Hearst Castle, near the central coast, is one of the most amazing spots in California. It was created by William Randolph Hearst and architect Julia Morgan and completed in the mid 1940s. One could wander the house and gardens almost endlessly and never tire of the experience. I’ve been lucky enough to visit twice, but it remains near the top of places I’d love to go back to.

These images are from a trip we took in 1978. Seeing this wonderful pool again reminded me of one of my favorite episodes of California’s Gold — which I’ll share with you on Wednesday as part of my The Adventure Continues series!

Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco,1978 —

Spill Spoiler II

Aboard the Balclutha

The Eppleton Hall

Helicopter rides

I was happily surprised to find the Eppleton Hall among these images — she was one of the historic ships I photographed in San Francisco last summer. She’s now docked at Hyde Pier, but according to the San Francisco Maritime Museum, she had been a hard-working vessel from the time she was built in England in 1914.

She was sold for scrap in 1967 and, while sitting on a mud bank, fire (part of the scrapping process) destroyed her wooden afterdeck and interior. For most of 1969 she underwent repairs, including modifications for an epic steam (via the Panama Canal) to San Francisco, passing through the Golden Gate in March of 1970.

The vessel was donated to the National Park Service in 1979. She is now berthed at Hyde Street Pier.