Reflections on Day 2

375 miles of amazing scenery

A couple who stopped to let me walk across the street, then made a point to wish me a Happy Easter

Just enough rain to wash my car

With less driving to do, I was able to sleep in, talk to strangers, get lost (again), and enjoy the day (again). Music varied throughout the day. I sang along with the Carpenters until the angst of the lyrics made me want to slit my wrists. Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles saw me through much of the drive.  k.d. lang was my choice for my arrival in Santa Cruz.
My plan is to be here for two days but I have only one site on my schedule. I am allowing whatever happens, to happen. One thing you can count on though: it will be fun.
I hope the rain stops because I want to dance in the streets. I both heard and read that they do that spontaneously here, and since I know no one here, I think I will dance with them. 
I wish you all well.  Life is good, you know.

Pezzini Farms: Home of the Deep-Fried Artichoke

In hindsight, maybe I should have opted for GPS.

They said it was right off the freeway.  I forgot to ask, "Which freeway?"

Notice the lack of activity. I had to opt for ice cream in
 Santa Cruz.

Nit Wit Ridge

Just when you think you've seen everything that could possibly be made out of trash...a house.

Now, if you are starting to worry that my trip has taken on a disturbing theme, rest assured that this is the last site I am going to that is founded upon debris. Well...I am going to see two slabs of the now razed Berlin Wall, but that is historical debris.
Nit Wit Ridge in Cambria also has historical significance.  The owner pissed people off for years with his constant waste recycling efforts in the heart of downtown. It turns out he was the town's trash collector by profession, but instead of taking the items to the landfill, he brought them home. I went to the address, not expecting to take a tour as it required reservations and since it was Easter Sunday, I had figured it would be closed.  But the next tour was going to be at 3.  I considered it, knowing that I still had deep fried artichokes to get to.  I went to the local coffee shop to mull it over.
While there, I asked the young woman (Chelsea), "if a person didn't have much time to spend here, what would you tell them they had to see?" She first mentioned the Hearst Castle.  I worked really hard to not roll my eyes.  Then she said Nit Wit Ridge.  I said, yes, but sadly I had not made reservations.  She said no problem, her father owns it and gives the tours.

What luck!  I was in! Below are the pictures and a description of what you are seeing.  I had a picture taken of Chelsea and me, but the photog had his finger over the lens, so I will start with a photo of my tour guide, Mike.

Great guy! Really knowledgeable and has a passion for telling Art's story.

An outdoor fountain

Toilet seats were used for picture frames.
(Note to self:  Do not take pictures while laughing)

Jim, The Mystery Tree

Because the line at "The Virgin Mary in Tree" was too long.

You will have to drive to Atascadero to see this, and if you just go by the picture, you may decide that it is not worth it.  However, there was a side benefit to detouring to see this enigma: the drive from the tree to the 101 at Morro Bay was beautiful! So I will leave it to you to decide if it was worth getting out of the car. I have to admit, the picture is much better than seeing it in person, as I could not really "see it" when I was there.  However, I attributed that to my innate inability to see those "Magic Eye" posters of the 80's, either.

Ostrichland, USA

"Do NOT call me an Emu!"

Leaving Santa Barbara, I headed to Buellton, not for pea soup, but to see acres of ostriches roaming free.  What I found was acres of ostriches who had learned that if they hung out at the fence, they would be fed. I carefully read the instructions and cautions about feeding them. In spite of that, I was nervous when holding out the food. But I cast caution to the wind (and the remainder of the food when an ostrich pecked at me) and fed them...a snack.

Yes, they do. 

"Trust Me"

Reflections on Day 1

613 miles
3 Starbucks
1.5  Tanks of gas

The Experience:  Priceless

I had plenty of time to think today, and did very little of it.  I chose, instead, to notice.   I cannot do both at the same time.  It was a long day, but nothing was rushed, and potentially annoying incidents were intercepted or balanced out by someone's kindness.

I was tired during the final hour of driving.  As I reached the coast near Ventura, the sky was almost dark. The few clouds looked as though they had been painted with an artist's brush to create silhouetted fingers against the night sky. Simon and Garfunkel were singing "A Bridge Over Troubled Water" and I reflected on how truly fortunate I am to have all of you in my life.  You are all as unique as the sights I have seen, and are treasures that I hold close.

Until tomorrow.

Musical Road

I drove how many hours for this?

I was really excited about this one! The story is that Honda built this road in Lancaster that when one drove over it, the grooves "played" the William Tell Overture. Cool!!!! I had to experience it!
The road from Barstow to Lancaster is NOT a freeway.  And I cannot blame Google Maps for my missing one turn... I blame "book on CD".  It seems that I cannot listen AND navigate at the same time.  
I finally made it to the road, and the signage was clear.  I kept it at 50 mph, radio off, and prepared myself to be amazed. It was somewhat akin to driving over a cattle guard. Again and again.  And again.  It was fortunate that it was a relatively short distance.  So I drove it again, this time with my iPhone set to record.  However, it turns out my phone was on camera, not video, and all I got was a picture of the road. So, I drove it again.  Not sure, but I think the recording is on mute.

