Oakland Trip

San Francisco, Day 3

HIGHLIGHTS FROM DAY 3 OF OUR TRIP

-Sleeping in

-Our continental breakfast at a Bed and Breakfast (go figure)

-Visiting the Fitgerald Marine Reserve to check out the tidepools, ecletic shells and rocks, and seeing the sea lions

-Searching out the elusive Maverick beach to watch crazy surfers brave the treacherous waves and shoreline only to find a Martial Arts Class throwing each other in the sand.  At least the view was spectacular.

-Once again driving along the coast, this time northward.  You can never have too many panoramic views of the ocean

-Eating lunch at Marnee's Thai Food.  A restaurant that we searched for the last time we were here and could never find.  The food was worth the wait.

-Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge

-Driving through Muir Woods

-Braving the coastal winds to visit various outlooks and scenic views

-Returning to San Francisco and finding the Exploritorium (after a few detours and almost crossing the Golden Gate bridge again).  But it was worth the frustration for the wonderful pictures that we took.

 

-Checking into the Argonaut Hotel on Fisherman's Warf.  It was a nautical themed hotel and you felt like you were on a boat.

  

-Strolling along Fisherman's warf and once again souvineer shopping

  

Enjoying a nice seafood dinner on the pier

-Ending the perfect day with a perfect treat . . . Ice Cream Sundaes from the Ghirardelli Ice Cream Shop at Ghirardelli Square

San Francisco - Day 2

HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR SECOND DAY ON OUR GET-AWAY

-Sunshine!!

-A lovely morning run through downtown San Fran, China Town, up the many hills to Coit Tower, down the many hills to the Warf and Ferry Building and then back again to the hotel.

-A gigantic chocolate crepe for breakfast

-Riding the trolley through the streets of San Franscisco

-Walking along Fisherman's warf and having the place to ourselves

-Getting off the trolley in authentic China Town instead of tourist China town.

-Being the only white people for blocks in China town and trying to make sense of their markets, language and mannerisms.

-Eating at one of the top 25 Chinese restaurants in the U.S. in China town and then sharing our leftovers with a homeless man.

-Picking out crazy souvineers for our children.

-Driving along the coast and being amazed at the big waves.

-Checking into our bed and breakfast and realizing that we would have the whole inn to ourselves.  View of the ocean from our balcony.

-Enjoying a nice seafood dinner at romantic spot on the coast

-Driving through Daly City and actually being able to find my mission apartment after 15 years.

-Sitting by the ocean at dark, listening and watching the waves, and reminiscing about our lives together.

-Many hours of conversation that was not interupted by phone calls or children.

-Going to bed by 9:30 p.m. and getting 11 hours of sleep.  Can't remember the last time that has happened.

San Francisco, Day 1

Well after much fanangling of schedules, church committments and child care issues, Roger and I were finally able to get away together for a few days.  Officially it was to celebrate our 15 year anniversay which was last August.  But life sort of happened and this was the soonest we could get out.  So we decided to head to the Bay Area.

This area means so much to us on many levels.  Not only because we served our missions there but it was also where we met.  We became such good friends at that time during an intense time of our lives.  We share many memories of investigators, wards, areas, spanish, food, members, missionaries and the Oakland Temple.  And although what we experienced couldn't be considered a courtship in the traditional sense, I don't know a better way to truly get to know another person.  I saw Roger for the good person that he was and recognized the great potential in him.  So, no we did not date or even talk of dating but we both agree that we found our hearts in San Francisco.

We haven't flown together for awhile (at least not alone) and it was enjoyable to just be together.  We enjoyed our traditional Cinnabon at the airport to kick off the adventure.

We flew into Oakland so our first stop was Taqueria San Jose.  We used to go there as missionaries if we ever wanted to pretend we were really in Mexico.  It is in the heart of Latin Land and has the best Super Burrito de Carne Asada that you can find anywhere and at a reasonable price.

Of course, since we were in Oakland, we had to go up to the Visitor Center and Temple.  We had a nice visit with several sister missionaries and shared war stories.  We met the spanish sisters and talked of the different members and converts.  Sometimes it is still hard to believe that I spent so much time there.  And of course Roger holds the title of the first Elder to give a VC tour, which is a story for another time.  As fun as it was to visit, I was grateful to be able to walk out the door with my husband knowing that we could leave and totally enjoy ourselves and be thankful that that part of our lives is over.

We then headed over to the San Francisco side of the bay in a rainstorm.  What was nice about this trip is that we officially only had one thing planned for the entire time.  That was to go to the Broadway Musical Wicked.  Other than that we were free to fly wherever the wind would take us.  Our first night we stayed in a nice hotel right in the center of downtown.  I love visiting big cities.  It is such a feast for the eyes, ears and nose.  I love the transportation as well.  We were able to take the underground subway, the Muni, to get to the theatre.

The show was fantastic.  I enjoyed it the second time around even more than the first. I followed the story better and was able to appreciate the beautiful singing.  Roger also had a good time.  I felt so lucky to be in such a wonderful city and enjoying all of the culture it had to offer.  It was an amazing day.

I love this picture of us in the subway.  Can you see us in the glass?  It is like we are in the movie Ghost.