May Vacation...Day #1

So my vacation is officially over. (sigh)

I came home to a broken piece of pottery, a torn calendar, Kix cereal all over my bedroom floor, and dried cat vomit (I'm assuming from the cereal) all over the carpet. But prior to walking into the apartment I went to my parents to pick up my son who I haven't seen in 6 days. (the longest we've been apart in 13 years!) I was so excited to see him! I firmly believe that absence does make the heart grow fonder. I missed him more than I think he realized, but this vacation was much needed...even if it meant taking a vacation without him.

I have had plans to take a week off, for a few months now. One of my closest friends was going to be out on the west coast for work, with a week off "in between" so we decided to take the opportunity to spend some time together. Destination: San Francisco!

This worked out well for me, as the central valley was expecting to hit triple digits, and the Bay Area is usually about 20 degrees cooler. Our first day there, we couldn't have asked for better weather!

After the initial state of "me being confused" we found the spot I was looking for! (well...sort of.) I wanted to venture through The Presidio, which is right next to the Golden Gate Bridge. AND, if I might add, has a GREAT view of the city!!!

When my parents were first married, my dad was in the Navy and stationed at Treasure Island. When we moved out here in 1996, my dad would tell me that he used to spend hours and hours underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, trying to capture pictures of the waves. I could see why he chose this spot. It was a great set-up, and so I tried...and as you can see by one of these pictures, I got a tad too close!

The shot I was taking...

...AND...the repercussion of taking that shot!

Don't worry...no cameras were injured during this stunt. Kids...don't try this at home! :)

We drove down the road a little ways and stopped again. I think I discovered my "new" favorite place to take pictures!

We drove back up the hill and around The Presidio...what an incredible place!

Next stop...Lombard Street (aka the Crookedest Street in the world...)

(I was behind the wheel...so no pictures of the actual drive!)

And THEN...dinner at Pier 39.

....view from Fog Harbor Restaurant...

Finally, we ended the day with a stroll down Pier 39 (and a walk through of one of the hundreds of candy shops)!

It was a great start to the week...and there was much more enjoyment to be had! ...day #2 to follow!!!