Beautiful flight from San Francisco to Chicago. We had a three row of seats to ourselves.
Everything went smoothly turning in the vehicle and getting a cab.
Cab ride took about 40 minutes to Clyde's house and Pat had turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberries and pie waiting for us. We ate and visited with her about an hour or so, then drove home and arrived home about 10p.m.
The trip was excellent in every way. Now I understand why driving Hwy 1 on the west coast is one of the world's most scenic drives. We sure had a good time!
THE END
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Unique Thanksgiving in San Francisco
Woke late to a bright, sunny day in San Francisco.
Not really having a plan, we jumped in the vehicle to see what we could see.
Drove through China Town and then followed the trolley rails to a place we could ride.
Parked and walked two blocks to a main start/end for the trolley Market & Powell. Took that to the turnaround spot at Fisherman's Wharf - how cool is that. The temp is only about 58, but the sunshine was very warming.
Walked around the wharf passed guys cracking huge crabs and selling off their carts both hot and cold fish "stuff." It was crowded in that area so we beat it over to bayside and found a good restaurant-bakery called Boudin, I think. I think they may be famous for their sourdough bread, which was excellent. We ate upstairs in the restaurant with a great table right next to the window looking out over the bay, over the tourist boats coming and going, and had a perfect view of Alcatraz. Lunch was grilled salmon sandwich for Peter and crab cake with avocado sandwich for me. We agreed both were excellent and there was no room for dessert.
Peter thinks he has gained weight on this trip, but I'm hoping that all of the fish has kept us from gaining.
Walked over to the railside on the bay and saw several boats, sailboats and ferry boats out on the water , and we saw a historical submarine and naval ship parked to tour, but we didn't - been there, done that and didn't want to waste the sunshine.
Rode the trolley back to our starting point which only took about 15 min. It was an experience we did not expect and was pretty darn neat. I don't think we could have been in downtown San Fran on a better day because there was not much traffic and it was easy to traverse the streets. We drove over to the famous 60's-70's neighborhood for hippies and flower children at Haight-Ashbury. Still have many shops alluding to that era. And then Peter wanted to go to the Cow Palace, so we found it on the map and headed over there.
There was nothing going on so we only saw a HUGE building and took a pic of the sign "Cow Palace."
Now we are back in our room which is luxurious and comfy. We may or may not eat dinner because we ared still both stuffed from lunch. There's a McD's right across the street so we may just grab fries and a milkshake for dinner - ha ha ha - not the usual Thanksgiving Dinner, but there has been nothing about this day that reminds me of Thanksgiving except hearing the voices of our family via phone. Sounds like we missed a good one back home with the great food and snow and all. We'll see you all real soon.
Love and hugs,
Mom/Belle/Nanaxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Not really having a plan, we jumped in the vehicle to see what we could see.
Drove through China Town and then followed the trolley rails to a place we could ride.
Parked and walked two blocks to a main start/end for the trolley Market & Powell. Took that to the turnaround spot at Fisherman's Wharf - how cool is that. The temp is only about 58, but the sunshine was very warming.
Walked around the wharf passed guys cracking huge crabs and selling off their carts both hot and cold fish "stuff." It was crowded in that area so we beat it over to bayside and found a good restaurant-bakery called Boudin, I think. I think they may be famous for their sourdough bread, which was excellent. We ate upstairs in the restaurant with a great table right next to the window looking out over the bay, over the tourist boats coming and going, and had a perfect view of Alcatraz. Lunch was grilled salmon sandwich for Peter and crab cake with avocado sandwich for me. We agreed both were excellent and there was no room for dessert.
Peter thinks he has gained weight on this trip, but I'm hoping that all of the fish has kept us from gaining.
Walked over to the railside on the bay and saw several boats, sailboats and ferry boats out on the water , and we saw a historical submarine and naval ship parked to tour, but we didn't - been there, done that and didn't want to waste the sunshine.
