I Hella Heart Mancation Part #4

Where did I leave off?

Oh yes, we had just finished wine tasting. Following that we headed for 17 mile drive.

We headed straight for the waves where Meg wanted to get up-close with the sea life.
It was so warm and sunny on the drive.
There are about 2,000 pull offs along the drive, one over looks this little bay where 100's of sealions and bird rest. They are hard to make out in the photo, but the birds dot the top of the rock, and the seal are the dark mass at the bottom of the rock.
The views were just beautiful.
On the way to Pebble Beach you pass the lone Cyprus tree.
We finally made it to Carmel, were we enjoyed ice cream and window shopping.
Then we hopped back in the car for the drive to Santa Cruz. Lauren got some great shots of the setting sun out of the car window.
We ate at a great sushi place in Santa Cruz.
Followed it up with some dancing.
And you would laugh too if the bar was using a stamp that said "BLOG". Just too fitting for my personal and professional life to not photograph.
Up next, our last full day in SFO.

I Hella Heart Mancation Part #3

Everyday was so full on our vacation. I can't believe how much we did in one day, so Day 2 will be broken up in a series of posts too.

We started this day off by heading to Gilroy for wine tasting. We started at Fortino winery where we were given a tour of the winery by the founder. This Italian man had so many great stories for us as we walked the small winery.



We then drove down the road to the Solaris winery.
Here Lauren met Peggy Sue, the dog, dressed like a human.


After the wine tasting we drove and drove and drove before eating lunch at Taco Bell after not knowing what else to do because it was 4 PM and we hadn't eaten all day. Following that we headed to Pebble Beach. Look forward to that post coming soon.

I Hella Heart Mancation Part #2

Part #2 of Full Day #1 in SFO...

After touring Ikea and snacking on Trader Joe's treats, we ventured to Pier 33 to catch our ferry to Alcatraz. We had booked our evening tour tickets weeks in advance and we were lucky, because as Jenny promised the tour was sold out that evening.

Standing in line:
The evening boat ride is a little longer than the day boat ride out to the Rock. They take you the full way around the island to see all the sites.





Once on the island you are greeted by a guide who gives you a brief overview before providing you with a 45 minute audio tour. The cells were so tiny.


But the views were amazing from out there.



At night you can tour the hospital (which isn't open during the day). It was very creepy in there. There are also evening guides who provide more indepth stories and tales of the island. But really the treat of the evening tour is watching the city come to life at night from a distance.

I Hella Heart Mancation Part #1

I arrived in San Fran at about 9. Then the madness of the weekend started as Jenny speed into the airport pick up zone horn blaring and windows rolled down. We threw the suitcase in the car and drove straight to In N Out Burger.

It might be the weirdest trip there ever. Jenny & Meg had a pepper eating contest, some man walked in with his light saber turned on and another man came in with a parrot on his shoulder.

We got back to Jenny's house and I was in awe of her view and couldn't get enough of the city lights.
The next morning I had Jenny wake me up so I could watch the sunrise. It was actually pretty cool because the Bay Bridge was closed for repairs so I could see the traffic lights for miles as people made their way into the city.

After getting cleaned up we headed out to Trader Joe's for snacks. I love that place and really wish we had one here.
Then we traveled into Palo Alto to go to Ikea. It was my first time to this WONDERFUL place. I was in love. Again, we need one of those here. We of course had to test everything in the store.
Then we dined on their great, cheap food. I enjoyed the Swedish Meatballs.
After Ikea we headed back into the city for part 2 of our 1st day adventure... more photos coming tomorrow.

Home Again

I love vacations, but I love the feeling of coming home.

Home, tired, photos and stories to come over the course of the week.