After driving, driving and more driving we finally got to Heart Castle – so exciting! It’s been on my bucket list but I never thought I’d actually get there! There was a crazy, winding drive up to the castle and then suddenly you were in the presence of this amazingly large structure. I wish I got more pictures, I was too busy looking!  My two favorite spaces I think were both pools. Firstly the outdoor pool (the Neptune pool) is just so grand you can’t help but be in awe. It makes you wish you could have been a fly on the wall back in the day when Clake Gable and Carole Lombard were strolling around the pool. The other pool (the Roman pool), which in my opinion is even more interesting is the indoor one – which apparently didn’t get a ton of use as it was tucked away under the tennis courts. It’s just a marvel. I can’t get my brain around the time spend laying every single mosaic tile – every surface is covered in 1″ tiles. The tiles called smalti are colored or clear with fused gold inside – this makes them shimmer. Who knew!

Though you could be overwhelmed by looking at the craftsmanship inside the house (is house not a grand enough a term???) I seemed to be walking into things (and not staying on the ‘tour’ carpet – shoot … so close to being thrown out!) as I couldn’t help but keep looking up in every single room I walked into. I already have an obsession with ceilings but Hearst Castle clearly prescribed to the idea that no surface should be left untouched. Check out the detailed carvings – so intricate.

To take a tour of Hearst Castle I’d schedule it in advance, and heads up there are tickets by space, not one general tour. Check it out here.  Rendering at the top done by using an app,  I haven’t watercolored myself in years!