The City

I have such a soft spot in my heart for San Francisco. I didn't realize how strongly I felt this until this trip.  I've always had fond memories of visiting there and loving the City but this trip really brought that into focus.  The whole weekend was a nice trip down memory lane and I enjoyed it so much. We didn't go into the city a ton growing up but enough to make it feel like a spot we went to more than a couple of times and had places we always stopped in at. Our special places. It always felt so cool to go there.  We would often go into the city for the day and then drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to Kirby Cove my Dad's secret camping spot.  Those are some of my favorite memories from growing up where I did.  I was surprised at just how well I remembered things and how much it seems the same as it did 20 years ago.

A large part of it is my Dad.  He did not love big cities or changes to his routine or spending money  but I have very detailed memories of trips into San Fransisco with him.  The end of this month marks 2 years since he passed away and I think it was really nice and maybe therapeutic to go to a place besides Yuba City where I have lots of lovely memories of him.  I miss him and wish he and my Mom could have joined us there.

Our first stop was Boudins Sourdough.  Many people claim that the sourdough bread in San Fransisco is the best in the world.  They have scientific evidence to show that it is the fog of San Fransisco that makes their bread so special.  The location we went to has a large shop, restaurant and a bakery museum which allows you to watch them making the dough, forming the loaves and baking the bread.  I adore factory "tours" like this and was in heaven.  It smelled so good.  I had told Jared about their sourdough bowls filled with clam chowder and he could not wait to try it out.  That kid and soup.  He loved it.  I tried tacos on sourdough tortillas and they were great.  I knew I wanted some fresh Mexican food while in CA and this worked.  Lydia got a grilled cheese sandwich and did not particularly like it (she is the worst eater these days) so I enjoyed her sourdough grilled cheese as well.  We toured the bakery and each took a test to find out what type of bread we were. This family run business claims to be the original sourdough bread makers in San Francisco.  They have been baking bread there since the gold rush era starting in 1849.  Sourdough is made from a starter and each day they take a piece of the days dough to start the next days bread so really they have been using the same mother dough for years and years.  It was a really fun and interesting stop. I think I would have loved to have somehow made a career out of food history.

They have a monthly bread club and this picture shows the theme for each month.  

They shape the dough into these shapes.  

Food + monthly themes = happiness. 

I told him more than once that SF is a chilly place (perfect for me).  He so wanted to wear shorts and short sleeves and I would not let him.  He thanked me more than once.  He was pretty happy to find a seat by the fireplace.

Our what type of read your re test results: I sadly did not get Mark's.  He was a dark rye.

Lydia and Jared

Apri''s

Next we walked to Pier 39.  We visited the sea lions, rode the carousel, ate delicious min donuts and took in the scenes. 

Lydia and I rode on the top story of the Carousel, 

you can just see in the picture that there is a smaller second story. 

He was so happy to find an Orca!

We really lucked out with parking.  We found street parking just a few blocks away from our destination twice!  Once was even free.  It was lovely.  After Pier 39/Fishermans Wharf we drove over to the Original Ghiradelli ice cream store in Ghiradelli Square.  We ordered a three scoop sundae with their famous fudge sauce and cookie pieces.  It was delicious.  Its a fun little area to walk around.  The weather was just amazing.  Blue skies and nice breezes.  It was perfect.

After that we met up with the Lenox's at the Cable Car Museum and visited the Fortune Cookie Factory.  On our way to the museum we passed Lombard Street, a red brick street with crazy curves that is incredibly steep.  I remember my dad driving our huge 12 passenger van down it.  It was pretty scary.  It was pretty cool to see the cables that run the cars in the city and learn about the history of the cable cars.  They are so iconic (to me) to San Francisco. The fortune cookie factory was a favorite of my Dad's.  I remember when he passed away I was looking through his wallet at the house in Yuba City and I found a business card for this exact fortune cookie place. The one he took us to growing up.  Its down a small alley and is a very small shop. Its still there and seems to be doing well.  Tara and I were walking down the street and she asked me the street name and I immediately answered "Ross Alley."  I absolutely love that I got to go there with Mark, Lydia and Jared.

