California 2012 - San Francisco

On our way to San Francisco we stopped in San Mateo at a great playground with a castle and giant slide.  The park was near the bay and the constant stream of low flying planes landing at the airport was great entertainment.  It was nice to see an old college friend and his family.  Dinner afterwards.

Mayflower Hotel in SanFran was great.  Location was good and even had free parking for our rental car in the lower level.  Trick was navigating a very narrow and steep ramp with inches to spare in all directions.  First morning in San Francisco, watching them turn the cable cars at the end of the line.

First cable car ride. Smiles all around.

Old fashioned arcade/museum. Obviously this game is more contemporary.

 

 Look closely for Mary showing her pride for the women ship builders.

We lugged around the double stroller so they wouldn't have to do so much walking.  Hard to push on steep streets and load on crowded cable cars.

 Steep street! 

The next day we spent more than half the day at the Exploratorium (science musuem).  Jane and I had as much fun as the kids.  We think it is one of the best, if not best, science museum we've ever visited.  Jane was making fun of my facial expressions.  I don't blame her.

 Making a tornado by swirling the air with his hands.

 

Mary making a robot action figure scene for the rotating mirrors.

 

 

 

Mary is doing great, right? We made an effort to get to the italian district for dinner that night.  We wanted to finally celebrate our 10 yr wedding anniversay with a relatively nice dinner.  We had time to salivate over the menu and but as the waiter approached to take our order, Mary cupped her hand, closed her mouth, and sprayed vomit obsolutely everywhere and in all directions.  The restaurant was very kind about it.  We left a $20 bill on the table and left after offering to help clean up.  Rode buses and cable cars for the long trek back hoping and praying the whole way that Mary would not lose it over all over the other passengers.  Ben was a real trooper and didn't complain.  He was generally worried about Mary.  Once at the hotel, Ben and I walked several blocks to order take out pizza to take back to the room for a late dinner.  Actually really good pizza.

Parting shot with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.  Good times.