Surrey and San Francisco

Our vacation began in Edmonton and the final destination was San Fransisco. I seriously questioned if we would make it but we did and had a rather enjoyable experience overall.

Unlike most people that travel there. We stayed outside of the actual city, camping in Marin, Mt Tamalpais, California. It was a pretty cool site, nice facilities overall. Only catch is we were not overly prepared with our backpacking stuff and had to drag all our camping stuff up a hill. Phew! But it was enjoyable. Except when Mark kept beating me in stettlers of catan. Stupid game. 

The other hitch was we had planned on bussing into SF in the day as we were by a bus route. However, the Parks host reccommended we do not as it will take way longer with transfers and such. So we drove through the toll (Golden Gate Bridge) everyday (still awaiting the bill in the mail). Actually quite easy, contrary to all the travel sites Mark read, saying not to drive. We were worried that parking would become a problem as that was what was said in the research but we found meters by the pier one day and a parking garage the other. Meters were cheaper for 1$ an hour!

Once in the city, we checked out Pier 39. Very cool shops. One devoted to just socks (I'm a sucker). Others were electronics, puzzles, clothes, sea shells, Christmas, tourism, fudge and candy (where I found my new love for salt water taffy). The food was great too. Fish and chips, coconut shrimp, crab and shrimp bannock, clam chowder. We got our fill of deep fried goodness!

At the pier, we could also take in a great view of the city, sea lions, boats, Alcatraz and the bridge. Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to tour Alcatraz as it was pre-booked a month ahead till August 15. If looking to do this in the future, it's best to buy a package deal or a city pass as we were told on out last day. We found out too late. But it's never too late to go back again!

Loved the houses. I truly was fascinated by them as we walked through the city (the Full House theme song may have played in my head). We reached ChinaTown  where we found tons of interesting items from dried sea horses, shrimp to sea cucumbers. Very busy and bustling.  

After that we hopped onto a cable car. Too cool watching how they worked that. It takes two people to operate them! Crazy. And did I mention that their transportation is so neat as they had buses and cable cars operating from the many decades before us? Loved it. 

We made it to union square where we walked to the ferry station (basically a grand central station for boats). Back to the pier and then headed back to our site. 

The next day we took a rocket boat ride in the water. Good fun. Then drove to SF park. Here we had a most hilarious expedition on the Surrey bike. I really wanted to go to the park and rent bikes. We were there for such a short amount of time I figured biking around would be an easy and quick way to explore the ginormous park. We found the rentals and Mark saw the surrey bikes. 

Looking interested we rented those. The guide told us it was easy and that we could get around the park in an hour through a series of left hand turns. So we were off on our double bike (which I might add had two steering wheels...but after five minutes I realized mine was just for show). 

Let's just say that we failed miserably at the directions as we ended up going up hills. And with a one speed bike that is hard. We ran into a Segway tour three times during our voyage and they chuckled and said we looked like we were working hard. A rollerblader may have come by and gave us a push and mentioned we looked like we were having a lot of fun. And Mark had me in a fit of laughter telling me to "push it" every pedal up the hill. Thus me slowing down as I was crying from laughing so hard and him pushing harder. Even better was the downhill where if we had a runner beside us they may have put us to shame. In the end our hour covered probably only 25% of the park. But it was fun and we got a SF ice cream treat so we were rewarded valiantly. Even the Segway tour operator who ran into us again (on the same tour) saw us eating made the comment that we earned that!

That was the end of our wonderful SF adventure. After that it was onward up the US 101 to Canada. Till next time. I will start at the beginning then!

Love

So this happened.

So I know I was going to talk about our vacation but something happend today that was sort of related. Very weakly related. Okay not really related.

So today got to be one of the hottest days of the year here. That's right. 30 degrees baby. So Mark and I spent the part of the day going to the dog park. Before checking out, our friends, children's snow cone stand (they made 30$!). After the walk we had gooey cinnamon buns and drank cold water. Could it get better? Yes! We made plans to be in an air conditioned building for the evening. 

Those plans I concocted was to bike ride to the movie theater and check out a movie. I mean it's cheap Tuesday! I don't work and he's on holidays. And I just like to bike any chance I can right now.

I joked as we biked how happy I was, as my bike makes me happy but biking with another is just so much more fun, thus doubly happy.  Mark laughed. 

I then said, "You know Mark, I need to change my focus. After this road trip I really think my motto should be the journey, not the destination."

He laughed again. 

I continued, "Like for instance this bike ride to the theater is just as fun. Even if the movie was sold out, I got to go on a bike ride."

Little did I know where this journey would take us. 

We got to the theater, locked up our bikes. Ate. Bought our tickets. Stood in line at the concession. Watched a twenty something girl pull down her pants and pee on the floor....wait what?

Yay that's right. Totally pulled down her pants and peed. My first instinct was really nothing. Then I thought, oh dear maybe cognitively she is just not with it...and it looked like I was right as she pulled up her pants and wavered to her boyfriend in an inebriated state. Mark, calmly went to the manager to tell him that their was urine on the floor. I stayed in line and spoke calmly to the 74 year old lady that was previously behind the girl. She exclaimed, "I have never seen something so discusting in my 74 years."  That lady then proceeded to talk to other people in line, as they too were outraged. 

Mark and I just stood their unfazed. The manager figured out the culprit and dealt with the situation. Then we went to our theater and sat down. And then we looked at each other and smiled. While others in the crowd were upset, we really were nonchalant. You can tell that we have been exposed to some weird stuff in our careers. It sadly almost seemed like a normal day. That brought us into a fit of laughter. The whole ludicrous situation. Even after the movie, we talked briefly about it but couldn't stop laughing about the previous escapade. 

Life really is about the journey. Who cares about the destination! The journey is hilarious!

Love

And two years ago

We got married. So happy anniversary my love. You always seem to get me out of the tight jams in life.

We just got back from vacation and I am still pretty exhausted. More on the vacation later. Today I woke up with a migraine and feeling tired. Not the greatest person to be around for a celebration. This is when I have Mark who always seems to deliver. I unpacked all of our stuff and cleaned and Mark took the dog for a hour and half walk, did my outside errands and made me a most delicious supper of Thai burgers and salad (oh salad I have missed thee).

Happy anniversary!

Love you. 

Happy Days Canada

Have you ever had a bannock burger? It is am-azing! So good.

Took the dogs for a walk along Victoria park to the Legislature. Heard the band, smelled the flowers, heard all 21 shots in the 21 gun salute (dogs didn't think it was that cool). Perused by the tanks and model cars....then to the food trucks. 

Hello bannock burger. Yum yum. Worth every penny. 

So far canada day you are treating me right! Bring on the bike ride and fireworks!

Love