Spring Break

WHEW!!! I am glad Spring Break is finally over! As you can tell by all the posts I finally got up, we were very busy! My Aunt Marchell (my mom's sister), Uncle Jay and cousin, Brandon, came from Indiana to see our family over spring break. Of course, they wanted to see all the San Francisco sights, so we obliged. We had a great time together. I am so glad the kids and I could be here to see them.

Thankfully Detroit returned to school this week so I could recover from Spring Break!

Spring Break - Cioppino's & Ghirardelli Square

After our wonderful cruise, we went and ate dinner near Fisherman's Wharf. I had Salmon with pesto that was delicious. (I still have never found a pesto as fabulous as the one my brother-in-law Matt used to make at the family restaurant!) Joaquin enjoyed sucking on the table. It's a wonder he is not constantly sick since anything and everything goes straight into his mouth. My cousin Brandon experienced his first Dungeness crab.

After dinner we headed to Ghirardelli square for a free piece of delicious chocolate and a visit to Kara's cupcakes for yummy, very expensive cupcakes.

Spring Break - Cruise Around the Bay

On Saturday, we all went on an Adventure Cat cruise around the bay. We went on a catamaran. It was wonderful. Detroit loved the boat and it was cool to sit in the nets on the front of the boat. It was pretty cold and windy, but no one seemed to mind too much...not even Joaquin.

While sailing, we passed this beautiful maxi-catamaran and our captain told us that the group sailing aboard the Gitana 13 just broke the world record for sailing time between New York and San Francisco. They are a French crew that is famous and breaks lots of records. In fact, as we passed them, we found out that they were just leaving on their new quest to break the North Pacific crossing record (San Francisco to Japan). They have to make it in less than 14 days 22 hours 40 minutes and 41 seconds. Good luck Gitana 13!

Detroit had a FANTASTIC time:

We also got to see the Sea Lions at Pier 39 up close and personal:

Spring Break - Alcatraz

The boat ride to Alcatraz.

Alcatraz Island

The prison.

This cell is the site of a famous escape. No one has ever successfully escaped from Alcatraz, except possibly the men who chipped their way out of this cell with a spoon. No one ever heard from them again. It is assumed they drowned, but their bodies have never been found.

The warden's house.

Spring Break - Winchester Mystery House

On Wednesday, we jetted off to San Jose to see the Winchester Mystery House. This was a house built by Sarah Winchester (of Winchester rifles). She started it in 1884 and for the rest of her life (38 years) the house was constantly under construction. It has 160 rooms, 47 fireplaces, 10,000 window panes, 17 chimneys, 2 basements and 3 elevators. She was preoccupied with the number 13 and many items through the house represent 13 (hooks in a closet, lights in a chandelier) and there are 13 bathrooms. She also loved spider webs and incorporated them throughout the house as well.

Sarah Winchester was only 4'10" and had a door installed just for her. Detroit loved the little door and would like one installed in her room someday.

Many areas of the house were painted black. These were all the areas under construction at the time of Sarah Winchester's death. The picture does not show this clearly, but she was building a wall over a wall and windows that already existed.

Another oddity was that she built stairs that led to the ceiling and closets that opened to walls and even a door that opened to nowhere.

(pointing to the Door to Nowhere)

Apart from the weirdness, the house was absolutely beautiful.

The experience was very cool! Detroit loved the tour and wants to go again sometime.

Spring Break - Golden Gate Bridge

After spending the day at Golden Gate Park, we decided to visit the Golden Gate Bridge. It is beautiful...and very windy...and very scary! We didn't even make it halfway across before we decided to turn around, but it was definitely a cool experience.

Just as I got close to the edge to look over, Joaquin thrust his pacifier out with his tongue and over it went. We will forever have a little piece of our family left on the Golden Gate Bridge! After that, I made sure to use the pacifier leash.

Spring Break - Golden Gate Park

Last Tuesday we went to Golden Gate Park. It was a beautiful day and our first stop was the Japanese Tea Garden. It was even more beautiful than the last time we went since the trees and bushes were blossoming. Detroit had a lot of fun with Brandon (my cousin).

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Next, we went to Stowe Lake and Strawberry Hill. It is a pretty little island surrounded by a lake.

While at Stowe Lake, we decided to rent a 6-seater bike to ride around the park. It was a blast...not to mention hilarious. Joaquin and Detroit got to ride up front. Detroit thoroughly enjoyed this experience; Joaquin did not. He ended the ride sitting in my lap. He sure looked cute in his helmet though!

(Take a close look at how much fun Joaquin is NOT having. I am not sure which he hated more - his helmet or riding up front)

(Take a close look at how much fun Detroit is having. It is especially fun when everyone else has to push the bike uphill!)

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Our next stop was the Dutch Windmill and the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden. WOW!!! I am so glad we got to see the tulips in bloom.