August 2018 – Family Highlights

 

We finally did it, a trip where the family could pack up and get out of town for a few days. We left on August 26 (Sunday) around 9:30 and headed up toward Sunnyvale. We had some easy stops along the way, including ice cream. By early evening, we met Ed, Leisha and Gran and Grandpa at a Hobee’s restaurant in Sunnyvale. Afterward, we made our way to our hotel. Before unpacking and setting up the room, Calan tried a short swim. Even though it was August, the evening temperature and water were pretty cool. It was nice to spend a little time with Ed and Leisha, who hung out with us at the hotel a bit and brought some gifts for the boys.

 

On Monday, we ate breakfast at the hotel, packed up and took a drive up to San Fran. We stopped at the park across from the Painted Ladies and took in the view and snapped some photos. Then we made our way over to Golden Gate Park where we met up with Gran and Grandpa. We hit the water spot with paddle boats and enjoyed a fun paddle around the lake there. We ate lunch afterwards, then explored another section of the park on foot, following some small trails through thick vegetation. From there, we took a drive over the Golden Gate Bridge and down into Sausalito. We parked and walked around until we decided on Scoma’s for a bite to eat. It was a little more upscale than we needed but we enjoyed what we could with the kids doing mostly ok sitting at a “nice” restaurant. Before heading out, we hit a popular ice cream shop then did the 45 minute or so drive over to Petaluma and found our new hotel for the next few days. The boys of course were loving the hotels and enjoyed setting up their beds and exploring. At their young ages anything and everything is new and there’s that extra bit of excitement in the air.

Tuesday morning, we ate breakfast at the hotel then drove together with Gran and Grandpa to Muir Woods. We had a little detour getting there, but we took it in stride and laughed in spite of our struggles to follow the correct roads through the mountainous terrain and into the park. We ate lunch in the car and took it easy, as the trip was starting to catch up a little with Calan. After some pause, we were able to all walk together along the shadowy trails among the giant trees. Everyone enjoyed the breath-taking experience of walking through the old forest with thick trees towering overhead in all directions. By late afternoon, it was time to head back to Petaluma. Back at the hotel, we sat by the pool and Calan was able to swim (the pool was a bit warmer this time!). Evan was able to just sit in the water, which was all he wanted to do.

 

Wednesday was San Francisco day. We crossed the bridge again, and even walked on the west end so the kids could officially touch a part of the international orange painted structure. We had lunch at a small cafe outside, and after waiting in line for some time took a short trolley ride up a few blocks. It was quick but the boys got to experience it. Then we had some ice cream over at Ghirardelli Square – the third time for ice cream on this trip. The boys had fun with the big games you could play there outside the shops. In the early afternoon, we drove over towards the piers and let Calan have some fun running along the little beach area there. We met up with Ed, who came over early from work. We decided to go for the Bay cruise and walked over to the pier where we could catch it. It was actually a beautiful and clear day in the Bay, so that was a treat. The cruise was a bit windy, but hardly anyone else was on board with us. It was nice and easy, trolling the Bay out past the Golden Gate Bridge and back. Each step along the way, we listened to the guided tour on our headphones, which pointed out all the landmarks and historical features. When we returned, we headed over to the crowded docks where people watched the sea lions. They were a hoot, of course. The day was getting late, and it was time for dinner. We kept it simple and ate at Applebee’s which sits atop some buildings down by the port area. The sun set as we all shared a good meal and each other’s company. Afterwards, we said good bye to Ed and headed back to Petaluma. Dada finished the night as usual, camping out for an hour or so in Gran and Grandpa’s room, checking in and doing some of the daily tasks needed for work. 

 

On Thursday, we switched gears as our trip began to wind down. Gran and Grandpa checked out of their room, and we drove separately inland to Sacramento. Essentially, the “Gs” were headed back home but could join us as we toured the state capitol and the historical railroad museum there. The kids liked seeing the humbling capitol building outside and then inside. We ate lunch there in the basement and peeked in on a live hearing. In the second part of the day, we went to the museum, where we saw an impressive display of locomotives and train cars spanning the decades of the train industry. The guides offered fun facts and information about the cars, and Calan got to try his hand at a simulator and drove a train around town. When it was time to leave, we parted ways with Gran and Grandpa. The trip was definitely extra special getting to share it with their company!

“I’m starting to feel like Mama. I’m tired all the time.” Said in the middle of our road trip after a few long days. 

Nothing big to report this month for Evan. He loves to write “EVAN” any chance he gets. He did so well on his first official road trip, handling some of the longer car rides pretty well considering this was the same guy who cried much of the way to Las Vegas…but that was 2 1/2 years ago! He enjoyed traveling, and we just managed those inevitable “tough” moments when they came up, which was usually due to our adorable four-year-old getting a little tired or hungry (hangry). He had fun learning to ride the escalator for the first time at the Janns Mall when we picked up our rental car for the trip. He also loved discovering the play areas at McDonald’s with Calan. Of course, that should be a kid favorite.