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From Monterey to Cambria

Today I drove down Highway 1 from Monterey to Cambria where I am now. It's a gorgeous drive, and I'm glad I've taken a little extra time to take the coastal route.

Cambria appears to be primarily a tourist town with a big art scene (there seem to be some famous artists who live here). But I was most impressed by the rolling greens hills of farmland and countryside that are on the outskirts of town. I saw breathtaking, picturesque scenes right across the street from the local high school. Just down the road was more of the same, including deer, country homes, and even a billy goat on the side of the road.

I'm staying at the Bridge Street Inn Hostel tonight. The owner is gone bicycling New Zealand. In her place are an interesting, if somewhat bizarre group of people taking care of the place. The hostel itself is great -- tons of interesting books and interesting decor from wall to wall. I guess it's time to call it a night.

Morning update -- I checked out the Nit Wit Ridge today on the way out of town. It's this crazy old mansion made of rock, hubcaps, old TVs, and other trash. It was created by a man who called himself Captain Nit Wit, who I'm told was Cambria's local garbage man for most of his life. You can now tour this mansion, which I'm told by the new owner give's Hearst's Castle a run for your money. It's definitely worth driving by on your way through town -- you don't come by pieces of Americana like this much anymore.