Day 22 - June 20, 2018, Sacramento, CA

Day 22, June 20, 2018

South Lake Tahoe, CA – Sacramento, CA

106 Miles/4 hours

Dad had a conference call this morning and mom really had some work to do – real work and road trip work. Then we had to say good bye to Kelly, which was hard. There was a little bit of boo-hooing, but then I took the kids to the pool while Rich had a conference call.

The kids were really good at the pool, for my kids – lol. We had a few stares, but since I knew we’d only be there for an hour, I didn’t really get on them for their rambunctiousness. And Barrett was really having fun, so I wasn’t gonna rock that boat.

We were packed, loaded and westbound and down by 11:45. By 12:15 we were stopped in construction traffic, were we stayed for one and a half hours. I kid you not. Can you say ssssuuuuccckkksss????

We finally arrived in Sacramento around 4:00 P.M. Fortunately, our hotel was downtown – and we were able to run over to the capitol before it closed. The walk was easy, downtown was clean, and the capitol ground are gorgeous. We encountered some peaceful protesters. I’m not 100% sure what they were protesting, but I assume, given the very limited news coverage I’ve subjected myself to the last few days, it was immigration.

We entered the Capitol and had to pass through a metal detector. It wasn’t surprising, given the state of affairs, and we were in California, but after the openness we experience in Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Montana – it was a bummer. And get this – Cammy got stopped. My boy was packing a slingshot and a pocket full of rocks. We had to declare and sign-in his weapons, to be picked up upon our departure. One of the capitol police commented that he understood, “The young gentleman is just expressing his 2^nd amendment rights.”

Capitol is beautiful, but we did get there late, and were unable to view the Senate or House assembly. We did mange to see the Governor portraits. I found it interesting that Arnold’s was a photograph, not a painting?! I need to investigate that. The following comment comes from someone who has fully reconciled herself to the fact she is an Independent. The statue of Ronald Reagan, the only Governor from California who became president (for 8 years), was in the basement of the capitol.

Later it was pointed out to me, by my hubby, that all the cartoon caricatures that were framed in both our rooms were anti-Republicans. Ouch. I’m no longer a Republican but still… We’re staying in a national chain, in a capitol city that certainly has its fair number of republicans. No?

Long day, given the traffic mess, so we ate a nice dinner in the hotel and went to bed early.

Above: Our last views of Tahoe.

View from our hotel room. Downtown Sacramento is pretty!

Day 21 - June 19, 2018, So Lake tahoe, NV

Day 21, June 19, 2018

South Lake Tahoe, CA – Carson City, NV – South Lake Tahoe

51 Miles/1 ¼ hours

For some reason, the clocks in our room are set to E.S.T. I woke up and glanced at the time and it read 10:06 A.M. I flew out of bed in complete panic. How in the world had I slept 13 hours? I raced to the other room to scold Rich for letting me sleep so late – he looked at me baffled. It was only 7:06 A.M.

Told you I lost a step yesterday.

I worked for a little bit and then gathered the kiddos for our pilgrimage to Carson City Nevada. It was a short trip over the mountains. Carson City is small, without all the luxe greenery of South Lake Tahoe. The Capitol building may be the smallest one we’ve toured. It is the original building, completed in 1861. Pretty sure there was next to no one in Nevada back then, so perhaps is size was scaled to population. Who knows. There’s a rotunda visible from outside, but we couldn’t see it inside. The security guard informed us there was no public access, and that they used it for storage. About sums it up. Hardly worth the drive.

Back over the mountain we went.

We spent the majority of the day tending to personal maintenance (momma was in dire need of a manicure), laundry, work, and pool time. It was the first hot day we’d experienced in almost three weeks. Oh, the sun felt good!

Kelly and I attempted to take the kids to the beach, but when we got there were told it was private and had to pay $8 per person to enter. Since it was 3:00 P.M., I didn’t see the point. We were going to take a gondola ride to the top of the mountain, but that was $40 apiece. We passed.

We did have dinner on the lake and it was very nice. Back at the hotel, everyone when to the pool except me. I sorted laundry and packed up, as tomorrow we hit the road again.

