San Francisco Day 8

Today was our last day in San Francisco. We decided to go to the market at the Ferry Terminal in the morning. We should have had our usual breakfast at the hotel. The Market looked great. We picked up some fresh fruit and bread, and then we went back to the hotel as Margot was very tired. After a bit of a rest we headed to the Asian Art Museum and then to Chinatown to pick up some t-shirts and a couple of gifts. It was the Autumn Moon Festival so the street was closed to traffic and we even saw a small parade. The vendors on the street were selling everything from orchids, to Chinese medicine, to DVDs. On our walk home we stopped at the Omni Hotel and made reservations for dinner at Bob's Steakhouse, a top ten rated steakhouse in the US. We had a big steak dinner and one last ride on the cable cars. A most memorable holiday in a beautiful city.

A jade piece from the Asian Art museum
An orchid vendor in Chinatown
Autumn Moon Festival Parade on the main street in Chinatown

San Francisco Day 7

Day 7 we started at Fisherman's Wharf and rented bicycles. We cycled along the coast towards Golden Gate Bridge. First stop was to do a geocache out on a point where there is a wave organ. The wave organ pipes the sounds of the ocean to a listening area. From there we peddled over the bridge and down to nearby down of Sausilito. We returned (with our bikes) on the ferry to San Francisco. Very tired, so we had supper at the hotel (nice view, mediocre food).


At the wave organ



On the bridge


Sausalito

San Francisco Day 6

Today we started at the area where Golden Gate Park meets the ocean. Walked out to the beach and saw the surfers. Lots of dogs out on the beach. We walked from there up to the cliff house (where we had lunch) and then along the coast (about 5km) until we reached the lookout areas near Golden Gate Bridge. We saw a family of sea otters and Stewart did a geocache (which is probably where he got into the poison oak). Went over to Union Street where we had a cafe style supper and strolled through the (glebe-like) shopping area. Came home and crashed.


Golden Gate Park Windmill



Ocean near Sutro Baths


View of Golden Gate Entry from Pacific Ocean

San Francisco Day 5

Day 5 we headed out for a walk through Golden Gate Park. We saw the original planners home (just from the outside), then the flower conservatory, then the De Young Museum of American Art, followed by the Japanese Tea Garden, walked around numerous gardens and in between did a few geocaches. Went to Fleur de Lys for our anniversary dinner. Had a wonderful four course dinner. When you go out to a restaurant, most times you can say "I could have made this at home", but at Fleur de Lys you would say "I could never make this meal in a million years!" A most memorable evening.


Flower Conservatory


Japanese Tea Garden



Cactus Garden in Golden Gate Park

San Francisco Day 4

Today was the trip to Alcatraz. Started out the day on Lombard St. and went to a local Art College for lunch in their cafeteria. Had some healthy sandwiches and a great view of the harbour. Then off to Alcatraz. You take a self guided audio tour and can then wander around. We quite enjoyed our day there and it wasn't overly cool (which can happen apparently). Had dinner at the bar at the Slanted Door -- it was excellent. After that walked back. On the way back, we stopped to do a geocache and just as we were finishing up, one of the "wild" parrots dropped by (he was interested in Margot's cookie), but was too nervous to come over. Then two local people came by and the lady was really equipped (had a bag of cut up apples and a fork to serve it with). Just as we got up to leave, the parrot hopped on Stewart's shoulder and Margot fed him the apple. Soon had two of them up there. Stayed and had a long chat with the locals and then headed back to the hotel for a snack in the lounge.

Alcatraz Island

Row of Cells

Parrot

San Francisco Day 3

We were picked up at our hotel by Rick from Blue Heron Tours for a tour of Sonoma. First we stopped at the Golden Gate bridge and then drove to Muir Woods. Muir Woods contains a small stand of old growth giant Redwood trees. Some of the trees are over 300 feet tall. From there we went to Sonoma where we did some wine tasting, had an excellent lunch at an outdoor italian restaurant/patio and finally had a tour of a small family owned vineyard / winery (Nicholson Ranch). Once we were back in San Francisco we wandered over to a Tapas restaurant on the edge of North Beach neighbourhood for dinner.

San Francisco Day 2

After breakfast, we headed down past Union Square to the toursist office. Picked up some maps and MUNI passes. Then waited for the cable car. Took the cable car to Lombard St. (at the corner of Hyde) and walked down the crooked street. From there we walked to Washington Square, then up to Telegraph Hill, down the Filbert Steps. Had lunch near Levi Plaza (Fog City Diner). Then walked over to the piers. We booked our berth to Alcatraz and stolled down the Embarcadaro. Stopped at Pier 39 and checked out the shops and the sea lions. Then walked around Fisherman's Wharf a bit while waiting for our bay cruise. Took a one hour bay cruise out to Golden Gate Bridge. While out on the boat we saw these crazy parasurfers. Sometimes they would get about 12 feet (or more) out of the water. After the cruise, we headed back to the hotel for a bit of a break and then headed out to Kuleto's for dinner (Italian).

San Francisco Day 1

First day was spent travelling. Left home at 5:30AM and arrived in San Francisco about 3PM local time. After checking in, we walked from our hotel, up Nob Hill (where we saw this car), and then over to ChinaTown and ate supper at the R&G Lounge.

Kaitlin's Grade 8 Graduation

Shannon and Kaitlin

Taylor and Vassily's Wedding

Tier Championships

Copy of tier championships 009, originally uploaded by ottawabirdbrain.

Brenna at the synchro swimming tier championships with Megan

Brenna's First Art Project

Brenna's Art, originally uploaded by ottawabirdbrain.

Brenna started taking art classes two weeks ago. This is her first project. It is a Georgia O'Keefe style flowers.

Engagement Party

Engagement Party, originally uploaded by ottawabirdbrain.

Taylor at her engagement party on New Year's day.