San Francisco Day 3

Our first stop was Muir Woods.

On Sunday morning we got up early to go into San Francisco with the Webbs. We left a little after 7 o'clock because we were actually driving back north to see the Muir Woods. At this national monument we took a short stroll through the cool, dark forest. We spotted a woodpecker and a few yellow banana slugs, which are a favorite of the children. After we turned in the Junior Ranger booklets, we got back in the car and drove to the Golden Gate Bridge.

It was a little chilly in the woods, but we enjoyed being with cousins.

The redwoods are amazing in this monument.

We get a lot of family pictures when we are with cousins.

Mark took a lot of turns as lead photographer.

There wasn't a lot of wildlife, but we spotted a woodpecker.

The banana slugs were more yellow, but still not yellow.

This photo has a Sacred Grove feel.

Dax likes to lead or fall behind so he gets a little time to himself.

Seth just likes to ham it up for everyone else on the trail.

There were four or five cool bridges on this trail.

Muir Woods is so beautiful.

Here's us, on another fabulous trip!

Dad slowed down for the cathedral.

We made sure our boys were reverent, too.

Melanie took a photo from across the trail.

We parked in a small lot and got out for pictures. The boys wanted to walk on the bridge, so we walked to the small outdoor museum on the north end and looked around at the displays. Then we started across the bridge. We didn't even make it to the first tower because of how long, loud, and high it is! The cars were zipping past, and it seemed like miles down to the water. At the end of this day, all three boys declared this their favorite adventure. We even spotted a seal in the harbor far below.

We parked on the north side just down from the bridge.

It was a perfectly clear day. 

The cars are so close as you walk along!

We took this to make home made postcards.

That first tower is a long ways from the end.

Mark is a good leader for all the cousins.

After the bridge, we ate lunch in the parking lot at Fort Point under the bridge. We planned to meet Ty and Bentley for Ty's birthday so we could spend a little time together. Walking through Fort Point was interesting. It was a large fort built right under the bridge after the Civil War (of course, there was no bridge then). It was designed to protect the harbor from invasion. The boys worked on the Junior Ranger booklets, but mostly they enjoyed chasing Bentley around. It was fun to have cousins from both sides of the family around!

Ty is in San Francisco finishing school.

Charlie and Seth looking mostly normal in a picture.

The inside of the fort had apartments for the soldiers.

It was so cool inside the fort. 

The wind nearly whipped us right off the gun turret.

The view under the bridge was a new perspective.

We liked seeing the pilings underneath.

Bentley was a bit of a mini-celebrity for all the kids.

We had lunch just outside Fort Point while waiting for Ty to come. 

Our next stop was at Ghiradelli to buy ice cream for Ty's birthday. The line was long, but the ice cream was the best we've ever had. Mark declared himself the ice cream vulture and carried his spoon around to finish anyone's portion that they couldn't handle. After we said goodbye to Tyler and Bentley, we decided to spend some time downtown. 

We plopped down at the sign to eat.

Bentley would fit in with our blonde boys pretty well.

Mom made sure the girls felt loved.

Our next stop was San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. It was probably the smallest park we've ever been to, comprising about 50 square feet of land and a long pier that leads out to some ships. The boys completed their Junior Ranger booklets as we explored the ships. It was a quiet little stroll to learn a lot about the boats in the midst of the busy buzz of San Francisco.

Mark and Daniel enjoyed seeing the old vessels.

This ship is sometimes taken out on special days.

That's about the entire park in one picture.

I'm the king of the world!

The boys did the Junior Ranger program while aboard ship.

Dax really wished we had gone to Alcatraz. Next time!

We walked up on the fore and aft decks.

Seth is more of a Captain Hook than a Captain America.

This is where it all started for Mom and Dad!

We continued down to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39. The bustle of city was exciting. We passed several street shows, and the boys were amazed at the cars that roared, bounced, and cruised down the street. We didn't even know that was a part of San Francisco. 

At the end of the very crowded Pier 39, we saw the sea lions basking in the sun. They looked so lazy and oblivious to the crowd of people. After we watched for a while, we found a nice little restaurant right on the pier. We enjoyed some clam chowder and fish and the company of cousins.

We didn't have time for a cable car ride.

Fisherman's Wharf is where Mom and Dad made a movie.

It was really crowded on the pier.

The kids enjoyed playing the piano steps.

Dax loves clam chowder almost as much as Dad does.

Finally, we split. The Webbs headed for home, but we wanted to stop at one more adventure. The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps is a special mural of tiles that is really cool. The sun was in a rotten position, making a horrible glare on the tiles, and there were too many Instagrammers taking photos, but we got some nice pictures of the steps anyway. We were so tired from the long day! We all fell into bed a little early.

The steps were cool, but the lighting wasn't great.

Mom and Dad enjoyed the steps most.