Summer's over, ALREADY????

Tomorrow is the first day for teachers. We'll meet as a faculty in the morning, then we'll have department issues in the afternoon.  Monday, school starts for real - kids and all.  I, clearly, am not ready!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRIP FOR SEAN!

On Friday, August 20th, we drove up the 5 freeway to Hayward.  It was my grandson Sean's 8th birthday. His first choice for dinner on his birthday was Round Table Pizza.  We ate at the Round Table after we gave out our presents 1.) for both Sean and Harriet's birthdays (hers is September 5th) and 2.) from our wanderings during the summer.

The next morning, we ate breakfast at Ian and Sarah's, then drove to Alameda to take the ferry to San Francisco.  Sean had worked out all the details of his birthday celebration.  It was a wonderful plan.  I had never really thought of taking the ferry across the bay before, but it's the greatest way to travel to San Francisco.  The ferry goes from Alameda, then Oakland, then to the ferry building in San Francisco at the end of Market Street, then to Pier 41 (near Fisherman's Wharf), where we got off.  Our next stop was the Rainforest Cafe. Animatronic animals, huge tanks of tropical fish, a "thunder and lightning storm" every half hour.  It was really a load of fun - kind of Disney goes to a restaurant.  Harriet, who's 4, announced "We're really under water".  After lunch we went to the Aquarium at Pier 39.   A very nice little aquarium with lots of sharks, jelly fish, huge Pacific Bass, and a tank of anchovies.  Again, lots of fun.  We stopped at my favorite sock store on Pier 39, then back to the ferry.  The ride over to San Francisco was a bit foggy and cool.  The ride back to Alameda was gorgeous - sunny and clear.  The ferry went to Angel Island before heading back to Alameda.  That night we had a rib dinner at the Texas Road House.  All in all a great day!

We drove home this morning along with about half the population of the state, or so it appeared.  We managed to get by a burnt out pick up truck, a grass fire (caused by an upturned carrot big rig), and a dramatic crash.  Other than slowing down - we're fine.  Here's some photos.

A DAY IN VANCOUVER

Glenn had to work on Thursday, so Charlie, Krysty, Kayley and I spent the morning together at the park.  As you can see from the photos, she had a great time - so did we all.  When she went back home for her nap in the afternoon, Charlie and I went for a small Vancouver excursion.  Gas town (with its steam clock that was only burping steam - no tricks) and Granville Market.  We actually went to Granville Market for dinner fixings.  The vegetables and fruits on sale there are fantastic - they tasted good too.  Here's the day's photos: 

A TRIP TO BUCHART GARDENS AND A FERRY BACK TO VANCOUVER - TUESDAY

We had a relaxing drive away from Victoria, and headed out to Buchart Gardens.  Wonderful place, loads of amazing flowers.  Varieties that I've heard of but not the size or color that they had.  We wandered around and saw most of the major sections.  Then off to the ferry and came back to Vancouver.  Here's some photos.

SUNDAY - VICTORIA

We took the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria.  Kind of a grizzly day, but the skies cleared as we got near Vancouver Island.  The hotel room (a suite) was fantastic.  Really a great way to travel if your plans involve a 1 year old.  It was bright, airy, had great views, AND was comfortable for 5 of us.  We took strolls around the harbor and hung around.  Very relaxing.  Here's some more photos.

WE ARRIVE IN VANCOUVER - SATURDAY

I'm doing a bit of catch up blogging.  We got to Vancouver on Saturday.  We got upgraded on the flight to first class.  That sounds a lot snazzier than it turned out to be.  There were only 6 seats, no meals, no toilet for us - but the seats were very comfy!  Kayley had her one year old baby shots (MMR DPT and a whole host of other letters) that really whacked her.  She was better on Saturday, but that was only relative because she'd been really feverish. We brought her some presents, a terrifying (apparently) cell phone that would ring when it was closed, and a "stew pot" with a spoon, "salt shaker", and foam vegetables that became a real hit.  Here's some photos.

LAST DAY IN MIAMI

We began the day with a walk on the board walk and a little swim.  Not as warm as yesterday, but still remarkably warm for 9 am.  We then took a taxi and wandered around a little on the Southern tip of Miami Beach "South Beach".  It's a weird combination of art deco, "absolutely fabulous", and bums.  We had a ridiculously expensive - AWFUL - lunch.  Went back to the hotel, and on our way back to the airport hotel, we drove through Coral Gables (fancy homes), Coconut Grove (funky arty area - less now than apparently the '60s), and Little Havana (not too much different than East LA - except for the cigar shops and the Free Cuba signs).  Here's the last of our photos.  Tomorrow we'll be home.  Until then....