After 2 nights in San Francisco we had began to feel settled. Sort of sorry to leave, we liked it here and it was nice to put down roots for a short while.
Breakfast in our room with cereal and pastries from the Seven Eleven across the road and coffee from reception. With the sun shining and the temperature up, we loaded car before taking a last walk out by the sea front. Along the wharf, under clear skies the Golden Gate Bridge is visible right to top of the pillars.
On the way back to the hotel, we picked up a Subway for lunch before collecting the car and heading off for the mountains, over 200 miles today.
We leave the city going by the point where we had first seen the bridge two days ago then turn onto the bridge heading North. At the far side, we pull into the public viewing area which is very busy with cars and coaches but we find a space to park. Listening to everyone around, the Americans seem to be in the minority.
Intending just to look along the span we end up walking out to the 1st tower. The footpath is shared with masses of hired bicycles and if you stop to look up you need to make sure you stay to the side. More than once I had to apologise. Watching a Red and White ferry come out across San Fransisco Bay and spin around under the bridge reminded us of our trip yesterday. We stayed too long and took far too many photographs before heading off East and crossed the Bay again on another bridge taking us to the mainland.In the distance San Fransisco appears as a ghostly image in the haze across the bay with Alcatraz Island sitting off shore.
Leaving the coast we pass through rolling golden hills then flat agriculture with mile after mile of almonds plus other fruits and some vines. Only 20 miles inland the temperature is up to 35C (95F) from less than 20C (68F) at the coast. The plains give way to increasing climbs and long high roads with switch backs, long drops and not a barrier in sight.
Time is getting on and we haven't seen anywhere to stop to eat. At 3, we pull off the road into a lovely stop with sme shade surrounded by golden grasses and California Oaks. It is 37C (99F) with a gentle breeze, it feels like standing in front of a giant fan heater.Finally dropped down into Oakhurst and our hotel at 5 in the afternoon. It's still 37C and we have a quick dip in the pool before walking down to Pops, a small restaurant, for a very really nice meal and a beer.
Satisfied, we walk back up the road in a pleasant balmy evening twilight and try to catch up on blogs.
Very noisy air con' unit but no choice over using it, it's hot! So far, on this trip, we have never had reason to switch one on.
10:00-17:30
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