Rode the trolley back to our starting point which only took about 15 min. It was an experience we did not expect and was pretty darn neat. I don't think we could have been in downtown San Fran on a better day because there was not much traffic and it was easy to traverse the streets. We drove over to the famous 60's-70's neighborhood for hippies and flower children at Haight-Ashbury. Still have many shops alluding to that era. And then Peter wanted to go to the Cow Palace, so we found it on the map and headed over there.
There was nothing going on so we only saw a HUGE building and took a pic of the sign "Cow Palace."
Now we are back in our room which is luxurious and comfy. We may or may not eat dinner because we ared still both stuffed from lunch. There's a McD's right across the street so we may just grab fries and a milkshake for dinner - ha ha ha - not the usual Thanksgiving Dinner, but there has been nothing about this day that reminds me of Thanksgiving except hearing the voices of our family via phone. Sounds like we missed a good one back home with the great food and snow and all. We'll see you all real soon.
Love and hugs,
Mom/Belle/Nanaxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thankful for Thanksgiving
Thank you Timber & Josh for the card full of sentiments and the wonderful pictures which made us feel close to you. It is 11am here and it was a beautiful start to our day. xoxo
Thanksgiving Day
Hey Noah & Holly . . . I think I can smell the turkey roasting at your house . . . Mmmmmmmmmmmmm
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Happy Thanksgiving
We remember celebrations of the past, like 2008 in the picture, and we look forward to celebrating again
in the future with all of our loved ones.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
We remember celebrations of the past, like 2008 in the picture, and we look forward to celebrating again
in the future with all of our loved ones.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Traveling East ?????
Yep, we were heading East today and although it was a beautiful, sunny day, I took very few pictures
because we didn't stop much at all. So, I have treated you to the feature picture of that Bubblegum Alley which I wrote about yesterday.
On the road we passed by huge vineyards, orchards, olive tree groves and various citrus tree groves. It was unreal to see some tree groves that were literally miles and miles in size. The only pickers we saw were a very few in an orange tree grove, but most trees looked like they were done for the season, and the grape vines were definately done. Since this area is not THE wine country area, we didn't see any famous vineyards. But from the looks of a few of the "houses," these people famously make $$$. To see them was very interesting, but because they were not in full bloom or product, they were not really picture worthy. The few pictures I did take look drab.
Driving through the rolling hills and mountains was a change mostly because the grass (?) was brown instead of the green found on the coast. This area looks much more desert like, and those who have vineyards or orchards obviously pipe in water from somewhere. Water is much the topic here in California. The controversy over water appears in the newspapers, hotel literature and roadside signs (homemade and printed). "Some" want to get water out in their secluded area, but "others" do not want to let "some" have it.
"Others" are already piping it in from other states and "those" people are getting worried that the water will run out. And of course the politicians are in on "some" side or the "other" so that really turns water into a liquid controversy. Be very, very thankful for your glass of water tonight and for your fresh shower. We in the Midwest don't have this problem . . . yet.
Well, I'm going to put my feet up and read and enjoy our cozy hotel. We have found that the Best Westerns in California are top notch and have been staying at them whenever possible. They are luxury quality and very clean. Love and hugs to all. We're not sure where or what we'll be eating tomorrow for Thanksgiving Day, but you can bet that we will be thinking of you all at Noah & Holly's house eating a delicious traditional dinner.
Sam, Papaw says that you are smelly - smelly - smelly, and I love you too xoxoxo
Love and hugs to Samantha, Alex, Adam, Andrew, Anthony,
Love and hugs to Noah & Holly
Love and hugs to Timber & Josh, Wylie & Rory
Love and hugs to Mom
Love and hugs to Boone too who is in the Caribbean
Love and hugs to all of our friends and HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Bellexoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Today was the first day that upon stopping for lunch we did not see Fresh Fish listed on the menu. Such is life off of the coast.
because we didn't stop much at all. So, I have treated you to the feature picture of that Bubblegum Alley which I wrote about yesterday.
