San FranSTEEP...

Our first adventure lastnight was a trip on the trolly car down to Embarcadero Street. I had visited a restaurant called Gordon Beirsch in one of my previous visits and I wanted to take Marc there...so we headed up the street to the California Line, where we met a lady by the name of Janette; a Newfoundlander, now living in San Fran. She's a musician and recommended a restaurant in Little Italy for us to check out (We'll see about that). The Trolly Car came, we paid our $5 each (outrageous!)and rode down California St. until it intersected with Market St. We each took a turn hanging off the side into traffic...and then met our second local; the man driving the car, a wonderful black man who told us all about the beauty of the sunrise and sunset in the Bay...

We walked a few blocks to Gordon Beirsch, right under the Bay bridge where we sampled all their beers (see pics) and had a great meal. The traditional thing at this restaurant is their garlic fries, which put a spin on the breath, then the salmon and the seafood stuffed chicken were great entrees, all followed up with key lime pie. It was quite yummy and FILLING. After dinner we walked Pier 14 and tried to walk off some of supper before taking another trolly back to the area where our hotel is.

This morning we grabbed breakfast at a little cafe across the street; Marc had some wonderful cinnamon french toast with maple syrup while I had a veggie srambbler with fruit. We then put our running shoes on and dressed for chilly weather, grabbed the map and started walking toward the Fisherman's Wharf (This is where MARINA street is...ust for you Aunty!). The hills were unreal and actual screwed up our sense of direction...

We treked past Lumbard street (the famous switch back road) and then continued down Hyde street to the pier, where we found some old ships...and souvenirs. We've been buying patches to put on our backpacks at each major spot, so our collection is growing...and so is Marc's facial hair. My husband is growing a beard! (off topic, but it needed to be mentioned)

Joining a sea of tourists, we walked Embarcadero towards Pier 39 (Marc bought a SAN FRANCISCO sweater along the way), where we watched the sea lions. We realised that thier lives consist of water fights and doggie piles. They just lay on the piers, try to push eachother in the water, jump on other platforms, piss eachother off, start barking...then the cycle repeats. Oh, the life of a sea lion!

We had a meal of In-and-Out burgers then headed for Ghiradelli Square, where I had a chocolate covered strawberry (tradition for me). Then...we had to head back...up hill...after hill...after steeper hill. We finally got to a level spot to face another hill and Marc says to me, "I didn't sign up for another one. Will you carry me?" HA! NOT!

So, with sore calves, we are sitting in out hotel room, relaxing and investigating where we will have dinner tonight.

from the York Hotel on Sutter...
Cari and Marc

PS. We want to say a special Hi to Grandpa Friedt, Aunty Marina and Brother Dan who are following our trek. We love you! (WARNING: We're planning on stopping in MH on the way back to Edmonton. We're going to need somewhere to sleep. Grandpa?)

PSS. Leave us comments so we know who else is reading this!

Our pictures from the past 24 hours...in no particular order...

...Left Sacramento...headin' for the Frisco Bay...

Well, we're here; In San Francisco!

The evening following our last blog was a blast. We shared an unbelievable meal with Uncle Rob and Aunty Hallie, Sage and three other Edmontonians (relatives of Hallie's). Aunty Hallie's parents were with us too, which was cool to see them again.

Uncle Rob and Ron spent about an hour preping three different chickens to be bbqed with a three different types of beer. Classic "beer chicken" idea...although with the three different spice mixtures; cajun, oriental, and rosemary paired with three different kinds of beer, it was scrumptious!

Marc, Sage and I provided the entertainment for the evening...which was a dream come true for Sage. He stummed and I took care of the cords for him. He's got great rythum!

Yesterday, we made a road trip for a day at Lake Tahoe. What a beatiful lake! Rob, Hallie and Sage took their car while we followed in the Mustang. The sun was hot and the road was windy through California's version fo mountains.

We arrived at the lake, set up at the beach and soaked up the sun. Marc turned another shade of red while I got a bit red myself (oops). we played football in the water, buried both Marc and Sage (Marc was a mermaid and Sage was a turtle), had sandwiches and beer, and hand fed the Canadian geese...it was awesome.Dinner just off the water with Rum-Runners as the drink of choice...yum. We drove back to Sacramento and got ourselves organized to head to San Francisco this morning.

We got up, showered, packed, got the car ready, were given directions from Sacramento to San Fran so we could drive over the Golden Gate Bridge, were given a wonderful wedding gift of a night at Carmel-by-the-Sea from Uncle and Aunty (lookin' forward to that!), then made our last group outing to In-and-Out Burgers. Tradition and OH SO GOOD!

Then we hit the road...the hot road...through brown hills with green trees...and now we're in San Francisco! We're staying at the York Hotel, close to Nob Hill; an OLD building, no A/C!

Our plan for tonight is to hit the streets with our runners on, get on the Cable Car down to Embarcadero Street and head to Gordon Beirsch for garlic fries and beer...We like it here.

Enjoy the pics!
Love from the peak of a hill in the Frisco bay,
Cari and Marc

From Sacramento...by the pool...

We arrived in Sacramento yesterday afternoon and made it to Uncle Rob and Aunty Hallie's with the directions I copied from Google Maps. Love that.

It was good to land at their house. Sage has grown up so much...and his character is interesting to witness. He speaks so intelligently and is so curious about everything. He has been calling me his 'girlfriend' since we got here...Marc is jealous.

