California Part III

Wow, this is California Part III - yes we were there a long time!

There is a Chevy's in Novato. I really like their fresh salsa, although I must say sometimes their food is inconsistent (or maybe it's me) - one time I like it, the next time I don't. Anyway that was not the point of this picture. The point of this picture is LOOK AT THE HILLS - SNOW! That is a big deal for Marin County.

More snow in the distance.




Heading over the GGB to the city for a fun day of cable cars, shopping, etc.

Like most other tourists, we drove down Lombard Street. Definitely not where I would want to live, but I guess some people would think it worth it to say they live on one of the most famous streets in the world!

Here's a view of the Bay Bridge. Having our home base as Marin County, we always take the GGB into the city, so we have actually never driven over the Bay Bridge.

We parked the car, bought all-day Muni passes, and found our way to a cable car stop. For those who don't know, it is not worth your time waiting in the LONG line at the very beginning of the cable car line. Just walk two blocks to the first stop, and hop right on. (They don't allow the cars to fill at the begininning of the line, because they want to leave room for people to get on at other stops.)

Finally, on the cable car! I think Sean was waiting for this moment for a long time. This was the most highly anticipated event on our trip.




Teresa was trying to see around her cheeks to find out what the heck we were doing on this loud contraption going up and down the steep hills.




She was wearing this wintry coat/outfit she got from my friend Emily. It has little ears on the top, and I think 50 people said, "Aww! She's sooooo cute!" that day. :)




We stopped at the Cable Car Museum. Sean did not want his picture taken at this time, so I just had to get their backs instead.




When we lived here, Sean was too little to sit on the outside bench. This time he could though. That was really exciting.

We stopped for some reason or another, then they got back on to ride a few more blocks. I chose to walk, since Teresa was asleep in the carrier and I could walk about as fast as the cable car goes anyway.

We did a little shopping at Macy's for furniture. The local Macy's furniture store is about an hour from our house here in Ohio, and we wanted to check out a modern style couch they carry. So, we decided to stop by the 7-floor Macy's at Union Square. The floor-to-ceiling windows made me dizzy. I do not like heights!

This store, which sells new and used CDs, DVDs, video games, LPs, etc. etc. is one of Jeff's favorite stops near Union Square. I'm not a huge fan of the smells (especially in the elevator), so I took the kids a few doors down to DSW. We kept ourselves entertained with an escalator, elevator, and snacks.

We actually rode a streetcar (which Sean liked better than the cable car) back around the Embarcadero to the Fisherman's Wharf area, but here is another cable car picture with the beautiful bay in the background.

And finally, the highlight of my day, a sundae at Ghirardelli Square. Unfortunately they put nuts on top, which I didn't know they did, so Sean didn't really like it too well. He had a few spoonfuls.

*****

Back at the hotel....

*****

Another day, we went for a hike in Lucas Valley. I thought Sean would never make it, but he actually really enjoyed it and I don't think he asked to be carried once!

He spent a lot of time examining the water running down the side of the hill, trying to speculate where it came from and where it ended up. He also checked out lots of rocks and sticks along the way.

Just beautiful. This is a great way to reconnect with God's great creation. Just going to the top of a hill, no people or houses or roads in sight. Awesome.

Back down the hill, we saw Skywalker Ranch from afar.



After nap time, we drove to Sonoma to check out some family-friendly wineries.

Sean found this game which he also enjoyed playing at a Notre Dame tailgate. (Since he is also interested in pickup trucks, he said he wants to have a tailgate party for his birthday! Haha he doesn't even like burgers!)

He found a scooter too.




Miss Smiley enjoyed herself as well, just chillin' in the grass.

*****

I took the kids one morning to Muir Woods while Jeff was at work. It was very chilly, but we still had a good time.

Sean walked again the whole way, which surprised me. We did the whole loop, which was maybe 2 miles total. There are several little bridges that cross the creek at the bottom, so he was looking forward to the next one coming up.

Inside the trunk of a great redwood.




Inside another trunk!




There was a hole with sunlight coming in at the back of this one.




We also found some numbers along the trail, but I did not have the guide that explained what they meant. Sean just had fun walking along finding the numbers though.

Teresa had another poop explosion. Goodness gracious, at the most inopportune times. This time, it was about 50 degrees out and she had to get totally changed. And, we couldn't find a bench, so I had to just get everything out on the trail. Luckily it wasn't too crowded, although there was a work crew nearby. They didn't seem to mind Sean watching what they were doing while I changed her.

Along the trail there were also blue reflectors indicating where you might find a fire hydrant. Sean was really excited about these and I think he could have walked for hours and hours looking for reflectors.

Teresa, on the other hand, had some sleeping to do.

*****

One afternoon waiting for Jeff to finish up, we hiked up a hill near the "big garage."



One more post on California coming up....

