San Francisco & Santa Cruz

 This weekend was our first planned outing.  When we first arrived in CA someone mentioned Fleet Week in San Francisco.  I did a bit of research online and discovered it would be a great experience for the whole family.  Meals were planned and a hotel was booked for Saturday night.  We would do San Francisco on Saturday, and test out those wetsuits on Sunday in Santa Cruz.  Saturday morning we settled in at Horseshoe Bay on the North side of the bridge.  We were able to back in the car and have a great view of the bay. 

We had a few hours before the Parade of Ships would begin at 11.  Phil led us under the bridge, up the hill, under the bridge again, and out to an observation area.

Then we walked across the bridge.  

I think it was one of the most overwhelming experiences I have had.  

Four kids, two lanes of on-coming traffic, and a bay of cold water far underneath. 

It was a great view, and quite neat to watch the ship pass just under us, but my heart was ready to return my family to sea level.

A view of Horseshoe Bay from the bridge.

 With feet back on solid ground, we watched the Parade from the fishing pier.    As Gavin and I were admiring a Jelly Fish just under us, a sea lion come up out of the water.  I jumped in my Iowa girl seeing a sea lion outside of the zoo for the first time amazement.   Then two more jumped out.  The man beside us laughed, but said he did the same thing his first time in his a man from Romania seeing a sea lion for the first time amazement.    Moments later Phil catches my attention of the crab net coming up.  This fisherman had more spectators around him than he probably cared for, but he had a great attitude about it. 

When the Parade was done, we headed back to the car for lunch and waited for the airshow to begin.  

These two guys spend all afternoon hanging out in the bay, catching a lot of attention.

The airshow was neat.  We couldn't have asked for a nicer day!  Gavin, Athan, and I stayed around the car and watched the show from there.  Phil, Cora, and Obi headed East a bit and caught more of the near ground show.  

Sunday morning about 11 we arrived at Cowell's Beach in Santa Cruz.  Wetsuits + bodyboards + ocean + beautiful weather = a great experience!

Do you see the extra body surfer in the photo?

Here is Athan after his first ocean wrestling match.  

The ocean won.  

Who knew you could get so much sand stuck in your eyebrows?  After this he was pretty much on the sidelines enjoying a bucket that Phil found in the water and the dry sand.

I was so proud of myself for planning a weekend away, having meals ready so that we didn't have to spend an arm and a leg on food.  Then I looked at my family's faces.  I didn't even think about sunscreen!  It's October, not summer.  Anyway, I don't think the kids will let me forget next time!

This weekend was a wonderful adventure for the Soash Family.

We are very thankful for our many experiences.

Lots of Love,

Jessica