On the road we passed by huge vineyards, orchards, olive tree groves and various citrus tree groves. It was unreal to see some tree groves that were literally miles and miles in size. The only pickers we saw were a very few in an orange tree grove, but most trees looked like they were done for the season, and the grape vines were definately done. Since this area is not THE wine country area, we didn't see any famous vineyards. But from the looks of a few of the "houses," these people famously make $$$. To see them was very interesting, but because they were not in full bloom or product, they were not really picture worthy. The few pictures I did take look drab.
Driving through the rolling hills and mountains was a change mostly because the grass (?) was brown instead of the green found on the coast. This area looks much more desert like, and those who have vineyards or orchards obviously pipe in water from somewhere. Water is much the topic here in California. The controversy over water appears in the newspapers, hotel literature and roadside signs (homemade and printed). "Some" want to get water out in their secluded area, but "others" do not want to let "some" have it.
"Others" are already piping it in from other states and "those" people are getting worried that the water will run out. And of course the politicians are in on "some" side or the "other" so that really turns water into a liquid controversy. Be very, very thankful for your glass of water tonight and for your fresh shower. We in the Midwest don't have this problem . . . yet.
Well, I'm going to put my feet up and read and enjoy our cozy hotel. We have found that the Best Westerns in California are top notch and have been staying at them whenever possible. They are luxury quality and very clean. Love and hugs to all. We're not sure where or what we'll be eating tomorrow for Thanksgiving Day, but you can bet that we will be thinking of you all at Noah & Holly's house eating a delicious traditional dinner.
Sam, Papaw says that you are smelly - smelly - smelly, and I love you too xoxoxo
Love and hugs to Samantha, Alex, Adam, Andrew, Anthony,
Love and hugs to Noah & Holly
Love and hugs to Timber & Josh, Wylie & Rory
Love and hugs to Mom
Love and hugs to Boone too who is in the Caribbean
Love and hugs to all of our friends and HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Bellexoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Today was the first day that upon stopping for lunch we did not see Fresh Fish listed on the menu. Such is life off of the coast.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Headin Down Route 1 AGAIN
Well, it was somewhat sad to leave the romantic town of Carmel this morning, but I was anxious to get this show back on the road. I mean, back on Route 1 headin South.
So back we were on the edge of the coast driving cliff side up, down and round and round. The day was pretty overcast so most of the pictures I took today look a little drab. Just south of Carmel is Big Sur country. The cliffs were magnificent in both size and beauty. Crossing several bridges added to the thrill, but I must be getting a little used to it because my foot wasn't braced on the floor the whole time. It felt good too getting back up into the timbers. However, it didn't last long enough and we were soon back down at sea level.
There were a few showers but the sun appeared every now and then, and we were able to get out of the vehicle to view special sights often. One of the sights was of hundreds of Elephant Seals sun bathing on a beach. For the most part they were sleeping, but there were a couple of them frisking in the water and others that were having flipper to flipper and face to face battle. It was a real show! The sign notified that this beach was where the younger seals stay behind as the larger and adult seals head North to Alaska at this time of year. From the looks of some of them, I think they must have weighed 800 - 1000 pounds, so I'd like to have seen the larger adults - Wowzy - they must be big boys and girls.
The landscape was changing as we drove further south into what I would describe as large rolling hills or gentle rolling mountains. It was very picturesque with ranch homes and cattle gracing the hillsides. A few grape vineyards popped up every now and then, but for the most part it is ranch country. Peter was day dreaming of riding his horse in "these parts."
We came upon the entrance to Hearst Castle right at the time I needed a rest stop, so we pulled in to use the facilities. We had pretty well decided earlier that we didn't want to tour the castle and that proved to be an excellent decision because people were pretty much wall to wall in the visitor center. So we were quite content to be back out on the route 1 knowing that we could see pictures of the castle later online.
Another decision that we made was to head inland to view somemore of the highlands, so we left the coast at Morro Bay and drove to San Luis Obispo. Stopping there we viewed the Mission of San Luis Obispo De Tolosa and toured the museum which had several rooms of Franciscan & Indian artifacts from the 1700s.
