A Surprise Vacation!

March 15th, two weeks ago, I got a real treat! My mom called the week before and told me that my dad would not be able to accompany her on her business trip to San Francisco. They wanted to know if I could go. My mind was a whirlwind- how could I go and have someone to teach the kids? was the first question that came to mind. The answer- My daddy lovingly volunteered to come and home school them Monday through Wednesday while my fabulous sister-in-law took Thursday and Friday! WOW! Can I just mention that I have great family who loves us very much. I feel so fortunate. I quickly gathered lessons and plans and books and worksheets and all kinds of things to help Daddy and Nicole teach while I was gone. The kids were excited, I was excited, Joey was NOT excited, but he never is when I leave him. Sunday, I was packed, lesson plans were done, meals were cooked (I am a good wife) and extra curricular ideas and rewards for Bibi so the kiddos would have incentive to get their work done, were provided. Bibi came Sunday night and I left Monday morning very excited about traveling alone. My first dose of traveling alone was when I went to Turkey by myself. It is very liberating to change planes in Amsterdam (on foreign soil) and maneuver public transportation on your own. It can be scary but it just makes me feel like a BIG girl when I get on a plane by myself. I love it! From the very get-go I knew it was going to be a trip of "Great Views". Check out the view from the window on the plane. I marvel at how crafty God is! He is amazing and as I watched the landscape change repeatedly as I flew across the U.S., I was just reminded of His beauty and the beauty of His creation. What a loving God to give us such wonderful things to enjoy!

After changing planes in Las Vegas and then jumping on a shuttle in San Francisco, I arrived at the hotel, situated right smack dab in the middle of the city with a view from our corner room of the hotel that was breathtaking! The entire wall of the hotel room was glass from top to bottom and I really had to work up to standing next to the glass wall and looking down with out losing my stomach! You should have seen it at night!

The first night I arrived we headed down to Fisher's Man Wharf, had a seafood dinner and then visited the 5 sea lions living on the pier right now. Poor little guys all abandoned by their posse. We headed back to the hotel and hit the sack. I woke up, Tuesday morning with one thing on my mind for the day-Running across the Golden Gate Bridge! In preparing to go to San Francisco, I called Amanda, my trip guru, and from the moment she said, "You know that you can run across the bridge," I was on a mission. #1 goal of the trip! The coolest thing was that one of the men on my mom's team at work brought his wife, who also runs (what a blessing for me), and she thought it would be great fun to go with me. Karen and I headed off, on all types of public transportation, to achieve the awesomeness of running across the Golden Gate Bridge.

I could not have asked for a more perfect day!
We were soooo excited!

The view from on top of the bridge was Amazing and we passed by many friendly construction workers, tourists, Serious bikers, and locals. I was not at all worried about the cars or plunging to my death in the icy waters, it was the bikers that were the scariest! I could see the headlines now, "Girl Fulfills Dream of Running Across the Golden Gate Bridge Only to Be Slayed By Avid Bicycling Local Bent On Beating His Personal Best Time".
The bridge is exactly 1.7 miles across so by the time we ran to one side and back we had run 3.4 miles. Great morning run!

Karen and I stopped for a rest, taking in all of the scenery and posing for a self portrait.

On the other side of the bridge this sailor was there to greet us. Don't really know who he is, should have read the plaque, but it made for a great pic spot! We had a blast on public transportation to get us back to the hotel. Karen and I returned a little later than we expected but made it back in time to go to lunch with the group at THE STINKING ROSE! Another recommendation by Amanda! We were in for a treat---of GARLIC! Everywhere, Garlic from the ceiling, garlic on the food, garlic on the walls, even Garlic ice cream for dessert!
Something that is not a treat, is maneuvering around on public transportation in a big city with absolutely no in bred sense of direction. I get turned around faster than any thing and I know where I get it from--My Mother! We were a lethal duo as we tried to ride the trams, trains and trolleys around the city, but at least we were together, having fun!

That night Mom and I were off to experience another treat--WICKED! I love going to live shows and WICKED was a fabulous one to attend. My mom was a bit skeptical because of the title but I talked her into it and we were on our way. by intermission she was ecstatic and was just soaking up all the goodness that is WICKED! We had a blast.

The inside of the theater was beautiful, my favorite theater is still the Fox, in Atlanta, it is exquisite but the Orpheum was also very beautiful.

It was a great night!

Before the show we sought out some comfort--Starbucks, Chai latte- soy milk, no water and a red velvet cupcake! mmmmm... Some things are just good everywhere!

We also found a four story Old Navy! Ahhhhhhhh... The self control I had to exercise.I love the Big City and it was just Tuesday!