Emily and I met at the SF airport and rented a car so we could spend some time in the city. Of course we had to go to Fishermans' Wharf, Pier 39, China town, and drive up and down the amazingly steep hills! As a family of 7 growing up, when we visited Fisherman's Wharf, my Dad would buy a couple small cups of baby shrimp and escargo for us to share. Emily and I got fish and chips and a sourdough bowl, but also for memories' sake bought a small bowl of shrimp.
Alcatraz
After the city we drove through Golden Gate Park and enjoyed the smell of eucalyptus and ocean. We stopped at a beautifully restored windmill from Holland surrounded by gorgeous flowers. I think the kids must have deleted those pics of my camera. Can't find 'em!
We made it to my grandparent's house in Los Altos Hills late afternoon. They live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. It was so fun to see my grandparents and be at their home with them. We spent a wonderful evening talking and having dinner together. Below are some pictures of their place that have alot of meaning to me but won't mean much to you. I always want to remember their home and all the memories there.
This is one of my grandpa's sheds where he used to smoke his pipe back in the day. I love the smell of pipe smoke because of that and I loved the smell of this shed too. Also, in front, you can see his old compost bins and shredder machine. Now he has an even larger compost pile elsewhere. This was one of our primo spots to catch blue belly lizards too. To the side of this shed is one of grandpa's amazing gardens. My grandpa has multiple gardens and is the best gardener I know. Everything he grows is like gold! Believe me that we ate well on this visit: fresh green beans, avocados, tomatoes, peaches, mandarin oranges, pears and orange juice every day!!! The week after Emily and I left the neighbors and friends were having a summer celebration to honor my grandpa and his produce just to give you an idea of how amazing he is!
This is the back side of the house, which we always thought was the front of the house because it's really the only entrance that is used unless you are an unfamiliar visitor. My grandparents always had alot of neighborhood dogs around and we'd fill up their aluminum dog bowls by the back sliding door. They used to have a beautiful black lab that we loved, called Jed. We'd also eat Cornflakes with peaches and whole milk out here on the patio for breakfast, and in the evening put on silly plays and performances for anyone who would watch.
This is a special side of the house that we would visit because it was another primo lizard catching spot. They would hide in the random wood pile and fruit crates used for drying apricots during the summer. I love that after all these years they are still in the same spot!
Here is Emily, Danielle, and poochie. Danielle is a dear neighbor to my grandparents and has been there as long as I can remember. She always has a boxer dog and always names them Poochie. I think I have known 3 Poochies. We actually stayed at Danielle's house this visit. She is wonderful and generous and has this great, thick German accent although she has lived in CA for a long time now. When we were young we'd always go to Danielle's house on our visits because she let us swim in her pool. My brother always told me there were sharks in the shadows of the pool and I always believed him.
This picture isn't very good because it was dusk, but I'm using it anyway. It's a picture of Poor Claire's, a monestary right up the hill from my grandparent's. We too many walks through the grounds and were always a bit creeped out thinking there were Nuns hiding in the bushes spying on us. One time they did let their dogs out on us. But we liked it anyhow, it was always so peaceful and quiet. You can actually see the Bay from here. But it just looks white in the photo. Another thing important about Poor Claire's was that it has a stone wall around it and my grandma and parents, ever since I can remember, would take us to go walk on "Poor Claire's Wall." After that we'd collect Oak balls off the trees nearby. Emily and I found some to bring home to our boys this trip. And it was still even a little spooky for me this time around even though I'm older and more brave now!
The rest of the time actually at my grandparent's house we spent canning pears and peaches. Twas the season and I'm so glad we were there at that time to help out- or maybe I'm so glad we were there at that time because of all the good fruit I got to down while I worked! Before this I had never learned how to can so this was a really fun experience. And I learned from the best, my granny, who is the best cook and homemaker around. My grandma's skills in the kitchen are equal to my grandpa's skills in the garden, everything she touches turns to gold! I feel so blessed to have such hard working, and skillfull grandparents who have passed their rich heritage down to us. We have learned so much from them about thrift, hard work, health, diligence and self sufficiency- oh and good food. It was a great time working together in the kitchen.
The last day we had there my sister and I wanted to go check out the beaches and town of Half Moon Bay, about 45 minutes away. Knowing that my grandma hadn't seen the beach in ages, we talked her into taking a day away and coming with us. My grandpa stayed home and got to work outside all day like he enjoys so much.
We had a great time taking a few walks and visiting several beaches as we watched the seals and the surfers play in the breakers. VERY different from Florida beaches. Not too warm. But still very beautiful and enjoyable. Everything went well that day and I'm so glad my granny got to see and hear the ocean and feel the breeze in her sweet white hair. I love my granny.
We ate lunch, fish and chips which was a first for my granny, from a seafood restaurant in the quaint little town of Half Moon Bay. We ate it in the car together after ordering and just had a real enjoyable time. Emily is such a trooper, as you can see she was 8 months pregnant. I love Emily too.
That night we did another load of canned peaches and had our last visits together. Emily and I both flew out very early the next morning, back to our anxious Moms and awaiting boys. It was a blast and I hope to be able to take this trip again next year!
1 comment:
It looks like you had a fun time! Next time you come, plan an extra day so we can get together. I am less than an hour from all the places you were. :) My grandpa smoked a pipe as well and I LOVE pipe smoke because of him as well! I remember opening an old suitcase with family papers at my parents' house and the smell just puffed out. I am glad you had such a great visit with your grandparents. Those moments are priceless!
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