Day 20 - June 18, 2018, So Lake Tahoe, CA

Day 20, June 18, 2018

San Francisco, CA – South Lake Tahoe, CA

189 miles Miles/3 ½  hours

Today did not get off to the best start. As we were checking out/getting cars/and loading luggage, Hunter and Kelly had a shocking discovery when they went to get her car in the annex garage – and found her back window smashed in. Whatever was in the back was gone. This may sound crazy, but we’re not sure what was taken. We thought there were bags of dirty clothes, but we’re still not certain, as there were clothes in the trunk. For a while Hunter thought his state cross country shirt was taken – and that was not a good scene. Poor Kelly was a wreck. The resolution involved hotel security, the SFPD, and Alamo. It two almost two hours off our day, but at least we’re all okay.

Lesson: 1) Always valet with hotel – not matter the cost. 2) Never, and I mean never (as we were told repeatedly before and after) leave anything in your car in San Fran (even a car charger) 3) Don’t ever lose your sense of humor.

Many thanks to Alamo, who really helped us. Thank you for the water after I ran/walked to their satellite office in the city, while Kelly remained with security and the police. Thank you for being receptive to my begging and pleas when you told me we’d have to drive to the airport for a new car. Thanks for informing Kelly that American Express (the card she used for her reservation) would file a claim on her behalf. And thank you for the grace when Kelly set off the car alarm in the new car, before we ever left the sidewalk, and it rang and rang for five minutes while I hid in the rental car office exclaiming, “It wasn’t me!!” - as many employees attempted to help Kelly silence the alarm!

I felt melancholy when we drove away from the city. Ever since my first visit in 1989, I’d feel sad when departing SF, because I didn’t want to leave. This time I was sad because I couldn’t wait to get out. I have a bit of a yucky feeling about the city.

We made it to Tahoe in about three hours. Hotel is gorgeous, as is the town. Kids are thrilled! There’s so much for them to do here. The adults, however, were rattled by the day. I truly lost a step -  perhaps exhausted from the events of the past two days. I really was kind of out of it after we got here. I couldn’t remember our room numbers, got lost in the hotel (it’s like a maze), and snapped at the children.

We treated ourselves to wine and a nice Italian dinner. Kelly and Rich took the kids to the pool after we ate, and I went to bed.

Day 19 - June 17, 2018, San Francisco, CA

Day 19, June 17, 2018

San Francisco, CA

Tons of Miles by foot/hours

You guys, I wrote a super long post about this day. It was Epic! We rocked this city and I had good stories to share. It pains me to even type this – I didn’t save the document. I lost everything. This sucks. I’m attempting to recreate it, but my heart isn’t in it – so forgive what follows.

Rich wanted us to get up at 5 a.m. this morning, to be the first ones on the Cable Car (as we’ve experienced dreadful lines in the past). Um, no. Majority rules.

We stepped onto the Mason Street Cable Car at 8 a.m. (after about a 20-minute wait). Children loved it, and we rode all the way to the Wharf. We walked to Pier 39, the location of our favorite SF breakfast spot, The Eagle Café. They serve an out-of-this-word Bloody Mary. I swear there’s about a half a pound of crab meat in the cocktail. Kelly and I split one. Trust me, it’s built for two.

After breakfast, we walked down the pier to see the sea lions. The children were enthralled by their barking. It was quite chilly, and I believe that made them more playful. Even I had fun watching them roll around and play fight with each other. That’s until a bird almost flew into my head. Buh-bye.

Back to Fisherman’s Wharf, we strolled and window shopped until we got to the Bueno Vista, where we pressured Kelly to order an Irish Coffee. When in San Francisco… She complied, but only took a few sips.

Next stop was Ghirardelli Square, where the children indulged in free samples and purchased chocolate covered strawberries. From there, we wandered to the waterside, where there's a little beach. Rich wanted to go swimming (as he always does when we’re here), but he forgot his towel.

We continued walking westward, towards the Golden Gate, so we could get a decent picture. I would have preferred to have walked all the way to the bridge, but I knew there’d be mutiny! We made it to Fort Mason and got a few pictures, but sadly the day was still overcast at that point. Hunter complained that he was hungry (he didn’t care for his breakfast). He’d spotted an In and Out Burger back on the Wharf, and it didn’t take much to convince Rich. They took off for fast food (and probably hailed a cab as soon as they were out of sight), promising to meet up with us at Grace Cathedral, where we were meeting Brianna.

