California Vacation

Last month, Kevin, Bradyn and I headed down to the Bay Area for a family holiday and a long overdue visit with Kevin's Aunt Molly and Uncle Brian.  We had such a great time!!  We actually flew out of Bellingham on Allegiant Air for the first time and it was seamless (getting back across the border on our way home at 11:00 pm took FOREEEVER, but it's all good).

We arrived at Oakland airport at 7 pm Friday night and hit the ground running.  We packed a LOT into our 10-day trip.

On Saturday morning we joined Molly & Brian on their weekly trip to the Hayward Farmer's Market (after coffee at Peet's).  I love outdoor markets, and I don't know why I don't make a point of going to more of them.  I love these shots - Bradyn was taking photos and being all artsy with the food.

After lunch we headed to an art show where one of Molly's paintings was featured.  Bradyn, Uncle Brian and Mildred ventured off to the park while Kevin, Molly and I took a little more time to look at the exhibit.  We caught up with them afterwards and headed for some ice cream.

On Sunday, we headed into downtown San Francisco to experience a church service at Glide.  Then, we headed over to Embarcadero for lunch and to check out The Exploratorium (although we didn't actually go in because it was free admission for Mother's Day and WAY too busy).

Walking through Chinatown was definitely an adventure.  I know that Bradyn's favourite part was the treat from Uncle Brian - throwing little paper 'bombs' filled with gunpowder on the sidewalk and listening to the SNAP as they exploded.  Thanks, Uncle Brian.  (OK, I must admit that it was fun to watch Bradyn get so excited about throwing them and asking if we could buy more.)

On Monday, Brian and I walked down the hill to California State University (where he is a professor) for a workout in the gym.  There was a very distracting, gorgeous view of the water and skyline while I was trying to run on the treadmill but I managed to get in a good workout (and then again on Thursday!).  Later that afternoon, being as resourceful as she is, Bradyn made her own sprinkler with the garden hose to cool off in the heat.  The weather was gorgeous!

On Tuesday, Kevin, Bradyn and I headed to the Oakland Zoo.  Bradyn was missing a trip to the Vancouver Zoo with her class because we were away so we promised her we'd go to a zoo as well.  I'm certain she had a better experience than her friends - this place was awesome.

I LOVE this picture and giggle every time I look at it.  Thank you, Bradyn, for indulging Mamarazzi's request.

There were a ton of cool animals to see and Bradyn took photos of most of them, but you know what her favourite was.... the goats.

After the zoo, we headed to Alameda Island  where Bradyn played in the ocean (thank you for the recommendation and great directions, Brian).  I know it's hard to see, but that's downtown San Francisco in the background.

Poor Mildred.  While I'm sure she loved all the attention that Bradyn gave her during our visit, I'm not so sure she loved the sunglasses and the multitude of hair elastics that turned her ears into ponytails.

On Wednesday, Brian dropped us off at the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) station and we headed back into San Francisco for another day-long adventure.  First on the agenda was our much-anticipated trip to Alcatraz.  

Fueling up before the ferry ride.

Family selfie on the ferry.

We each had our own headphones and audio track for the self-guided tour of Alcatraz.  You could tell Bradyn was a few seconds ahead of Kevin and me because she would stand still, intently listening, and then suddenly take off in search of the next point of interest.  Only once my own track caught up to hers did I know where she was headed.

I love this shot.  Bradyn absolutely would not go into a cell so I could take her picture.  What finally worked was bribing her with the promise of (or rather the promise of withholding) Ghiradelli ice cream later that day.

After Alcatraz we headed over to Pier 39.  Every 1000 pictures or so, I get a real gem.  There's just something about this one.  So beautiful.

Next stop - Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory.  This is a special picture for Aunt Sherri (sure would be nice if we could take you here some day).

Watching the chocolate being made as we anxiously await our treats.

YUM!!!!  I tried to go 'healthy' and had mango gellato, but I had to have a few spoonfulls from Bradyn's sugar monstrosity.  

"My tummy is sooo full."

You can't go to San Francisco and not ride a cable car.  We actually hopped on at one stop after the start of the line and got to ride on the outside.  At one point Bradyn kind of leaned out and yelled 'Whoo hoo' going down a hill.  I nearly had a heart attack because I was afraid I'd lose my grip on the pole as I was trying to hold her in.

After our cable car ride, we checked out the cable car museum and then headed over to Grace Cathedral.  We had a few very steep San Francisco hills to hike in order to get there.  Poor Bradyn thought her legs were going to fall off.

On Thursday, Kevin and I headed off to Berkeley while Bradyn checked out Fairy World with Uncle Brian and Auntie Molly (Brian explained they were just using Bradyn as an excuse to get in after wanting to check it out for years, and I figured that was a fair trade - LOL). 

Bradyn was obsessed with squirrels on this trip and was so proud to show us the 'perfect' picture she got of one looking right at the camera.

On Friday we all drove down to Gilroy to do some outlet shopping and then on to Monterey where we spent the weekend.  On Saturday morning Brian, Molly, Bradyn, Mildred and I stopped at the best park ever to start our day.  There were so many activities for the kids to do.

Next up, Monterey Bay aquarium.  I hate to say it, but it was definitely better than the Vancouver Aquarium.  We lucked out in that there was a special exhibit happening and there were a TON of food and other vendors.  We had some absolutely delicious samples and had a great time checking out all the sea creatures.

What trip would be complete without a picture with Harry Otter?  (you can't see them, but he's wearing round spectacles)

Showing her patriotism on Military Appreciation Day.

Later Saturday afternoon, we headed down to Carmel and managed to get ourselves kicked out of the Pebble Beach golf course on the way.  (Well, not exactly kicked out but rather denied entrance.  It was a fun story that kept us entertained for a while.)  

While we were exploring Monterey and Carmel, Kevin had headed back up to Newark for a wrestling convention.  He now FINALLY has the coveted "Nature Boy" Ric Flair autograph on his replica of Flair's World Heavyweight Championship belt.  (Does this mean the wrestling memorabelia collection is complete?  Don't worry - I laughed at myself for writing that.)  When Kevin got back to the hotel Saturday night, he had a gift for Bradyn and lots of stories to share.

On Sunday, the last day of our trip, we spend a little time on the beach in Monterey before heading back up to Capitola for lunch and then off to the Oakland airport to head home.

Ever since Bradyn was a baby, when Molly and Brian come to visit, we take a photo of them with Bradyn and Mildred on the stairs in our house.  Since Molly and Brian will soon be permanent residents of Kauai, we took the 'stairs photo' at their house to commemorate our trip and their Hayward home. 

Thank you to Molly, Brian and Mildred for their hospitality and generosity.  We had a wonderful vacation and it couldn't have come at a better time during the chaos that is our lives.