Recently I reconnected with a friend from Junior High School. It’s amazing and a little scary what you can find on a Google search. We had not seen or communicated with each other in over 40 years! It was great catching up. When Gary learned what I was doing with Metal Dinosaurs, he mentioned there are a number metal dinosaur sculptures near his home in Templeton. So, off to Templeton, Ca I went. On Highway 41 Sea Oak Canyon Ranch has Metal Dinosaurs all over the property. I counted 20 plus a Pterosaur! The owner was coming down the driveway when we arrived. He granted us permission to walk up his drive to take better pictures. We were asked to stay on the driveway due to a situation he had with a prior visitor. This was very kind and with my telephoto lens the access from the driveway was enough. It’s a beautiful spot with rolling hills making a great setting for the metal sculptures. Sauropods, Triceratops, Raptors, an Ankylosaurus, a Stegosaurus, a T-Rex hatching from and egg, a huge T-Rex eating a Surfboard (I hope the surfer wasn’t part of the meal), a Spinosaurus, a Parasaurolophus and a huge Pterosaur suspended from a Mighty Oak Tree! Later I found out one of Gary’s co-workers knows the owner of this Prehistoric Ranch. So, stay tuned a more in-depth visit may be in the future!
Before we went to Sea Oak Canyon Ranch, we stopped by Miner’s Ace Hardware at 9370 El Camino Real in Atascadero, CA. Gary had showed me some photos of metal dinosaurs they had for sale. There was a Stegosaurus I was particularly interested. They had a great selection of T-Rexes, Sauropods and even a dragon. But I fell in love with the Stegosaurus! Gary offered to keep it in his garage until we could figure a way for me to get it home. In addition, Miner’s Ace Hardware is having a 20% off sale Saturday and the Manager was kind enough to give me the discount early since I lived out of town. That sealed the Deal! If you are anywhere near a Miner’s Ace Hardware Saturday June 2nd, here’s an opportunity to adopt a great dinosaur at a fantastic bargain!
The next day was a visit to Hearst Castle, Gary is a Guide at the Castle. In addition to Gary & Cindy’s work in Chiropractic Radiology they operate a Goat Farm and Cindy is a Science Teacher at a Middle School. Cindy makes soaps and lotions – Rafter Diamond L – rafterdiamondL@gmail.com
Taylor their daughter has a room full of trophies and ribbons from exhibiting their goats. Cindy makes goat cheese (not for sale) too! When do they relax?
I was able to hold and bottle feed a baby goat. They grow fast and sound like human babies when the cry for attention. Cindy indicated the baby goats where happy for their dinosaur protector when they spent the night in the garage. An extra security precaution to protect them from predators while they are young.
Back to Hearst Castle…
Hearst Castle built by Newspaper Publisher William Randolph Hearst. Hearst hired Julia Morgan, a San Francisco Architect to build a hilltop house on his ranch at San Simeon. Their collaboration on the project lasted from 1919 to 1947. Morgan designed the Mediterranean Revival Estate and filled it with Art & Antiques from Hearst’s vast collection. Today Hearst Castle is a California State Park. For more than 50 years it has shared the Castle’s Story with Millions of Visitors from around the World. The tour was wonderful. I can only imagine what it must have been like to be a guest of Mr. Hearst. Just think, relaxing in your room surrounded by beautiful art – the actual ceilings, doors, furniture and fixtures – everywhere you look! Where ever you saw gold, it was real gold. You are walking on Gold in the Pool Area! If staying in the House wasn’t enough there are 3 Cottages. Each named for their view: Casa del Mar – sea, Casa del Sol – sun and Casa del Monte -mountains. Even a Zoo on the grounds! Mr. Hearst was an incredible host. Visit www.HearstCastle.org for more information.
When I returned home I contacted Enterprise for their truck rentals. They gave me a good deal on a Heavy-Duty Cargo Van – $69.99 a day with 400 miles. To avoid the traffic around Santa Barbara, I left at 2:30 am the next morning arriving 5:30 am in Templeton. It’s a beautiful drive with no traffic and the moon reflecting off the ocean along the 101 hwy. A nice breakfast at Gary’s before loading the Stegosaurus for the trip home.
Since there was so much extra room in the Cargo Van I decided to stop by the Miner’s Ace Hardware store in Atascadero on my way home. You know, just to make sure there weren’t any more dinosaurs I could rescue. Well, 2 Brontosaurus (Apatosaurus) where calling my name when I entered the parking lot. Again, the store granted me the 20% off before the sale since I was not a local resident and would not be in town on Saturday, June 2nd. The Stegosaurus had a couple of Prehistoric Pals joining her for the ride to their new home. The Miner’s Team helped me load the 2 Brontosaurus.
Do take advantage of Miner’s Sale this Saturday! I can’t Thank Them Enough for Their Great Customer Service in accommodating me.
Once home the dinosaurs enjoyed stretching outside and taking some selfies with me prior to finding their places in the Park.
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
Your feedback is appreciated, Thank you!