Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair

After a long nights sleep, Mrs. C and I are heading back to San Francisco with my Mini packed to the brim with her beautiful wedding gifts that were up at my house in Portland.  I can't wait to pass the fields of sunflowers and olive trees.  I love the light this time of year.

{photo: frolic! }

Summer is Close - Time for a Trip

As a teacher, I look forward to a great perk - summers off!  My mind is racing with a thousand different ideas for possible adventures.  My first trip will be a road trip to San Francisco to deliver wedding gifts to my daughter.  I will have a week in the city and will be helping her paint her flat.  I am so thrilled to get moving!

{photo: Ruby Press }

Where Have All the Flowers Gone....

I had an amazing weekend in San Francisco working on wedding plans with my daughter.  As luck would have it, my sister and her daughter came as well.  We had an amazing girls weekend with all kinds of fun activities.  I stayed at the Fairmont Hotel for a great price and it was such a fun place to stay.  I felt as though I was staying in a building that was filled with history.  My friend met us for breakfast on Sunday and she told us the story of meeting a beautiful woman dressed to the nines accompanied by her dog who she talked with one evening while she was staying there.  The woman actually lived at the Fairmont and the bellman walked her dog for her.  Now that's the life!! 

Time to Shop for a Veil

One of the things we will be doing in San Francisco this weekend is looking for a perfect veil.  Since the dress is here in Portland, my daughter has not been able to shop for one yet.  I feel so fortunate to be able to be there with her.  I know the perfect veil is waiting for us this weekend.

{photo: Sacramento Street via style me pretty}

Oh the Joy of Traveling

I'm so excited for my adventures in San Francisco.  I leave tomorrow and we already have a very long list of things to do.  Every errand is fun with my daughter - she has such a lovely spirit and knows how to make everyday things special.  I also can't wait to see my sister and niece.  I haven't seen them since Thanksgiving in Carmel.  I'll keep you updated on all our activities and adventures.  Think good thoughts for me as I bring my daughters wedding dress with me on the plane.

{photo: sfgirlbythebay}

Weekend Adventure to San Francisco

I'm busting out of the chains of work and home, to visit my daughter, sister, and niece in San Francisco this weekend. My daughter had a free ticket and has given it to me.  We will be getting all sorts of wonderful wedding errands done for her wedding in April.  I'm actually delivering the wedding dress!  I know I will have all kinds of adventures to share with you when I get back.  Most of all, it's just going to be so nice to be with family again. And best of all, a great friend will be house sitting for me while I'm gone.  What luck for me!

{photo: Caitlin Goebel}

Time to make travel plans

I can't wait to make plans for upcoming trips.  Today I need to book hotel rooms in San Francisco for my March trip.  This will be my last trip prior to heading down there for my daughters wedding in April.  The trip will be a great one - San Francisco and Calistoga. I'd like to try a new hotel this time - something that is relatively close to Sacramento Street and filled with charm.  In addition, we will be going for two days to Calistoga to take in the amazing mineral baths.  Since my daughter went to the University of San Francisco, we have been going to Calistoga as our quick get away trips.  One of the things I love most about the wine country is the smell of the air.  To me it smells like grapes, rosemary, and bay leaves.  It immediately calms me and makes all of my troubles quickly slip away.

{photo: la dolce vita}

Too Many Things and Not Enough Room

Last week while my daughter was home from San Francisco for Christmas a friend hosted a wedding shower for her.  It was an amazing afternoon with many friends - both old and new.  Of course my daughter could hardly fit her Christmas presents in her suitcases, let alone her gifts from the wedding shower.  So that means a road trip to bring down her lovely gifts.  Oh yeah, did I mention I have a Mini Cooper?  I have to say, I have managed to fit an amazing quantity of items into my little car but I think by the time I fit all of her gifts, I'll look like the Mini above! What an adventure that will be.  

Destinations for the New Year

{photo courtesy: wallyg/flickr}

{photo courtesy: sfgirlbythebay}

{photo courtesy: Oberazzi/flickr}

This year I hope to travel to several places. Of course I'm always ready to jump into a new adventure if it presents itself.  I know I'll be going to San Francisco several times this year.  My daughter will tie the knot on April 10th in Napa Valley.  She lives in San Francisco so I'll be making several trips down there.  In addition, I would like to take a road trip down the coast of California to photograph the mission churches in California.  Finally, I am working to go on an all expenses paid trip to Istanbul.  I would be going with a group here in Portland that is working on Christian - Muslim understanding trip.  I teach history and have been involved with a group dedicated to helping promote understanding.  Istanbul is near the top of my list of places I would like to visit.  It seems like the place that East meets West and I would love to absorb the city.  I hope the trip comes together!  Where are you hoping to go this year?  Any ideas for good places to travel?