Is this November weather?!

Charlton and I are really taking advantage of this great weather.  It was so warm today that we didn't even need our jackets.  Since Charlton and I have been reading a lot of books about fall, its beautiful colors and fantastic holidays that happen to be celebrated during this season, we decided it was the perfect time to visit the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco where fall is in bloom.

I love everything about this garden - the mesmerizing smells of the azaleas and wisteria flowers, the visual magic of the greenery that surrounds you while walking and thinking, the tranquility that the landscape architecture brings within your soul, the regal lanterns and statues spread out with elegance all over the garden, colorful leaves of the Japanese maple trees adorning the many waterfalls, the over 100 years old gorgeous Pagoda situated amidst bonsai trees and a very serene zen garden, and Charlton's favorite - the drum bridge - a perfect half circle bridge that belonged to the original Japanese Village which was established in 1894 for the California Midwinter International Exhibition (World's Fair).  In actuality, most of the trees, statues, lanterns, and even the Pagoda belonged to that 1894 Japanese Village, and it was later owned privately.  During WWII, a lot of the trees and plants were damaged, but later it was donated to the city of San Francisco and it has been maintained ever since.  Today it is part of the Golden Gate Park.  This is a stop to never forget. I personally could stay here all day, and everyday.

After having some lunch, we ended our garden tour, and headed toward another "international" destination - the Dutch Windmills located by the Ocean View beach.  There area two of these giants next to each other.  They don't function any more, but in 1902 when they were built they used to pump 1 1/2 million gallons of water daily!  They do need some polishing, but Charlton and I loved them nonetheless.  I read that during March/April is the best time to visit, since the gardens that surround them are filled with tulips, and you truly have a Dutch experience then.We walked around the area where we found several lakes and ponds that made us not want to leave.

Since the beach was across the windmills, and I had promised Charlton he could play in the sand, we headed toward my favorite beach in San Francisco - the Ocean View Beach.  There are several nice restaurants nearby, gorgeous views of the mountains, rocks turned white from seagull droppings, tens of seagulls resting on the warm sand, deliciously soft sand, and most of all a breathtaking horizon where the open wide skies meet the ocean.  You could spend all day here too!

Charlton loved drawing on the sand, walking alongside the beach, dipping his toes in the water, chasing birds, and finding sea shells.  We had to pick up the older kids from school, take Charlton to swimming class, and Gillian to her piano lesson, so we had to cut short our beach revery.  It truly wasn't fair to Charlton to not stay longer, but duty called.  I promised him I would bring him with his siblings next time and they could play all day.

What a blessing to see my children grow up enchanted with this beautiful life!

Sunbaths and sunsets

Abel, Elijah's brother and the coolest uncle at the moment, stayed with us for a few days.  He expressed a desire to visit San Francisco and a few things around the area.  I love San Francisco and never get tired of visiting it.  The Presidio is one of my favorite areas with great museums, fun beaches, and relaxing greenery.  We started our tour, however, with the usual Pier 39 visit, since Abel had never visited it before.  Here are a few highlights, hopefully not a replica of the previous visits.

The kids had a pleasant time "playing" the keyboard steps. You could make your own musical piece by stepping on the desired keys.

After eating lunch (In N' Out is Abe's favorite California munching spot), we headed toward the Presidio, enjoying the ever-so-spectacular views from the Golden Gate Bridge.  The kids fought over who would show their favorite sites first.  I have to say James's is my favorite too.

I also wanted to show Abel my special view of the Golden Gate Bridge, and since all of them wanted to go to the beach, we stopped at Baker Beach.  The water was very cold, and there was a bit of a breeze, but nothing that kids couldn't handle.  Although toward the end, when Jefferson had been thrown in the water by Abe and he was completely immersed and soaked in salty and sandy water, Jefferson requested to go home.  I guess there is always a first time.

While Jefferson, Gillian, and Abel were playing with the waves and trying to trick the ocean (which didn't work well in the end since all three had gotten quite wet), James, Charlton, and I went for a stroll toward the cliffs near the bridge.  We saw a lot of sea creature on those cliffs, anemones, clams, crabs to mention a few.  James's favorite were the Chinese hats; they were very tough to remove from the rocks.  We climbed cliffs, learned about the marina, played with the waves, and saw some nude people.  There is a part in Baker Beach where individuals use it as a nude beach.  I thought since it was cold and overcast that no such people would appear.  But appear they did, and I tried very hard to explain clearly to my boys the notion of modesty and privacy.  I needed not because at one point James said that they either were crazy or didn't have good values.  Short and to the point.

Toward the end of our trip, we stopped at our usual resting place, Treasure Island.  I think the artist in Abel's heart loved the view of the city from this spot the best.