California mountain roads and gorgeous houses

From Phoenix we traveled west on I-10 across the desert, (there are few useable surface roads that you can take) through Blythe to Indio CA where we spent the night at Walmart.  Across the San Grogonio Pass where thousands of tall windmills are working away – an amazing sight.  Look it up – I couldn't find any photos I could copy to the blog.

On into the LA area toward San Bernardino, where mountains line the horizon.  Unfortunately, we had to go up those mountains on a road that that been extended to three lanes by cantilevering the third outside lane out into space, which left Vera with white knuckles.  A phone call brought help from Julie and Pat who drove the van on to their house, nestled down in an arroyo – their little piece of heaven.  The community had been burned out in 2003 during the wildfires, and the rebuilt homes are of a great variety and beautiful.  We love you Julie and Pat, and thank you for a wonderful visit.

An afternoon drive on the LA freeways with all those crazy drivers brought us out to Malibu, where another mountain road awaited us.  Gail came down the mountain to Trancas Canyon on the Pacific Coast Highway, left her car, and drove the van up and up to the top to her gorgeous house (built by her and her late husband) with the most amazing views.  Gail and her friends Kitty and Austin entertained us with a Malibu style meal.  Thank you Gail, both for the hospitality and the views!!

photo by Gail

Monday, on to Santa Barbara with a lovely drive along the Pacific Coast Highway.