1/10th of the Way There!

Both sets of my grandparents have now made it 50 years in their marriages. I've always hoped for the same. Maybe it is my compulsiveness that requires me to make all these goals, but that's a biggie.

It was Brady's year to come up with our anniversary plans. While we wanted to do a weekend trip, there were no available weekends. I started school, he started the busy time at work, and that's life. So he planned a day trip.

We took the BART early, and got to the city in time for a tasty breakfast at Sears Fine Foods (where we ate last year...YUM!). Then we hopped on our bikes and headed across the Golden Gate. As evidenced below, it was quite foggy. In fact, they call it a drizzle when it is like this.

I've been begging Brady to consider getting road bikes now that we have our mountain bikes (and I want to get more involved in triathlons). In fact, I spent the first few miles in the city complaining that we didn't have skinny, non-traction tires to cruise around on. Then, I discovered the glory of mountain bikes. You can bike off-road.

I know, what a mystery, huh? Well, I have never been off-road. It was breathtaking!!

We biked a LONG time uphill. It was challenging, but there were a few flatter areas, and plenty of drink breaks. The first few miles I couldn't get over the thrill and uncertaintly of gravel.

In this picture, Brady says I'm ready to join Harley. (Check out the gloves.)

Finally, we started in on some downhill. That simply took the workout from the legs to the arms for me. I think I was just so tense and nervous that my arms were constantly flexed.

Brady made sure to find some wildflowers along the way. (He also made sure to get some flowers for me on Friday...)

We found a different trail to go back to the city, and ended up seeing the bridge without all the "drizzle."

All said, we went about 27 miles. (We know that due to Brady's Google Earth hobby.) It was a new adventure, and one we plan to repeat with different trails. We discovered areas to park so we can skip the city next time around. Not that we mind the view...

Sweatin' to the Oldies

We love the oldies, and we don't mind a little sweat. We also don't mind Richard Simmons.

We are, however, pretty sick of this California heat wave. We are reminded daily that we don't live IN San Francisco!

We are currently on a "heat advisory." No one really had to tell us that. That fact is easily established by walking outside at 7am, and still getting drenched. It's been over the 100s for over a week. Saturday, it hit 110. Today, it "cooled off" to a mild 106 degrees. Fantastic.

I was self-conscious about my excessive sweating--especially around all the faculty at my new job. Then I realized that everyone else had neck rings and back sweat stains, too. Eww.

Everyone around here keeps assuring us that this is "out of the ordinary" and that they just "can't believe this crazy weather." Each time I hear these phrases, I make a threat to the weatherman..."It BETTER be out of the ordinary." Or else, right?

What do you do? I suppose even the CA climate isn't always ideal.

Remember the Blues

Sometimes work gives you perks...and this was one of those times. The company I work for is a large sponsor for the Wente Vineyards Concert Series in Livermore, CA. The concerts are outside among beautiful vineyards and golfing greens. Supposedly, cameras are not allowed--so naturally I took only a few pictures.


Karen and I were given tickets valued at $150/ea to listen to music while sitting on tables next to the stage, and also eat from the best buffet I have ever had. I had to be sneaky to snap these pics.

After being stuffed with salmon, chicken, and delectable fruits we awaited the main event..."The Blues Traveler." I remembered a couple of their songs, but the most impressive performance was John Popper on the harmonica(hat and glasses). I promise their concert was better than this picture. Real cool, huh.

Date Night in San Francisco

8 Things You Can Do in San Francisco:

1. Eat really great at The Slanted Door.

2. Have intelligible conversations with intelligent people.

3. Walk to Coit Tower, which means climbing stair after stair after stair. We actually found a secret set of brick stairs (found below in #7).

4. Notice things along the way that we would have never otherwise noticed.

(What happens when this guy stands up?????)

5. Enjoy serene scenes from Coit Tower.

6. Watch Kristen kill a large bug with her eyelashes.

7. Pretend like we're taking engagement pictures again.

8. Enjoy some time with our hot wives.