Brianna is the daughter of some friends of ours from way back when we first moved to Atlanta, in 1998. Once upon a time, Rich and I baby sat her (and her brother). When the twins were born, Brianna sometimes helped me with the boys. She’s now 26, and a gorgeous-single-career girl-all-about town in San Francisco. Time sure does fly.

The journey from the Sunset Beach area to Nob Hill is an arduous one. Kelly, the remaining children, and I climbed some pretty sturdy hills. What a workout. There was some whining involved and I often had to rally the troops, but they did it! Camden declared, “I can’t wait to tell my friends I scaled the mountains of San Francisco! And I regretted every minute of it!”

We didn’t get to go inside Grace Cathedral, as there was a mass. That was a bummer, because that church is pretty impressive, and I really wanted the kids to see it. We met up with Brianna – stunning as always - and were soon joined by Hunter and Rich, who arrived by cab. 

We headed over to my favorite hotel, The Fairmont, to have refreshments and snacks. Hunter was most impressed and asked why we weren’t staying there. I explained that it was rather pricey, not appropriate for the road trip – nor children. He asked me if I’d stayed there before. When I admitted that I had, multiple times, he declared, “Well that’s selfish.” A spoiled 17-year-old should know!

Brianna elected to join us for part two of our expedition. An added bonus - as we left the Fairmont we discovered that the sun was out. The day ended up being glorious. We headed over to Lombard Street to show the children the city’s most crooked street. The trek once again involved steep hills – up and down, and soon Rich, Brianna and Kelly bailed. They called an Uber. Can you image? Proud of my chickadees, they stuck with me!

We met up wit the lazy threesome at the bottom of Lombard. There was an SFPD officer handing out sticker badges to some children and we tried to get Camden to go over. He wasn’t interested, “I’m not the guy who takes stickers.” Well, excuse us!

Our next site was Coit Tower. I wanted to walk, but there was dissension in the ranks. Audrey joined the opposing team and hopped in a cab with Kelly, Rich, and Brianna. Me and my boys, we soldiered on (although not without some choice comments from Cam). We arrived in impressive time (the lazy team was shocked by how quickly we made it), even after climbing what seemed like endless stairs to get to the tower (after three steep hills). I must confess, even my heart was beating quickly when we got there.

After a brief respite, we started descending Telegraph Hill to visit the Embarcadero and the Ferry Building. My dear husband, however, kept shooting me the bird when his children weren’t looking. Upon arrival at the Ferry Building, Rich peeled off with Brianna, to get a drink. Kelly and I treated the children to some much-deserved ice cream. We collected Rich and Bri and then had to say goodbye to Brianna. Rich, along with Kelly and Audrey, escorted Brianna home by cab. My three sons and I fished the last leg of our journey on foot.

Today is Father’s Day and we had reservations at The Hillstone Grill (AKA Houston’s). I picked the restaurant naively thinking that it would be somewhat affordable (by SF standards) for the whole family. Simply not the case. Other Houston’s establishments where we’ve dined across to country have offered children’s menu. This one did not and refused to make any accommodations. In other words, my 10-year-old dined on $34 grilled salmon! I’m still sick to my stomach over the bill. Highway robbery people! Plus, there was a 3% surcharged to cover the SF mandated healthcare law. I wasn’t even going to tell Rich that (as I was paying), but somebody else at the table spilled the beans. You can only imagine the commentary.

I decided to walk home, so Rich wouldn’t see me sulk. I’m mostly over it now, the price of doing business in this city I love (although I’m a little upset with SF now, as you’ll see tomorrow). Barrett – of his own accord – walked back with me. I tried to get Hunter to join us, and he kind of threw a hissy when Rich said there was no room in the cab for him. End result? The cabbie made room.

Bear is the best walking companion. He walks fast like me, holds my hand, and never bitches about the distance. And let me tell you – it was a long walk home. When we got back, he received a standing ovation from his siblings!

Well, somehow I landed in the flow, found my voice again, and typed my heart away! I can't believe I was able to recreate this post. A sign????

                                             Carol, this one (above) is for you! XOXO 

Happy Father's Day Richie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 18 - June 16, 2018, San Fran!