That view! 

We totally trespassed here and got in trouble.  The kids were climbing on the cars and then started ringing the bells.  A few minutes later we heard someone yelling out to us asking if we were there with an employee.  We were not and were quickly and firmly told to leave the premises.

They give away samples of flat fortune cookies that taste just like they did 20 years ago.  

They had a fun option to write your own fortunes to put into cookies and the Lenox's did and came up with some fun ones.  

To end our perfect day in the City Lydia, Jared and I took a ride on a cable car.  I don't remember ever doing this growing up and it was such a great way to end the day.  We hopped on and originally were taken to the back area that is closed in.  I paid our fare and then asked about riding on the outside step, holding onto the poles.  The conductor said that there were three spots open and we could grab them at the next stop. I couldn't believe our luck!  I jumped at the chance and thoroughly enjoyed it. Lydia on the other hand did not.  She was terrified being out there and looking down seeing the crazy steep streets.  I felt so bad when I realized how scared she was.  She did great but would probably opt to walk to the car with Mark before riding one again.

We did everything on our list and finished a little early so we squeezed in a trip to Berkley where Mark's mom grew up.  Both her parents are buried there and visiting the cemetery was one thing Mark really wanted to do. The cemetery closed at 5:30 and we made it there at 5:05.  Mark called his Mom and she shared some fun stories about her parents.  It was a sweet.  We also drove by the house she grew up in.  I was so glad Mark could have this moment.

That night we went out to dinner with Tara and Tom, just like old times.  It was just the best weekend.    We left their house early Sunday and started the trip back.  Lydia, Jared and I were able to make all of our planned flights and got home around 6:15 Sunday night.  Poor Mark did not.  He took so many flights and had to fly into Norfolk landing around midnight.  He then rented a car to drive to Richmond to pick up our car and then drive home.  He arrived around 4:00 am Monday morning.  I took Jared and Lydia to school Monday and he was up and on his way to his school just after 8:00.  It has taken him most of the week to recover.  But it was worth it, it really was.  When I look at these pictures I see pictures I remember of myself visiting with my family.  I didn't expect to feel this rush of so many memories and am really thankful that it happened.

Muir Woods

I'm pretty sure that my family took a trip to Redwood Forest when I was little.  There are pictures of our car driving through the really big tree but I don't really recall being there. It has been on my "list" of places to visit but its not that easy to get to.  Even if we are visiting my family in Yuba City its still over 5 hours away.  I had somehow heard of Muir Woods and convinced Mark that it would be worth the hour drive to go check it out, even if it meant having a consecutive night of less than optimal sleep.

We left the Lenox's house around 8:00 Saturday morning and enjoyed the beautiful drive over.  Even with the traffic I love driving around the Bay Area.  The views of the mountains, the water, the trees, the city.  The magical way the fog comes in and blows away. The fresh air as you drive around with your windows rolled down.  It's all so great.  Lucky for us Tara let me know that you have to make reservations to park in one of the lots near the entrance.  They have shuttle buses but we were glad we could park and take a little walk to get in.

Muir Woods was a perfect stop to start our day.  It was cool and fresh, well maintained and wild at the same time.  We learned about trees that sprout from seeds which are not very common and we learned about Family Circles or Cathedral groups which basically means that new trees can grow from a tree stump or a fallen tree.  Since they grew out of the perimeter of a tree they form in a circle and are clones of each other.  They take care of each other. There are some deeper thoughts/connections here but I am still thinking about them. 

These trees are strong and beautiful.  There are a couple of paths you can take and some hikes off the main path.  A lot of the path is like the boardwalks at the Monticello Trail and I loved a little merging of our past and present. This whole trip was like that for me. I kept wanting to take more pictures of the trees and commented to Mark that I didn't know what I was going to do with 50 pictures of trees but they just make you want to take pictures.

