California Dreamin'-A 14 Day Odyssey to San Fran,Yosemite & DL! 8/2013 COMPLETE!1/9!!

[Captain_Oblivious]

We found a place to park our bikes, and while the 3 men (spelled IDIOTS)

Sure is a lot of man-hating going on over on this thread. I wonder how my TR would be taken if I reversed the roles...

I just didn't give a %$*!. (Feel free to insert your favorite 4 letter expletive here. All work well.)

WORK is a 4-letter expletive for me.

It is the same name as the ice cream shop they have in Kauai, where we enjoyed the greatest ice cream in our lives as often as we could- Lappert's.

I can totally vouch for you!

I got there and there were no lines- I marched right up to the counter and said- make mine a double.

What kind of ice cream should I get? Says Pods.

If you want to know what my answer was, refer back to the bicycle lock paragraph. Again, all 4 letter expletives work here as well.

I thought that particular flavor only came in sandwich form. And everyone would have to take a bite.

I see Timmy was back to his adventurous self with his choice of flavors!

You know we don't care what this guy had-

You already gave us a hint, and we can see the color.

You'll have to wait to see how that turns out..... But let's just say you can count on the fact that $4 glasses of wine at the honor bar WORK WONDERS!

There you go! Next time hit the wine bar before you go biking.

On second thought, maybe that's not a good idea.

 

[CRdisMom]

Omg I would have lost my Schmidt with those men. Ice cream and wine fixes it all. Lol

 

[eandesmom]

I've never been in that ice cream shop but whenever we are there, it is PACKED!

Still, I'm impressed you went for ice cream...not lunch/snacks...or a cocktail!

I didn't know about the tokens...we just waited in line I'll have to remember that.

UGH riding back up in the afternoon crowds. Just UGH. I can't imagine running it later in the day, more or less biking it from the ferry building. It seems to me that when we did it, maybe it wasn't quite as crowded tourist wise? Or maybe it was a weekday, I have no idea.

I bet we don't get upgraded. I am thinking 2 years in a row of that and we used up all our Kimpton Reward pixie dust. LOL! Fingers crossed though. Actually fingers crossed we have a babysitter..but that's another story entirely.

 

[MEK]

Thanks for another great laugh. I, like Jill, can think of many expletives to fill that blank space.

So the moral of your update is - if ice cream doesn't make everything better, wine will!

I love this TR report!

 

[Beth D]

Amen! I would have gone straight for the ice cream and wine too!

 

[RGirl]

Okay, I'm sure this is just coincidence, but the picture of Tim with his ice cream just looks all, "OMG - I'm really sorry, Mom! Here, take a pic of me with my ice cream!"

BTW, on our trip, we will be taking the ferry TO and from Sausalito.

 

[franandaj]

I wish Ice Cream made me feel all better. I can only have a couple bites, if I have a whole serving I'm in trouble. I think I have inherited my Mother's lactose intolerance. Cheese isn't bad, but ice cream and hot chocolate are the worst.

Wine on the other hand! That will improve my mood post haste!

 

[rentayenta]

Sometime I think our fellas (and I mean all of our collective fellas, just don't get it). That's about all I can say about that.

I used a word that begins with an f for the first missing word and one that begins with an s for the second.

Ice cream is a cure all around here too. And wine. Wine fixes a lot. Wine last night fixed the fact that I'm on Day 7 of a 10 day solo parenting gig. Today a trip to Trader Joes with my bestie will fix Day 8. It's the simple things.

Sausalito looks beautiful though. We haven't been to Nor Cal in ages, well I haven't, looks like I need a trip back minus any bike riding unless they have a lazy girls bike route.

 

[GiantsNiners11]

Thanks for posting your trip report! Awesome! Can't wait to go back already, right?

 

[knewton64]

...... A BICYCLE!!


your trip reports just leave me in stitches -
and Lilo......
and Goofy....
and................


Can't wait to hear more.



P.S. I am now at a 93 pound weight loss-----got just 10 pounds vacation weight to lose and that's it.
I will be posting my "before & after" pics /video on my below listed SAN FRAN, ROSE BOWL trip report in about 8 more days.




T.T.F.N.
&
Cheers

 

[OurDogCisco]

Wow you learn something new everyday... I love your idea of taking the ferry back. I've eaten at Lappert's many time both in Kauai and Sausilito too. So cool seeing icons I'm familiar with.

 

[podsnel]

I will be back to do replies after this- I would just like to get an update in!

Back to the Hyatt Regency we went-



Where our very wise investment into the regency Club was about to pay off! Every evening at 5, until 8 or 9, I believe, they had happy hour with a different theme each night, substantial appetizers, and an honor bar with $4 or $5 wine, beer and cocktails. What you did for the honor bar was help yourself (wow, those were some up to the tippy top glasses of wine that were poured, lol!) and then mark it on a card with your room number to put in a box.