Day 18, June 16, 2018

Walnut Creek, CA – Alameda, CA – Sonoma, CA – San Francisco, CA

131 miles/2 ½  hours

It was so much easier to load our stuff this morning😊 – three abled-bodied adults and two vehicles. Sweet! Our first stop was Alameda, CA, where we had an early, lunch with Aunt Carol. Carol is Rich’s mom’s sister and she is hilarious! She is full of one-liners and just cracks me up. Between Carol and Cammy we were completely entertained. Sadly, our visit was limited to just lunch, so it was hard to really catch up – but at least we got to see her and get hugs and kisses.

It was too early to check in, and this is Kelly’s first visit to the San Fran area, so Rich and I elected for a detour to Sonoma, so she could she the square and visit at least one winery. Also, Momma got to visit one of her favorite book stores, Sonoma Books. No author encounters this visit.

We stopped at Jacuzzi Winery. Isn’t that a funny name? We didn’t pick it based on its name, but rather the Winery’s gorgeous grounds and building. Our wine guy said they consider themselves to be a boutique winery, and are a sister winery to Kline (of which I’m unfamiliar). Anyway, we tasted their wine and it was good enough to buy a bottle. And just like that, our sojourn in Sonoma was over.

We reached the Golden Gate in no time – and I got butterflies, the good kind. I love San Francisco!

Traffic in the city was horrible. We got to the hotel about 5ish. It’s a huge Marriott with like over a 1,000 rooms. The lobby was a zoo, as was parking. Dudes, they wanted $77 dollars a night for parking. Jeez. Rich was tired and fed up, so he paid it, while Kelly elected to park around the corner for $38 a night. The bellman warned us to make sure we leave nothing in the car. Apparently, homeless people will smash the windows of cars and steal anything.

Room Service for the kids. Some city time for the rest of us. We stopped at the St. Francis for a cocktail and were treated to some very grand people watching. It was the venue for the San Francisco Debutante Ball. You would not believe the dresses, Oscar worthy!

We didn’t have any reservations and walked around looking, when we came upon a Morton’s Steakhouse. We took it as a sign and had dinner at the bar. Our dinner was fabulous. Thanks Kelly! Early to bed, because Momma has quite the agenda for tomorrow and I don’t think anyone (besides Rich, who’s already scared) has any idea what they’re in for. Giddy-up!

                                                              Lunch with Aunt Carol

Day 17 - June 15, 2018, Walnut Creek, CA

Day 17, June 15, 2018

Medford, OR – Walnut Creek, CA

356 miles/5 ½  hours

I must be getting older, because in the past when I’ve visited the west coast, my body clock usually stays on east-coast time. In other words, I’d get up early and get the day started. Not this time, I’m actually sleeping late for the west coast. Sleepy. Consequently, we got a late start.

Today we traveled to Walnut Creek (a town in the east Bay of SGF), California. My children have now officially been to forty-eight states. Only one of them probably remembers all of them, but at least I have pictures and journals to prove it.

My best friend from seventh grade. Leanne (Raggee) Chapple lives in Concord, CA, a neighboring town to Walnut Creek. This stop was planned for my reunion. For those of you at home, she’s Mandy’s sister. Also, Kelly, my sister-in-law- flew into town to join us for a few days, as did Rich. So it was all a bit of a party when we finally got to the hotel. No sites to share, just pictures of people I love.

Oh, there was a BIG fight in the back of the car as we approached the California state line – over who was going to be the first person in the state, once we got to the state. Huge fight. Really?

Day 16 - June 14, 2018, Nedford, OR

Day 16, June 14, 2018

Cannon Beach, OR – Salem, OR – Crater Lake NP – Medford, OR

407 miles/8 hours

Damn! I am exhausted! We woke up at six, showered, packed up and headed down the coast to Salem, OR. The capitol building was a bit unusual, having and art-deco architectural style. It was the third capitol building for Oregon – the first two burnt down. This one was completed in 1938 and designed by the New York Architect _________. I already forgot his name. sorry.

The next leg of our journey was very long, but paid off with some amazing views. Lots of mountains, lakes, and tall pines. I’ve been wanting to see Crater Lake ever since I read Wild by Cheryl Strayed. Her description of the lake intrigued me so that I Googled it while reading the book. I knew that one day I would have to see it for myself. It was created by a falling meteor and the results are breathtaking. The water is so blue, you’d thing you were in the Caribbean, except for the snowcapped mountains. So cool.

Our final stop was Medford, OR. Sorry, I got nothing, just a place to sleep. And let me tell you, momma was tired!!!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow – California and reinforcements.