Adventures in Californ-i-a….

At the end of the summer, we jumped on a plane to San Francisco with a few couples from our community group.  Little did we know what was in store for us in the week ahead! Talk about a trip of a lifetime.  Our church placed us in a community group 2 years ago with some really amazing people.  And it just so happens that a few of them grew up in  some REALLY cool places around the United States…and we get to benefit from that by visiting their families.  We think it works out pretty well! One of the girls is from the San Fran area… and, her sweet parents were so hospitable & were willing to host us all week!

 

Let me just prepare you for picture o.v.e.r.l.o.a.d….this might be the longest post in all of history!

 

Day #1: San Francisco - Lunch at Fisherman’s Warf, Visited the seals at Pier 39, Tour by boat around Alcatraz and to see the Golden Gate & Bay Bridges, Ice cream at Ghirardelli Square, Rode a Cable Car {Probably my favorite part of the trip!} Drove across the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time, Ate appetizers in the coolest forest along the beach…

 

Day #2: Sonoma Valley- We began the day by renting bikes in Healdsburg, CA.  Then, we rode around Sonoma Valley and visited some beautiful wineries.  Stopped and had a picnic lunch in the gorgeous country & visited the General Store.  That afternoon, we drove a few miles down the road to visit the HUGE Redwoods. And, finally, we were told to arrive in a specific location at a specific time… when we got there, we were greeted by the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen & a private catered dinner by our host family! We explored the beach and watched the sun set. And to finish off the night, we stopped at Yogurt Farms on our way home! Overall, this was probably one of the coolest days of my life- I can’t believe all of the DIFFERENT places/climates we were in throughout just one day!!

Day #3: We packed up and drove from Santa Rosa to Yosemite. Hung up the hammocks, explored around the lake the area & slept just a few hours before we woke up the next morning at 3:45 a.m. for the biggest adventure of the trip…

The Phillips, The Blockers & The Harmons…

 

Day #4: We climbed HALF DOME! I still can’t believe we actually did this.  It was an unbelievable adventure- one that I’ll never forget, that’s for sure. We woke up at 3:45 a.m. and drove to the Valley Floor, hiked about 30 minutes in the dark to the trailhead of “Mist Trail.” After that, it was a challenging 12 hour day full of many challenges mentally & physically, but we did it! We finished around 7:00 p.m. that night… Whew, What a day in the life of a mountain climber! So glad to have my hubby to bring along enough water for the clan and good friends to keep each other going until we finished!

And, I must say… I cannot take credit for the picture above. I found it online and think it’s just unreal that we climbed that big ol’ booger!

Almost there….

The cables to take us to the TOP. No harnesses… just a pair of gloves, some 2x4’s, and a few cables to hang onto while we prayed for our lives that we wouldn’t blow away. Ha!

We made it!

 

Day #4: Explored around Yosemite- fished, swam, played cards, ate S’Mores & camped!

 

Day 5 & 6: Drove back to San Fransisco/Santa Rosa. Went ziplining in the Redwoods & ate dinner at The Santa Cruz Boardwalk!

We flew back home on Day #7 and just about crashed we were so tired from the week!

 

If you’re still reading & looking at pictures, then I am impressed. You must be either my Mom, Mother-in-law, or a grandparent.. haha. Thanks for sticking with me.  

 

What a wonderful trip with life long friends & unforgettable memories!