Visited the home of William Randolph Hearst of publishing fame. Hearst Castle was the culmination of his life-long love of art. As a child he with his mother Phoebe traveled Europe, particularly the Mediterrean, and learned about the work down by the artists and artisans of old, while his father stayed at home in California and accumulated wealth through investments all financed by his discovery of silver in "then there hills of California. With his new found wealth Hearst's father purchased vast acres of land and San Simeon is part of that initial purchase.
San Simeon was completed in the l940's taking 28 years to complete. Hearst worked with a female architect who was highly respected and the first woman to graduate from the Paris School of design. Sam Simeon is fanciful in that it is literally a hodge-podge of art and function.
Hearst was a fun-loving man who enjoyed entertaining having the famous from entertainment, arts, science, sports to his mountain home. While there his guests could play tennis, ride horseback, swim, put on plays--Hearst encouraged his guests to be up early and active.
On the dining room table which was formerly church furnture found in Medival period church institutions are bottles of mustand and ketchup to remind guests that this room with its museum furniture and decor was actually a home to be used and enjoyed.
In the time that Hearst lived at San Simeon the property included a zoo, herds of cattle, winnery and other types of support to those who lived at San Simeon.
If you're in the area be sure to visit.
Love Janet and Jim
More later, we're now in Murrieta, CA where Jim's brother Dick and his wife Trudy live. Today Dick's children and their children are visiting for the day. We will tour the area and have some work down on the RV.
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