Visiting the City by the Bay

“I left my heart in San Francisco…………..” I really did leave a part of my heart and soul in the Bay area. We lived in the Bay area for 14 years---5 in Sunnyvale, and 9 in Walnut Creek, while Russ worked in downtown San Francisco. We’ve been gone for 29 years now, but all those wonderful feelings came flooding back as we returned to “the City by the Bay.”

Golden Gate Bridge

Troy and Dan are the best hosts ever and really outdid themselves on this trip. I wonder if Troy logged how many miles he put on his car from driving us to see everything. Here’s a small sampling:

A Giants baseball game against the LA Dodgers

Touring homes for consideration for a 2012 family reunion – The Broderick House is my favorite
Trip down the coast to Monterey, Carmel, Costanoa, dinner at La Costanera at Half Moon Bay

Exploring Cavallo Point at Fort Baker, across the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito

Viewing Sutro Baths and Sutro Heights (and Cliff House) and walking along Land’s End—always viewing the ocean from wherever we were.

Drove us past every famous and important landmark in San Francisco

 
Entering the AT&T Baseball Stadium ------------- Dodgers win 1-0

Troy, Dan, Russ, & Sharlene - Giants fans

And while driving in Troy’s Prius was the best, we did take advantage of the great public transportation in SF. We also walked, and walked, and walked so as to see things up close and personal and to reach the most wonderful little ice cream shops. Bi-Rite Creamery and Smitten—two favorites. Also enjoyed a wonderful pie bought at a little stand at the back of an alley and around the corner. Too many wonderful eateries to list them all. Dinner at Dan's parents', Jill and Dan Sr., proved as delicious as any time we ate out.

Lombard Street---Troy, Sharlene & Dan at Monterey---View from Sutro Heights

Dan, Troy, Brad, & Russ view City from Alto Plaza --Troy & Sharlene walk at Land's End

But the trip would not have been complete without a visit to the old homestead - 1523 Wicklow Court in Walnut Creek. We also drove by the Bancroft Elementary School (where most of our kids attended), the shopping center across Treat Blvd., Heather’s Farm (favorite park/swimming pool), and attended church at our old ward. We were thrilled to see so many friends from the ward that were still there. Saturday night, we went out to dinner with Carol and Burt Pett, Janna (Pett) DeLange, and her daughter, Kiley and husband, Jeff. We were treated by Burt and Carol to a wonderful Chinese dinner at Jade Garden. Good company, good food, forever friendships.

1523 Wicklow Court, Walnut Creek

Dinner with good friends, the Petts-------Dinner with Dan Sr., Jill, Noe, & Siobhan


Bi-Rite Creamery -----------Blackberry White Nectarine Pie

La Costanera at Half Moon Bay--------Plant Organic at Pier 3

So much I could say about this ideal vacation. Perfect weather: 72 degrees and clear blue skies and did I mention the SURPRISE?! While standing in line for yet another ice cream, we heard someone from behind us ask if he could crowd in line with us. As we turned around to see who made this request, we were totally surprised to see Brad standing there with a big ole grin on his face!! Brad had arrived in town (unbeknownst to us) to attend a business meeting, so he and Troy arranged to have him surprise us—literally walking up to us from hiding behind a bush. From there it was talking non-stop, eating our ice cream and more walks around the “City by the Bay.”

Russ, Brad, Troy, & Sharlene

Once again, I “left my heart in San Francisco.”