California

9/2/19 Charlotte to San Francisco


Michael had a week of paternity leave left to take (by the end of September) and I had a week of PTO left (also to be used by the end of September) so we took off Labor Day weekend to visit my friend Ashlee in Myrtle Beach then Lindsay in Charleston. Unfortunately Hurricane Dorian ruined those plans.


We already had the days off of work so decided to spontaneously go to California!


We booked a flight and the next day, we were on our way to the airport!


Beckett did so well on the plane, a couple of small catnaps but fought bedtime hardcore..too many people to smile and squeal with. He did end up sleeping the last hour and a half.


Aunt Laurie picked up a pack and play for us so we were able to pick up our rental car and head right to her house in Walnut Creek. We picked up smoothies for dinner on our way.


9/3 San Francisco
It took us about 1.5 hours to get to San Fran from Walnut Creek. There was an accident on the Bay Bridge so Waze took us over the Golden Gate Bridge, but the fog was getting thicker (and Leon was getting larger *airplane reference) so we couldn't even see the top. Beckett slept the whole way. We took a couple of photos of Alcatraz but couldn't get last minute tickets to tour.


We drove down the crooked part of Lombard Street and woke Beckett up to take some pictures at the bottom.  From there, we headed toward Haight Ashbury to see The Painted Ladies from Alamo Square with the Full House theme song playing in my head.


Driving around, you can't help but notice what an active city SF is. They have an outdoor free fitness gym, which had multiple people using it each time we passed by. Locals were jogging and tourists were biking all around. We had great weather, we didn't even need a light coat, as I know usually it's pretty chilly.


We found street parking and spent a total of $8 to park for 3 hours (score!) (we found free parking at all the other stops). We walked to Fisherman's Wharf where had some clam chowder in sour dough bread bowls outside at Frankie's Pier 43.


We bought B a cute SF onesie souvenir. We ventured over to Buena Vista Cafe for Irish coffee and to feed the baby. He is so content and happy, truly a joy to travel with. He lights up our lives. He LOVED the Sea Lions at Pier 39, smiling and cooing away.


The fog lifted later in the afternoon so we swung back around to get photos with the Golden Gate Bridge before driving back to Walnut Creek. It took around 2 hours to get back in traffic. Motorcycles weave in and out on the highway, even riding between the lines-terrifying!


Matthew met us at his parents house and Laurie and John ordered some delicious Chinese for dinner! We had some wine, chatted, took some photos and went to bed exhausted.


9/4 Colfax
We left Walnut Creek around 9 and headed towards Sonoma/Napa Valley. What a gorgeous drive-green and beige as far as the eye can see. There was a bi plane giving tours of the fields. Beautiful views of the mountains. Sheep and goats just grazing their days away. Vines upon vines of grapes.


We did a wine tasting at Cline Cellars and loved their Syrah. We ended up buying a bottle of their dessert wine and some dark chocolate with sea salt to have with Russell and Alecia after dinner.


We stopped at Carneros Deli for some quick sandwiches to go, and drove to V Sattui Winery where we split a tasting and some chocolate. We purchased a bottle of their Bacci. We walked around for a bit before hitting the road to get to Russ's for dinner.


It was funny passing dump trucks pulling trucks and trailors full of what we assume to be grapes.


It was 2.5 hours to get to R and A's. Alecia made us a delicious dinner of grilled chicken, palenta and zucchini. Beckett as smiling and laughing all evening, soaking up his time with his aunt and uncle.


9/5 Lake Tahoe
We left R's at 10 to head to Lake Tahoe. The 2 hour drive was full of picturesque rolling mountain views. We somehow missed the deli that we were heading to so we were glad we packed some fruit to snack on. We split a protein bar (that I found in the diaper bag) before hiking up Eagle Falls.


Mike wore Beckett in the Baby Ergo and we hiked for about a mile up, where we passed the waterfalls and go to a landing of rocks with a beautiful view of the lake! We eventually hiked back down and crossed the street for some more picture perfect views of the gorgeous lake. Beckett was his normal smiley self and loved being outside. We put his feet in the water to cool him off.


We picked up sandwiches from Obexers Deli and had a picnic by the lake before heading back to Colfax. We showered, bathed B in the sink and Alecia picked up Thai food on her way home.


Mike and I were asleep by 9pm.


9/6
While R and A worked, we went to explore Empire Mining. We brought salads and fruit for a picnic lunch then went to Grass Valley Brewing Company.


We headed back for an afternoon swim with Russell. Beckett loved swimming around the pool with his uncle. We showered up and went to 3 Forks for dinner and Treats for some yummy ice cream! We stopped at a distillery to see Russell's products-pretty cool! We put B to bed and hung out under the stars in the hot tub. It was like living in a planetarium.


9/7
We spent the early afternoon down at American River and stopped at Heather Glenn store on the way. After lounging by the river and letting the dogs play, we went to Moonrakers and had Lobster Rolls from Cousin's Lobster food truck for lunch.


Beckett has started sitting up and has two teeth pushing through, just on this trip!


Alecia made us a yummy dinner of chicken wings and we headed to the airport with the sunset blaring beautiful colors as it was bidding us adieu.


Beckett slept the whole red eye home, all the way from the plane, to the car, to his crib!


We got to witness a gorgeous sunrise driving home from the airport too!

What an amazing, spontaneous trip!!