West Coast Lovin'

Truly, we had an excellent trip. We accomplished so much in such a short amount of time; I am kind of impressed with ourselves. And the Lumina. She is a trooper, that's for sure. San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown in San Francisco AND Oakland, Haight-Ashbury, Lombard Street, Ocean Beach, Pier 39, Monterey Peninsula, visiting with family....yes, the trip was exhausting but well worth every mile of the drive. Like I said, the Lumina took it like a champ!

Oh, we're so close!

Walking toward Pier 39.

Still walking, only stopping to take the occasional (read: frequent) picture.

Alcatraz.

Idiot tourists.

Fisherman's Wharf was crazy busy, and there were a lot of crazies, too.

This is just before Clark gave in and bought a tourist sweatshirt. HA!

Somehow we fought the urge to peruse the Ghirardelli store. The ocean breeze was just too brisk. Clark needed that California Republic sweatshirt bad.

Asilomar Beach in Monterey. Weather was not swimsuit permitting this fine day.

Awwww, Grandma even walked down to the beach with us! Their house is literally 1/4 mile from the beach. I'm a little jealous.

My cousin Liz: our personal photographer and tour guide. It had been years since I last visited Monterey. So good to see everyone!

A post marriage engagement photo.

And another.

And one more.

Down near Cannery Row.

Lots of fishies were packed here.

Getting ready to down our shots of clam chowder. Dude on the right is my 3rd (?) cousin Keenan. Kid can do backflips so he's cool with us.

Oh, hey Liz, thanks for taking yet another picture!

Sorry, had to add this one. My face cracks me up! Clark was actually doing the multi shot feature and WOULD NOT STOP! My face got progressively more irritated.

The pretty Monterey harbor.

Too cute seals!

Lots of them, spooning each other and making a ruckus.

Tourists to the T.

My unconditional love for sweets is quite apparent, me thinks.

They look so cute when they're not pooping on everything and swarming around your food.

Golden Gate Bridge, fog style!

Oh wonderful San Francisco.

Clark investigating an old fort overlooking the bay.

Windy. Just a tad.

Just the two of us.

"If you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair..." cue Scott McKenzie.

Look at these houses. Just LOOK at them. Freaking marvelous.

Sometimes tourists need to replenish their engines. Typically Clark won't let me eat on or anywhere near a bed. But on vacation, that rule goes out the window.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chinatown!

I had a Chinese lady try to instruct me on the proper use of chop sticks. This was the most frustrating meal I have ever eaten (not shown). I was not provided a fork and I had too much pride to ask for one. I need practice...badly.

Lantern lit streets.

Lombard Street. The curvy road that is apparently an international sensation. Poor residents. Tourists constantly blocking the street to get the perfect picture.

Adam Richman totally ate here. And so did we! Delicious!

A random park on one of our walks overlooking the city.

Ocean Beach.

Whoops. Haight-Ashbury got tossed in here somehow. Cool little district with lots of shopping. Clark and I both indulged in hats at the Goorin Bros. However, Clark spent three times as much as me. Boy has expensive taste.

Back to Ocean Beach.

Waves are chasing me!

Our to-do list. We managed to do everything on our list, and then some. We are that good.

Another foggy day. Golden Gate bridge in background.

I spy a Clark at the USS San Francisco Memorial.

Cool Overlook.

A nice stranger offered to take our picture. And she done good.

And...... were back in Utah. Maybe we'll make it out to these salt flats next.

We splurged...

Thanks to our tax return that has been waiting in our bank account accruing absolutely no interest, we are now the proud owners of a Canon Rebel T2i camera! This camera has been hard to come by. Best Buy finally had a few in stock after being sold out for several months. Ideally we would have purchased it from Costco to get a slightly better lens package and deal BUT they only have two more available in the state--in St. George. The fact that this camera has been selling out makes me feel good about choosing the T2i. Now we just have to learn to use all the features.

We gon have lots o fun wit this.

