One of my regular rides is a 31 mile out and back to the old abandoned Piedras Blancas Motel whose namesake is the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse.
Nice start to a ride spotting a Blue Heron along HWY 1.
Traffic eases up after passing Hearst Castle. My failed attempt to point to the Castle doesn't make it any easier to see it sitting on the hilltop in a direct vertical line with my left pedal.
Now a stop to check out the Elephant Seals. From here on traffic is minimal. A good thing too because most the HWY between the Seals and the old motel lacks a shoulder to ride on.
This is the best time of year to see the Elephant Seals. It gets busy with visitors on weekends and holidays.
The realigned segment of HWY 1 north of the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse. Wide open road with great shoulders.
Same location as the above picture but looking inland.
Plenty of opportunities to talk to the cattle that craze along HWY 1. These curious creatures always stare at me as I talk to them. They must feel safe around me since I'm a vegetarian. Haha.
Ah, the Piedras Blancas Motel now abandoned. Recently it served as the office quarters for the road construction operations. Now one room seems to be a HWY Patrol office.
Accommodations include two portable toilets. Beats finding bushes tall enough to allow for privacy along HWY 1.
The old HWY 1 alignment in front of the Motel.
A quick stop to look at another group Elephant Seals off in the distance. These blubbering mammals have opted for a private spot away from tourists.
Another stop on my return trip to look back at the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse. Way,way in the distance.
The last couple miles of climbing to get home.