Lydia and Jared loved running around and were impressed by the trees.  It was a cool morning which I loved and taking a walk out there was just so nice. I recommend it and am so happy we went.  There were moments of Jared and Lydia purposefully pushing each others buttons and each other but it was a good outing.

 

We asked a young couple to take our picture here (below).  For whatever reason Jared and Lydia were having one of those moments where they are basically acting like their sibling is the worst person in the world, like the story you hear of people getting mad at someone for breathing their air.  It was not fun.  There are at least 5 "outtakes" of me and Mark trying to get them to knock it off and just chill out for the picture and of them pushing their hips into each other to get an inch of "their space" back. The couple found it hilarious and it probably made them feel like they never want to have children.  Oh well.

You can see it in their faces and the hip action going on here. They know they are being ridiculous and Mark and I just want them to stop for 30 seconds.  

The Painted Ladies and Japan Town

Two of the many great things about the Oakland Temple are 

1.  It is located right next to a fabulous city

2.  One of my most favorite friends now lives just down the road from the temple. 

My friend Tara moved out to Danville last Fall. While I am sad she is even father away and finding times to talk is really hard with the time difference I was really excited we could tie in a visit with her and her fun family with our trip to the temple.  We got to spend Friday and Saturday night with them and it was so great.  I have missed double dates with her and Tom and just hanging together.  They are such good people.  Lydia was so happy to hang out with Lainey her first best friend in Charlottesville and Jared had a fun time with their three girls too. 

After the temple we drove over to The Painted Ladies also known as "The Full House, house." I was a big Full House fan but beyond that I love these detailed old Victorian houses.  There were thousands of them in San Francisco at one time and they are just fun to check out.  Across the street from the houses there is a cute park that offers a great view of the city.  We walked around the park and after admiring the houses sent Lydia and Jared off to play at the park.  It sort of reminded me of the place we stayed in NY for the Macy's Parade.  Parks in big cities are fascinating to me.  They are right off busy streets, often fenced in but welcoming and fun and often have awesome views.  It was a beautiful (and windy) clear day and we loved being there.  I really love the architecture of SF.  Mark and I were constantly telling Jared and Lydia to stop reading their books as we drove around the city/over the many bridges!   

Japan Town is just a few blocks down and it was our next stop.  I really wanted to visit Japan last December but it just didn't work out so the easiest option was to stop by there on this trip.  It was mostly a large run down mall but we enjoyed it.  There was a fun plaza outside with the Peace Pagoda and a bridge leading into it on one side but mostly it was the shops inside this old mall.  We had read about things to stop in and see and really had a fun time.  Our favorite stop was "Pika Pika". It's a store in the mall that has 8 - 10 photo booths.  We chatted with the store worker and he helped us choose a booth to use (one of the only booths with instructions in English and the one that had the most time between pictures so, basically the easiest one to use) and set us up. I can't describe how fun it was, we all loved it!  You all cram into the booth and are prompted to pose certain ways.  You have to be quick as you have limited time between shots.  After you have taken all the photos you go out to a screen and get to decorate the photos with a photo app.  You can add words and stickers and stamps, all digital ways to make your picture cuter.  I remember reading articles about the Japanese idea of "Kawaii" and was not disappointed in Japan Town.  We stopped by a cute bookstore, the Japanese version of the dollar store (only 1.50$ store), the Japanese version of Claires and a special Crepe place that sells ice cream filled crepes.  They roll the crepe into a cone shape and scoop ice cream into it and then make it "cute" by making it look like animals.  They were a fun "cute"treat.  Jared and I shared one and Mark and Lydia shared.  She was not easy to share with but eventually they settled on a flavor.  While they were cute and did taste good they were really hard to eat.  It was fun to stop in and check it out.  There used to be 43 Japan towns in CA alone and now there are only 2.  I do still hope we make it to Japan one day. 

