Bay area, CA

One finger puppet: $2.00

Number of trip miles logged through Benicia, CA:  5,391

Number of states visited so far:  13

Price of a gallon of gas in California:  $3.95

Seeing friends after years apart:  priceless!

This is the view from Steve and Anne Hahn-Smith's backyard.  Pierre and I stayed at their house in Benicia.  We arrived in the middle of the night, and had a bit of an adventure just getting to their house.  Because we were arriving so late, the Hahn-Smiths were leaving their porch lights on and leaving their door unlocked.  Pierre and I had never been to this house before, so were going by their address and GPS directions.  We arrived at 1:30  a.m. and the GPS said "turn right on 11th avenue, followed by a right turn", so I turned on the first street after the intersection.  Sure enough, the first house on the left had its lights on and the correct number on the house.  We pulled in, got out, and went to the front door, which didn't open.  Then we went to another door, which was closed as well.  After trying a couple of times with no success, I was considering what to do, when a man in his thirties I didn't recognize came to the door and asked if he could help me.  I asked him if he knew a Steve and Anne Hahn-Smith, and he said no.  As it turned out, I had turned onto Church Street and not L Street, which was the next street over (fortunately the Church street man was not angry and a gun owner!).  So then we went to L street, and, sure enough, the first driveway on the left was lighted.  So we pulled in ... then realized it was the wrong address and Steve and Anne's house was the next one over.  The driveway was at such a steep incline downwards, with a ridge at the top, that it took a few minutes to get out, and only when I pressed hard on the accelerator, sending the car hurtling across the street and tapping the side of a car parked on the opposite curb.  An examination of the other car revealed no marks, but a slight dent was acquired by my own car!  Finally, we were able to move on to the next house and this time it was the right one!  Whew!  As always Pierre was extremely supportive, saying "mon ami, sometimes life is a comedy of errors, and this time you are the punchline!"

First day we were there, we accompanied the Hahn-Smith family to Six Flags in Vallejo (pronounced Va-LAY-ho to all you non-Californians) ... Pierre wanted to go on one of the rides, like Medusa in the background ...

But first, I shot some hoops for prizes ...

"Remember what I taught you, mon ami!  Wax on, wax off!"

"I taught heem well, no?  I do not even have to look to know it is going in!"  I won a team flag for my exploits - unfortunately, my three choices were Warriors, Heat, and Lakers.  Anybody want a Lakers team flag?

Pierre finally got his chance for a ride ... the hammerhead!  I stayed on the ground and took pictures ...

We also went to a killer whale show.  Pierre is straining to get a better view ... "I doubt this so-called killer whale will impress me much!"

Sometimes even a finger puppet needs a little comforting ...

We also went on the water ride, and as you can see I didn't get soaked at all ... fortunately the clothes I was wearing were especially absorbent!  Pierre didn't get very wet, and scoffed at my complaints, saying "sometimes you just have to man up, mon ami!"

Next day, Pierre and I did some exploring up and down Market Street ...

... and took the BART (subway) back to East Bay ...

ever safety conscious, Pierre holds on ...

"The ladies cannot take their eyes off of Pierre, no?"

The next day, Steve and Anne's kids left to go visit Steve's parents in St. Louis.  Clockwise from top:  Me, Elijah, their puppy dog Chula, Jackson, and Madeleine!  Pierre and Chula never got fully acquainted ...

Steve and Anne took us to Napa wine country the next day!

I have to admit that I was somewhat of an enabler for Pierre ...


Examining the wine list ...

Appreciating the fragrant bouquet ...

Pierre has one drink too many and mugs for the camera

Steve, Anne, Pierre, and I had dinner that night with Gina Agostinelli and her beau, Will McCoy (pictured towards the beginning of this post).  Gina has been extremely busy organizing estate sales, but we had a great time at dinner!

Next morning, time to go ... but first one more look at the Bay Bridge ...

... and the Golden Gate bridge ...

"I believe I see one of the charmed ones up there"

San Francisco

Alcatraz

One more trip up and down the streets of San Francisco, and we were off to the trip down the coast towards Los Angeles.  Hope to be posting some pictures from that part of the trip soon.  Have a great day everybody!