Sebastopol Friends

We spent our last few days in California up a bit Northwest of the city in Sebastopol. Why you ask? Well, a very long time ago when I moved to Florida, my Mom worked at the JCC. There Brandon  (my brother) and I went to preschool, after school care and summer camp every summer for basically our entire childhood. I made friends with a group of people that I will forever hold dear to me. Jenifer…seen below, is my oldest friend. She was the girl who we were allowed to have sleepovers even on school nights. She was the one who I was always closest to…we dressed alike, fought like sisters and spent every holiday together. Her Mom was my second Mom and my Mom hers.

I haven’t seen Jen in more than 5 years and before that it may have been for lunch here and there, but not much since high school. Adam and I spent two amazing days up in Sebastopol with Jen, her finance’ Josh, her most adorable little baby girl Harper, her Mom Liza, her brother Trent and our other dear friend Ivy.

At first I was very nervous driving up. I was concerned Adam was going to feel out of place or really like he married a maniac…we tend to laugh like crazy when we are together. I wasn’t sure how or if we would be able to jump back in where we left off. I actually had butterflies in my tummy. When we pulled up and saw each other, it was as if no time had passed. Ivy, Jen, Liza and I went straight to talking, laughing, catching up and eating delicious treats. Harper was a little Gem and is amazing. Adam, Josh and Trent talked it up. We shared stories and really enjoyed ourselves. Jen’s house is completely Jen. It was full of fashionable, super soft and comfy finds from estate sales and hours, weeks, years  of searching for the most perfect accessory. 

We drove around and went to a few wineries, Korbel being the best tour and tasting…and it was free. We saw the coast and Bodega Bay with Liza.

Both Jen and Liza cooked my favorite foods. We sifted through not shoe boxes, but 10 gallon plastic bins full of pictures from our childhood. We reminisced like crazy.

It was as if nothing had changed except that we were no longer caddy young girls who fought and made up every other hour.

It’s amazing to me how after all these years; we have known each other for well….27 years…everything is the same. Our interactions, our laughter, the way we know each other and really love each other are so honest and real. I think it was even greater how our newest additions, Harper, Josh, Adam…all fit right in too. There was so much love for each other and respect. It was so easy to all be together.

It seems to me that no matter how much time lapses between our visits (I definitely hope not as long this time) we always fall right back into place.

We left Sebastopol early this morning to head into the city for a few more blocks of walking and picture taking. We are now sitting on the plane…not flying home early because they wanted us to pay money to fly standby even though they had plenty of extra seats which to me is ridiculous. Our plane was a bit delayed but no biggie. Adam and I sat on the tarmac and watched the sunset over San Francisco, definitely after one fantastic vacation.

Now, I sit here and try not to think how in the morning I am flying right back out to deliver Olive to my grandparents and visit a little in Florida while Adam finishes up with Target and cleaning out the apartment….and then, we Yokohama.

Schleepy Olive

A very funny video...gets funny at about 1 minute.

A little bit of coast, a whole lot of beauty

Today the fog lifted and we set out in the car headed North West towards the coast.
The first plan of business for the day, cross the Golden Gate and get an amazing shot...

Then we headed North on 101 only a few exits to highway 1. There, we went on a very curvy road for a very long time and came upon Stinson Beach. It was so nice to see the Ocean again. It is one thing that I have very much missed being in land locked Colorado. No offense to those in the wonderful snow-capped state, but the Ocean is just so beautiful in my eyes.

There we had a picnic and headed back further west.
Another hour down the curvy coast and through a few little towns...

and past many Historic Dairy Farms labeled A-G we came upon Point Reyes.
The lighthouse was only visible after walking around the cliff.

 We searched and searched for whales and although only 2 were seen today and we saw none of them. Very sad, however, with all of the whitecaps, we had no clue if one of them may have been a whale.

We then headed back up through all of the curves and found Muir Woods...home of the Redwoods and the very first meeting of the United Nations. Each tree can live up to 2,000 years and grow to over 370 feet tall. The trunks were wider than my whole body.

49 miles around San Fran....

After our half day adventure on day one, Nicole and I consulted the travel book for some ideas. The DK San Fran guide came nicely equipped with an itinerary for a solid 49 mile cruise around the cities most prominent sites enjoyed by both tourists and the local frannies.

Fort Mason was our first stop and our first taste of the famous bay fog that blankets the city on more than a few days throughout the year. The sounding barges off in the distance added a natural soundtrack to the port city as we scoped out some of the ships in the marina.

Next up was the Palace of the Fine Arts and Exploratorium. At first glance, the towering pillars and domed structure felt like a strange crossover between and Italian duomo and Cambodian wat. Either way, it was really quite striking. As were the rest of the grounds.

Fort Point was our chance to peep the Golden Gate bridge from a solid vantage point. However, the thick fog managed to hide the bridge in its entirety but we enjoyed the eery scene nonetheless.

