During Becky’s April Bright Square photo challenge I opened the archives to December 2019 and January 2020. Now I’m sharing more of our pre-pandemic holiday in California and Nevada with stories that just couldn’t be squared!
Postcards from America
We knew there was a fabulous view out there – we just couldn’t see it.
At Hearst Castle, just 8 kilometres inland and 490 metres above sea level, we should have been able to see California’s central coast and the Pacific Ocean beyond. Not on this very foggy day – the view was hidden by thick cold cloud.
And while the mist may have obscured the view it enhanced the beautiful gardens surrounding the castle, giving them an ethereal feel.
The muted light of this overcast day accentuated the brilliant blue of the Neptune Pool and the swirling fog made the colonnades, winged figures and Roman temple seem almost mystical.
It was as if the sculpture by Charles Cassou depicting the birth of Venus was made for a day like this.
Inside, a second pool glowed even more than the Neptune Pool. Surrounded by spectacular mosaics, Murano glass tiles and gold leaf, the Roman Pool was also more lavish. The perfect reflections on the undisturbed water magnified its opulence.
The splendour of the pools was repeated in the gardens surrounding the house. Even in midwinter flowers bloomed in rich jewel colours.
We may have been denied the views from the top of the hill, but up close the scenery was spectacular.
Spectacular photos, the foggy conditions did make everything pop.
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We were disappointed at first but the gardens were beautiful. It was so cold!
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Didn’t it just ❤
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We saw Hearst Castle in bright summer sunshine, such a contrast to this! But you are right, the foggy conditions do give the gardens, and especially the statues, an ethereal air. I think a place like this would look beautiful in all weathers 🙂
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I agree. The fog really didn’t make a difference to our enjoyment of the visit.
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Marvellous flower photo 👍🏼🌹🙏
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The fuchsias were glorious.
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True 🙏🌷
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Ah, we had the same problem, foggy and raining too! But we made the best of it. I think looking at your photos you must have done the same tour as us. Did you watch the film too? Pretty good I thought. We were a bit miffed to find the following day was nice and sunny!
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At least we didn’t have rain. The castle tour was sold out so we did the cottage and garden tour. And yes we watched the film. Very interesting.
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Wonderful photos, Carol! We were there briefly on a bright and sunny day, but I prefer your shots 🙂 🙂
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I’d seen Elaine’s photos of the gorgeous view so I was looking forward to seeing it. We still had a very nice day.
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We have visited Hearst Castle and had the good fortune to do so on a clear day. It looks like you made the most of it regardless of the weather.
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Well, we may never get another chance so we had to see as much as we could on the day.
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Spectacular despite the fog!
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Yes, it was still pretty amazing.
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Maybe because of the fog as well 🙂 Quite atmospheric
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It did lend a nice feeling to the gardens, although I was disappointed not to see the wider views.
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at least it meant it wasn’t busy!
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It might look that way in the photos but it was actually packed. It was the week in between Christmas and New Year so it was very busy everywhere. All the tours inside the house were sold out before we arrived and we were lucky to get one of the grounds. Mr ET is a master of taking photos with no people and cropping helps too. 🙂
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Oh!!! And what a master photographer he is 🙂
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Love how mist transforms an area – beautiful captures!
Those pools look so inviting…
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Both pools were so beautiful. And the mist really enhanced the gardens.
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Thanks for sharing your photos, Carol. It’s a very impressive place. We visited Hearst Castle when we were touring around California just before Christmas three years ago, but unfortunately the booking was full and we couldn’t actually get to see it up close.
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We were lucky to get tickets on a tour outside the house, so at least we could up close to it.
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Who knew it would be so busy and hard to get tickets. It’s an amazing place, and you have to come back to see the rest of the views.
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I hope we get to go again one day.
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There is so much to see here, but you experienced some highlights.
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