We went for a late supper...at a thai place called Ma Jong's, which had some awesome pad thai and other dishes that we all sampled from. It was a cool experience. This restaurant is linked to another one and a night club...and the bathrooms are crazy! You go into your respective doorway, and then you are shocked to see that you can see through the wall to the other side. They have the sinks mirroring eachother, so you are able to see the guys wash from the girls side and vice versa. I would image that after a few drinks, this would throw you for a loop. (The pictures don't do it justice, but it is cool!)

We returned to the house and Sage and I went for a dip in the pool. Twas a bit chilly late at night, but it was fun nonetheless. Sage went to bed, then Marc, Hallie and Rob and I visited and sipped drinks until after midnight...solving the worlds' problems. You know how it goes.

This morning we all woke up slowly, well Sage was an early riser and was knocking on our door to "Wake up guys!"...eventually we rose and marc took him for a field trip to Starbucks. I love that husband of mine.

We were going for breakfast, which turned into brunch, then ended up being lunch (nothing happens quickly) in Folsom...the site of Folsom prison. Our ham and cheese paninis and salad was awesome. We ate, then wandered the townsite, then returned to the house to jump in the pool as quick as we could! Sage, Marc, Uncle Rob and I relaxed and cooled off for about an hour...and now we're chillin' in the cabana beside the pool...actually we're heating up beside the pool. We've both got the glow goin' on. I think we might go for another dip in a bit. It's HOT!

From the shade with a cooler in hand...

Cari and Marc

Look up...look way up...

Today was a "look up" kind of day. We left from Eureka at about 10:30am and had some breakfast at an all day omelette joint, which was rather good. Marc tried a new kind of Eggs Benedict...with crab. It was interesting, but satisfying.

Following food, we made our way down the Avenue of the Giants, which is the home of the Redwood Forest. These trees were unbelievable! So tall, so old and so thick. Being in the convertible with the top down put the experience at a whole new level. I (Cari) drove the car through a tree today, which was strictly a video moment so, no pics for that...Dad, you'll have to wait for that!

We stopped on the side of the road to make some sandwhiches, got attacked by wasps, I got emotional, jumped in the car, put the top up and we kept driving...to Willits, California.

We're in a hot part of California in the middle of forest. It's dry here. We haven't unpacked the car...bought a six pack of Coors and are sitting outside our KOA cabin reading and relaxing. We'll deal with it later.

Love,
Cari and Marc

PS. If you read this blog, leave us a comment. They're fun for us to read! You can't have all the fun to yourself. :)

Eureka! California at last!

We have officially crossed into "Arnold" country. Many things have happened on our trip that we've neglected to mention, mainly because the internet has been random so we havn't had time to upload pictures. Tonight, we are making up for lost "net reception".

So first of all, we need to back track to Victoria. To put closure to the long awaited surprise, Alison will be disappointed, no we're not pregnant. (I think and hope!... by the way this is Marc entering this blog in if you hadn't already figured that out...) Long story short, Cari got her hair permed. Don't ask how much and I won't have to lie. The reason I couldn't argue about the hair-do was cause I, woops, I mean, WE purchased a 1974 Yamaki accoustic guitar. I've been, woops, I mean WE've been looking for one that was worth buying for quite sometime, and this one was amazing for the price, which yes, was more than the haircut......WE also decided to rent a motorcycle (mainly Cari) and we managed to put on 180kms in an afternoon. Cari still has a sore bum....ok maybe not... While on the motorcycle, naturally Cari needed to pee, and tadah! We went wine tasting...cause they had a bathroom! The wine wasn't that good, and that's 10 bucks I'll never get back, but it made me think of Dad......

Now we jump back to Oregon. Last night was the nicest KOA cabin we've stayed in yet, a two room "kabin" as they call it. I assume it was brand new. We stayed near Coos Bay, where you find Oregon's HUGE and very cool sand dunes. So of course, everyone and their dog... except us :( had a racing quad or dirt bike. There was of course rentals, but Cari was, I mean we were sooooo tired she, I mean we, decided not to rent anything and get a good nights rest. Ya right, Cari's lullaby was the peaceful sound of two stroke engines till the sun went down, and not a minute late, @ 8:00am sharp, they fired back up again. Boy was I greatful we had a restful night, think of how tired I would have been after having all that fun! We had left over chicken cordon bleu and eggs for breakfast. Excellent! We hit the road after turning our cabin key in and having our showers.

Today was a memorable day for me. I've always wanted to drive my car, I mean our car.....ok ok, a car, through the Redwood Forest. More importantly, through a Redwood tree and you guessed it, a convertible mustang with the top down went through a huge Redwood. Very cool. Apparently there are more huge trees to drive through a 1/2 hour south from here so maybe I'll let Cari drive tomorrow..... The forest is absolutely amazing to drive through. At one point I told Cari she should be happy highway 63 to McMurray isn't like this one cause I'd never be home!

So here we are in Eureka, California. The weather currently sucks and we're both bloated. Supper was a little greasy, however, I do suggest eating at least once at Kristina's restaurant so you too can spend the rest of the night pondering where else the waitresses work...after work.. hehe pretty funny.

Hope you enjoy the pics. We've got one more KOA tomorrow night in Willits. Friday night will be spent @ Uncle Rob and Aunty Hallie's in Sacramento.

Keep your stick on the Ice!
We love you.

M & C.


Our cabin in Eureka, Ca.




Driving through a redwood tree!

The Oregon Coast...beautiful!


Our bed in Coos Bay, Oregon...with all the quads.


...our pet slug, Ruby...


Ruby Beach, Washington



Save a horse, ride a chicken...in Victoria!

Our new Yamaki with it's brothers and sisters


Cari, pretending to be a biker chick!


...the sushi express...


...for Vanessa in Victoria...