I was thinking of how wonderful this year has been and wondering exactly when we visited Diane and Bill in San Francisco/Pleasant Hill. I was looking at that folder filled with pictures and realized that we were there a year ago (Aug-Sept)! Mom, Gary and I flew over for a visit. I am amazed that it has been a year, since it seems like we were just there a few months ago. Diane's home is always a delight. Flowers blooming and veggies growing. I was telling her today that she has a green thumb because her yard always looks beautiful. Well, she said that she kills more than bloom, but I don't believe it for a minute. She was saying that her zinnias were the size of saucers or dinner plates this year because she finally figured out how to keep them from getting mildew damage. Gary had never been to San Francisco believe it or not so it was really fun to show him around. It was great to meet Nicole and baby Clare. Nicole is sweet and beautiful. Joel is lucky as is she to have found each other. They live at Venice beach and planned a trip to see us!
 |
| Nicole, Joel, Me, Billy, Diane holding Clare (Billy's 1st born), Bill and Mom |
 |
| This picture has Gary in place of Bill and is taken from the front looking to side of house |
 |
| Now, These are the zinnias that supposedly didn't do well last year! |
 |
| I like contrast between pink of flowers and blue of sky |
 |
| Diane's home is always filled with flowers in every room |
 |
| Back yard |
 |
| Here is their apple tree in foreground and old chicken coop behind. I miss those chickens though! |
 |
| Back and side yard. Around the shed are many wine barrels filled with veggies and flowers |
 |
| Nicole and Joel with Grandma |
Our Day in San Francisco
 |
| We took the BART then rode the trolley. We had to wait forever for the trolley, but I wanted Gary to ride |
Views of the Bay to take your breath away!
Fisherman's Wharf
 |
| One of many hanging flower baskets |
 |
| Bill, Gary, Diane and Mom at Fisherman's Wharf |
 |
| I just love the people, colors and the bird in this picture |
Sonoma & Mission San Francisco Solano
It's always great visiting Diane and Bill because they always take us to wonderful places. You could visit many times and never see all within a day trip to the Bay area. These are pictures of our day trip to Sonoma.
 |
| This is inside the Mission. Love the windows and designs on wall |
 |
| Sonoma town square |
 |
| Gary leaning on city hall |
 |
| Mission San Francisco Solano |
 |
| Prickly Pear |
 |
| Diane's thinking of going up to preach a sermon |
 |
| I took these for the reflections of wine on napkin and glass and napkin reflecting on wine glass itself |
 |
| Yours truly and Gary, Cheers |
Sonal Valley Regional Park
 |
| This is a sycamore you just want to hug |
 |
| My cute little Mom, still blond and beautiful |
 |
| This is California to a T. Oaks and yellow grasslands |
Sausalito
OMG, how I love this town! We took the Ferry across and spent the day wandering. It's a ways from the town to Sausalito to the house boats. We found we could catch the bus although no one at the tourist bureau had any information about the bus! The house boats are artsy, saucy, colorful and magical. They radiate joy
 |
| Diane and Bill in ferry |
 |
| Gary and Carol in ferry |
 |
| Mailboxes for houseboats |
 |
| Diane, back in town of Sausalito |
 |
| I loved how pregnant she is. Her baby is now probably crawling |
 |
| I left my heart in San Francisco |
 |
| Golden Gate bridge. Picture doesn't do the colors justice, but not bad. Note the bird |
