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The old farmer and his family are back home from California. We had good weather for the most part and a safe enjoyable time. We flew into San Francisco and rented a mini-van on which we put over a thousand miles. Some thoughts and observations:

-- I was worried about driving in San Francisco, but it was easier than driving in Chicago!
-- Driving down Lombard Street is a rush.
-- I still don't enjoy driving California Freeways.
-- Our vacation food budget went out the window when our first night out (seafood at Fisherman's Wharf) cost us $200.
-- We enjoyed walking thru Chinatown and eating out with Matthew and Daniel.
-- We crossed the Golden gate Bridge 4 times but never saw it without fog covering part or all of it.
-- We thought we would stand out like the Beverly Hillbillies in 'frisco, but I don't think we did. At least nobody appeared to look at us strangely.
-- Walking amongst the giant redwoods and the sequoia trees is like being in an outdoor Cathedral.
-- If Mrs. Winchester had read her Bible more and listened to the Holy Spirit, we would not have toured her mansion.
-- The views of and in Yosemite Valley are awesome!
-- We got to see an active forest fire up close and personal -- but fortunately it was a prescribed burn.
-- We enjoyed driving thru Napa Valley and touring Beringer Winery. We skipped the tasting rooms because of lack of time (and the fact that we had two minors with us).
-- After touring a gold mine, I can emphatically say I don't envy any underground miners.
-- We enjoyed Alan and Amy's wedding festivities in Davis (the reason for our trip), and were surprised to see them at brunch the next day (free food, said Amy).
-- We toured the Jelly Belly factory and brought home 8 pounds of Belly Flops.
-- My only regret was not being able to attend church services while in California.