Northern CA Vacation Sutter Creek, Moke Hill, San Francisco and Cambria

July 20th - Spent the first day of the trip driving up to Sutter Creek. This time took 99 all the way up instead of traveling along highway 49. While hightway 49 is a pretty drive it is also very winding road, and I had taken it on the last trip up North. I cruised around the area for a few hours visiting Volcano ( wanted to explore caves at Black Chasm, but it was too crowed), Jackson and Amador City. Aafter settling in at my hotel in Sutter Creek I journeyed downtown for dinner and some window shopping.

 

July 21st - Drove the next day to Mokeualume hills to visit brother Dave and the kids. It was the first time up to his new home so I got the tour of the place and made sure to take lots of pics. We picked vegetables from the garden, went into town, played in the pool, and enjoyed the day . Dave cook at great dinner of Ribs, chicken, and corn from the garden ( yummy). It was seeing everyone and I hated to go as I don't get to see Dave and the kids as much as I would like.

 

July 22nd/23rd - Off to San Francisco to see Matt and Nili. I always enjoy going to the city. Everytime I come up Matt takes me on a hike to new part of the city. this time we took a bus over to the mission , hiked around a little on the way to Bernal Heights ( big hill with a view). After enjoying ( photographing some beautiful city panoramas we hiked back to matt's apt. The hike back took us to a grafitti contest held at local park and a stop for some awesome doughnuts. Of course hiking in San Francisco means lots of steep hills. I was happy to get back to Matt's place. I was treated to some great home cooked meals including lamb chops with goat cheese dressing. I am always sad leaving Mat and Nili and hope to get up again soon.

July 24th/25th - Last stop Cambria to see dad and Pat. I always love going up to visit since we spend a lot of time talking politics, sports, current events etc. Pat made a wonderful potato soup for dinner the first night and we all gathered around the tv to watch the DNC ( which is what Iwould be doing at home). I was having such a good time i stayed another day. dad took me on a 4 mile hike, south of Harmony, down a dirt trail to the ocean. While I was a little stiff from the previous hike in SF, but if dad (80+ year old) could do it so could I. spent the night back in front of the tv for the DNC ( yeah). I wish i could have stayed longer but I had other commitments back home. My only regret is I was having so much fun I forgot to take pics of dad, Pat and I!!