South to Monterey

Some pancakes a bike ride and a serious game of bocce ball. Then we loaded up to drive to the redwood forest and then on South to Monterey

Time to see the redwoods

The redwoods were beautiful. Then we grabbed a burger at in n out a California favorite

Beautiful sites along the Pacific coast highway.

Windsurfers

Up up and away!

Despite the time change it was still very hard to get up and be ready to go by 5:45 AM.

I was so nervous because this is one of my biggest fears.

If these guys hadn't been so excited about it I'm sure I would've backed out

Our balloon was the first one in the air. Our pilot said it was a perfect day for flying.

He was such a great pilot he even did something called the splash and go. That is when he landed for just a moment on top of a lake and then lift it back up in the air again and continue to fly. He said it was the best day for flying he had seen in months. 

After the balloon ride we had a delicious breakfast and then packed up our bags and headed to the city of Calistoga. We are going to stay one night here. We are staying at a cool resort that has a Hot Spring geyser on the property. The geyser heats the pool which is 100°. The kids love it because the air is cold and the water is hot.

Here is the geysers  Water comes out of the ground at 230°F they have to cool the water down before they put it in the pool

Can you see the older boys on top of the hill? Pizza to go for dinner tonight

Goodbye SFO hello Napa

Over the Golden Gate Bridge on to our next city...

Goodbye San Francisco. See you Thursday 

Just before the swan bit his knee !

Our delicious bit pricy lunch at a deli. Turkey sandwiches for $11 and Coke was $4.50!

Vineyard in front of a castle!

Kid oriented winery had grape juice tasting for the kids!

Super fun! Tomorrow....hot air balloon!

California day 2

I'm It was another beautiful day in San Francisco. We had a 10 o'clock ferry reservation to go to Alcatraz.

Today was Easter Sunday and I think it is the first Easter I ever experienced not going to church. I just didn't feel right.

We slept for 10 hours last night and woke up with just enough time to get to our boat ride. I guess in the back of my head I thought we would wake up extra early and attend a church service.

Because the school district insist on attaching spring break to Easter we made the most of it and had a great day!

Nate and Henry doing their very best Cliff pose!

Alcatraz did not disappoint. I have had the pleasure of touring it several times and I think today's tour was the best. The audio tour is an award-winning tour inmates

It was so interesting to hear the history of this amazing rock. It has not only been to prison but a for deer in the Civil War and a podium for the Indians to voice their rights on in the 60s.

It is also a national Park and is a home for many birds and rare plants.

We hung out on Alcatraz until well after lunch. We really felt like we saw at all and then we headed back to San Francisco for lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Then we walked down to Pier 39 to see the sea lions. Back in the old days of Delta this is where the Alcatraz tour is left from.

Fisherman's wharf is such a neat area of San Francisco. Here is a one-man band playing in the street.

We ended our Easter Sunday with Nate's request. A ride on the cable car. After a very long wait to we ride the cable car down to Union Square.

We are thankful to be able to celebrate the resurrection no matter where we are. Happy Easter!