Christie and Technology... Ah, the World Has Righted Itself.

Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch

Is there no end to "things you can make with trash"?

Leaving the Salton Sea, I was off to Barstow. I seemed to be trying to find the longest route to Santa Barbara possible, while remaining in California. I have a word of caution here...  Do NOT trust Google maps.  I had printed out my itinerary prior to my trip, and had complete directions.  Who needs GPS???  Just an expensive add-on to the purchase price of a car.  Besides, I had my iPhone to fall back on.
I was halfway to Palmdale before I started questioning why I was heading east, rather than north. My car has proven to be very good at u-turns.  I was getting a little irritated with it all, when I happened to stop at Baker's in Victorville/Adelanto (I used a slash, because, honestly, I have no idea where I was).  I met the nicest couple there who gave me detailed directions. I couldn't get that with Siri!  Renewed by kindness, I continued on and found myself on the old route 66.  Trains went by, and I started looking for a Harvey House.  Instead, I found Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch.  Below is proof that I made it there, so that you don't have to.

The International Banana Museum

It was all you might imagine it would be...and more.

Heading up the east side of the Salton Sea, I was looking for the town of Mecca, for the home of the International Banana Museum.  Even though I was looking for it, I managed to go right by it, but realized my mistake within 12 miles or so.  I had to turn back... 
And am I glad I did!  Admission was only $2.00, or free if you bought a banana milkshake.  I, of course, opted for the drink. Fred, the curator, was terrific.  He posed for pictures, then gave me his special jacket to put on for my photo op. He told me the background of his collection as he walked me around, showing me special pieces. He was a fun host, and seemed to enjoy it as much as I did!

Fred, the Curator...he makes an awesome banana milkshake!

Slab Wash...Or "Behind Salvation Mountain"

Unbelievable! 

After going to the mountaintop, I decided to ride my bike on the desert back roads. At first I thought I was heading toward some RVers. However, I realized that what I was seeing was a small city of old trailers. Their residents were just beginning to stir, maybe because their dogs were busily chasing me down the road. I was less afraid of the half Cattle dog/half Hyena than I was of the pair of Chihuahua's.  But I digress. The two men that I ended up talking to were an old stoner and a conspiracy theorist. The theorist asked me to not ride through his "garden" but let me know I was welcome to walk through it. I cannot really describe the scene, so pictures will have to do. 

A new definition of garden...

Salvation Mountain

Proving that even Crazy can have convictions.

Last chance to turn around.

I am in front of the main mountain, about to go check it out.

I'll Say...

Go figure...I guess God uses a land line.

Since I had a little time to spare before the Banana museum opened, I decided to do a little riding.  What comes next was completely unexpected, and a little eerie.  Let's just say, the question of "Where did the people go after Woodstock?" has been answered.

The Adventure Begins!

I am on the road!
Carly Simon was singing "Anticipation" as I left Temecula, and that seemed appropriate.  That was followed by "Mockingbird" and the singing began! Today is Salvation Mountain, The International Banana Museum, Wine Bottle Trees, The Musical Road, and Star Trek Rocks.  I am glad you are joining me!

Wheeeee!

How to Post a Comment

The World Has Turned Upside Down. 

I, Christie, am about to offer technological advice.

I have heard from friends that they are having difficulty posting comments.  I changed some settings because Blogger was requiring people to have a specific account, yadda yadda yadda.  I added an anonymous option that seems to go through.  However, it posts as (drum roll, please)... Anonymous.  So, if you use it, I hope you think to add your name to the end of your comment.  I have posted pictures below to help you through it.

To start, find where it says 0 Comments, or 1 Comment, or 47 Comments... Click on it.

Type in your comment, then go to the box that says "Select Profile".  First, try the default "Google Account".  If that does not work when you go to "Publish", choose "Anonymous" (please add your name to the end of your comment, unless you want to be anonymous).

Click on "Publish", and it should be posted.  If not, I give up.

Museum of "Art"?

Yesterday I went to the Orange County Museum of Art in Newport Beach. Now this was not going to be in the blog as it is not part of the official trip of lame sites. However, I am willing to ignore that because it certainly may turn out to be the highlight of the "trip of the overstated". To help you understand, I have included a few photos.


I have titled these "Things You Can Do with a Pinto" and "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is"?  Unfortunately, "Animal Parts Wheel of Fortune" was taken using the video function on my phone which I have yet to learn to download.  Or is it "upload"? Whichever...you won't be seeing the video.

Temecula...Does it get better than this?

I sure hope so!

My plan for this trip is to visit unique, unexploited locations in California. I searched many websites looking for such places. Below, you can see me working diligently (at work) on mapping out my route. But I figured I should test the accuracy of my information here in Temecula.

A Temecula reference was "Family of Giant Cut-Outs". You may be scratching your head wondering what this could be! I can tell you. On the way to Hemet is a sod farm with an entire giant family working the lawn. I went there but the family appears to have moved on. I did, however, discover some soccer players propped against a storage bin. Visual proof is provided below.

The International Banana Museum is looking pretty good...