California R & R

When Daddy told us that his project would take him to California for three weeks Mommy and I decided to visit him for a little late Winter R & R.

We landed in San Francisco and hit the ground running. Daddy greeted us with a delicious cup of Pete's Coffee for Mommy...I was so excited to see Daddy that I ran towards him and almost knocked him over. He's getting pretty feeble in his old age.

After getting our luggage we headed to the Prisidio (former ARMY post) to view the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge.

Next we headed to Lombard Street - the most winding street in the world. It consists of eight hair-pin turns and 27% grade...very steep! We enjoyed the first descent so much that we went around for a second trip!

Daddy and I check out the cross-section of a Redwood that is more than 1,000 years old.

The next day of our trip started with a drive to Muir Woods. The clear, blue sky was chilly in the morning then warmed to 60 degrees in the afternoon - perfect weather for exploring a forest with the Tallest Living Things in the world. Muir Woods is home to Redwood trees that 500 to 800 years old. The tallest was measured at 379.1 feet tall.

Hold on while we look up this very tall tree!

After Muir Woods we drove to nearby Muir Beach Overlook - this place provided coastline defense from 1776 to the early 1970s. We saw historic observation bunkers and amazing views of the coast.

Our road trip continued with a drive through some very rural parts of California...we even met a cow named "40-20." We met the cow in the road and Mommy had to do some sweet talking to get him to move.

We eventually arrived at Point Reyes Lighthouse - built in 1870 to warm vessels away from a treacherous coastline.

Point Reyes is the foggiest place in the Pacific Coast. The lighthouse was built about 300 feet down the bluff...the walk down is pretty easy...the walk up is sure to get your blood pumping. Mommy and Daddy both made the trek (separately to avoid me getting in any trouble).

Press PLAY to hear the foghorn!

On Saturday we headed into San Francisco to do the tourist thing. Here we are posing on a cable car. We bought a day-pass and rode the two separate lines for a great sight-seeing tour of the old city

Here we watch the cable car operators turn the car around at Powell Street.

Passing another cable car on our descent down a hill. We can smell the wooden brake pads burn as we go. Ding..ding goes the bell.

We jumped off the cable car and headed to Fisherman's Wharf at Beach Street to rendezvous with an antique big, red, shiny, fire engine.

Mommy found a couple who restored a 1955 Mac Fire Engine. The husband and wife team sing and entertain passengers as we tour the Presidio then drive OVER the Golden Gate Bridge and on to Sausalito...the town on the other side of the bridge.

I'm the handsome one in the middle.

I don't know why but Mommy took the firefighter gear back to the hotel that night. I could swear that I heard siren noises later that night in my sleep.

Here we go!! Boy it was cold but we had a great time driving in our open-cab fire engine over the Golden Gate Bridge!

Later during the week Mr. Kyle arranged a tour of a San Francisco Fire Station. We enjoyed seeing Truck 18...a Ladder Truck with a tiller driver in the rear. It was amazing to see the very long truck steer through the streets of SFO.

Driver-Engineer William Noel ready to respond. Uh...I can't reach the pedals..oh well...who needs brakes?

Maybe I should try carrying this axe instead...this is very heavy!

On our last day we headed to the JellyBelly Jelly Bean factory for a behind-the-scenes tour. Of course, my Mom and Dad made me pose for another goofy picture. I only go along with their antics to keep them happy. We even had to wear silly hats..I'm sure glad no one I know saw me.

We learned that approximately 78 million jelly beans are stored in the factory at any time...so...subtract the 3,000 we ate on the tour...and that leaves...ah...Mommy...can you help me with the math...please?!