Residence Inn By Marriott San Ramon

... bridge and the island prison of Fort Denison.

We stopped at the Exploratorium science museum on the way back, a warehouse filled with hands-on exhibits that demonstrate science and how we are influenced by our perceptions. We spent a couple of hours there and could have easily spent more.

Our ride back to the ferry wharf was in an historic trolley bus or tram, so we can say we have sampled all of the transport delights of SF.

... the best, is that we get free pancake breakfast, and we get to do the frying! As soon as you walk around, its just like your in the film Bullit. It is really that hilly here, and the streets are poker straight, with sharp inclines. We've been filling our time doing the tourist spots like going to the Golden Gate Bridge, walking up pier 39 to see the sea lions, and seeing ...

... Then we were beckoned to observe how talented my young cousins were. Sammy had only been taking Violin for 4 months and was already an Olympic violinist, and we were blown away at how much the 8 and 10 year old in front of us exceeded our own talents and IQ levels.     After a long day of reunitement and excitement it was time for bed for all of us. We kissed and hugged and said our prayers and washed our faces and brushed our teeth and told bedtime stories and giggled ...

... to feed a small country... or the boatload of tourists that flock to the piers.  Thankfully it is winter and the crowds seem to be marginally thinner.  With all that fresh seafood everywhere we had to sample a little.  We tried what everyone else seemed to be eating - Clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl.  It was pretty good although we would like to meet anyone that can eat the whole thing.  After checking out the shops on and around Pier 39 (as well as some amazing breakdancers - see ...

... Historically, the island served as a fort, lighthouse, jail and now a National Park. The jail housed its most famous inmate, Al Capone. There were 14 escapes and none were said to be successful however two bodies were never found. They claimed they drowned however Jeremy and I think they made it. Increasing maintenance and operating costs led to the close of the prison in 1963. We arrived to the highlight of this ...

... portion of our holiday as, for the next 7 days, we will only be staying 1 day in each location before moving onwards. To do this we have picked up our rental car. We initially had reserved a compact, but due to our puchasing of tacky souvenirs (!) we needed a bigger vehicle. For those who are interested it is a Hyundai Sonata, automatic of course. Wish us luck braving the american highways where everyone from 16 years and up is allowed behind the wheel!!! ;)

... healing. She didn't clear it right away, but the healing process has been greatly sped up by her grace. The week has ended in a positive note however. The big moment came when the parking crew was to play for Amma. All the crew played beautifully and I got a lot of positive comments on my version of "Ganga Ginta". Jai Ma! Click below to hear the mp3. Wow!

... see and into a multi dimensional swirl of energy and healing. Wie magazine http://www.wie.org/j17/amma.asp quotes Amma as saying: Ammachi's public teachings take place at traditional gatherings that are called "Devi Bhava" [literally "mood of the Goddess"] and "darshan" [audience with a guru], where she hugs and blesses all who come to see her. Almost a quarter of a million people seek her out every year, and she ...

... sleep and another early wake up call. 5:30am begins our Stage 2 trek to SLC... almost 1 FULL day of traveling. Watch out Mormons, here we come. http://www.yelp.com/biz/de-afghanan-kab ob-house-san-francisc o#hrid:Tk08OTBfpRnEoxQrBBZTqA

CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME! That was after we thought we were gonna die landing in San Francisco. Our plane descended lower and lower and all we saw was water. We're gonna die during a water landing. Well folks - we did not die, but landed safely on the runway, which just happens to be very very close to the water... Our SFO stay lasted three days and we stayed in a vacation condo on top of Telegraph Hill in North ...