He's kind of a big deal

Clark's band premiered at Burt's Tiki Lounge on Friday night. Slightly a dive; similar to bars you see in movies where people get mugged/shot. And hot as Hades. What's with SLC being anti A/C?

That's my rock star ;)

Sunday afternoon they played a semi broken down acoustic set for a Sober Riders barbeque. Like I said, kind of a big deal.

Finally a picture with all five: Randy, Tyler, Clark, SP and Chris. Notice the old people in the corner. I promise there were stereotypical bikers at the barbeque. I just didn't feel comfortable snapping pictures of them.

Fun. Stuff. Looking forward to more shows in the future!

New ways to beat the heat

Lay on drum equipment

or in the windowsill.

It really is hot as Hades in our house. I would lay in the windowsill too, if I could fit.

For Chad

He gave in. I hope you're happy.

I have to share, I have to share!

check it out!

www.eshakti.com

amazingly cute dresses at reasonable prices AND you can customize colors and measurements. Now I just have to refrain from buying needlessly.

You are welcome :)

Our basement flooded.

Luckily, none of our possessions got damaged. Can I just say that my antipathy towards our outdoorsy, cool neighbors from Colorado grows daily? This is completely and entirely their fault. So we are without our bed for the time being and we just found out we don't have a/c. Fantastic.

We will definitely deserve that month of free rent come January. Blast our basement and the many floods we've endured! Though none as bad as the one documented above. I think it will be days before we can put our bed back together and move all our music equipment back downstairs.

Blast.

Until then, Clark gets the couch and I get a make shift bed of blankets near our dressers.

Sundevil Reunion!

Over 4th of July weekend I had the opportunity to see my girls from ASU up in Washington and Oregon! (We missed you, Kat!)

We had a total blast. From watching Eclipse to buying fedoras and underwear to the Pre Classic in Eugene to shuffle board playing in an Olympia bar to Betsey Johnson shopping in downtown Seattle, we caught up, reminisced and had a grand old time. And ate a ton. Seriously, I felt like I was at fat camp. Jessie's parents know how to spoil us, that is for sure.

The trip started out with Eclipse at South Center, literally an hour after I had arrived at SeaTac. Those girls do not waste time. Jenna and Jessie had waited for me to arrive so that we could all enjoy the movie together, bless their little hearts. Sadly, I cannot take perfectly centered self photos. I think anyone who can has practiced waaay too much and/or they lie and just Photoshop the picture.

Myself, Jessie and Jenna. Super stoked to watch Eclipse.

The weather in Olympia was amazing. 60-70 degrees and mostly overcast. We walked along the water and the pier one afternoon. This tagging cracked me up: Hey Girl Hey!

Down at the pier.

Stop it you two!

I'm not quite sure what is going on here. This is what happens with timed photos. Never know what you're going to get.

The Washington State Capitol.

After waking up at 6 am on July 3rd, we drove 4 hours down to Eugene, Oregon for the Prefontaine Classic: a world renowned track meet that always produces stellar times and exciting races. Second from left is Amy and 3rd from left is Des. Far left is a praying mantis. I mean come on, look at those amazingly long, skinny legs!

This is what the stands look like on both sides of the track. Filled to capacity. Yes, the track meet does sell out.

The girls lining up for the 5k. Go Amy and Des!

If I had a better camera I would have zoomed in closer. This was such an inspiring meet!

Back in Olympia the next day with Amy! No, Amy and Jenna are not related, they just look alike.

Tumwater falls.

I love how verdant and lush the Northwest is.

Making shish kabobs. That seems to be the trend in my life nowadays.

Jessie was very proud of her "spread."

Getting ready to have our own fireworks show! Happy Birthday, America!

Jessie and her dad setting some up....

ohhhh pretty! Well, they are more impressive in person, of course. I've never experienced lighting Roman candles until this year. Way too fun! Totally looking forward to next year!

I'm not sure when I'll be seeing my girls again, but I hope it's not too long! Our visit was so much fun and I hope next time someone will be married (Amy? Jenna? Jessie?) so that Clark can come and have a guy to hang out with. Poor Clark had to sit this one out.