Dad's California Trip

Shortly after we got back from New Mexico, Frank surprised me and asked if I wanted another week off. Of course I said yes (duh!) and took the opportunity to go to California to visit Grandma. I ended up swinging through Palmdale and picked up Cheryl, Taylor and Bryson (who is taller than me now). We had a fun week. Grandma made me an applesauce cake and I managed to gain about 5 pounds on the trip. The 4 of us (Grandma stayed home) went to Chinatown in San Francisco on Thursday. I thought of Jennifer and Kimberly when we were there. It's one of their favorite places. On Friday, Janae and her kids (who are all getting HUGE!) came over and we all loaded up and went to Bean Hollow. It’s over on the coast, just south of Half Moon Bay – about an hour and a quarter from San Lorenzo. Anyway, we had a great trip. Nice day, good weather, fun beach – what more could you ask? ."Baby" Sarah checking out a crab.
And yes, the crab in the picture is pinching my finger.
Before I found out I was coming to California, there had been a party scheduled at Grandma’s house on Sunday (more on that later). Ryan and Jan couldn’t make the Sunday thing because of church commitments so they decided to come spend Saturday with us. But on Friday night, when we got home from Bean Hollow, Grandma went into the utility room for something and several loud “oh no!"'s echoed through the house. Her water heater had sprung a leak (just a drip, but there was water all over the floor). I took a look at I and thought I could change it out. So guess what Ryan and I got to do on Saturday? It wasn’t too tough a job, and went pretty smoothly, except for the shut off valve that also needed replacement. Turns out Ryan had helped Granpa install the old one 16 years ago. But after that we got to play cards and have fun.
The Sunday event was planned before I know I was coming, but worked out beautifully. My cousin Grant and most of his family were in Palo Alto (across the bay) on vacation, and they had decided to meet up at Mom’s for a mini reunion. Wally (another roommate) and his son came up from Monterey and Bart came as well, so we had 4 of our college roommates together again. Much fun was had by all. . 4 Old Guys .
I like driving up the north coast when I’m there, so on Monday, Cheryl, Grandma, Bryson and myself (Taylor stayed at Janae’s house to play with her kids) drove up into Sonoma County and along the coast. We went up to Fort Ross and Salt Point State Parks and then came on home – about 270 miles. Sonoma and Mendocino counties in California are among the most beautiful places on earth (that aren't sand dunes). Driving east from the coast through the redwoods is pretty cool, too. I really do like going up there and seeing the coastline. .Fort Ross coastline.
Not a good trip if you're prone to carsickness, though.

And on Tuesday we made the long drive home. But it was a fun trip and good to see Grandma again. It’s funny how things tend to break down at her house when I go for a visit. Last time (or the time before) the plumbing under her kitchen sink broke and Ryan and I were able to fix it. This time it was the water heater. Timing is everything. But it was nice to be able to be there and able to help when something goes wrong.

Anyway, that was my trip. I'll have to do it again sometime soon, I guess. I recommend it to all. Dad