Lands End gave us a wider view of the beachfront and again, more fog. This was followed by the very Dutch feeling Queen Wilhelmina Tulip garden.


Shortly following we happened upon the Legion of Honor monuments that included "The Thinker" statue by Ronin that was housed in a very European square lined with stoic pillars and a clean marble flooring. 



The drive continued south on the Great Highway that hugged the coastline and wrapped us back into Golden Gate Park. Probably the highlight of the trek, we walked a path around some gorgeous lakes and scenery that again , was enhanced by the low lying fog, birds and lush green that surrounded us at every turn.

The drive concluded with a cruise through the 60's hippy-famous Haight Street and past the Mission Delores which is cities oldest structure dating back to 1791.

Not on the official itinerary but worth a look was the crooked street section of Lombard that gave Nicole a chance to really test her skills on what I can only guess is at least a 45 degree decent down a squiggly stretch of road that offers the passenger a thrilling view of the city, and the the driver.... a reason to wear adult diapers.

After dropping our things at the hotel we made our way back down to the Fisherman's Wharf on foot in search of clam chowder for dinner. After finding some grub we walked the Pier 39 shops and took in the seaside scene.


Walking back along the Pier we discovered a full blown family of Sea Lions making themselves comfy on the wooden slip docks of the marina. They were quite vocal and seemed to be enjoying the gathering crowds as they squawked and passed gas repeatedly for all the hear....and smell, if you so chose. :)

Our night was only short one detail however, and so we hiked a few blocks over to the Ghirardelli chocolate factory for a hot fudge sundae. Needless to say, I will pay for this later at the hotel, but holy good chocolate god of mercy was it awesome.



Day 2 conclusion: San Francisco is quite a city with some gorgeous pockets and great energy. Even the fog seemed to add to the experience.

Off to the Redwoods manana!

Thanks for reading,
adam

9:58 pm...settled in...What a beautiful city

We are here in San Francisco for 5 days of fun, relaxation and visiting old friends.

Today we arrived and after napping for 3 hours got up and put on our walking shoes. We are staying only 3 blocks from Ghirardelli Square.We walked along Fisherman's Wharf and down each Pier.

We headed North through Chinatown and East to the Financial District, a bit more North and West up Market Street and the amazing shopping.

The city is definitely known for its hills, and we walked them today. I don't even have to do my TAM workout because I feel like I have buns of steel. We walked a total of about 12 miles today.

After heading back to the hotel, we drove off to Safeway to find groceries. We are all stocked up for a few days full of snacks, picnics and plenty of time outside in this beautiful city.

In the morning, we are off to Golden Gate Park and Presidio

7:59 am...the sun rises in Phoenix

We are now in Phoenix and a little delayed...by 30 minutes. San Francisco we will see you soon.

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4:36 am

DIA.....so schleepy...waiting for our 5:45 departure to Phoenix

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2:45 am, Colfax Creepin

Well, after a nice 30 minute nap, we walked in the 22 degrees to the bus stop...we are enroute to San Francisco...via Phoenix...via DIA....via Colfax.
We have a 30 minute wait outside for the.AS bus which will bring us to the airport.

For those of you who dont know....we are taking a 5 day trip to San Fran in the midst of our Japan preparations...will explain later.

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Olive's wardrobe

As I cleaned out closet the morning, I pulled out ALL of Olives outfits. She has such an eclectic wardrobe! It includes onesies, winter coats, costumes and even a bathrobe!

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Inspired

Can't you tell? When was the last time Ad wrote a blog and had you all laughing and on the edge of your seats for more?

The time is here, he is inspired and I promise, the exciting and entertaining Adam blogs may be back!

Thank you Yokohama

(and thank goodness his tshirt collection is now down to a near 25 vs. 75 before...I did keep 2 for sleepy time shirts though, they are so soft and worn in, I love them almost as much!)

farewell trusty..."hole"-y...predominantly unfashionable wardrobe :(

You were cheap, kinda wrinkled, sorta moth ball smelling and mysterious.....but you were always there when I needed you....and without you, i'd be naked. But alas, our time together has come to an end.....the seas of change are upon us and I must ship you back from where you came from.....Goodwill. That's right thrift store wardrobe, its not easy for me but don't fret....some broke college kid with $2 for a shirt and $13 for a cheap bottle of rum is going to give you your youth back in a way my liver just can't hang with anymore. Its not that I don't love you......its just.....well....i mean.....the suitcase...its just not big enough for all of you.....and to be quite honest.....some of you make my wife question my sexual orientation and i'm working hard enough as is to the care of that issue on my own. Enjoy college again....or at least college nights with people who hang out at colleges in cheap cloths to drink off free kegs....because you are what makes a keg stand sparkle. So long thrift store clothes.....so long.


Thanks for reading,
adam