We were caravaning to San Simeon. The whole lot of us in a formation driving down the 1. Billy led the way in his car and behind him there was Ed in his rental, Bobby and I, Matt, and Jeff in Jeff's car, Stevie behind them and Tom in his car. Al and Maryann bringing up the rear - way back. It was a very beautiful drive I have to say having now seen it in the daylight. Very wind-ee tho. We stopped as we got into San Simeon at the beach with the Elephant Seals on them. These are ginormous animals and all they do is lay in the sun, throw sand on themselves or play in the surf. It was fun to see. We were all out of our cars watching them. I even had a big fat squirrel come up and beg for food. I had never seen that before. Obviously they get so many people there that he's used to being fed when there is.
Once we were done observing we got back in to the cars and pulled up to Hearst Castle. Actually the Dairy Barn. Its not really a dairy barn though. Its a barn converted to a party venue that was quite stunning in all its wood richness and decor. It was so far away from the Castle you couldn't even see it from where we were. The Hearst family did own 40,000 acres so its not surprising. The barn was also quite hot and humid and while they all unloaded the boys were sweating away. There to greet us was Dewey Bunnell from the band America. I'm sure I met Dewey before but its been a number of years. He had his wife Penny with him and her friend Kelly. They were super cool ladies! I could tell I'd have fun with them later on at the party! Dewey was a super sweetie too. He was so happy to see everyone he hadn't seen in years. He and Bobby were sharing memories left and right. Dewey was going to sit in with Al on a number of the new songs plus he was going to perform a couple of America hits.
It was another long soundcheck afternoon and I took some photos but also helped Maryann put some special stickers on the cd's they were putting on the tables for the very high society guests. This event we were attending was for the Preservation of Hearst Castle society. Very high and mighty with some celebrity clientele.
Once soundcheck was over, we jumped on a shuttle bus and got to be taken on a short but VIP tour of Hearst Castle. I had never been there so I was excited to finally get there and see a few things. Especially the Neptune Pool. Everyone wanted a chance to dip in it, but we just wouldn't have had the time. The tour was very stunning. A lot of old artifacts and stunning views but we had only hit a scratch of what was all there. I got a great shot of some of the boys posing with the statue of David in the indoor pool gallery. Marnie had been wearing her bathing suit under her clothes and was determined if she got one chance she was going in that pool. She did get her chance and she was in and out in 5 minutes! Billy told her as long as she made it quick he would let her go. We had some snacks and drinks and then had to get a move on to our hotel which we all had yet to check into.
It was a Best Western hotel but sitting right on the edge of the ocean and we were all privelaged to have these spectacular ocean views with the sunset. Also sitting on our tables in our rooms was a nice bag of swag from the presentation people. Fun stuff inside especially for the girls. The guys wee all moaning later at the gig that it was mostly for the girls. (true, perfume, makeup, pretty stuff..we all were happy!) We all carpooled back to the gig that night where we were to eat supper and then the band played. Well we were there for nearly an hour before supper was served and this bunch of guys were starving. I've never seen men jump on h'orderves (sp?) like they all did, but I also had to remember that they hadn't eaten since we had breakfast in Big Sur that morning. Meanwhile I was feeling nice and toasty with my two glasses of wine. On a empty stomach. Wow was I having fun then! The food was really great and the spirits flowed freely that night. Penny Bunnell and her friend Kelly were feeling as good as I was. By the time the boys breached the stage I was a very happy person. I danced while they played, and I NEVER do that. (too embarassed) but Penny pulled me up and we bopped around. The band sounded wonderful and most of the crowd was up dancing around including actress Fran Drescher who was the host that evening.
We left about midnight or so. Bobby and I rode with Marnie and Adam and they were next door to us at the hotel. The four of us decided to go out to the firepit on the beach and drink some more wine and tell stories. We were eventually joined by Matt and Jared who was feeling so good he dropped both his cell phone and his camera in the fire pit. No word yet on if he ruined them..lol.
About an hour after that Maryann, Al, Drew and Robbie all joined us too and I poured Maryann and Al a glass of wine from the bottle I seemed to be carrying around with me. Feeling no pain and talking way too much,as I do at times - Bobby made me go to bed. Probably a good thing because the next morning I was in a lot of pain. Breakfast sounded absolutely awful but we had to check out anyways. We ran into Dewey and Penny in the parking lot packing up and gave them goodbyes and promises to keep in touch. Also Marnie and Adam who were hanging out a bit longer and Al and Maryanne who asked us to come to their room to pick up some goodies. Al was cleaning out the barn and gave us some old Family and Friends t-shirts and a couple copies of Postcards cd's and some real postcards for the release. (mail them out to everyone!)
All in all it was a super spectacular trip. I hope they do make it an annual event like them mentioned up in Big Sur. I would do it again every year. I sure love these guys!
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