Home in Minnesota

Tuesday was a beautiful day and we happily left for the airport at about 8:00 a.m. While roads were congested, we turned in our car without a hitch and were at the gate by 10:00 a.m., a full hour in advance of our flight.

We didn't have Delta Comfort Plus seats, with extra width and legroom, on this flight so we were squished together for the entire flight. The aircraft was brand new, though, and I enjoyed interactive games on the way to MSP. I played 21 most of the time and was surprised that it was so easy.

We were greeted by terrible traffic at the airport and Bob couldn't help giving directions to the taxi driver on a VERY long ride home. We were assaulted by 90F heat as we walked into the house and began the tedious job of unpacking and laundry.

It's good to be home!

Very Short 49-Mile Drive

Ocean Beach near Cliff House

Bob and I like to do the 49-Mile Drive whenever we're in San Francisco and we visit most of the highlights along the way. I especially love seeing the golf course in the middle of the city: "as seen on TV" during golf tournaments.


Adam, Mitchell, John, Bob at Twin Peaks

We had only a few hours left before leaving for home, so we figured we'd hit only the easiest "top three" of the scenic drive: the Golden Gate Bridge with a side trip to Sausalito, Cliff House and Twin Peaks. We were lucky to have John as a driver once again and he got us across the bridge in no time. The descent to Sausalito is a little intimidating, so steep and narrow, but it was a thrill to see a small deer in the brush by the side of the road.

We were hungry and tired by the time we arrived at Cliff house, so it was a good place to stop for a beer and some appetizers (fries and a cheese plate). The boys were excited to wade in the water on Ocean Beach, dangerous that day with rip tides but John was vigilant and no one came to grief.

Our last stop of the day was Twin Peaks, almost 1000 feet in elevation, where the views are breathtaking. Unfortunately, we hadn't brought our jackets and the late afternoon had turned very cold so we didn't quite enjoy the sights as we might have in warm sweatshirts Finally, it was time to go back and see the streets for a last time on our way down the hill toward Fisherman's Wharf.

Alcatraz and Two Bridges

Bayshore not too far from the Bay Bridge

Tickets - Bridge 2 Bridge Tour

John was determined to get the boys to Alcatraz yesterday. Twenty + years ago, Bob, Chris and I went to Alcatraz on a January day without a wait, but today tickets are bought months in advance. However, like last-minute tickets for Broadway, standing in line first thing in the morning yields good results most of the time, and it worked on Monday. John and the boys were at the dock before 6:30 Monday morning and they got discounted tickets for the early bird passage to Alcatraz. They enjoyed themselves and returned to the city just as we were getting ready to board our Red Line Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise.

A Red Line Fleet boat

I hated the sound quality on the headsets so I discarded mine right away and simply watched the scenery as we moved along toward the Golden Gate Bridge. We went under the bridge, turned around and headed back toward the Bay Bridge between Oakland and San Francisco. I enjoyed the view but more than that, I liked being out in the sun on such a beautiful day.

We got off the boat after 90 minutes and the boys were waiting for us. Time for afternoon fun!

A Day with the Hennesseys

Hennesseys all: Chris, Michele behind first cousin Bob; John, Adam, Mitchell

The best part of Sunday was breakfast with Michele Hennessey at her upper floor apartment in San Francisco's downtown. The view of the city and the bay from Michele's balcony is spectacular, especially on this sunny morning. We also got to see city and bay views from the roof of her building; I had forgotten the beautiful serenity of Michele's home.

Fresh fruit salad at cousin Michele's

Breakfast was special too: creamy scrambled eggs, sausage patties, two kinds of homemade blueberry muffins, fruit salad, tomato salad, fresh squeezed California orange juice, strong coffee, all served on lovely dinnerware at the table that came from Michele and Bob's grandparents' farm. Chris, John and the boys all ate outside, while the rest of us sat at the table indoors. Michele is not only a food professional, but very warm and hospitable, and I would have been sorry to leave if I hadn't known we'd  be seeing one another again in Minnesota next weekend.

We went on John's quickie San Francisco tour of the Financial District and Chinatown, culminating in a ride down famous Lombard Street. After a walk around Fisherman's Wharf -- unfortunately  dirtier than I had remembered -- Mary drove Chris to the airport and headed home to Clovis. Sigh ... two of our happy little band gone.

