Hearst Castle: Coming Down the Hill with Links

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Far below us, one can see the ocean just below the curves of the road, and to the right remain the Hearst Ranch airstrip and hangers where WR Hearst kept his DC3, 2010.

Himself: Swam. Rebuilt the bed frame. Held my hand while I struggled with a new program. Grocery shopping. Herself: Swam. Keeping things simple in the midst of my own chaos. Finally canceled and restarted the slide show. Very disappointed in everyone as no one has radishes right now. I’ll find them at Stump’s Market today. Gratitude: Partial Sunshine. June gloom here at the beach.

Driving up into the golden hills led to growing anticipation. Coming down the hill for the last time was a sad thing. I cannot imagine spending all that money on so much ornate detail, but I truly enjoyed visiting the Hearst hill. I was very glad to be able to see all these things as Hearst and his architect, Julia Morgan, designed them. Yes, a waste of money and time, but still a fairy land and a magic kingdom now ours to enjoy.

Hearst must have felt heart-broken when his doctors ordered him to move into the city closer to medical care. From the guest house, Casa del Mar, the first Hearst residence on the hill, to Marion Davies home in Beverly hills. He died in 1951 a recluse cut off from the remains of his publishing empire and his beloved ranch.


Along a ridge near the castle, is a long, curving line of cement poles. In some places, you can still see the wooden pieces above. This was a gently curving pergola designed so his guests could ride out in the heat of the day in comfort. Vines and trees covered the path. The pergola remains on ranch land today and is no longer maintained.





Taken from the road leading up to the castle, this is one of three remaining animal shelters left on the ranch, 2010.

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Links:

Hearst Castle.org

Wikipedia on Hearst Castle

Friends of Hearst Castle

Roman Pool Mosaics

The Gardens of Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle on Facebook

Julia Morgan - Wikipedia

Index of Buildings by Julia Morgan

WR Hearst - Britannica Article and links

Google Books - WR Hearst, the early years

Marion Davies - Wikepedia with links

The Marion Davies Guest House