One would have to be sailing on San Francisco Bay with new friends Joe and Kathy Siudzinski- fellow Seawind owners- actually way more experienced than we'll ever be (i.e. Australia and Alaska)- We're passing Alcatraz in the background, and marveling at how cold their world is!
Another was seeing an old friend of Ted's and getting to know his wife and daughter. They actually took us to the yacht club, gave us a ticket for a free winery tour, then fed us at their home as we passed through San Fran at the end of our trip. They really made us feel welcome and special. Frank was Ted's best friend back in Jr. High School- lot's of memories and fun stories! (Daughter, Teya, had just injured her knee playing soccer- hence the crutches.)
We also got to spend Sunday morning with Teddy and Teresa's good friends, Kenny and Kelly McCord. Breakfast at their place, then rowdy church in a warehouse, where the gospel was fresh and strong. It was truly great to talk to them- just very encouraging. They're awesome people. Now I know why my son feels pulled West- but I hope he stays home, because West is really far away.
Then there was the middle of the trip...4 days at a quaint, simple Bed & Breakfast in Mendocino (North Coast)- very relaxing- from there we took several mini-trips to see Redwoods and Botanical Gardens and Cliffs and CuteLittleShops (always fun!- but here they were more like galleries, so no big purchases... just lots of strolling 'round.).
And then there was this spot called "Glass Beach", where a landfill was back in the 60's (right on the shoreline!)- And all that's left of the garbage is tons and tons of seaglass! It was really kind of beautiful in an odd sort of way. People just sort of sift through it, looking for bits of treasure... and yes, I brought home a baggie full!
Well, the food deserves mention, too- San Francisco really cares about good food- and Mendocino really cares about good organic food. Needless to say, we ate really well. These pictures were taken in Chinatown- Ted asked a young girl on the street where to eat, and she sent us down a side street to Hing Lung, where menus and daily specials were all in Chinese Characters and the restaurant was filled with Chinese Characters and a dragon danced through, complete with firecrackers and drums...Oh my! At the end of my Chow Mein I realized I was holding my chopsticks upside down (by looking out the corner of my eye at the little old lady at the next table.). Soon as I flipped 'em life got a lot easier!
What a great trip! And what a great way to celebrate 30 years together! We had a blast, and loved every minute of it-And now it's good to be home!
