Hearst Castle

October 4,
I'm afraid I could never take enough pictures to do the Castle justice. From the Visitor's Center you are taken by bus, on one of those insane winding California roads, to the Castle. I had made reservations for Joe for the accessible tour and myself, the experience tour. We both left on our separate busses. After a short time on my tour, I saw Joe waving on an upper level----it seemed that noone else had showed up for the accessible tour------Joe and I had a private tour of the Castle. We got to see the kitchen, where midnight snacks were left for the guests, Mr. Hearst's bedroom in the guest house, as well as the rest of the tour.
Mr. Hearst's early exposure--with his mother--to the wonders of European architecture and decorating made him a collector. Once he could start building his castle, his collection of carved ceilings, ornate fireplace mantles, statues and furniture were put to use. He created the ultimate place to party but he did so with small exclusive groups. He also could never stop reinventing his castle, so to this day it's never finished.
The top picture is the mansion from below--while on the bus. Second picture-the Neptune Pool. Third picture-one of the ornate ceilings from Mr. Hearst's collection of European treasures. Fourth picture---indoor pool complete with 22 carat inlaid tiles.