Embedded Files
1/12/2020 We’ve arrived in the San Francisco Bay area. The official list of stuff we want to see in the Bay Area is long…..really long. However, I bet you can take a very educated guess on just how difficult it is to drive a motorhome into a population dense area like this AND find a place to park it AND have it be semi-reasonably priced AND have it not be a completely overrun with people who are struggling to live in the area on a budget AND be able to be within striking distance of all the stuff that you want to see. To say that it's a "challenge" would be an understatement. However, we have friends that extended an offer to “camp” in their yard and on top of that it was semi-open ended for as long as we needed in. Happy and humbled, we accepted and parked in their yard for the vast majority of our stay here. This would be home for several weeks and we are elated about that fact! Our most sincere thanks to Doug and Terilyn for their hospitality.
1/12/2020 We’ve arrived in the San Francisco Bay area. The official list of stuff we want to see in the Bay Area is long…..really long. However, I bet you can take a very educated guess on just how difficult it is to drive a motorhome into a population dense area like this AND find a place to park it AND have it be semi-reasonably priced AND have it not be a completely overrun with people who are struggling to live in the area on a budget AND be able to be within striking distance of all the stuff that you want to see. To say that it's a "challenge" would be an understatement. However, we have friends that extended an offer to “camp” in their yard and on top of that it was semi-open ended for as long as we needed in. Happy and humbled, we accepted and parked in their yard for the vast majority of our stay here. This would be home for several weeks and we are elated about that fact! Our most sincere thanks to Doug and Terilyn for their hospitality.
1/17/2020 Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park. This was another one where we THOUGHT we’d enjoy a couple hours of learning about some history of our country and moving onto something else for the day. Nope! We were in it for the long haul on this one. First off, when we walked in the door, the ranger told us that it was “Rosie Friday” and there were actual “Rosies” on-site giving talks about what it was like. There was NO WAY we were going to miss that. On top of that, it was just a very interesting place. Lots of stuff to see and learn about that it was hard to leave. I think I speak for the group when I say that we really enjoyed this stop.
1/17/2020 Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park. This was another one where we THOUGHT we’d enjoy a couple hours of learning about some history of our country and moving onto something else for the day. Nope! We were in it for the long haul on this one. First off, when we walked in the door, the ranger told us that it was “Rosie Friday” and there were actual “Rosies” on-site giving talks about what it was like. There was NO WAY we were going to miss that. On top of that, it was just a very interesting place. Lots of stuff to see and learn about that it was hard to leave. I think I speak for the group when I say that we really enjoyed this stop.
Grant even got the arm position correct! Way to go Grant!
Grant even got the arm position correct! Way to go Grant!
Dylan gets the idea!
Dylan gets the idea!
Grace? Not so much.
Grace? Not so much.
I think this was more Grace’s speed.
I think this was more Grace’s speed.
1/18/2020 San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. I did not get a lot of picture here, but coming from a landlocked state, it’s always a fascinating day when you get to see how integral the oceans have been to us as a society.
1/18/2020 San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. I did not get a lot of picture here, but coming from a landlocked state, it’s always a fascinating day when you get to see how integral the oceans have been to us as a society.
We’ve moved up the hill from the water to the San Francisco Cable Car Museum. Now, we try to do SOME amount of research about our sight seeing before we actually do it and this museum was no different. After reading the interweb info, it sounded neat and would provide some good insight into how the cable cars came to be and their evolution and….and….and….and…you get the idea. What I did NOT know (or figure out from Google) was that this is STILL the operational hub of the cable cars! It was really, REALLY…..REALLY cool to see the huge motors and pulleys that move the cable cars around the city. I actually don’t think I learned a ton of stuff about the history because I was too busy watching the machines.
We’ve moved up the hill from the water to the San Francisco Cable Car Museum. Now, we try to do SOME amount of research about our sight seeing before we actually do it and this museum was no different. After reading the interweb info, it sounded neat and would provide some good insight into how the cable cars came to be and their evolution and….and….and….and…you get the idea. What I did NOT know (or figure out from Google) was that this is STILL the operational hub of the cable cars! It was really, REALLY…..REALLY cool to see the huge motors and pulleys that move the cable cars around the city. I actually don’t think I learned a ton of stuff about the history because I was too busy watching the machines.
….and then a quick visit to Chinatown. Eh, not my thing.
….and then a quick visit to Chinatown. Eh, not my thing.
