T and I have been married for 20 years! That seems so long, but then again, it doesn't. Anyway, we had planned to celebrate with a little trip to San Francisco since I found really inexpensive airplane tickets. We were going to do this trip. Then in July, T's job situation changed. The trip was put on hold. It really would take a miracle for everything to work out for this trip. Disappointment reigned in my soul. But timely miracles happened, the job situation improved, and just a few days prior to our departure date, everything worked out. We could go!
While in San Francisco we:
-visited the Apple campus and Google campus, T's dream job places. We teased T's dad by taking a picture and informing him of T's employment change. Yes, employment had changed, just not to Apple.
-walked to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39. Saw the sea lions, and Alcatraz in the distance, and ate dinner while the sun set.
-rented bikes and biked the seaside, the Golden Gate Bridge, and The Presidio which includes THE HILLS of San Fran. We enjoyed the cool sea breezes, and felt the burning of our legs. I only "almost" ran into a side railing of the Golden Gate bridge, while trying to dodge people and fellow bikers, and only "almost" ran into a man with a backpack who stepped back, right into my biking path! I forgot to 'ding ding' my bike bell! I only "almost" got ran over by a big tour bus as it whooshed by me on the road. Still was the best way to see San Francisco!
T holding up the Golden Gate Bridge!
-stopped by the Columbarium to find the Dorgeloh family's burial plaque, ancestor's of T's who lived in San Francisco in the late 1800's-early 1900's. I bet they have some fascinating stories to tell!
We biked by the Palace of Fine Arts,
a park of sorts with Greek inspired structures.
-rode the cable cars until we had to disembark due to a protest blocking the track.
We got off the cable car and walk back though Chinatown.
No yards here! Houses packed in. And you better know how to parallel park!
After San Francisco, we headed up to Miranda and Humboldt National Park to see the giant redwoods. While there we:
-drove our car through a giant redwood.
Someone carved this out of an old redwood stump.
-experienced the culture of the local residents while shopping at the local small town grocery for a dinner of frozen burritos (there wasn't much in the way of restaurants in the woods).
-drove through the Avenue of the Giants.
-stayed in a quaint cabin with redwoods right our door. The main office cabin used an old-time cash register.
-went to church at the Miranda branch (congregation) of about 10-12 people, and still felt the peace the Gospel brings.
-picnicked in a quiet, peaceful grove.
-hugged a giant redwood.
-hiked among these huge, quiet giants of trees. Unfortunately, there is a severe drought going on here, so everything was very dusty and dry. There weren't as many lush ferns or undergrowth as I had envisioned.
-we learned that redwoods can withstand fire due to their very thick, fire-resistance bark. They don't have deep roots, but intertwine with the trees around them to be able to stand firm and tall.
Those are the roots of one tree!
So tall!
T's tree. He looks teeny next to it!
A smooch in the redwood grove.
We then headed toward the coast.
-we drove on the most windy, curvy road snaking through steep mountain slopes on either side. I experienced the worst carsickness I've ever experienced. I closed my eyes, slurped on breath mints, breathed deeply, and hoped the road would straighten out. It had to run into the ocean sometime!
-came to the beautiful ocean and got out of that car to gulp great big breaths of ocean breeze. Ahh! the smell of the ocean.
-saw the distant water sprays and spurts of whales.
-arrived at our seaside resort in time to sit on the cliffs, listening to the waves crash and watching the sun dip below the horizon.
-went into Mendocino, a small oceanside town, for pizza from the local pizza joint.
-opened our sliding glass window so we could hear waves and feel the ocean breezes all night.
View from our room.
-walked down some wooden stairs to a private beach. We were the ONLY ones there.
-we explored the washed up kelp and found big abalone shells, crab shells, and other sea shells.
-dipped my toes into the very cold Pacific ocean.
-relaxed. I could live near the ocean.
-walked out to Point Cabrillo lighthouse which still functions as a lighthouse.
We then headed inland to Oakland through truly lush redwood forests.
-stopped by Pixar so T could get a picture.
-headed to a local restaurant to enjoy our official anniversary dinner of roasted corn shrimp soup, salmon in a light lemon sauce, spinach soufflé, mashed potatoes, and creme brûlée. Yum!
And the best part of all these wonderful sights, sounds, and tastes we got to experience?? Being with my best friend! T treats me like a queen, with kindness and respect. I love him.
T hearts J
9/26/16
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