Saturday on the coast

Okay, I get to California and have to write a paper for class. But at least I got it done.

And Saturday we went up the coast, Andrew planned the whole thing and he did a great job.

We left early and drove to Half Moon Bay, to a dog-friendly beach. It was perfect weather and the beach was beautiful, but Lou and Ella were pretty scared of the surf. And the other dogs. And the people… okay, they were just scared.

Still it was a good time. We drove north, through San Franscisco and over the Golden Gate. We stopped in Sausalito for lunch and the place we saw from the road – a dinner – was closed. So we went next door to an Indian-Mexican “confusion” restaurant that was one of the  best meals I’ve ever had, though I couldn’t tell you what it was I ate: shrimp, blackened fish and lots of vegetables and Indian spices. Andrew had a crab burrito and Risa had chicken curry. It wasn’t cheap, but it was sooo good! If you’re in Sausalito, CA that’s the way to go.

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After being stuffed we drove further north to the John Muir Woods, but it was packed! There were cars everywhere, and people. We drove through on Panoramic Highway, which runs in a giant circle, but weaves back and forth through the hills. Risa was reminded of a few months ago, before they realized she was pregnant and Andrew took her on one of those back, windy roads and it made her very, very sick.

Well, this time it was Lou who got sick; right on me and Ella. He just got this look in his eye and… the car still smells like “dog food”.

Andrew kept his calm (of course, he wasn’t the one with dog puke all over his back). He pulled over and cleaned off seat – pulling it out of the Rav4. I held the dogs to let them get some air, and attempted to change my shirt. Risa cleaned off Ella.

I told them that some people get dogs that prepare them to be parents. Lou and Ella are both that type of dog and Andrew and Risa acted like parenting pros. They’re ready for those twin boys to get here.

I, on the other hand, have a dog that is more of a companion and does not require parenting skills – which is good because I’m not doing the kid-thing. See how that works out?

After the puke episode, we drove on through Sonoma and Napa, stopping at a winery (I can’t even remember which one) for a sampler of red wine. Then on to San Ramon, the Perfect household and Grandma H. and a wonderful dinner.

It was a beautiful day.

flying

I’d forgotten that I don’t really enjoy commercial flying – but it has been since ’97 that I flew… so I guess I’m excused.

But flying is the way to go to visit family in California from the Midwest. They pack you on like cattle (Southwest), but your luggage gets to go with you!

And on the connecting flight to Midway, Chicago – which is already a really short skip – I met a nice older guy, who bought cocktails for me and the woman between us; I was at the window.

Thanks David and Tanya, for making that one easy! We had a nice chat.

I was thinking, looking out the window, when we took off how amazing it is that man’s come so far with flight and all that “wow” jazz. Then, as we landed, all I could think about was how broad and terrible man’s mark was on the earth. That was a little depressing.

It didn’t help that we sat on the connecting flight for about 1.5 hours before take off, with the pilot lying to us at first, saying we would be landing early. He finally told us we would be late when we took off…blah!

The people were nice on the Frisco flight too, (a woman from Philly near the window, and a 12 year old girl doing her homework in the middle), it was just long and my stomach was complaining that it really didn’t like the atmosphere and the pressure and the sudden jerking.

I much prefer the small planes that only seat a few, but I don’t think I can afford one of those…

But I got here and Andrew was waiting with Lou to pick me up. Kudos to him for being there so late, when he had work in the morning. That was awesome.

And poor Risa is pregnant and hanging in there like a trooper. No matter what anyone says growing a baby (and worse growing two!) is some of the hardest work there is. They should make a show to stress it – kind of like “The Dirtiest Job” or some such reality show…