1/19/2020 John Muir National Historical Site. This was the farm and home of the legendary John Muir. It’s a beautiful site that provided him a place to launch a lifetime of nature conservation. On top of that and just by total dumb luck, we are staying 3 minutes from this place. It’s literally within walking distance from where we are parked…..but yes, we drove.
1/19/2020 John Muir National Historical Site. This was the farm and home of the legendary John Muir. It’s a beautiful site that provided him a place to launch a lifetime of nature conservation. On top of that and just by total dumb luck, we are staying 3 minutes from this place. It’s literally within walking distance from where we are parked…..but yes, we drove.
This would be the exact location where John Muir wrote a lot of his books and letters to presidents.
This would be the exact location where John Muir wrote a lot of his books and letters to presidents.
There is a bell tower….that they let you climb into….and let you ring the bell! Yeah, they should NOT let you do that when you have 3 kids!
There is a bell tower….that they let you climb into….and let you ring the bell! Yeah, they should NOT let you do that when you have 3 kids!
The story goes that John Muir planted this tree as a sapling when he lived here. It now TOWERS over all who visit!
The story goes that John Muir planted this tree as a sapling when he lived here. It now TOWERS over all who visit!
Awwwww, she is just the cutest junior ranger ever!
Awwwww, she is just the cutest junior ranger ever!
1/20/2020 Pier 39. Iconic San Francisco sightseeing is always going to lead you down the path to Pier 39. Mainly because that’s where the Sea Lion’s congregate. There weren’t very many on this day, but we got a pretty decent “show” from a few of them that were acting like they were in a slapstick comedy.
1/20/2020 Pier 39. Iconic San Francisco sightseeing is always going to lead you down the path to Pier 39. Mainly because that’s where the Sea Lion’s congregate. There weren’t very many on this day, but we got a pretty decent “show” from a few of them that were acting like they were in a slapstick comedy.
We sat and watched a “circus sideshow” as well and the kids enjoyed the heck out of that.
We sat and watched a “circus sideshow” as well and the kids enjoyed the heck out of that.
1/20/2020 Alcatraz. I’ve been here once before when I was a kid and remembered almost nothing, so another visit was worthwhile for all. If you are planning a visit for yourself, MAKE SURE you plan in advance. It is insanely popular these days and sells out weeks in advance during the SLOW season. During the busy season, you’ll need to plan WAY in advance. The boat ride over is half the fun of the trip!
1/20/2020 Alcatraz. I’ve been here once before when I was a kid and remembered almost nothing, so another visit was worthwhile for all. If you are planning a visit for yourself, MAKE SURE you plan in advance. It is insanely popular these days and sells out weeks in advance during the SLOW season. During the busy season, you’ll need to plan WAY in advance. The boat ride over is half the fun of the trip!
Mercifully, we’ve visited enough Forts at this point and I did NOT have to explain what a “gun port” is!
Mercifully, we’ve visited enough Forts at this point and I did NOT have to explain what a “gun port” is!
This ranger did an exceptional job doing the “Cell Door Demonstration”. My respect for NPS Rangers goes up every day!
This ranger did an exceptional job doing the “Cell Door Demonstration”. My respect for NPS Rangers goes up every day!
Really, the views here are as good as it gets! Complete panoramic view of the bay from bridge to bridge….and beyond.
Really, the views here are as good as it gets! Complete panoramic view of the bay from bridge to bridge….and beyond.
The birds provided for some great viewing pleasure. They are very inquisitive and animated. They allowed me to get closer than I probably should have.
The birds provided for some great viewing pleasure. They are very inquisitive and animated. They allowed me to get closer than I probably should have.
A parting shot of the crumbling remains of the warden’s house. It appears that they are doing everything they can to save this building, but really, it looks like it’s only a matter of time before this thing falls into a pile of debris.
A parting shot of the crumbling remains of the warden’s house. It appears that they are doing everything they can to save this building, but really, it looks like it’s only a matter of time before this thing falls into a pile of debris.
Back on the boat heading for the city and this shot of the Golden Gate captured my attention for quite a while.
Back on the boat heading for the city and this shot of the Golden Gate captured my attention for quite a while.
1/21/2020 John Muir Memorial Park. No real “story” here. This tiny, TINY little corner at the intersection of two busy city streets is just a couple blocks away from where we are staying and I have walked Bear through here many times as it has become part of our regular walk. Today, Dylan was walking with us and I turned around to see that someone had added a scarf to the statue, Dylan is reading the “book” that John Muir is writing and the sun is poking through the tree. Visually it worked for me.