We met up with John and the boys late in the afternoon for dinner at Applebee's, a restaurant that seemed just right after a tiring day. The view of the bay at sunset is beautiful and the place would have been fine if the noise level hadn't been so high. Fans had gathered to watch the Golden State Warriors eventually lose to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and some of them had consumed a little too much booze. Maybe a lot too much ...

Fortunately, a server adopted us and made sure we got our food and drinks on time in this crowded place. I was very tired, and, for once, slept well that night -- a good thing because we were looking forward to a Monday full of activity.

The Hennesseys at Fisherman's Wharf

Family Dinner on San Francisco Bay

Our table at McCormick's & Kuleto's

We felt a little sad to leave the Fresno area on Saturday morning, until Mary decided to join us in San Francisco for the day. We had just enough room for a rollaway bed for her in our hotel room at the Holiday Inn Express; Chris, John and the boys stayed at The Wharf Inn, where the accommodations were perhaps a little modest for Minnesotans who are accustomed to "more". Chris joked that you could "rent by the hour" at their hotel, but I thought the place was OK, if not somewhere I would want to be myself. Of course, Bob and I have stayed at MUCH worse!

Mitchell and John

When all seven of us finally wound up in our room (on chairs, beds and on the floor) during the late afternoon, I thought of our old camping days, when we would occasionally stuff a few too many people in the camper.

The others went out for a walk before dinner and we all arranged to meet at McCormick's & Kuleto's at 7:00 p.m., where we had a dinner reservation.

Chris. Bob and he wore exactly the same sweater.

I felt a little weary to be out, especially when it took a little time to be seated. To our delight, we were seated at what seemed to be the best table in the house, in the corner of the restaurant, right next to the glass overlooking San Francisco Bay.

There's nothing like excellent food and wine in delightful company. It was one of those memorable evenings, when circumstances are exactly right and everyone is simply happy to be together in such a beautiful venue. Night fell slowly on San Francisco Bay and we walked back to our hotels in the chilly evening air.

Tyler's Graduation Dinner

Clovis High School colors

We were a little tired when we returned from Yosemite and barely had time to put our feet up before it was time to leave for Tyler's grad dinner. We revived enough to enjoy Mary's excellent spread: Mexican enchiladas (beef or chicken), delicious rice, salad (similar to Greek but with blue cheese rather than feta), various accompaniments, several wines, sangria, chocolate candies, cake.

Cris and Mandi Norman with Carter (5 months)

For me, the most fun was seeing Bob's enjoyment of Tyler's graduation with three of his six children (Mary, John, and Chris) and three grandchildren (Tyler, Adam and Mitchell). We also visited with extended family members we hadn't seen for a decade or so, including a reunion with adults we last knew as teenagers.



Tyler with big sister Britny

I've been a Hennessey for almost half my
life, and have documented a lot of family history in photos  for more than three decades. I added a few more pictures to the collection during this very emotional evening and felt totally spent as we drove back to our hotel at the end of this long day.

Yosemite National Park



John, Adam, Bob, Chris, Mitchell

Bob, John, Chris and I hadn't been to Yosemite National Park for many years, and this is a first visit to California for Trudy and John's boys, Adam and Mitchell. We all wanted to spend the day at Yosemite, so John offered to drive all of us in his rented Dodge Durango. I was happy to sit in the second row with Chris, while the boys cheerfully stuffed themselves into the third seat. We were on the road shortly after 9:00 a.m. on Friday.

A storm brewing in the mountains

The day began with perfect weather, sunny but not too warm. It took an hour or so for us to get our bearings, and we were a little delayed when we realized we had to take the shuttle bus to see the giant sequoias. No matter. We got there and were suitably impressed. I confess that I got confused about the age of the trees but "very old" seemed to be good enough for all of us.


Sheets of rain at the Ahwahnee Hotel

John had an agenda that included Bridalveil Waterfall and the Ahwahnee Hotel, and Chris had El Capitan on his list. We saw them all, though the big thunderstorm cramped our style a little. I hope some of that rain flows down to Fresno and the San Joaquin Valley.

It was another perfect day.