Wish We Weren't Here...

Ivan is snoring next to me, Joaquin is sleeping in his room for the first time in four nights. We're ready to start a new week. Ivan goes back to work tomorrow afternoon.

Joaquin loved the flight both to and from San Francisco. He said he was scared, but I could tell he was excited. And a six year old does very well on a two hour flight. Books and video and a dad who builds an interest in maps, directions and airplanes helps.

It is difficult traveling with a headstrong six year old. More difficult because we're all together 24/7. I remember when I was little I was frequently embarrassed by my famly on those few vacations we took together because we would always argue about something. Or worse, we'd bring along another embarrassing family member who'd do something like hit on the cast members at Disneyland, much to my chagrin (and confusion, seeing how I always thought he was gay).

That doesn't happen very often anymore. Last time was Grandma drinking and dumping all the beer she bought in Mexico when she found out they wouldn't let her bring it across the border, because, "Damned if I'm gonna let them take it home." It did happen with my own family, Ivan, Joaquin and I this trip. There was a point where I was embarrassed to be with them and it brought me back to the old days and I thought, what's the common denominator? Me, of course, so I quickly got over myself and just walked six feet ahead.

I'm so sad to be home. We enjoyed expensive meals, cool air, which turned into cold air and walks, lots of walks. I start getting hives when it's too cold, but I savored every second, even as I scratched at my red, bumpy legs.

We got to San Francisco Wednesday night. Our flight was delayed over four hours because there was no crew. What's that about, United? After stopping by the hotel, we made our way for dinner at Swiss Louie's at Pier 39. My beef overdose began here when I had a steak. Then we walked down to look at the cable cars and feel the cool air.

We went to Golden Gate Bridge where I was impressed by the speedy clearing of an accident which couldn't have been more than 10 minutes. Here it takes forever. Muir Woods was awesome and we made an unexpected discovery found while driving through (getting lost in) the woods: Stinson Beach. We ate at The Stinson Beach Grill had the BEST dessert, had a very good hamburger and a spice apricot mango streudel in the shape of an egg roll. Yum! Later we made our way down to Chinatown for dinner at The Oriental Pearl Resaurant where Rachel Ray ate on $40 a day! It was good,not great, but good and they had very good service. Kind of reminded me of the Super Dragon where we usually eat at home.

Friday we took a train through the forest to Santa Cruz and the beach. We were supposed to return in time to visit with Thomas the Tank Engine, but it didn't work out that way. One little boy was slightly disappointed but worked his way through that disappointment and impressed a saleslady who gave him an eight dollar Thomas balloon to try to make up for said disappointment.


Saturday started with a tour of the ballpark. I've always wanted to go just for the view of the bay. We took a cable car and went for some rides on BART. Walked around the pier, went on a tour of SS Jeremiah O'Brien and lots more walking. We didn't eat lunch anywhere noteable, except to say that Joaquin did get two Simpson toys during our trip, and I had another steak, and I experienced a Philippine shaved ice, called Halo-Halo, that was so good, um, except for the beans--not that they tasted bad, just the idea of beans in my dessert was not becoming to me. We did have a very late, very unhealthy, but very fun dinner at Mel's Drive-in.

Sunday we only had a few hours before we left so after a nice breakfast at the Country Cottage Cafe, a tiny but tasty breakfast and lunch restaurant near where we stayed, we went to Alamo park in front of the famous painted ladies and stopped by Golden Gate Park, which is so extensive that we could have never seen everything before we left.

While there, I fell in love with a radio station, radio alice, which, I swear, was programmed by me. (Except that Gravity song by John Mayer.) I'm so glad I have the Internets so I can listen every day. This radio station played a lot of what I called, "The Whistling Song," which I told Ivan would be mine. Once I discovered it is, Young Folks, by Peter Bjorn and John, it did, in fact, become mine. I also told him this song would stay with him and reveal itself when he'd long thought he'd forgotten it. Guess what he was humming today? Gotta love the Internets: I found this version which I like very much too.

During this trip, Joaquin learned the true meaning of Gift Shop. That was the place he always wants to visit first. I must admit, it's usually the same for me, but I resisted the tchotchkes for a couple of well picked souveniers for me and mine.

Overall, we had a good time. Joaquin liked the airplane, ship, train and hotel room. Still, we decided that San Francisco is for lovers, not six year olds. We're leaving Joaquin home with Grandma next time we come.

Below is an example of the skills learned by travel: A LEGO airport and bridge built by a very tired six year old.