California Part II

The Conservatory of Flowers had an exhibit called Garden Railway, so we checked that out one morning. It was gray, rainy, and chilly, so it was a perfect day for something mostly inside to do.

It was so nice to see flowers in February!

Teresa was excited too. (Pardon the crazy framing, it is difficult to hold her and take a picture of her at the same time!)

Sean enjoyed watching the fish. He also likes to watch them when we get our groceries at Meijer. I am anticipating someday having to resist a request to purchase one as a pet.

Sean checked out the trains.

All of the buildings were models of San Francisco landmarks, and were made out of used materials.

As a chocolate addict, this place is one of my favorite places to go in San Francisco. Well, the real Ghirardelli Square that is, not the one made out of switchplates.

GGB!



This is the Ferry Building, another interesting one. Look closely and see what all it is made of. Interesting!




This was supposed to be a good picture, but I got the fake camera smile instead. :)




Puffy cheeks.



Just trying out the macro setting on our point and shoot camera. I thought the texture of the flowers turned out well.




Oh my goodness he's getting so grown-up looking! When we lived here he was 2-2.5, and now he's almost 4. Wow!




Pretty girl.

*****

Dad and Sean having some nice quiet time in the hotel. And now that I am looking more closely, check out the attire. This is typical Sean. One sock on, one sock off; swim trunks (yes I call them swim trunks, sorry!); ND football jersey.

Teresa just hanging out on the bed with some toys. (I wonder what she'll be picking out to wear 3 years from now - for now I enjoy the little dresses!)



To be continued....

California part I

Jeff had to travel to California at the end of February. We actually had advance notice this time, and found really cheap direct flights. So, we decided the whole family would go along.

One of the very first places we ate out was at Mary's Place. This was Sean's favorite place when we lived there, because they keep a truck and trailer behind the counter for young patrons to play with. Sean was really excited, but I thought it seemed like he didn't really remember the place. I think he just remembered because we talked about it so much!

Anyway here he is with the famous truck and trailer.

They make wonderful crepes, potatoes, and salad. Yum!




Sean went for the breakfast menu instead. He loves pancakes (and will even eat my buckwheat ones), eggs, and occasionally bacon.

Driving to Sonoma one day. Sunny days are beautiful there. We did see a lot of rain, though. February is not the optimal time to "vacation" in the Bay Area, but we did have some really nice days.

This is at Cornerstone in Sonoma. Again, this was much more spectacular in the summer when everything was in full bloom (edible gardens, etc.) but it was still fun to wander around the outdoor sculptures.

Miss Smiley in the Ergo (best $100 I EVER spent).





This would be a great place to have some professional photos taken, it is so colorful. Obviously I am not a professional, I can't even get my subject's eyes in the frame half the time!




This piece of art was falling apart a little bit, so Sean attempted to fix it.




He thought this huge pipe/tunnel was really cool. I don't remember this from the last time I was there.

Playing in the hotel room - we found an Extended Stay about 20 minutes from Jeff's office. This allowed us to eat lunch at the hotel every day, and some dinners. Eating out gets old (not to mention unhealthy!) so we were glad to have a refrigerator, microwave, cooktop, plus dishes, silverware, and cups. We also lucked out and got a handicap-accessible room, which was extra spacious. It was perfect for having little ones who need floor space to play. (Check out the big girl sitting up all by herself!)

Being in Marin County in February (meaning rain/sun together often) also enlightened us on the association with rainbows here (Rainbow Tunnel on the 101, Rainbow Buses take you to the airport, etc.). We saw a lot while we were there. They were not as spectacular as the ones we saw in Hawaii, but it's fun to see them nonetheless. And speaking of Hawaii, since it was green in Marin County, it really reminded me of Hawaii. Someday, we plan to return.... anyway I digress....

'Tis a place of microclimates. Here we got caught at the playground in a downpour, just out of nowhere.




Double Rainbow....




We also revisited the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield (CA). Sean tried to entertain himself while we waited in line for the tour.




He liked the giant jelly beans hanging from the ceiling.

They have a sample bar where you can choose any flavor you like. These people were trying the gross flavors (pencil shavings, rotten egg, moldy cheese, barf, you get the idea) which was quite entertaining.

After the tour (sorry, no pictures on the tour!) we stopped to eat some treats in the little cafe. Teresa was happy after a little nap during the tour followed by a poop explosion and massive cleanup effort. I'm sure she's not the only one who has pooped in the middle of the Jelly Belly factory, but that thought did cross my mind that she might be the first.

Playing in the hotel, again. It rained a lot.

On another rainy day, I had a great idea - the mall! We never go to the mall, and supposedly this nearby mall had an indoor play area for children. When we got there we found an empty space roped off with the sign "Children's Play Area Coming Soon." Ack! After dealing with a very upset three year old, we did walk around for a while and found some of these cars that you can put a quarter in (somehow I managed to retain all change in my wallet - Sean was fine just climbing around on them without riding them).

To be continued....