So, for my birthday this year, I decided to go back to the golden land of California, to the great city of San Francisco. Lucky for me, my friends still remembered me. I spent four days visiting with old friends in some of my favorite SF places. Unfortunately, I didn't take too many pictures, but here's what I got.
Thursday, March 26:
My dear friend, Nicole, is the Head Crew coach at St Mary's, and March is right in the middle of the season for her. Despite the fact that she is crazy busy, she was able to give me her morning, so I took BART over to East Bay and spent the morning doing what we do best - walking and talking about life, love and everything in between. I didn't take any pictures, but I was really happy to the have the time with her. And the cupcake! Yum!
Then, it was back to the city to meet up with Margo, my first SF friend. Margo is working hard on becoming a vet, so she is also busy, but she opened her afternoon to me, and we spent it walking around the wharf, drinking Irish Coffee at Buena Vista and visiting Clement Street. What a wonderful way to spend the afternoon!
To wrap up the night, Margo came back with her husband Julian to join Erin and I for a delicious dinner of yummy Tapas. This time, I did take pictures:
Erin and I
Margo and Julian
Friday, March 27:
So, the whole time I was in SF, I stayed with my dear friend, Erin. We met by accident years ago, and have been great friends ever since. She took the day off work, so we spent Friday pretending it was a weekend - we got mani/pedis, we had a nice lunch outside, shopped, had some wine. It was altogether lovely!
I also wanted to make sure to see Lillian, and since she was at home with her daughter, off we went to visit with her. Lillian came into my life through Travis, but at this point, I can't imagine not knowing her as my friend. It helps that she and her husband, Erik, totally crack me up.
Lillian, Lila and Normal Duck
Saturday, March 28:I was watching PBS the other day, and they were running this documentary on Rene Di Rosa and his collection of art. He is a retired winemaker who just really loved art, so he started collecting and now has it all installed on his property for anyone to come see. I was able to convince Margo and Erin to visit it with me, and I think we all agree it was an amazing place.
http://www.dirosapreserve.org/ 
After a day in Napa, we headed back to the city to prepare for an evening out on the town. I invited all the people I love in the city to join me for one big outing at a wine bar. It was so great to see every one! I don't have pictures of all, but here are some.
Lillian, Erik and Tania
Tania and Erin
Me, Lillian and Erik
Me and Tom
Sunday, March 29:
My last day in San Francisco was a day of kids. First, I met up with the Tadlocks for brunch at Balboa Cafe. (their huevos rancheros are the BEST!) Jamie, Garrett and little Luella spent the morning with me. I wish I had pictures, but regardless, it was really great to see them.
Then, we (Erin and I) met up with the other kids in my SF family, Lila and Evan. And their parents, of course, for some sun time at Crissy Field. Again, no pictures - what's wrong with me?! But it was great to spend a few hours with Tania, Mike and Evan and Lillian, Erik, Lila and Bode.
To wrap the evening (and the weekend) up, we met up with Margo, Nicole and her husband, Dave, for Indian food in the Haight. Even thought Nicole and Dave had been racing all weekend, and must have been exhausted, they made their way into the city to see me, and I am very grateful.
The weekend was everything I could have hoped for. Thanks to Erin for putting up with a house guest for the weekend, and to everyone else for amending their schedules to accommodate me. I can't wait to see you all again, and remember - you always have a place to stay in Minnesota! Love you guys!
Here's the whole crew, minus Katie P. who had to check out early. This picture was taken after dinner but before the polka dancing. (I told you - this place is unique.)
And here's the polka band, in all of its glory. Once they realized how much I (and my peeps) liked dancing to "In Heaven There is No Beer," they agreed to play it multiple times over the course of the evening. The following are a couple of pics of the dancing action.
Not familiar with the song? Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntkC-o52weI&feature=related
