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.



Clovis High School Graduation

Clovis High School Class of 2015

By the time we arrived in Fresno on Thursday afternoon, temperatures had warmed to the low eighties, very pleasant for this time of year when 100F is not uncommon. We had a lovely dinner prepared by Mary, with hamburgers grilled by Tyler, before heading out to graduation ceremonies at Clovis High School (CHS). This is an outdoor event at the football stadium, "home of the Cougars", but the bleachers were already filled by the time we arrived an hour early.


Clovis High School Class of 2015

Mary found us seats on the field in very uncomfortable stacking chairs, still better than the standing room only that awaited Chris, John and the boys an hour later. I wondered how we would make it through the event, knowing from previous attendance at graduations that they can really drag on.


Mary, Mitch, Tyler, Bob, Chris, Adam

I was wrong. The CHS model is a good one: appropriate recognition for academic achievement and individuals, both students and faculty, with a leadership role, followed by a speedy but respectful reading of the graduates' names. The band and choir performed several pieces of music, all very polished and entertaining.

The speakers were brief and they all had something positive to say about the high school experience and their hopes for the future. After closing fireworks -- spectacular and professional -- attendees gathered in the baseball field to meet with our graduates.

I was very impressed. Clovis High School students are justifiably proud of their school. We, of course, are very proud of our own Tyler Scott Norman. It was a wonderful evening to remember.

The Parched Land

In 1993 I visited California for the first time when I spent four or five days at the annual National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in San Diego. I loved the beauty of the city but was frightened by the apparent fragility of the infrastructure and what were already scary problems, including great poverty and homelessness, middle school age children with a sketchy command of English, people on the street with visible health problems and poor teeth. Drugs were readily available on every street corner, and I was warned that my habit of early morning inline skating on the pier was dangerous.

I never even thought about the dependence on a limited number of water resources. That realization came a few years later, when we crossed the Pacheco Pass on our way from San Francisco to Fresno. Bob insisted on visiting the San Luis Reservoir, a stop I opposed but have remembered all these years. We learned that the reservoir stores water for all of California, delivered using a system of aqueducts all over the state.

We were a little shocked to see the banks of the reservoir when we caught our first glimpse of the reservoir on Thursday, the layers clearly marking diminishing water levels over four years of drought. This is a recreation area too, but we saw no boats in the shallow water as we passed by on this sunny afternoon.

Some farms weren't being worked at all, and the air was full of dust from dry, unplanted fields. A few fields were irrigated, and strips of green broke the monotonous "Great Depression" look of the landscape. Occasional signs protesting government water policies stood by the wayside. One message hit the underlying economic impact on employment: "NO WATER; NO JOBS".

Efforts to conserve water seem a little half-hearted and perhaps ineffective. Hotel admonitions  are no different from what we see in Minnesota, reminding guests that water is a precious resource, but failing to convey any sense of urgency. In Fresno, summer outdoor irrigation is limited to two days a way week with reduced watering times, but it seems that more radical measures may be required.

This New York Times item speculates on the future of California.

Pool Talk

I never need any encouragement to squeeze a swim into a busy day, but the frigid wind from Monterey Beach almost deterred me yesterday evening.

Not too many swimmers

Common sense prevailed and I eagerly anticipated an empty pool. Many years ago, this pool wasn't heated and I remember forcing myself to swim in what felt like a giant pool of ice cubes, reminiscent of other cold swims in the north Atlantic and frigid Canadian and Minnesota lakes and rivers. Happily, the pool was quite warm under the circumstances and much larger than more recent hotel offerings.

After twenty minutes or so, a family entered the pool area and headed directly for the hot tub. Sierra, a little girl of about 10 joined me in the pool for a while but for the most part, I swam by myself, one of my all-time favorite activities.

I warmed up in the hot tub and was surprised to stay for a long time, enjoying the conversation with this pleasant Atlanta family. The husband, Lance, and his young son are participating in Monterey's Spartan Run on Saturday. His wife Janelle has a knee injury and surgery history similar to mine and she was curious about my total knee replacement scars, procedures she's anticipating down the roac.

We talked like old friends for about an hour. I've never stayed in the jacuzzi for more than 5-10 minutes so this was a first for me and a great end to our stay in Monterey.

