Rummel Family

Thursday, June 28, 2012

California 2012, Part 3

San Francisco

Mom and Dad graciously watch the kids for a day while Andy and I took the train to the city for a day. We walked to the cable car station and took the Hyde-Powell car thru the city to Fisherman's Wharf. From there we walked to Pier 39 and did shopping along the way. We decided to take a bit of a tour from a boat. We got tickets to go on a "cruise ship" and they took us along the city, under the Golden Gate Bridge, and then back over and around Alcatraz. Two years ago I went on a bus tour of the city and a tour of Alcatraz, but this hour long cruise tour gave us most of the highlights of both of the tours I went on a couple years ago. We had a pretty clear day (it was a little hazy) and it was warm, so we couldn't have asked for better weather.

The cable cars were nice to ride. It's not a quiet ride, but you do get a good view of the city streets and the water. Andy rode on the outside, so he got the full thrill of the ride. :) We ate at Bubba Gumps restaurant on Pier 39 and enjoyed some good seafood and a wonderful view of the bay. It felt good to rest a bit before we began our hike along the shore towards AT&T park (where the train station is).

Alcatraz in the distance

Lumbard St ( a view from the bottom is better!)

This is the cable car we rode

Andy and I on the open deck for our boat ride

Seals and sea lions at Pier 39

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

California 2012, Part 2

Asilomar

We had some of the best weather yet during our trip this year.    The first couple days were so clear and warm. And one day there wasn't even a breeze. It was so nice to be on the sunny beach and feel warm! Asilomar is normally what the boys refer to as "the cold beach." Even if it's sunny, the cool breeze off the water makes a sweatshirt feel nice.   :)

The boys loved playing with the other cousins. One of their favorite games was Sharks and Minnows.   They would chase each other around the big room and all you would hear is the thunder of a dozen kids running and squeals of laughter (ok, and the occasional crying).

Of course the sand was a big hit. Whether it was in the volleyball court right outside our rooms or the beach.   Erin just like being where everyone else was and watching them play. :)   Oh, and the boys got to have "sprinkler baths," as Andy put it. We had a handicap room and therefore a removable shower head. They don't really take showers yet, so we didn't know how well it would go. But Andy told them they got to have special "sprinkler baths" and they thought they were great. You could hear screaming and laughing from our room at bath time. :)

As always, our time as Asilomar goes way too quickly. But it's so good to see everyone and I can't wait for next year!