Works for us!







Tonight's theme was Mexican, complete with taco meat and shells-







Some ceviche-



I know everything looks picked through- I just want to add that 5 minutes after I took all these pics, they replenished EVERYTHING, unless they were changing an item for something else.

Pods picked his poison, which ended up being an Anchor Steam-



And i had a glass of pinot grigio.



When we saw the tacos, we called Timmy & Tyler in the room and told them to come up- they were going to LOVE happy hour at the Hyatt, lol! Tacos are one of their FAVORITE things- I think they would be thrilled if I made them tacos twice a week, they love them that much.

The ceviche had shrimp and crab, and it was DELICIOUS!!!!



Also grabbed some chips and salsas



Our view-



A happy Timmy-



And Tyler-





This is how they like it- loads of meat and some cheese. I guess they are purists.



We ended up deciding that tonight we would just eat tacos etc for dinner and save some $$ on buying dinner elsewhere, because clearly there was plenty to eat. I showed tyler over to the massage chairs- he felt like a king, lol!



His view from over there-



We may never get him out of that chair!



The ferry bldg and the Bay Bridge-





Humboldt Fog is one of my favorite cheeses EVER, but ALL of these cheeses were sooooooo good! Although looking at this, the cards are a bit mixed up- they need to switch the blue cheese for the triple creme-



Cont'd next post-

 

[15isto2]

I like the look of the cheese

 

[podsnel]

They offer board games up in the club, and Timmy found some cards. He wanted to show us his EXCELLENT magic trick, which he had learned from his Math Explorations teacher last year-





He did a fantastic job! Pods and I were sufficiently dazzled!



We grabbed some chicken wings when they came out-



As well as replenished our drinks frequently. It was a VERY VERY VERY good Happy Hour- total attitude adjustment for all! It was also gorgeous up there as the sun set....



They put out some yummy desserts, and the boys had their fill before they decided to head back to the room-



More bridge-



I love that line of fog stuck between the island and Oakland-





I was by myself taking pictures when I started- when I finished, there were about 6 others taking photos, too!







We had a really nice time up there that night- in contrast to our day on the bikes- and we were all enjoying each others company again, SO NICE!

But Pods and I were not done yet! Even if we weren't going to eat anything, we were STILL going over to Pier 23 for a cocktail....or two.



Pods had his usual of the vacation, and I tried a The Sally Rand $11
Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Pear Liqueur, Ginger, Lemon $11 (Sally Rand is a famous San Franciscan)



I know someone named Sally rand, so I had to try it. I have to say, Sally is an acquired taste! Our bartender was a nice guy...he was busy that night- lots of America's Cup Crews hanging out here.



Live music!



When I got through Sally, I decided to try something else, a French 75
Gloria Ferrar Brut, St. Germaine, Junipero Gin $10-





I enjoyed this MUCH more- sorry Sally!



We walked around outside behind the restaurant before we headed back- they have a very popular deck out there on the water.



On the way home we saw-



But thankfully did not need to use it, lol!

Up next- tomorrow is our last full day in SF- and SURPRISE!!! It's going to be a busy one!!

 

[jedijill]

Mmmm, nice Happy Hour spread and great view! That would put me in a better frame of mind too!

Jill in CO

 

[CRdisMom]

OMG that view is to DIE FOR!!!!

 

[podsnel]

I have an entire list of words that could fill that blank!

LOL!! Me too!

Sausalito is gorgeous! That ice cream looks super yummy.

The ice cream was DELICIOUS! There were mac nuts, coconut, coffee, fudge-ohhhh....so so good!

Who cares if you can walk in the shoes, just buy them! They are super cute!

They WERE super cute! But I kinda need to be able to walk dude. I got a lotta places to be! Probably its those shoes fault that I am having an issue purchasing glittery shoes for NYE on the Fantasy- those shoes are a tough act to follow!

And $4 glasses of wine ALWAYS improves my mood!

Jill in CO

Me too, as long as they taste great- and they did!

Sure is a lot of man-hating going on over on this thread. I wonder how my TR would be taken if I reversed the roles...

Not possible. Women would NEVER be as stupid as my men were, so bashing women is completely ridiculous, Captain-

WORK is a 4-letter expletive for me.

I am very sorry! I would be willing to give you vocabulary tutoring anytime-

I can totally vouch for you!

Thanks!





I thought that particular flavor only came in sandwich form. And everyone would have to take a bite.

At least it wouldn't be purple- usually.

And I am DEFINITELY not having any BITE!

I see Timmy was back to his adventurous self with his choice of flavors!

LOL- you noticed! Umm...Uhhh...I'l have Banilla with Spwinkles pwease...