Monterey Fisherman's Wharf

Boats in the harbor

A visit to Fisherman's Wharf is required on every trip to Monterey. It's a smaller, more manageable version of the San Francisco destination, one that never fails to disappoint Bob, who correctly observes that the recession of recent memory wreaked havoc on the frail infrastructure of this coastal economy. It was a good place to spend an hour or so yesterday: a little people watching, sea lions on a dock, lots of boats in the harbor.

Even though we had recently had lunch, I was tempted to sample the chowder offered by several restaurants on the boardwalk, but instead I took pictures and walked to the end where boat captains were hawking whale watching tours.

A few seals were resting lazily on a half-shady dock and we stopped to watch fish swimming in the shallow water below. We must have been tired, because the walk back to our vehicle seemed a little long. More pics in the California album.

Lunch in Carmel

Looking at the menu

Carmel is always so full of visitors that it's hard to find a parking space, but Bob is persistent and skilled. On our first trip to California, we were in Carmel on a cold winter evening and I got a glimpse of Clint Eastwood through a window, and that was excitement enough for me then.

Yesterday we were a little hungry and Bob stopped the car in the middle of the street to ask a truck driver how to find the Hog's Breath Inn, a restaurant formerly owned by Clint Eastwood. We parked the car a block or so away and walked down the stairs from the street to the restaurant.

Outdoor seating was very comfortable because of heaters above the tables, high enough to be hidden by landscaping. We had beer (Hob's Breath ale for Bob) and wine (Hog's Breath cabernet for me) and our shared Monterey Chicken Club followed promptly. Delicious and sufficient for two. The pub is tiny and full of Clint Eastwood movie memorabilia, especially from the Dirty Harry era.

A perfect lunch on a perfect day. More pics in the California album.

Pebble Beach

Parking lot at Pebble Beach

We never had the time to stop at Pebble Beach before, and I was always a little intimidated anyway. My main experience "as seen on TV" was the famous Pro-Am golf tournament that got my attention when we first visited this area in 1994. There were migrating whales in Monterey Bay that year, and I always think about that magical view of whales from the air when I watch the tournament.

Putting green

We had no trouble parking in the visitor lot and there's certainly no need to be intimidated, since visitors are encouraged to visit well designated public places at Pebble Beach. The landscaping is lovely and the shops (pricey jewelry, exclusive men's and women's clothing, other merchandise) are upscale and very welcoming.

Shops at Pebble Beach

I was excited to enter the Lodge at Pebble Beach. Men looking like Highland Scots in their dress kilts guard the large doors and open them wide for entry. Guests were eating and drinking on the deck beyond the lobby, and the hall across from the front desk was full of pictures of famous golfers and trophies.

I'm almost ashamed that I felt much the same way when I first visited St. Mark's in Venice many decades ago. My claim to populist sympathies went out the window as I sat on the bench facing the putting green, enjoying all the sights and smells of this lovely resort. More pics in my California album.

17-Mile Drive

A little play time

The morning was a little blustery, almost like a fall day with a threat of rain. What was I thinking when I brought only my thin Minnesota Vikings jacket, the freebie from Sports Illustrated? It turned out to be enough as the day warmed a little and we decided on 17-Mile Drive as our main activity. We were tempted to wait for sun but the forecast wasn't promising so we set off toward Carmel in mid-morning.

Rocks and surf

We entered by the Hwy 1 gate, one of five places to start the drive. At only $10, this has to be one of the best bargains around. The evergreen s forest is fragrant and inviting, and Monterey Bay is often glimpsed through the mature pines, not only at designated stops. There were fewer visitors yesterday than I'd expected, so it was easier to find parking spots, an unexpected benefit of the threat of inclement weather.

My favorite stops are right on the coast, where gulls beg for handouts and the seabirds roost on the rocks. Sea lions bark loudly and frolic in the surf. The famous lone cypress stands above the roaring water below, far from the the cameras clicking behind the chain link fence.

We passed the gated estates with massive homes barely visible from the road. The opulence contrasts sharply with the living conditions of people we saw working in the fields only the day before and I thought to myself that I wouldn't want to live here. There is, of course, absolutely no chance of a future move to this playground of the rich and famous, and brooding over disparities of wealth distribution will have to wait for another day. I took hundreds of pictures, and selected a few of them for the California Facebook album.

