Do you know the way to San Jose?

I do now! On Friday morning, around 8 a.m., I hopped in my car and started the long trek to San Jose to visit my older brother Bob, whom I hadn't seen since 1997. I took the route along the coast, which I have been wanting to do for ages! By noon I was already past Los Angeles and on highway 101.

The route was different then I expected.... more barren and rugged. I love it!! I stopped to get gas and pick up a hamburger along the way, and by 3:00 p.m. I was at a decision point.... drive over to see the Hearst castle in San Simeon or continue on. Since I pretty well may never have this opportunity again, I took the detour to there.

The drive was dry the whole time, but just before Hearst castle it started to drizzle.... the castle itself was in clouds! Here are some pictures just to give you an impression of it.

I then continued my journey on to San Jose. The distance was much more then I thought, and it wasn't until around 7:00 p.m. before I arrived.

But the drive along the coast was marvelous! I will probably return on Monday by the same route. Luckily we didn't have any big sight-seeing plans since it rained constantly since I arrived!

San Francisco.... a short visit.

On Saturday I did my only hoped for extra trip... I hopped on the train and went up to San Francisco to visit a girl friend of mine. The ride took 1:36, which shows how far apart the cities actually are. But it was interesting to ride an American train for the first time in my life!

Mia and I haven't know each other long, but when she met me at the train station, it was as if we'd known each other for a long time! We went to a restaurant and just did lots of girl talk, before I had to catch the 4:00 train back.

Here's Mia with her kitty, and then together with me. The rain didn't do my hair any good! It's really a pity that we live so far apart!

The Gang!

Anna, me, Bob, Mary, James

On Monday, Feb. 12, I embarked on the long trip back. But it went fine without any big traffice jams. The distance is about 600 miles, I left at 7:00 a.m. and I arrived in El Cajon around 3:30 p.m. Along the way I made some stops where I took the following pictures:

I saw these ice plant flowers at a rest stop along Highway 101. The bridge below, also located there, fascinated me. It is made of cement and looks like the old 101.