Us... Not @ Home... Aug. 24-28th

To celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, Scott and I travelled to San Francisco for a full five days away from Nora, I mean, our children. :) Even though it wasn't always a restful time with airports, security, sore feet and a 2 1/2 hour border line-up coming home, there is something to be said for a rest from responsibility. To not dwell on the hourly tasks of parenting, especially of a toddler. We are so very grateful to everyone that helped us to get away. We have spent the last week getting payback from Nora for having left, but I still think it was worth it! Please enjoy  a few of our photos with us... it's a lovely place to visit.

Staying at the original, historic Fairmont San Francisco was very special.

With the hotel situated on top of Nob Hill, AKA as "Snob Hill", every destination was downhill. We only took a taxi back up the hill once. Walking is just what you do here... at least to my way of thinking. (Scott wasn't always impressed with my idea of "It's not too far...") Our first evening found us searching out a special restaurant to celebrate our anniversary. We ended up at the long-standing Tadich Grill to enjoy seafood, specifically crabcakes!

Walking through the quaint Italian neighbourhood...

I love this vibrant vine... bougainvillea. I would be growing this all over my house if I lived here.

A distant view of the famous curved Lombard Avenue... we walked down it two days later.

We walked down to the waterfront to Pier 39, where we viewed the antics of the sea lions, ate more delicious crabcakes, watch street entertainment and browsed in the souvenir shops. Eventually we jumped on an open air bus for a 2 hour tour.

One of the sights... the "Painted Ladies" or "Postcard Row", these houses are famous old Victorians.

We eventually ended up at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge, where we experienced the extreme climate of San Francisco in action... sunshine down at the pier, with cool fog shrouding the bridge. We never did see the bridge span during our stay, unless you count when we watched the movie, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" one afternoon when we couldn't walk any further... that was a great way to see the city, too! :)

Yes, the bridge IS behind us... love that fog.

My turn... and did I mention, it was freezing!

After the chilly open air bus, we really didn't feel like we needed to wait in line for the trolley. (Had rode them before when we visited 5 years ago.) However, visiting the Cable Car Museum this time around was very interesting, especially reading about the earthquake's devastation to the area in 1906.

Two favourite eating spots that we frequented again, the Boudin Bakery and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Yummy! Eating without children... who needs conversation?! Superb.

Friday morning found us shopping in nearby Chinatown, picking up little treasures for Nora and others. After having shopped in China last year, everything seemed somewhat overpriced! :) Did take us back to that special time, and by then I started missing our little girl.

I left my heart in San Francisco... actually, that would be Union Square. We had a great lunch at the Cheesecake Factory nearby. (Yes, it's all about the food!)

A rare photo together after enjoying a fantastic dinner at the Tonga Room in the hotel. Picture Disneyland's "Tiki Tiki Room" meshing with the "Rainforest Cafe" and you get the idea. So fun.

Such a lovely hotel, it really made me feel spoiled.

Walking through the neighbourhood again... final destination, back to the wharf.

The Bay Bridge to Oakland

 The Coit Tower... a monument to the city's firefighters.

Sunday brunch, we enjoyed a lovely time with two of Scott's former Taekwondo students, Devin and Beth, and their sweet little one, Jenna. So fun to meet Canadians somewhere else!

It's been a busy twenty years, but I can't imagine changing very much. I've been so blessed to be loved by Scott, and we both look forward to the next twenty years. (We're pretty sure that there won't be any more children joining the family!) Thanks to everyone who's been there with us along the way.

August 24th, 1991