks are here.Andrew Molera State Park is the largest State Park located near the Big Sur river with sandy beaches, oak trees and vast meadows.

Big Sur River

The Big Sur River is located near the scenic highway nearly 150 miles south of San Francisco and 300 miles from Los Angeles. It is flanked on one side by the majestic Santa Lucia Mountains and on the other side by the rocky Pacific coast. We halted at the Ripple-wood Resort, a restaurant with picturesque surroundings nestled in the valley surrounded by hills and greenery. It looked like a dwelling fit for Nature-lovers and artists.We passed  by Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park where hikers can walk eight miles and camp there. This park is spread over more than one thousand acres of forest comprising vast meadows and trees like redwood, maple,alder and oak trees. Small animals like deer, skunks, raccoons and grey squirrels are seen. The Big Sur River passes through the centre of the park surrounded by steep mountains. 

Los Padres National Forest

  

Andrew Molera State Park

Los Padres National Forest is another important place by which we passed.This forest is nearly 7890sq.kms in area and has many hills and is the place of origin for many rivers of Southern and central California.The Santa Barbara and Montery National Forest regions were merged in 1936 to form Los Padres National forest. On one side we saw the calm ripples of the Pacific with varying colors of blue, sea-green and silver-blue in the shimmering light of the warm sun.On the other side we saw high mountains with dense clumps of grass, brush- wood and tall trees with occasional sighting of birds and small wild creatures- two different fabulous charms  of Nature seen at one place. But at many places repair works were going on. So we had to travel at a speed less than thirty miles. At some places the roads were narrow with sharp curves and sharp turns.                                                            

Neptune Pool , Hearst  Castle

 We took diversion and went to see the famous Hearst Castle on the hill at Sam Simeon. A documentary film of about 45 minutes in duration was shown briefing the visitors about the life and achievements of William Randolph Hearst, who boldly undertook this Herculean task of building a huge mansion on a distant hill encompassing the features of a castle with precious artifacts and sculptures, spending millions of dollars and engaging a large number of workers and builders. Besides constructing this as a retreat, Mr.Hurst also created a favorable ambiance to preserve the surroundings in their pristine beauty and filled the woods with rare species of wild life enhancing the natural charm.
                                                                   

Hearst Castle

We were allowed to see only a few rooms in the castle which actually consists of 165 chambers Around the castle outside many marble sculptures and statues of Grecian and Roman art  were erected. The figures of nymphs, gods and goddesses in  graceful postures attract the attention of tourists very much.The audio-commentary given   while travelling by bus to and fro was quite impressive and informative.A visit to this castle makes us  realize how great people with a sense of dedication and  perseverance realize their dreams which seem to be too remote like stars at the beginning and how they finally                                                                                                touched them without going back.                                                                            .                                                                      

Santa Rosa Creek

After leaving the castle we passed through Cambria, a sea-side village six miles away south of Hearst Castle.   The village has many beautiful restaurants, art galleries and specialty shops. The blue sea on one side with small beaches and pine forests on the other side in the dim twilight, gave relief to our tired bodies. We passed by Santa Rosa Creek, a twenty-two mile long stream rising from the Hood Mountain.The river is flanked  by many rocky flats with dense vegetation and wild plants. We reached Buellton, a small town in Santa Ynez Valley County.We took our lodgings at Marriot, an  elegant restaurant with well-furnished rooms and facilities.Next morning we proceeded to Solvang (Danish word for sunny fields) , a small town near Santa Ynez.                                                                        

Danish houses at Solvang

  Windmill at Solvang

 This town is nearly ninety-two miles from Malibu and is considered as one of the most beautiful small towns in  the western U.S. This town with petty cottages, gift shops, restaurants, windmills and handicraft stalls gives us a pretty picture of a typical Danish town modeled in the style of displaying Danish culture and  tradition.This town was founded by the Danish immigrants in 1911. Many restaurants offer Danish cuisine with visitor friendly hosts. At Paule Pan Cake House we were served Danish pan cakes with sweet syrup. They looked like big Indian Dosas, but very soft melting in our mouths with creamy flavour. In this town there are three museums, many bakery shops, theatres and gift shops with many typical Danish items and artifacts  giving us a feel of their culture. The bust of Hans Christian Anderson., the famous Danish writer, is seen in the park. The replica of Copenhagen's round tower can be also seen there.

  (Replica of Copenhagen's Round Tower, Solvang )

                                                   ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=
                                                                                                                         Somaseshu Gutala
                       15th May, 2013.