We made it to the Lenox's around 7:30 and even though we were exhausted we stayed up visiting.  We got Jared and Lydia into bed around 9:00, Mark was down by 10:00 and I made it around 11:00.  Having one on one time with Tara was so great.  It's just such a natural friendship and I miss it so much.  She later sent me a Marco Polo video which summed up my feelings really well.  She talked about how sad she was that we don't get to see each other more often because its hard to make good friends and then have to move on and not see them and not have them be part of your everyday life.  I could not agree more and have really struggled with this the past year.  

It was a great first day in the City. 

Oakland California Temple Open House

Mark and I got married in the Oakland Temple just under 15 years ago.  This past month there has been an open house at the temple since they just finished renovations. We went back and forth about whether we should plan an anniversary trip for just Mark and I to attend the temple or if we should take Lydia and Jared out with us so they could enjoy it too.  In the end we decided to take them and make a fun family trip out of it.  We had such a great time.  We were all exhausted but we all think it was worth it.  We were only there for 41 hours and we packed them full of fun.

We flew into San Jose (Richmond-Detroit-San Jose) and before driving to the temple we stopped for lunch at In N Out Burger.  We had plans to meet Mark's niece Hannah and her kids at the temple at 1:00 for the tour.  It was a beautiful day and I loved being back at the "temple of my childhood." Before we left Virginia we had a FHE where we watched the new video about the Oakland temple and talked about why it was special to us and looked at our wedding pictures.  Jared and Lydia loved seeing our pictures, especially Lydia. I  never have liked our wedding pictures but whatever.

 It was great to see Hannah.  Jared and Lydia have some good memories of playing with Hannah's little girl Norah when they lived out here in VA.  We love Hannah and were so happy she came to the temple with us.  She was actually there when we got married and told Jared and Lydia how she remembered waiting in the multi use stake center on site and then eating the luncheon after.  It was fun to hear her memories.  My Mom was supposed to join us but a few weeks ago she fell and broke her collar bone so she was unable to join us which was a big bummer.

There have been some significant changes in the temple.  The whole first floor was redone and they even moved the entry door to the temple.  There is a beautiful water feature out front now that was not there before.  It was originally there but had to be taken out because of leaking but now they think they have it figured out. There is a lot of new and specifically commissioned artwork that was beautiful to see.  I loved sitting down in the instruction room and thinking back to my first time going through the temple. Just what I was feeling then.  We did not see the largest sealing room which is where we were married but we did stop in one and look into the mirrors together.  I had only been back to the Oakland temple once, when a good friend got married so it was great to be back.

Yes, we did pack one of our wedding pictures in our suitcase so we could take these pictures. 

One of my favorite features of this temple are the gardens on the roof.  I remember going to the temple with my Dad during the Summer when I was out of school or even if I had a day off from school and splitting my time between the visitors center and the roof of the temple. My Dad had a really nice tradition of taking older members from the stake up to the temple with him on the third Thursday of each month.  The temple is about 2.5 hours from Yuba City.  He would meet everyone at the church parking lot at 5:30 in the morning and drive them up.  It was a really selfless service that he performed for over 20 years.  All the older members knew that he would be going up and he would happily drive them.  I loved to read up there and take in the view while they were in the temple.  I think the Oakland Temple has some really unique features, even the design in general is pretty different. Visiting there brought back a lot of really positive feelings and memories which was really nice.  This whole trip ended up being such a great walk down memory lane and I loved it.

Thats not to say there were not some real annoyances. I had pretty high expectations for the tour with Jared and Lydia and they did not have the same expectations.  They mostly wanted to run around the grounds and play with their cousins.  It was hard to let them roam and have fun but still remember it's a temple.  They had also been up since 3:00 that morning and were quite tired.  I am really grateful we made it there and hope it will be a positive memory for them both.