1/21/2020 John Muir Memorial Park. No real “story” here. This tiny, TINY little corner at the intersection of two busy city streets is just a couple blocks away from where we are staying and I have walked Bear through here many times as it has become part of our regular walk. Today, Dylan was walking with us and I turned around to see that someone had added a scarf to the statue, Dylan is reading the “book” that John Muir is writing and the sun is poking through the tree. Visually it worked for me.
1/22/2020 Chabot Space and Science Museum. Tucked into the beautiful Oakland Hills (yes, there are some beautiful places that have an Oakland address) is a really, REALLY good Space and Science museum. It’s very well done, very well kept and set back into the forest in a way that you’d never know the population dense bay area is just a stone’s throw away.
1/22/2020 Chabot Space and Science Museum. Tucked into the beautiful Oakland Hills (yes, there are some beautiful places that have an Oakland address) is a really, REALLY good Space and Science museum. It’s very well done, very well kept and set back into the forest in a way that you’d never know the population dense bay area is just a stone’s throw away.
Grant was glued to this “control panel” for the Mars Rover. He really got a kick out of it and he sat here and played with the controls for a long, long time.
Grant was glued to this “control panel” for the Mars Rover. He really got a kick out of it and he sat here and played with the controls for a long, long time.
Yes, we are playing with magnetic fluid, AGAIN! It’s darn cool and it seems like everyone presents it very differently so it never stops being fun.
Yes, we are playing with magnetic fluid, AGAIN! It’s darn cool and it seems like everyone presents it very differently so it never stops being fun.
Grant has the space capsule prepped and ready to go…..
Grant has the space capsule prepped and ready to go…..
…..and now we’ve informed Dylan that Grant got the capsule all prepped and ready for his space journey!
…..and now we’ve informed Dylan that Grant got the capsule all prepped and ready for his space journey!
1/23/2020 Jelly Belly Factory. Come on! We’re staying 30 minutes away from this place, how could we NOT come here?!?!?
1/23/2020 Jelly Belly Factory. Come on! We’re staying 30 minutes away from this place, how could we NOT come here?!?!?
You’re supposed to smell the scent that is coming out of these things and guess the flavor.
You’re supposed to smell the scent that is coming out of these things and guess the flavor.
Dear lord that is A LOT of jelly beans!
Dear lord that is A LOT of jelly beans!
Today they are making Dylan’s favorite flavor, Dr. Pepper!
Today they are making Dylan’s favorite flavor, Dr. Pepper!
These Jelly Bean art thingys are really, REALLY cool!
These Jelly Bean art thingys are really, REALLY cool!
These jelly bean “paintings” are literally everywhere in the factory and they are genuinely amazing. The history (as we learned) of these things was that they were originally done by a gentleman that actually assembled each one by himself with chopsticks and they took anywhere from 2-6 months each!! After he retired, they hired a woman to do them and with someone constantly sorting and supplying her with jelly beans, she can complete one in 2-4 weeks. Imagine if your job was to come to work and assemble jelly bean works of art! This one that Grant is standing in front of (which matches his shirt) is on the smaller side. They have some hanging in the factory that can only be described as ‘massive’.
These jelly bean “paintings” are literally everywhere in the factory and they are genuinely amazing. The history (as we learned) of these things was that they were originally done by a gentleman that actually assembled each one by himself with chopsticks and they took anywhere from 2-6 months each!! After he retired, they hired a woman to do them and with someone constantly sorting and supplying her with jelly beans, she can complete one in 2-4 weeks. Imagine if your job was to come to work and assemble jelly bean works of art! This one that Grant is standing in front of (which matches his shirt) is on the smaller side. They have some hanging in the factory that can only be described as ‘massive’.
Okay, so here’s the story: at the end of the tour, they gave all of us two sample “gifts”; one little bag of a fruit flavors and one box of the “Bean Boozled” flavors. Don’t know what that is? They are Jelly Bellys that visually look like a “good” flavor, BUT are not. You are given the opportunity to ingest flavors like wet dog food, vomit, rotten eggs, and so on and so forth. Most normal humans, get one tiny little nibble in and immediately need something to spit in and a bottle of water to wash away the disaster that just happen in their mouth. Grant, on the other hand, refused to give in. It’s candy and he was going to eat it! He. Ate. The. Whole. Dang. Box!
