California Day Five

On this day, we made our way down the PCH - Pacific Coast Highway

 Our original plan was to take the PCH from San Francisco to LA but that plan had to be altered when we learned that a portion of the PCH was closed due to a bridge outage.  

 So, we drove for Monterey to Big Sur on the PCH

 And we took our time stopping and allowing ourselves to be in awe of God's beautiful creations before us.  This drive is fabulous, so beautiful in many ways and just breathtaking....

 Ryan and I did this trip many moons ago BUT we timed it wrong and ended up driving the best views at night - ugh.

 It was much better this time around surrounded by our kiddos and it was early in the day with no fog to leave us wondering what we were missing.

 We managed to make a stop by a local campground in Big Sur.  Two of my father's siblings and their families were staying there for a few days and we got to crash that party for a bit to spend a moment with them!  

 When I was growing up, I used to visit California - many summers I spent with my Uncle Randy and Aunt Kit and my three cousins, Ryan, John and Matthew.  Lots of great memories.  My Aunt Nancy, Uncle Ken and cousin Derek joined us a few times as well....I have always loved each of them dearly!  

 Big Sur is peaceful and a nature-lover's dream come true.  The children loved playing in the stream.

Ryan reminded me often to keep my eyes on the road....

and MK kept right on dancing!

Two of my most favorite people ever....my Aunt Nancy and my Uncle Randy, both are my dad's siblings and both make me laugh and smile each time I am honored to be with them...

The California coast is always worth a drive and I would recommend it to anyone....it's just beautiful.

The bigs

and more bigs....Ryan was scared stiff to allow them even this close to the edge....

and add Maryn into the picture and that led Ryan to the car....he has a fear of heights....

We all took it in and enjoyed the views....

and then we were on our merry way headed south for the remainder of our trip!

We drove Highway 101 which wasn't all on the coast but it was a great ride through the mountains and backcountry of California.

Day Four California

Today began early.  It was time to leave the city of San Francisco and venture out a bit.  So, we rented a car.  Not just any car, one of my many DREAM cars - a Toyota Sequoia.  It was supposed to be a minivan but things happened and we got a Sequoia....and I was a happy girl!  

 First stop....the Golden Gate Bridge.  We had seen it, been under it, but now it was the time to drive over it and then walk over it.  

 Some walked further than others but we all made it quite a ways over and it was great fun!

 San Francisco is a stunning city and we were a bit sad to bid farewell....

 but we knew adventure awaited us, soo.....

 over the bridge we went and we stumbled upon this gem, a sea lion hospital.  

 It wasn't just any hospital, it's the hospital that has given sea lions to the Georgia Aquarium for their program locally.  So cool.

 We spied a bit of water and decided to check it out...

 this proved to be one of our best memories....

 the children all had fun exploring the cliffs....

 watching the waves crash, putting our toes in the chilly Pacific Ocean....

 the shore was not sand....it was all pebbles, the smoothest pebbles ever!  

 After a bit of relaxing on the shore, we jumped into the car and headed into the quaint little town of Sausalito for lunch.  Wish we could have spent more time there but it was fun to get a glimpse of the cute little town and watch MK dance her way through!

Muir Woods was our afternoon destination....

we were all in awe over the trees that were way taller than any trees we have seen before.

And Colin jumped off the designated path in order for me to snap a photo of him in the tree....

and then Pryce followed too!  The girls were too scared to not follow the rules on the sign that vividly said, "Please Keep To The Path"

After a little hike, we were all done and ready to head south!

Well, some of us were.  This one is a hot mess at times.  In this pic, she is telling us all to watch out....when we get this look, we know that it is her way or the highway - she is determined and knows what she wants.  LOVE her so much and her big spirited self!

Just in time for dinner, we arrived for the night in Monterey, California.

We drove right up to a front row park and walked right in to one of our favorite restaurants....

Bubba Gump.

After a busy day of traveling, everyone was glad to have a moment of rest outside of the car!

California Day Three - San Francisco

We arrived early, so early that we had a few extra moments before The Academy of the Sciences opened.  So, we decided to take a stroll through the Japanese Tea Garden.

 The Japanese Tea Gardens are beautiful.  They are situated right in the middle of Golden State Park alongside The Academy of the Sciences and other areas.

 Very well manicured and all set for little girls finding fun in!

 The Academy of Sciences opened and our first stop was to see the butterfly exhibit.  Butterflies were everywhere....and they were all huge!

 Chapman even got to hold one which made her day!

 Somewhere during our visit, P came across the Electric Eel exhibit that encourages you to touch a display that will in turn shock you like an eel would.....it was a zapper.

 Everyone was fascinated by the seaweed....not sure that I remember why but I am positive there was reason it was intriguing.