Vancouver BC

So the start of our west coast trip.  In one week, we traveled from Vancouver BC to south of San Diego.  Very exhausting but what do you do?  

BC was fun.  Since the house isn't done Thomas and Denise couldn't easily come to us, so we joined them up in Vancouver during their annual trip to see Denise's family.    It was sort of last minute, but very fun

I finally made it to the Caplinio suspension bridge.  Which is a serious ripoff if you've ever been to a forest.  Think disneyland with trees and a bridge instead of rides.  And keep the lines and cost.  But, it was pretty, and I can now say I've been there.  

We ate really well at some super fun restaurants, and walked a lot.  I think we did 10 miles one day, and it was our less tiring day

Our hotel had the most amazing view.  The room felt strait from the 80s, but man was it pretty

Fish Fossil Bathroom!

They are real fish fossils.  How cool is that?

Up to Grandma's house

Eric had to go to a conference and then head home to take care of work and house stuff so I headed up to Arnold to help Grandma pack.  Katie and Justin and crew came up one of the weekends to help.  It was seriously fun to see Mason again.

After they left, I finally hiked the South Grove.  I've always had a dog or been with a group so the no dog policy or the 5 mile loop has been a deterrence.  But not this time.  

It's a very pretty trail.

During the packing, we came across this recipe from Grandma's time in Saudi.  tee hee

And one more trip up to Lake Alpine.  

Visiting Polly

I even managed to fit in a visit to Luke and Polly.  Poor Polly is so busy with her nursing career.  But she still seems to like it.  I loved their house and to see my age mate cousin

Mason

After the VHPA Eric and I did a family tour.  I finally got to meet Mason.  Man is he a cute little guy.

I don't think I really need to say anything else

VHPA 2013 Alcatraz

Even though I lived only an hour away for 5 years, I never made it to Alcatraz.  When the VHPA reunion had a trip, it was pretty hard to pass it up.

Of course, the history is fascinating.  From the prison to the indian takeover

But I really found the beauty amazing

Much of this is gardens tended by some dedicated folk

But a lot of it is reverted to wild

And the birds!

Man is it pretty!

Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Reunion 2013 San Francisco

This summer we got to join Dad at the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots reunion.  It was in San Francisco this year.  It was so much fun to spend this time with Dad and Keith.  And such an honor to be with Dad at this event.

Eric and I scored with the room.  We were up on the 42nd floor.  The view was amazing.  But we were kind of silly and took the stairs down because I am not a lover of elevators.  The rest of the week was spent walking around, and man oh man did I regret that.

Trippy picture though

Keith in the city

Eric and I walked to the pier and back.  Fun day.

We walked the golden gate bridge.  That was a very cold wind.

Here's the view from our room.  Man it was cool to watch the fog roll in.  and out.  and in.

Sunset cruise on the 4th of July

Once the sun set, there was the neatest fireworks show I've ever seen.  Not necessarily the show itself, but being on the boat, so close and nothing between us and the fireworks. 

I couldn't get the video to post, not that you really wanted to watch a video of fireworks.

The last night of the reunion is a formal banquet.  It was fun to see everyone all dressed up.