Category Archives: San Francisco

Fisherman’s Wharf

Above – Robb, Kando, Alo and me taking a maritime tour on an old ship at Hyde Street Pier.

When Robb picked me up from my flat this afternoon both kids were passed out in the back seat.

We drove to Fisherman’s Wharf and walked around Hyde Street Pier and the Ghirardelli building. It rained most of the day but the weather broke for short periods.

There were people swimming in the bay. Several of them. Without wetsuits. Yikes!The boat in the background in the photo below and the two photos that follow is the old SF Bay ferry used before the Golden Gate Bridge was built.

Ahrrrr … Sorry this photo turned out a bit dark. It’s a beautiful waterfall with mermaids.

This was a short visit and I’m glad I was able to spend some time with the boys even if it was for just a few hours. I’ll be back in SD in a matter of hours where I’m hoping it’ll be dry and warm.

Have I mentioned how much I love San Francisco and the Bay Area? Part of that I’m sure has to do with having loved ones here but it truly is a beautiful area. Yoga aside, there is so much to do here and as heavily populated as it is, nature is abundant. Every time I visit I experience something different and leave with precious memories.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone from San Francisco with LOVE!

From the South to the North Again

Above – Breakfast of champions.

Here are the last of the block party photos from last weekend …

Maya & her friend Eva.Maya upside down as The Sparts watches on.Here comes the Man Bun.Cornbread…Siblings.Waiting for that annoying person taking the group photo, who for once is not me!And from the North, this afternoon I met up with Robb and the boys for a little time at the park just down the street from my flat.Alo made a friend.But Kando wasn’t feeling the love …Then off for dinner. These boys can pack it in!

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone from San Francisco with LOVE!

From South to North

Above- Alo and an early start to a long month.

Below – Pappa took ownership of the visor his new friend left behind for me. Hey, I was going to wear that …On our way to the block party last weekend someone was copping a tude …Maya and her scooter before decorating it for the parade …Scooter decorating time …And after. Take a closeup of the lettering at the top and bottom of the scooter.Happiness is being in a parade!Where was the Sparts during all this you ask? Taking a long overdue, well-deserved nap!Fast forward to today – taxi drive from airport to Airbnb.View from the corner looking south.Decisions, decisions, decisions! This is one pretty well stocked kitchen for an Airbnb! I’ve spent most of the afternoon and evening trying to decide which cereal to have for breakfast.… or should I have yogurt? Or perhaps bagel?… and cream cheese, or jam or Nutella?There’s even a Nespresso machine and a milk frother so I don’t have to skip a beat getting ready in the morning. It’s almost like the owners got a tip from somebody on all the stuff I like!

One thing’s for sure, chocolates for dessert. Oh, and wine …I think I need to show some respect and eat everything before I leave!

& now, time for a little studying.

Blogged from Amma’s iPhone with LOVE!

Walnut Creek – Day 3

Above – Group photo on Angel Island with Belvedere and Tiburon across the bay.

Below – on the ferry ride from Tiburon to Angel Island.

From the dock looking across to Tiburon.

On the tram. It was cold!

One of many deer sightings.

Panorama from a lookout to the northwest looking at Sausalito to the south and Tiburon to the north.

From another lookout, in this panorama you can see Oakland to the far left, Treasure Island, Bay Bridge, San Francisco with Alcatraz in the forefront, Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito. With the sun above in the center of the photo, it casts a beautiful light behind the tree. The day was beautifully clear, crisp and cold.

Robb and Alo from the same lookout.

One more closeup of the Bay Bridge, the city and Alcatraz.

Alo on the tram.

At the dock – waiting for the ferry to come pick us up.

Back at the house we decorated the tree and took some photos.

Yesterday morning in “our living room” aka the hotel lobby. We had the place all to ourselves as we waited to leave for the airport.

Robb and Akuch followed us to the car rental return where Alo joined us for a ride on the shuttle to the airport. He looks very serious, but he took some time out to sing the Wheels on the Bus song.

Back at the fort we were welcomed by another beautiful November sunset.

We will miss our Northern California family, but look forward to seeing them here at Christmas time. I can’t wait!

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/MacBook with LOVE and thanks for being blessed with a beautiful family!