We first went into the church and said prayers of thanksgiving for this excellent trip and for all of our loved ones. We walked around town to see some of the unique shops and we also saw the Guiness Book of Records site for bubblegum - Bubblegum Alley! It is about a five foot wide alleyway between two buildings that is covered, over and over again, with various sorts of chewing gum. Rather than being the disgusting sight you would think it would be, it was quite artistic. The gum was of assorted colors and much of it had been "arranged" into art. I took several pictures and may show one on tomorrow's blog, but you know, a picture never does the real thing justice. Peter and I were very disappointed that we did not have any gum to add to the walls. There is definately a need for a gum vendor at that spot because while we were there several other tourists were also in need of gum. Just down the street two young guys were begging for quarters whereas they could have a lucritive job selling gum at a good markup.
Well, we will head further into the highlands tomorrow.
Love and hugs to all. Don't forget us.
I know you are all busy getting ready for Thanksgiving so I really am thankful that you will be hugging up each other on that day. We'll be thinking of you.
Meanwhile, good luck to Samantha at the regional game tomorrow. xoxoxoxo Win or lose - just have fun!
Love to everyone,
Mom/Belle/Nana xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
So back we were on the edge of the coast driving cliff side up, down and round and round. The day was pretty overcast so most of the pictures I took today look a little drab. Just south of Carmel is Big Sur country. The cliffs were magnificent in both size and beauty. Crossing several bridges added to the thrill, but I must be getting a little used to it because my foot wasn't braced on the floor the whole time. It felt good too getting back up into the timbers. However, it didn't last long enough and we were soon back down at sea level.
There were a few showers but the sun appeared every now and then, and we were able to get out of the vehicle to view special sights often. One of the sights was of hundreds of Elephant Seals sun bathing on a beach. For the most part they were sleeping, but there were a couple of them frisking in the water and others that were having flipper to flipper and face to face battle. It was a real show! The sign notified that this beach was where the younger seals stay behind as the larger and adult seals head North to Alaska at this time of year. From the looks of some of them, I think they must have weighed 800 - 1000 pounds, so I'd like to have seen the larger adults - Wowzy - they must be big boys and girls.
The landscape was changing as we drove further south into what I would describe as large rolling hills or gentle rolling mountains. It was very picturesque with ranch homes and cattle gracing the hillsides. A few grape vineyards popped up every now and then, but for the most part it is ranch country. Peter was day dreaming of riding his horse in "these parts."
We came upon the entrance to Hearst Castle right at the time I needed a rest stop, so we pulled in to use the facilities. We had pretty well decided earlier that we didn't want to tour the castle and that proved to be an excellent decision because people were pretty much wall to wall in the visitor center. So we were quite content to be back out on the route 1 knowing that we could see pictures of the castle later online.
Another decision that we made was to head inland to view somemore of the highlands, so we left the coast at Morro Bay and drove to San Luis Obispo. Stopping there we viewed the Mission of San Luis Obispo De Tolosa and toured the museum which had several rooms of Franciscan & Indian artifacts from the 1700s.
We first went into the church and said prayers of thanksgiving for this excellent trip and for all of our loved ones. We walked around town to see some of the unique shops and we also saw the Guiness Book of Records site for bubblegum - Bubblegum Alley! It is about a five foot wide alleyway between two buildings that is covered, over and over again, with various sorts of chewing gum. Rather than being the disgusting sight you would think it would be, it was quite artistic. The gum was of assorted colors and much of it had been "arranged" into art. I took several pictures and may show one on tomorrow's blog, but you know, a picture never does the real thing justice. Peter and I were very disappointed that we did not have any gum to add to the walls. There is definately a need for a gum vendor at that spot because while we were there several other tourists were also in need of gum. Just down the street two young guys were begging for quarters whereas they could have a lucritive job selling gum at a good markup.
Well, we will head further into the highlands tomorrow.
Love and hugs to all. Don't forget us.
I know you are all busy getting ready for Thanksgiving so I really am thankful that you will be hugging up each other on that day. We'll be thinking of you.
Meanwhile, good luck to Samantha at the regional game tomorrow. xoxoxoxo Win or lose - just have fun!
Love to everyone,
Mom/Belle/Nana xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
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