I Left My Heart in San Francisco....

Sing along with me......I left my heart in San Francisco....

We are a day or two from beginning our journey down the Baja to LaPaz.  So it was time to play in our favorite City by the Bay.  Sunday was a warm and sunny treat so off we went to do a City Guides tour of bizillionares row on Pacific Heights.

Here is some art work from the Lyons Street steps -- these hearts are done as fundraisers for a local private school and then often given to the City to place in public spaces.

We walked, envied the views, and then went down to North Beach to eat lunch followed by coffee and truffles at XOX Truffles.  YUM.

And of course, back to Marin to watch the Giants sweep the Tigers.

We are watching a few storms (that could become hurricanes) off the Mexican coast.  We have no desire for an adventure with a tropical brew, so will wait till the forecast turns sunny.

From Twin Peaks

Heart on Lyon Street Stairs

Flip side of Heart on Lyon Street Stairs

Summer 2012 Summary

Absolutely a wonderful summer!  While I wish the adventure could continue another few months, it is time to head south and escape the throes of winter.  But here is a summary of summer 2012 (from our arrival in Tucson (late June) to our return to Marin (early October).

10 nights in motels
9 nights backpacking
6 nights cycle camping
54 nights car camping
5 nights inside homes (on the floor with our mats and bags)
19 nights inside homes (in real beds)
31 different campgrounds
2 countries and 7 states

1.  Best Day Hikes:

• Iron Mountain, Oregon; 
• Grasshopper Pass, Washington
• Enchanted Valley, Washington

2.  Best Park Ranger Program

• Capitol Reef -- mountain lions
• Great Basin -- dark skies

3.  Favorite National Park

• Olympic National Park, Washington
• North Cascades National Park, Washington

4.  Best Campground

• Ione, Washington
• Wright's Lake, California
• Clyde Lake, California

5.  Worst Campground

• Colusa - Sacramento River, California
• Bonner's Ferry, Idaho

6.  Best Day Bike Riding

• Creston to Crawford Bay in BC
• Chilly Hilly on Bainbridge Island (because the blackberries!)

7.  Best Wildlife Spotted

• Mountain Lion and Eagle on bike path in Idaho
• Bear on hike in North Cascades

8.  Best Meal Out

• Poppy's in Seattle for dessert
• Portland food carts

9.  Special Mention Moments

• Sunset sail with Jill & Brent on sv Cayusa
• Tour of the Gates Foundation:  David Rocks!!!!

10.  Favorite National Monument

• Canyon deChelly, Arizona
• Lava Beds, California

11.  Best Visitor Center

• John Day Fossil Monument in Oregon

12.  Other special memories

• Time with family and friends all along the route
• Becoming WA residents
• Fresh fruit pies at Capitol Reef with Alisa & Joe
• Navajo seniors on line at the Burger King in  Canyon deChelly
• 
  

For the Love of Money....sort of

Well, actually, it is for the love of SAVING money.  We are now residents of the Evergreen State with Washington driver's licenses, car plates, voter registration, doctors, dentist, etc.  But California has a few extra pesky rules about who is a California resident, including one that states:  if you spend 30 days or more in California you are a California resident and must file tax returns.  And we have no intention of paying any more taxes to California....

So we must prove we are never in California for more than 30 days in a row.  And the closest place out of state is Reno, Nevado.  A dumpy little town that has almost no redeeming features, except it is not in California.

We drove to Davis and had brunch with Bryan and Michelle; then on to Reno under bright blue sunny skies.  Sure, the forecast was for a bit of rain beginning Monday.  A bit of rain at sea level means a ton of snow in the mountains.  But we didn't really grasp that proven reality of winter until we headed west on I 80.  First a few sprinkles (east of the passes).  Then a few snow flakes.  Ohhhh, how pretty.  Well then alot of snow flakes, uuummmmmm still sort of pretty.  Then the snow sticks to the hill sides; then to the road.

Finally we are in California and chain controls (or 4 WD drive) is required.  Big rigs are lined up for a mile or so; the snow is pummeling everything.  Yikes.

We made it over the pass -- there was already 8-10 inches on the ground -- 1 lane of the normally 3 lane highway was open and we slowly went UP and OVER and DOWN.  

Back to Sacramento for a brief visit with Bryan...then on to Marin...

The Season's First Winter Storm

Road Conditions

Hello Washington DC

After a day or two in Marin it was time for me to fly to DC to visit my family:  Mom and Dad; Rachel, Allen, and Peter.   It was a mini vacation for me while Alan worked the "Magic List" and found plenty of other activities to entertain and enjoy.

Mom and Dad as we walk the grounds of the Home, er, the Village

Algonkian Cottages on the Potomac:  site of 2013 Bly Family Reunion.  The wrap around porchs will be a hit.

Rachel and Allen

Lacrosse Game:  Peter has the ball and made 2 assists!  

Marin

San Francisco was a happening city when we arrived.  Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, a few street fairs, America's Cup Racing, the Blue Angels, the 49ers, the Giants.....every where in town there was something & lots of tourists.

We arrived to stay with our dear friends, Barbara & John & Elsa, and promptly headed out to Tiburon to join the throngs watching the Blue Angels buzz overhead and around the Bay.  It was such a gorgeous day.  WOW.

But, about those Giants.....

Barbara, John, and Elsa!