After a few days in Utah, I had to go to Stanford to work with a colleague on a research paper. We figured that since my work was paying for my ticket and hotel room, Jenn might as well tag along to see our dear friend Brittany who lives in Palo Alto as well. Many thanks to the grandparents for watching the boys while we gallivanted around Northern CA!
Our first night in Palo Alto, who should come to Brittany's house but our old Layton High friend Kylee Simmons! She happens to live in the same ward, and it was great fun to see her again after 14(!) years.
Brittany, of course, spoiled us with spectacular food such as this really amazing caprese salad. Thanks, Brittany, for being such a gracious hostess!
Did I mention that Shug flew down from Alaska to hang out as well? Well, she did! So, the way it worked was Jenn, Brittany, and Shug would pretend that none of them had any responsibilities or budgets or cares of any kind while Brittany gave the grand tour of the San Francisco area. Meanwhile, I slaved away in a small, un-air-conditioned room working on my research with my co-author. So, the pictures are all of Jenn, Brittany, and Shug. Here they are at a goat farm and a beach.
I heard that they had spectacular pizza at Delores Park overlooking SF.
This is 826 Valencia: a pirate supply shop. How cool is that?
Jenn picked up some eye-patches for the pirates in her life here.
Brittany looking San Franciscan
Jenn trying out the California beach-model look.
On one street corner, there were all of these books hung on wires above the sidewalk, and then words scattered all over the concrete.
Words like "lavenderously" and "sharp edges."
Bob's Donuts is a legendary place in SF. Rumor has it that the fresh donuts are available only after 10pm. That rumor might be true, because we showed up at 9:15 and the only fresh ones were French crullers. So we bought some of those.
The crullers were good enough that we just sat in the car and waited until 10pm to get round 2. Totally worth the wait.
Hopefully you're realizing by now that food was a major part of this trip.
A selection of some of Jenn's favorite SF houses, which of course reminded us of Full House.
Jenn and Shug at Muir Woods to see the redwoods. This was one stop I was really sad to have to miss.
Jenn professes to be a tree-lover.
Shug was a trooper, in spite of her delicate condition.
This was probably the best view of the Golden Gate that Brittany showed us (she provided many spectacular views of it).
These are the dancing lights of the Bay Bridge, an art installation going on for the next several months.
And thus ended our SF adventure.
