After a long break from posting pictures...I bring you many!

As you may know, we just returned from our trip to San Francisco, and it was absolutely perfect! We loved everything about our trip, we were able to explore not only the big city and Fisherman's Wharf, but we were even able to get out into the mountains of Northern CA and do some exploring there. It was an amazing vacation for every one of us!

Before we flew out of MN, we stopped for some lunch and while we were eating, we realized that we didn't have our camera. So that was one of the impromptu purchases that we made when we made it to the Wharf. Unfortunately, because of this unexpected purchase, neither of us knew anything about the camera...so our photos did not turn out the way we had envisioned. However, we did find some beautiful shots of the buildings and scenery that I just can't wait to get blown up and framed! Good eye B!

W/o further ado...I bring you San Francisco!! In no particular order.

The first picture is from Muir Woods. What a beautiful, serene and humbling place to visit. Not only were the trees stunning in their height and in their size, but Christian also made an observation that resonated with each of us for the rest of the day. Toward the beginning of our visit, he mentioned that the brook that was gurgling through the woods reminded him of Papa's woods. I thought it was sweet that he was thinking of Papa, and it made me reflect on the last walk I took with my dad through his woods before he passed away. Shortly after Christian made the comment, we came across a mama deer and her 2 fawns. It took my breath away as we stood and watched this mama and her babies no more than 15 ft away--eating and paying no attention to us whatsoever. It is no secret that my dad's favorite thing to do was sit on his back patio and watch his deer. They were there the day we spread his ashes, and they were there with us in Muir Woods. In fact, they were still in their places when our family finally walked away. Thank you Dad for being with us that day. We love you.



This is one of the walls of Alcatraz. This was the wall that lead out to the recreation yard. The tour is fantastic with individual audio devices that you listen to as you walk through the prison. The narrators are both inmates and guards, who describe what it was like to be in Alcatraz...all the way down to the last day. Again, humbling.



Here is one of the jellyfish hanging out next to our boat while we were waiting to leave Alcatraz island. The boys got a kick out of the swimming around the boat. On the way back to the mainland, we had dolphins jumping along side us...very cool!



Hanging out on the Pier, waiting for our tour. The boys taught B and I a hand game that we all spent plenty of time playing when we had down time! Good stuff!



Beauty.



Glass Beach. We found some wonderful pieces of glass, played with the crabs, splashed around in the water and hiked around on the cliffs...amazing! Well worth the crazy drive!



My little tree huggers!



On our way back from the Alcatraz tour we were stopped by this magician on the pier who showed us some cool tricks! One of our favorite things about the Wharf is all of the side entertainers. We saw this magician, musicians--of all genres, acrobats, artists, comedians...it was so very cool! It added a whole new element to strolling along shopping and taking in the views! Such a difference they all made!



We JUMP FOR JOY for San Francisco!!



One of our favorite flowers from the Golden Gate Park.



Our trip also included a day at the Exploratorium, Ripley's Believe it or Not, Chinatown, the Japanese Tea Gardens, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, a trip to Sacramento, drive and ice cream in Napa Valley, Wax Museum, Ghiradelli Square, LOTS of walking...and so much more!

My sister stayed in our house with our pets while we were gone, so the peace of mind that was provided by having her here really made a difference for me!

We've got lots going on....I'll share more soon!