Okay, so here’s the story: at the end of the tour, they gave all of us two sample “gifts”; one little bag of a fruit flavors and one box of the “Bean Boozled” flavors. Don’t know what that is? They are Jelly Bellys that visually look like a “good” flavor, BUT are not. You are given the opportunity to ingest flavors like wet dog food, vomit, rotten eggs, and so on and so forth. Most normal humans, get one tiny little nibble in and immediately need something to spit in and a bottle of water to wash away the disaster that just happen in their mouth. Grant, on the other hand, refused to give in. It’s candy and he was going to eat it! He. Ate. The. Whole. Dang. Box!
1/24/2020 Fort Point and Walking the Golden Gate Bridge. Fort Point is a Civil War era fortress that was constructed on the south side of the Golden Gate to protect against Confederate attacks on San Francisco. It would never see wartime battle. It is a very pretty structure and nicely preserved.
1/24/2020 Fort Point and Walking the Golden Gate Bridge. Fort Point is a Civil War era fortress that was constructed on the south side of the Golden Gate to protect against Confederate attacks on San Francisco. It would never see wartime battle. It is a very pretty structure and nicely preserved.
We were sitting in the car eating lunch watching these waves crash against the barrier wall for the parking lot. We all enjoyed watching them “roll” down the length wall. I, of course, risked life and limb to capture pictures.
We were sitting in the car eating lunch watching these waves crash against the barrier wall for the parking lot. We all enjoyed watching them “roll” down the length wall. I, of course, risked life and limb to capture pictures.
Up next? Let’s walk the Golden Gate Bridge! Here we are looking back at where we had just come from (Fort Point).
Up next? Let’s walk the Golden Gate Bridge! Here we are looking back at where we had just come from (Fort Point).
Coast Guard helicopter going _under_ the bridge.
Coast Guard helicopter going _under_ the bridge.
Despite my crazy family having winter coats on, I assure you that it was a beautiful day.
Despite my crazy family having winter coats on, I assure you that it was a beautiful day.
Here’s where realization sets in; that entire bridge is being supported by a bunch of tiny cables all wrapped together into one giant 36” cable. This cross section puts it in perspective.
Here’s where realization sets in; that entire bridge is being supported by a bunch of tiny cables all wrapped together into one giant 36” cable. This cross section puts it in perspective.
1/25/2020 Muir Woods National Monument. This will be out first real exposure to these giant trees of the West Coast. We were originally slated to be in Sequoia National Park for Christmas, but weather thwarted that effort. So, here we get our first viewing of these taller, but more slender Redwoods and they are stunning! Note: if you have not seen these trees in person, it’s impossible to actually grasp what’s going on in these pictures. There just isn’t an effective way to photograph them and actually capture their “presence”.
1/25/2020 Muir Woods National Monument. This will be out first real exposure to these giant trees of the West Coast. We were originally slated to be in Sequoia National Park for Christmas, but weather thwarted that effort. So, here we get our first viewing of these taller, but more slender Redwoods and they are stunning! Note: if you have not seen these trees in person, it’s impossible to actually grasp what’s going on in these pictures. There just isn’t an effective way to photograph them and actually capture their “presence”.
You might remember the love for Banana Slugs that Grace embraced back in Santa Cruz. Well, here they are again and they put a HUGE smile on Grace’s face!
You might remember the love for Banana Slugs that Grace embraced back in Santa Cruz. Well, here they are again and they put a HUGE smile on Grace’s face!
After leaving the forest, we made our way down to Muir beach.
After leaving the forest, we made our way down to Muir beach.
Given our complete lack of preparation for “beach time” we informed the kids of the new “game” they were going to play. It was called “get as close as you can to the water, but for the love all that is holy, don’t go in the water”. Grace won this round!
Given our complete lack of preparation for “beach time” we informed the kids of the new “game” they were going to play. It was called “get as close as you can to the water, but for the love all that is holy, don’t go in the water”. Grace won this round!
Grant saw me standing on this rock to take some pictures and was relentless in his pursuit to join me on it. So, I helped him up and he was somewhat displeased with his choice to join me, until I left to take his picture and that when displeasure changed to anger. He didn’t like that at all and I did what every good dad should so in this situation, take his picture.
Grant saw me standing on this rock to take some pictures and was relentless in his pursuit to join me on it. So, I helped him up and he was somewhat displeased with his choice to join me, until I left to take his picture and that when displeasure changed to anger. He didn’t like that at all and I did what every good dad should so in this situation, take his picture.
Mom cheered him up with a rousing game of “Chase Grant Around the Giant Rock”.
Mom cheered him up with a rousing game of “Chase Grant Around the Giant Rock”.
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