Navigating the LA freeways was rather awe-inspiring. The sheer volume of traffic was rather intense and I needed to employ all the intense concentration of a sustained, busy dispatch shift. Once I cleared the city limits, it was pretty much smooth sailing.
I had originally planned a trip to Walmart for Tuesday but my LA Tour brought me back to my room quite a bit later than I was expecting, so I decided to drop off there on way up the coast. I did not see one of the 'classic people of Walmart'. I've put it down to it being so early in the day. So I grabbed a slab of water for my road trip, a Maccas coffee (no chai latte in America aaaahhhh!!!) and was back on the road again before long.
The real fun started once I hit north of Cambria. This amazing coastal drive makes Cairns to Port Douglas (although beautiful in it's own right) look like it's midget second cousin.
I'm including photos here although there is no way I can do this visually stunning area any justice whatsoever.
I'm so glad that I set out so early. The drive to Carmel, of about 5 and a half hours, took me pretty much all day. Without a co-pilot/photographer, I was stopping constantly to try and capture what I was seeing. Maybe I needed to invest in one of those phone stands to sit on the dash so I can safely take I tires whilst moving. I know I missed many incredible photographs just because there was nowhere to pull over.
I did see some of the Coastal Redwood trees (Sequoias) and they are magnificent! However, it won't be until I get to bring Sequoia back that we'll get into Sequoia national park to see the massive ones you can see from space.
I did make it to Moonstone Beach, albeit much later than I was anticipating, so instead of lunch, I had a single glass of red overlooking the seagulls frolicking over the ocean.
Both Cambria, although both with a slightly different feel are absolutely charming little towns. Really sweet and cute little buildings and streets. I stopped for a coffee refill in Cambria and must have momentarily forgot where I was - when the server asked me which flavor coffee I wanted I mentioned I only have $5 in small change with me. She said' oh, the coffee here is only $1.99 including tax' I said, 'really?' Wow. It wasn't until I was back in the car and took a sip that I remembered that's right, American Coffee. Oops. Lucky it was only $2.
I was so glad to see my little cabin. It turned out to be very sweet and cozy. Love, love, love the automatic fireplace. It is definitely getting much cooler as I am driving North and my limited Cairns wardrobe that I brought with me is being stretched to the limit. Definitely will need to hunt down a coat today. I am hoping to raid some thrift stores to see if I can find some amazing quality garments that will allow me to save most of my budget for culinary and gift-buying pursuits.
After driving for what amounted to all day, once I'd checked in to my cabin, I decided to go and get a quick bite to eat before turning in for the night. During check-in I mentioned to the receptionist that my sister-in-law had recommended a local cafe. Whilst I was searching my carry-bag for my phone to retrieve the cafe name, I should have twigged to something. He smiled knowingly at me and simply said 'Dametra's.' yep, that would be it.
Well, didn't my decision to just run a brush through my hair and throw on some tinted lip balm come back to bite me on the backside! Dametras turned out to be a gorgeous little Greek restaurant that was packed to the rafters. Being a solo diner, they were very accommodating and after a brief wait with the throng at the door, I found myself being waited upon by several charming Greek waiters. I ordered the Gyros Kebab (pictured) and I must say it rivaled yesterday's Mexican Caesar Salad. As I had driven down from the cabin I limited myself to one glass of the recommended accompanying wine. Every now and then all the staff would come out and play a little entertainment. It was really fun, and soon felt like a party rather than a restaurant full of strangers. I got talking to an older couple down from New Orleans, Bunny and Richard, a retired teacher and lawyer. They are a funny couple, but we exchanged phone numbers and email addresses and they have invited me to contact them either this time whilst in Frisco or next time I come through town. I'll see how I go today and tomorrow. Bunny is originally from the South and I learned a rather valuable cultural lesson over the course of the night....whereas us Aussies generally take the Mickey out of ourselves and each other in humor, don't you say anything, even in jest, about the South. It was like ripping of a big old scab off a deep-seated wound. I made a crack about how I just may find myself offered a dispatcher position in some 'Alabama backwater' Oh my! Those Southern women may be all grace and charm (and she really was), but any perceived slight was taken as a concerted attack on her privileged white upbringing. She then went about very defensively explaining how although her family had negro maids, they were considered part of the family, they would never have thought twice about them using the family bathroom and when Bunny's parents passed away, their estate was broken up between Bunny, her brother and their longest-serving maid, so the maid's son could be put through college. Only the White Trash' people treated their staff like in that book 'The Help'. Didn't I feel as though I had walked into it! At least she was honest about the fact that she was quite enjoying having the upper hand in the conversation after my 'faux pas.' Not sure where to go with this one....
Anyhow, I did have a fabulous night. I was most happy to get back to my room and cozy up near the fireplace. Once I've finished supping on my breakfast basket it will be time to shower, pack up the car again and continue North. The weather has turned rather poorly and overcast so I'm still debating whether to do the famous 17 mile drive or to go straight on up to San Francisco. Although I have bookings for some gorgeous hotels, I also have had to compromise on some of the bookings and my next bed will be very basic, with the intent of only using it as a place to lay my head for a bit so I'm just enjoying hanging out here in Carmel for a bit before I head off.
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