Live Love Laugh with Carol
Contact Carol
  • Home
  • Love Story
  • ALS
  • Blog
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Gallery
  • Travel
  • Media
  • Calendar
  • DONATE

California Dreaming

3/2/2015

6 Comments

 

Food, wine, company, sunshine: what more could we ask for?

Arrived safe and sound in San Francisco, though traveling was a little tougher than expected. After three flights, my legs were done for, so my 5:30pm nap turned into not getting out of bed until the next day. Even though I wanted to, Travis was right: resting was the wiser strategy as I was in even better shape to explore San Fran the next day. Travis & I decided to do the Hop On Hop Off Bus tour (or as my good friend Melvin calls it the HoHo), which is a wonderful way to explore the city and we were lucky enough to have a beautiful sunshiny day. I loved the wall murals and experiencing driving over the Golden Gate Bridge was amazing.

And the postcards kept coming to life. Fisherman's Wharf was fantastic. Talk about being in the right place right time: just as we were looking out onto the water, out comes "Oracle". Oracle is an America's Cup boat and was simply thrilling to see in person (you may remember that Travis worked for the 12 Metre tour company in St Maarten and we watched the America's Cup on TV with Oracle racing against New Zealand). We also enjoyed an authentic lunch in Chinatown with the most delicious hot & sour soup we have ever had. No exaggeration: the soup was that good.

That evening Heather & Andy joined the party and we went for Soul Food cocktails and dinner. The next day we explored Alcatraz, which was an extraordinarily well choreographed tour and -- candidly -- beyond description - I'll tell you more when we're together next!

The customer service we have experienced in San Fran has been phenomenal, more friendly than even the Canadians (shocking, but true!)! It was so surreal to be in Alcatraz, unbelievable that it is real, totally accessible for me and the hospital wing was so creepy, it should be featured on "American Horror Story". After oysters and more great west coast treats, that night we dined at Alice Waters "Chez Panisse" and drove to Sonoma. We are staying at a cute airbnb cottage and had an incredible wine tour in Napa Valley.

So beyond the good wine and good company, we've had great meals as well. One highlight was eating at one of Travis's inspirations: Thomas Keller's restaurant "Ad Hoc". Suffice to say: even the salad was phenomenal. We'll tell you about the other views and cheese another time.

Long story short: we are loving California.

Tomorrow we are off to visit the giant redwoods at Muir Woods. Here are a few pictures to enjoy and when I get home, I will add the rest on the galley page.

Cheers from me - and us - to you!

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
6 Comments
Heather
3/2/2015 08:30:42 am

So so glad we're making more great memories together RIGHT NOW xxoo

Reply
Patricia Grattan
3/2/2015 12:44:45 pm

Dear Carol and Travis. We love to read your posts and hear how you guys are doing. The pictures are amazing.
And as always your beautiful smile is so contagious.
Lots of love as always.
Patricia and Clint

Reply
Rachel Bax
3/2/2015 01:50:52 pm

Wow, looks like you guys are having an amazing time! I love the kitty photo. Our neighbours have a ginger cat (Pumpkin) who loves wondering into all the neighbour's houses. I think he thinks he owns the whole area! He is very affectionate and cute and hard to resist. He often ends up snuggling me on the couch or helping me with my studies. Love to you both <3 Rae

Reply
dad sharman
3/3/2015 06:06:42 am

great , real, proper wine glasses except for the white. But what a way to suffer!!!

Reply
Sara
3/3/2015 07:14:05 am

Cheers!! Soak up the sunshine !! Looks so lovely and it's so great to read the details and know you are having a blast. 💛 California 💛 wish I was there with ya!

Reply
Brittany
3/11/2015 09:33:41 am

Your trip sounds and looks amazing! Although with the 4 of you, I would expect nothing less. Can't wait to hear more about it this weekend. xo

ps: I love that you manage to find cats no matter what part of the world you're exploring! You'll always be my favorite crazy cat lady ;)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Carol Jean Skinner (née Sharman)
    born October 19
    lives in Ottawa, Canada

    Archives

    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013

    RSS Feed

carol skinner  - rolyskinner@gmail.com
travis skinner - skinnertravis@gmail.com