A Golden Adventure

Four and a half years ago, I got a little bee in my bonnet bike helmet, about riding across the Golden Gate Bridge. My parents are pretty good at entertaining my crazy ideas, and my dad especially if it involves bike riding. 

So, my mom, dad, and I biked from the Palace of Fine Arts, across the bridge, into Sausalito, took the ferry back to SF, and rode the Embarcadero, Fort Mason, Marina Green, and Crissy Field back.

That last post-ferry leg was into the wind, and nearly killed my mom and I.

It has taken me 4.5 more years to want to do it again. 

This time, I'm in way better shape, and I knew about that last leg.

So, I told my dad, that on MLK Day, we were going on an adventure. With zero hesitation, he agreed!

We headed up to the City, skies were blue, the air was starting to warm up, and bicycles and dogs were plentiful.

My dad even let me use one of those special pant leg wraps. It makes me way more legit.
And keeps my pants from getting holey.

Also, this time, my bike has a cushioned seat and a basket. 

We had to stop about every 50 feet for a new picture of the bridge.
Thank you for your cooperation, Pops.

I have had a decade long love affair with this bridge.

I went to college in the North Bay, and would drive across this bridge to go back and forth. 

I honestly think I had the best "college drive" of anyone I know.

(Sorry Highway 5-ers, I hope you enjoyed Harris Ranch).

The best part of riding across the bridge, is riding UNDER IT. 

It's kinda freaky if you stop to think about it. 

I just stop to take photos. 

And save the thinking for later.

I didn't know this when I was on this adventure, but each tower has a name. 

Please meet Beverly. 

She's the north tower.

(Her sister is Eleanor, the south tower)

While we were riding, a guy going the opposite direction yelled "YOU DROPPED SOMETHING".

So we pulled over, and I wasn't sure what.

My dad said another guy yelled to him "THERE ARE DOLPHINS OUT THERE".

So, maybe I misheard the first guy?

So we stood along the Pacific Side (when you walk you go on the east/Bay side, when you ride a bike you are on the west/Pacific side), and looked far and wide for dolphins.

There were a ton of Sea Lions floating, and playing. 

But no dolphins. 

I was kinda bummed.

 And, we made it across. 

I didn't even have to walk my bike once.

There is quite a hill to get up to the bridge.

And the bridge itself is an incline until you reach the middle.

And we were riding into the wind, so we couldn't even coast on the decline.

And we had lunch at the cutest little restaurant, Cibo, along the main drag in Sausalito.

 Followed by ice cream.

Because, when you go to Sausalito, it's the law that you have to get a scoop of ice cream.

And then we decided we should get in line for the ferry back.

It could be a while for the next one if we didn't get on.

Thankfully, we had no problem.

 And the views were spectacular.

And you cruise right by The Rock.

Which, is another of my favorite places.

Seriously. I love Alcatraz. 

I have never seen the Bay so calm.

And then we were back in my favorite city in the world.

We hopped on our bikes, and rode back to our start.

Along the Embarcadero, past all of the piers, Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, Fort Mason (I rode up the entire hill there too!), Marina Green, and Crissy Field. 

It was SO much fun.

I can't wait to do it again.

And I won't be waiting 4.5 more years either.

Life Lately

Friends & Favs

Personal Pitchers

Moving Mayhem

 Sorbet Sunsets

Cozy Coffee

Purr-snickety Packages

Cheerful Caffination

Hella Hopeful

Frigid Frost

Snoring Schnoodle

Cumulus Captures

 Playful Parties

Lovely Lunches

Adventures Await...

Flu Tips, From Mom

And for the latest installment of Texts from My Mother...

Mom has been home from work for a few weeks from an injury, and recently caught a little bug.

So, her normal health advisories have been ramped up with FLU TIPS!

And also, dog updates. 

Nurse Band-Aid is in full effect with these.

And as she states, they are not just from my Licensed RN Mother, but also the CDC.

You're welcome.

Good news, she has a million more. 

December 2012: SO. MUCH. GOOD. STUFF.