The famous "lone dypress"

Late Afternoon in Monterey

Sailboat on Monterey Bay

I was totally fried (close to catatonic actually) yesterday afternoon after we checked in, but as always, Bob revived after a tasty snack of deluxe, cashew filled trail mix, one of his birthday gifts from granddaughter Angie and her family.


Our hotel is across the bay

We crossed the bridge over Highway 1 and had a bite to eat at McDonald's, the right choice since I was afraid that I might want to rest my head on the table, not usually a good idea in a better restaurant. The side salad and chicken nuggets perked me up and I was ready to go into Monterey for a little sightseeing. We used the GPS to find a store with Johnny Walker for later and then headed to the famous waterfront.

The sun was hot but the salty wind from the bay was cold. A few divers and kids playing on the rocky beach entertained us just around the shore from Monterey Beach Aquarium. Waves  pounded on the shore and two older men sat on the bench next to us, speaking animatedly in Italian. We could have been looking out at the lovely Bay of Naples and I realized this was a moment best captured in memory.

Unsripted Monterey Bay




View from our balcony

The drive to Monterey was lovely but unappreciated, since we were weary and simply wanted to get to our destination for the night. The farms we passed on the way didn't seem water deprived but, as always, it was little shocking to see families working in the fields, bent and slow moving in the afternoon sun. I sometimes forget that the California strawberries and avocados are often (always?) hand picked, perhaps by the "undocumented workers" who put food on American tables.

Here we are, enjoying a drink in the lobby.

Our first family visit to California in 1994 included a stop at the (then) Monterey Beach Resort, the only hotel in Monterey directly on the beach. On most subsequent visits we have usually booked an oceanfront room, where the sound of the surf soothes the nerves and calms the soul. This old hotel was a Best Western for a number of years and only recently became Unscripted Monterey Bay.

Though the hotel is lovely and somewhat "faded", our room has been updated and the view is spectacular. Hotel employees are very friendly: our housekeeper even offered to take a picture of me yesterday when I was photographing flowers. In the evening, I searched in vain for the full moon but settled for a beautiful sunset, muted by clouds and the salt filled air.

Car Rental

I always make several rental car reservations before I finally settle on a price and vehicle we can live with. Mistakes over the years have taught me that cheapest is not always best, or even satisfactory, so I try to "do the right thing". After much wasted time waiting for shuttles to an off-airport car rental location, we decided the on-airport choice is preferable, if at all possible.

Last week I realized that I had inadvertently booked a car offsite so I scrambled to find a "major brand" vehicle. I got a prepaid Budget car (with refund less $10 in the event of cancellation), and figured $191, including taxes, was an OK price to pay.

We took the "blue train" at SFO and the rental process was smooth, though we ended up with a Dodge Charger instead of the Chevy Impala Bob had expected. Fortunately, he likes the car but it needs his kind of wash so I suppose we'll have to find a good "do it yourself" car wash sometime in the next day or so.

MSP to SFO

Getting ready for this little trip was full of obstacles so I was expecting problems, but instead we arrived at the airport early and sailed through TSA pre-check, shoes on and portable electronics in my carry-on. Gate G has been renovated since we were last there, now bright and modern, full of little tables with iPads, where food can be ordered and delivered within about  15 minutes. I had breakfast (Subway flatbread, bacon-egg-cheese with lots of fresh veggies) just outside the gate, a favorite airport indulgence.

Between booking and departure, the aircraft had changed from an Airbus to a 757, and the cozy doubles (no middle seat) I had selected for us had been changed to a left window for Bob and a right aisle for me on the other side of the plane. I didn't realize this till last Friday when I unsuccessfully emailed, tweeted and called Delta in an attempt to modify the seating. We tried again when we got to the airport but had to resign ourselves to individual seats.

I took the window, scrambling over two women to get to my spot. The upgraded Delta comfort seats, a $118 expense I justified because we were flying free on Skymiles, were roomy, especially for someone as short as I am. We've been to California many times, but I've usually had the middle seat with neither room to maneuver nor any view, but today I was treated to a great panorama as we flew 2,000 miles, half-way across the continent.

The day was spectacular, sunny with great visibility throughout the flight. The land is so vast and lovely, colorful and rich in the fullness of spring. I admired blue Minnesota lakes and rivers, green and gold South Dakota farmland, snow topped mountains as we passed over Wyoming and finally, California. I expected to see parched land from the air, but my untrained eye observed only vibrant beauty with no evidence of drought.