A Quick Visit

Wednesday, 17 April, Debby's very-delayed flight from Houston arrived around midnight. She came for some appointments with "Dr. Pain," who has been helpful in getting her back in shape. We had a delightful visit with good chats and good food. She joined us for "Group" dinner on Friday and "Compound" dinner on Monday. When Debby was here last time, I helped Jan Noble with some design issues at her home. (You may remember that she is the cake whiz.)  In appreciation for the design help, she made us a chocolate/orange cake. It has been shared around and is now history, but it was delicious. 

 Dinner at Bombay House is always a treat

 La Casita with Katy, Stephen, and Ann

 This is supposed to happen to Kris, not me

 Lunch at the Tortilla Bar with the Nobles

Debby and baby Mabel

 It's always fun when Debby comes. She flew away on Tuesday so that's all for now.

OXO

D.

An Admirable April Adventure: PA/Filoli/Half Moon Bay

Sunday, 14 April, we had a brief look at some older Palo Alto neighborhoods and the Stanford Campus. At 11:00 A.M. we met Stephen and Ann at Filoli, a beautiful home with gardens from the turn of the last century. By the time we finished, it was early afternoon and everyone was hungry. We decided to cross the Santa Cruz Mountains and drop down into Half Moon Bay for lunch. Ann and Anna found a wonderful Mayan restaurant on Open Table called the Capistrano Cafe. This was a highlight! We parted company with Opa and Ann and drove up Highway 1 to Pacifica where we joined the 280 and headed back up over the Sierra Nevada to Reno. We were home by 8:00 P.M.

 A visit to Stanford

Rodin's Burghers of Calais

 Memorial Church

 The troops in one of many arcades

 Splendid Architecture

 Hoover (Herbert not J. Edgar) Tower

 Pleasant Views

 Hoover Tower

 Campus view from Hoover Tower

 Wildflowers on Stanford campus

 Filoli

 Filoli kitchen

 Dining Room

 Reception Room

 Library

 Stairwell

 Hanging with the grandparents

 Entrance with wisteria 

 Carla Sue had something to say

 Beautiful spring flowers

 Pool

 View back to the house

 Telling time the old way

 Beautiful vistas

 Cochinita: slow-cooked pork to wrap in corn tortillas

 The Hastings

 Opa and Ann

The troops post-lunch

It was a great day and a terrific trip! There likely won't be any more posts for a while, unless something interesting pops up. So that's all for now.

OXO

D.

An Admirable April Adventure: Alcatraz/CGT 80th

On Saturday, 13 April, we headed up the 280 again to San Francisco. This day we visited Alcatraz. I can't even count the number of times I have been to San Francisco, but never before have I visited "the Rock." It was a perfectly beautiful day and we had a splendid time. the fort that became a prison was fascinating and well worth a visit. We returned to the Embarcadero early afternoon and ate a passable and very noisy lunch at Bubba Gump's on Pier 39. After lunch as we returned to the car, the kids broke off and hiked Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower. The old folks and Clara drove the car and met them at the top. It is a beautiful spot but with limited views because the trees have become so tall and dense. We dropped down into North Beach (the Italian district) and found the great Gelateria Naia on Columbus Avenue. By the time we finished, it was getting late and we traveled through the heart of The City toward the freeway for the journey back to Palo Alto. We changed and headed to Colette's birthday party. The party was a smashing success and made her VERY happy.

Clara was appalled by the fashion statement made

by  her father wearing her Lalaloopsy backpack

Well, maybe not that appalled

Ferrying to Alcatraz

"The Rock," not to be confused with the LTM of my day

Some of this dates back to Civil-War times

Walking the cell blocks

Grim!

So near yet so far

Grammy and Louisianna

Escape from Alcatraz

A small repast

Life for the guards' families included ammenities

like this garden

Happy together

A bright spot of color and life

The troops climbed to the top of Telegraph Hill; we 

drove and picked them up

One of the few views from amongst the mature growth

Delicious gelato

The family

The HDT family

The HDT Taylor boys

Another great day with one more to go. That's all for now.

OXO

D.