Last monthly recap for 2012.
And it was a good one.
Returning from Jersey.
Going to New York City.
Christmas alone was full of treats and treasures.
Baking day.
And Christmas break adventures to San Francisco, Napa, and the Coast.
December sure went out with a bang!

10 on 10: January Twenty Thirteen

It's already 8pm, and I still have a lot I need to get done tonight.
So, let's get down to business, shall we?

Up before the sun.
Coffee & Quiet Time.
Best part of my day. By far.

Leaving for work.
Something about driving down this little part of my neighborhood lined with palm trees, catching a little sun flare.
Feels like old timey Los Angeles to me.

Try to keep my desk happy.
Line the partitions with cheer and encouragement.

Ever since January 1, my life has been yogurt, tea, soup, repeat.
I will tell you, it works.

I look forward to my lunch breaks with her.

I think I was spoiled growing up with this view.
San Mateo Bridge & Mount Diablo.

I also look forward to afternoon snacks.

Do you see the heart?

Day is done, gone the sun.

Came home to the happiest of mail.
From these two.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have tea to drink and work to do.

Linking up here!!

PS did you catch that? Eleven photos.  Shh, don't tell.

One Final Adventure for 2012: The Coast Post

I truly believe the West Coast is the Best Coast.
And on New Years Eve, Betsy, Angela, Margaret, Ellen and I headed out on Highway 1 to soak it all in.
Squeezing just one more adventure into 2012.
We loaded up Betsy's mom's Swagger Wagon and got to adventuring.

We had a loose agenda, a few things we had done before, and a few that we had yet to try.
It was as if the coast knew we'd be showing up with one big camera and several iPhones, as she was dressed to blue sky, green grass, and yellow wildflower perfection.

And after we took an unholy amount of photos in this incredible field, we headed southbound on Highway 1.

The sky was as blue as it comes. The clouds were wispy and white. The Pacific was dressed in it's New Year's Eve sparkles. And everything around us was lush and clean and green from all the recent rains.

And then this happened.

And then this.

And with the help of the self timer, this too.

And can we talk about this?!!?
Or maybe not, because seriously, I have no words. Well, maybe one. REFLECTIONS!!

All of this, and we hadn't even had lunch yet.
The day had just begun.

And then there was lunch.
And it was good.

And after lunch.
There were goats.
And goat cheese.
And a goat farm.
So much goaty goodness.

Local honey, cheese, olive oil.

It was all so pretty.

And then I got a text, "come upstairs ASAP"
To which I found Betsy and Margaret in the cutest little banquet room.
It was so dark, and I hardly got any pictures.
But all of us were day dreaming hipster dinner parties, with live music, twinkle lights, fresh flowers, and plenty of cheese.

And it overlooked what we came for, the goats!
So we headed down to see the little nannies.

And stood there standing and watching goats.
For a lot longer than was probably necessary.
But, GOATS.
So, you know. We stared.
And tried to make it interesting.

After the goat farm, we headed back to highway one, but not without another awesome photoshoot location detour.
Because, how beautiful are these backdrops.

And since the days are so short, the sun was already getting lower, the clouds were getting wispier, shadows longer, and the glow was this beautiful creamy yellow.

The sea was foamy.
And the waves were crashing the rocks, while the spray met us up on the bluff.

And we kept going.
Little by little, down the coastline.
A mile here, a mile there.
And next stop, we were at a strawberry farm.

With an honor system bakery and gift shop.
A little till left on the counter, where you make your own change, and generosity is encouraged.

There is a 10% discount for those who come by bicycle AND are wearing a helmet. (Safety first!)
A little seating area welcomes you to stay for a while, play vintage board games, play with old timey toys, and flip through yellow paged books.
All things kitschy. All things magical.

The day was nearly done.
We continued all the way to Santa Cruz. With berry filled bellies.
Walked a little bit of the downtown, did some window shopping, and as the sun dipped below the horizon, we returned home.

Countless adventures on the books. Closing out 2012 with seabreezes and ocean air.
I think every year should be closed out this way. Every day, if it were possible.

Later that night, back in town, we rang in the new year with old friends, a shiny disco ball, festive hats, and smokey party poppers.

A day like this was most definitely the best way to say goodbye twenty-twelve, and hello twenty-thirteen.