Metal Now

So funny.

Black Metal Dog


(Say Anything)

California

Today was our last day in California, so we figured we better go spend some time with the hippies.










It was far out.

Then we went to Lori's Diner for dinner.




(Phantom Planet)

Fake Tales Of San Francisco

Japan Town! We had a crazy taxi driver who made up all kinds of stories about being Benjamin Button and having three wives. He was hilarious.

Here we are by the Peace Plaza Pagoda.





We got to go to Daiso AND Ichiban Kan. For those of you who don't know about these, they are 100 yen stores, which is pretty close to an American dollar store, but full of Japanese merchandise.



I didn't take pictures of any of the stuff we bought, so I might try to update this later.

(Arctic Monkeys)

I Left My Heart in San Francisco

I drew that...

On this guy


Oh boy did we do a lot today.

Fisherman's Warf/Pier 39



Lunch at Boudin


Ghiradelli Square.



We had a blast shopping at the Crown & Crumpet tea salon, which is someplace we have been wanting to go to forever!


Look what we got there:



I should mention that we walked everywhere.


This hill had to be at least a 55° angle. We started out at the bottom -by the coast. At this point we were not even half way back to the hotel.




It was a long day.

(Tony Bennett)

San Francisco Days

Today is Day one of our San Francisco vacation. Our hotel room rocks! We love the view and it is right across from Chinatown. That is where we did most of our exploring today. So far I got this pair of chopsticks:



and a couple smashed pennies. I don't know if I mentioned this before, but I love pressed pennies. They are one of the best (and cheapest) souvenirs. I have developed quite a collection. Whoever came up with the idea is a genius.







I was so excited when this lady walked through my shot. Yes - wearing curlers.
She has no shame.





We also saw the Transamerica Pyramid building.



(Chris Isaak)

California Girls

Went to my cousin Rebecca's wedding today! I had never met J.R. before. He is tons of fun. I also got to meet my new aunt Lisa for the first time. She married my uncle Jim about 9 months ago. AND my Dad's cousin Bonnie was there too. She had not seen my family since I was a baby!



Totally can't tell we are related right? Ha

(The Beach Boys)

Murphy's Song

Tonight we said goodbye to our old and dear friend Murphy.

We've been ready for him to go, but could never be ready to make the decision for him.

I'll miss him more than I can say.



I don't think I will ever understand why God created animals to live such short lives in comparison to their human companions. It just doesn't seem fair.


"I cry at her bowl, dog's dying day
A bone in her bowl, a watery grave

See, I am a sailor, but I'm not so great
I keep fishin' for roadkill, passin' out on the waves

Shimmering sea, stretched end to end
Shivering bowl, a flickering friend

See, that's Mr. Murphy, my leathery brave
He's whimpering "Taps" now, for his plank-walk grade

I've never been a joiner, no, I've quit every team I've been on

Now I'm crying in my coffee, that's not sea salt in my eyes
Cause me and Murphy, we have been through it, and I hate watching him die


So I wait for my wisdom, like I wait for my wife
Like I wait for a story, helps me wait out the night

Like when I was an archer, but I couldn't shoot straight
I broke all of ma's windows, I poked holes through her drapes

And I laugh to myself, but I can't tell you why
The hung-over sun, sneaks back in the sky

But Murphy went peaceful, he went decent and right
At least better than I will, when it's my turn to die

And I wear his collar on my wrist
And I bury him down at the beach

No crying, no coffin, just a body and a hole
No praying, no singing, no saving any souls

The only thing I'm saving, yeah
Is a bone inside a bowl"



(Kevin Devine)

I'm On A Boat

Poseidon look at me!



We went sailing today too!





Somehow when we all got dressed and went downstairs to leave we matched. How cute!








After sailing we headed over to a place called the Ale House for dinner, where I had an amazing BBQ chicken flatbread pizza and some ancho chicken salad. Downtown is so cool! It is very much a college town because of Cornell University. I often wish Elgin was more like that, but I am glad I don't go to that big of a school.

Yummm!

(The Lonely Island)

Mine's Not A High Horse

Time for some horseback riding!

This is Me & Shiloh.



He was a bit naughty. He kept wanting to stop and eat, or turn around to go the opposite direction as everyone else. His owner Mr. Jay told me he was just a big kid, who was testing me to see what he could get away with. By the end he became better behaved for me.

This is Michelle and Traveler.



He was much better behaved.



I don't have any pictures of Rachel because she is the one who took the pictures for us, since we were preoccupied with learning to control our horses. I wish I could have gotten pictures of the view on the trail. It was so beautiful.

(The Shins)