Pumpkin Patch & Martinez

Above – Alo and Akuch at the Martinez dock.

Below – photos of Alo at the pumpkin patch last Monday.

After the pumpkin patch we drove to the marina. I had no idea the bay came so far inland and was so close to where Robb & Akuch live. It’s beautiful there.

I have more photos, & I’m sorry to be so late in posting these. I’ve been sick with yet another upper respiratory infection, winding up in the emergency room Wednesday. I’m still coughing quite a bit but feel I’m on the road to recovery. Today will be a day of rest for me.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone with LOVE!

Story Time & baby shower

We started the day yesterday with story time at the library.

The bear’s name is Cheerio and the pig’s name is Spam.

Here’s Alo putting on his glasses (part of the story).

Pretty cool art work in the library.

And outside the library.

After story time, we went to check out the park for baby shower location availability. There’s a museum at the park where they had some birds of prey on exhibit. Here’s a turkey vulture.

Alo playing at the park.

Later in the day, Akuch and Alo arriving at the baby shower. Btw, Alo has learned to walk like his mommy. He sticks his stomach out and and lets it lead the way.
Group photo (of course). Lots of very nice people. One of the couples has 2 sets of twins, 13 months apart! Yikes!

Alo & Lily sharing a cupcake.

Lily & her mom, Sandra.

We arrived back home this morning to Comic Con frenzy at the airport, and glad to be back to San Diego weather. It was cold in San Francisco. I expected warmth in a Walnut Creek, but it was overcast and cool. We even got some light rain.

We’re looking forward to another visit after the baby’s born, and after my India trip.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone back in sunny San Diego!

Selfie stick

The selfie stick works great. I’m using it for the first time for something other than sneaking peeks at the baby birds.

Yesterday morning, Alo and I did a little Urdhva Prasarita Padasana (legs up the wall).

Then we all packed up and went on a field trip.

We went on a train ride.

We fed the animals.

Then we went on the merry go round.

We went around twice…

Then Robb, Bruce & I went to Target to get some baby shower items while Akuch & Alo took a nap. I would be amiss to not include this photo. I had to be very crafty to capture this little gem.

At dinner …

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone from Walnut Creek with LOVE!

Bart before

Bart after a few stops …

Alo selfies – happy to see his Amma!

He’s still hangin with Ernie.

Alo sleeps in the big bed now and he loves his books. I read him 5 books, all of them with a huge amount of interaction. He knows the names of all the animals, birds colors and objects. His friend, Lily, was there visiting. She was playing with all his toys around him, but all he was interested in was the books. I think for his birthday I’ll get him a pocket protector … Haha

Papa arrived later in the evening and guess what … He read Alo another book!

We went for a short walk this morning to get a cup of coffee and found this little beauty.

The sign below is noteworthy.

Evidently Bear and James are getting along just fine …

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone from beautiful downtown Walnut Creek with LOVE!

Workshop over – next leg

In between classes yesterday we went for a walk around our neighborhood and came across a park. The sun was peeking through the trees so I was inspired to capture the beauty. This was one of the biggest, tallest eucalyptus trees I’ve ever seen.

Along the way I decided to take a mid-block panorama of an entire street of houses. They all look very similar but with observable differences. One could ponder on how these houses came to be attached to each other because at a close view you can see they are, indeed, separate houses.

This condensed city that houses the largest number of residents in California has certainly figured out a way for everyone to fit in – a great example for the rest of humanity. There is a place for everyone.
Lynn and I have gone our separate ways, she back to North Carolina, and I will be headed to another short yoga meeting in the city before returning the rental car to SFO. After that I’ll be hopping on Bart to be reunited with Akuch, Robb & Alo, and this evening with Bruce.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone from Daly City with LOVE!

People watching at the Jazz Fest

Our class yesterday ran from 8-11am (a short day) because of the holiday. We went back to our “house”, ate a small lunch, then headed to the metro station where we were fortunate to have not been charged a $125 fine for walking throuh the terminal gate and riding the first leg without paying. Not being familiar with the way this system works, it’s quite an obstacle. It’s too bad San Diego doesn’t have a good metro system. It’s so nice to be able to get just about anywhere for $2.25 within a very reasonable time.

Tap dancing …