Emily wanted to spend some time in California as long as we were there, and Mandy and Mitch wanted to use this as their vacation. So we went to the Hearst Castle. I was so excited cuz this castle is in one of my many picture books. Many of u know of my plans to build a Bed & Breakfast Castle with my sister Bethanie. Going to see the castle gave me lots of ideas!
BTW - I LOVE picture books.. especially of castles or cathedrals... or old building.... just in case anyone feels the need to give me a present.
Apparently there are 4 tours of the house and grounds. Locals (Jamie and sister) told us to take tour 2. Unfortunately, this meant we didn't see the grand dining room or the other big rooms downstairs, but we did see the outside swimming pool, lots of guest rooms upstairs, Hearst's own suite as well as his mistress's, the kitchen, the upstairs library, and the inside swimming pool. I was VERY jealous of his pools! The first tour included a 45 minute video since each tour took ~2 hours, we would have only seen the inside of the house for 1 hour. So... I bought the video. Didn't want to miss out since I was there!
I think my favorite room was the upstairs library. It was big enough that all the decorations didn't seem as gaudy. The rest of the rooms were a bit overwhelmed in.... stuff.
This was our very strange tour guide. He didn't give very much information as the other tour guides (Emily ease dropped so I know that statement is true) made Mandy and Mitch hold their children inside the house as well as telling them exactly where to stand. He was also VERY adamant that Hearst was NOT Catholic, regardless of the decorations. I think we finally understood after the 34th time he mentioned it :-)
The kitchen where Emily washed up using the gold ducks.... (Kimball was finished)
And the indoor swimming POOL.Man.. was I jealous. EVERY part of the pool was decorated with tiny tiles.
And by the way, at the deep end it was 10ft and at the shallow end it was 10ft... That means it was flat (information compliments of our Tour Guide).
And once again... Mr. Hearst was NOT Catholic, regardless of the decorations.Just so u know.
9 comments:
How cool! I've always wanted to go to Hearst castle. It looks awesome.
Was he Catholic?
Sorry you got a lousy tour guide. I'm glad you enjoyed it though. See staying an extra day in SLO wasn't so bad now was it. =) Next time you will have to come down while I'm there and we can go to more fun places
I too can feel my jealousy bone shaking. Some day we will have our castle Melanie...some day.
I'm really confused. If he had all these Catholic decorations, doesn't that make him Catholic?
Well, I don't care about the rest of your castle but if Hearst provides inspiration for the pool(s?) in your castle - I'll be there for sure. Nice post - now I'll just refer everyone to your blog since you beat me to it and you are much more eloquent and funny!
I'm sorry Montana and Chelsea, no he was not Catholic regardless of the decorations. No, they didn't mean anything like they do in our tour guides grandmothers house.
He would just pick something he liked that was old.. not because he was Catholic. He didn't pray to them. So no.. he wasn't Catholic.
well imagine that, Hearst wasn't catholic. I think I heard that somewhere.... it was a fun trip, I did like to pools but I don't know that I want a house that big. I wouldn't mind living near the ocean though :)
I'm so glad you got to go to the castle and with great company. Can't wait to visit you in your castle. Maybe you will invite us to stay!
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