Trippin'

Winter has been long.  I mean, L-O-N-G long.  Yes, there's been snow and rain, but kids can handle snow.  A coat and some gloves, and you can toss them out there for hours.  But not if their noses are running, they are coughing incessently, and there is occasional vomiting.  Then even a coat won't get them out of the house.  So an escape from the house was just what the doctor ordered for this caged in mommy.  Two of my besties and I hopped in the car and drove to San Francisco for a much-needed weekend of fun.  Here are some highlights:

The grand entrance into San Francisco over the Bay Bridge:

Our small but swanky hotel room (there's even a chandelier, but it didn't make it into the picture):

A trip to China Town, which included a lot of shopping at jewelry stores, lots of walking, and a disgusting, overpriced lunch that consisted of mystery meat disguised as chicken but did not taste like chicken and fried rice that tasted like old fish.

After our NASTOLA lunch, we made a hasty departure from China Town and headed to Fisherman's Wharf, did more shopping, and introduced Stacie to the joy of Coldstone Creamery.  The wind inspired me to try out my new hat:

After hoofing it all day, we hopped the cable car back to the hotel.  We were among the lucky few that didn't have to hang on for dear life on the outside the whole way back, although we experienced that on our way to China Town.  Sitting down and enjoying the ride allowed us to look around at the amazing buildings and vistas that are all over San Francisco.  Plus we got to take pictures of each other without risking our lives or dropping our cameras in the street:

We headed to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner, and got seated out on the roof, which gave us an amazing view of Union Square.  We ate, we laughed, we people-watched, and we had the waiter take our picture:

The day ended 4 necklaces, one Chinese purse, one new hat, and a full tummy later.

And, of course, the whole point of going to San Francisco:

 

One word:  AWESOME.

After the musical, my cousin Anne picked us up and drove us around Golden Gate park, which was gorgeous.  Then she took us to a restaurant whose name escapes me right now, but dinner was a lot of fun.  Kalamari was tasted, halibut was ordered (by me, a big wimp when it comes to trying seafood and fish dishes), and the evening was enjoyed: 

Then it was time to go home.  :(