You already gave us a hint, and we can see the color.

There was a hint??? What was it? I really want a hint!

Actually, he had cherry he thinks. Followed by "I dunno!" So there ya go- mystery unsolved-

There you go! Next time hit the wine bar before you go biking.

So now you're trying to get me killed?? Geez! That seems a little harsh for just a little man-bashing!

On second thought, maybe that's not a good idea.

Thank you!

Omg I would have lost my Schmidt with those men. Ice cream and wine fixes it all. Lol

LOL-Yes it does!

I've never been in that ice cream shop but whenever we are there, it is PACKED!

It was packed when we rode by, and packed the whole time we were there, EXCEPT...when I walked in the door. And that was allllllll- right!

Still, I'm impressed you went for ice cream...not lunch/snacks...or a cocktail!

Many snacks and cocktails followed, I can assure you!

I didn't know about the tokens...we just waited in line I'll have to remember that.

Yes- I learned that reading EVERY TR WITH A GGB BIKE RIDE IN IT FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS, PODS! Oops- sorry, I mean, yea, that's a good tip for next time, huh Cynthia?!

UGH riding back up in the afternoon crowds. Just UGH. I can't imagine running it later in the day, more or less biking it from the ferry building. It seems to me that when we did it, maybe it wasn't quite as crowded tourist wise? Or maybe it was a weekday, I have no idea.

This was a Thursday, August 15th- I think the America's Cup was making it more crowded.

I bet we don't get upgraded. I am thinking 2 years in a row of that and we used up all our Kimpton Reward pixie dust. LOL! Fingers crossed though. Actually fingers crossed we have a babysitter..but that's another story entirely.

ALL POSITIVE THOUGHTS! Especially for the babysitter-

Thanks for another great laugh. I, like Jill, can think of many expletives to fill that blank space.

That's my girl!!

So the moral of your update is - if ice cream doesn't make everything better, wine will!

YES!!! I am so glad we have all learned something here today, aren't you?

I love this TR report!

Thanks Darlin! I really need to visit yours- it's been a while, I'm sorry!

 

[podsnel]

Amen! I would have gone straight for the ice cream and wine too!

It does seem to be a popular coping strategy!

Okay, I'm sure this is just coincidence, but the picture of Tim with his ice cream just looks all, "OMG - I'm really sorry, Mom! Here, take a pic of me with my ice cream!"

Aww...that's not coincidence- that's how he is. He was really sorry, even if he wasn't saying it yet.

BTW, on our trip, we will be taking the ferry TO and from Sausalito.

well aren't YOU the smart one!!

I wish Ice Cream made me feel all better. I can only have a couple bites, if I have a whole serving I'm in trouble. I think I have inherited my Mother's lactose intolerance. Cheese isn't bad, but ice cream and hot chocolate are the worst.

I'm sorry, babe- what about that ice cream we had at Club 33? Was that an issue afterwards?

Wine on the other hand! That will improve my mood post haste!

Truth be told- ice cream is very nice and all, and that particular ice cream was spectacular....but it's the wine that really adjusted my attitude!

Sometime I think our fellas (and I mean all of our collective fellas, just don't get it). That's about all I can say about that.

Yup- it's true.

I used a word that begins with an f for the first missing word and one that begins with an s for the second.

Very good choices! Excellent!!

Ice cream is a cure all around here too. And wine. Wine fixes a lot. Wine last night fixed the fact that I'm on Day 7 of a 10 day solo parenting gig. Today a trip to Trader Joes with my bestie will fix Day 8. It's the simple things.

So glad simple things work, aren't you? Is M back now?

Sausalito looks beautiful though. We haven't been to Nor Cal in ages, well I haven't, looks like I need a trip back minus any bike riding unless they have a lazy girls bike route.

Yes- there's a lazy girl ride- it's ALONG THE FREAKIN BEACH!!!!!

Thanks for posting your trip report! Awesome! Can't wait to go back already, right?

Of course! I want to go back to nearly every place I have been, but San Francisco is a very, VERY special place-

And thanks for the kind words- it really means alot- nice to meet you!

 

[podsnel]

I like the look of the cheese

It was GREAT cheese, don't ya think?

Mmmm, nice Happy Hour spread and great view! That would put me in a better frame of mind too!

Jill in CO

Can't say enough good things about that regency Club- it was fantastic!

OMG that view is to DIE FOR!!!!

It was really gorgeous- it used to a rotating restaurant- until they turned it into the concierge floor. Lots of people are not happy about that decision- but it worked for us this trip!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

My sons would have made some serious dents in the taco bar! What a great happy hour, especially with the view you had. I, so seriously, have got to visit San Francisco. What a beautiful place.

Your Sally Rand drink didn't make you want to get up with your feathered fans & dance? That would have been such a lovely picture!