Hello dear world,
One of the hardest things for me to do is to say goodbye to a friend. It’s actually almost impossible for me to do. Thank heavens for the internet and nation-wide long distance. I feel that even when people move on or move away I can still keep in contact with them. I tend to collect friends like I collect shoes or books – constantly accumulating and rearranging, but never discarding. And through all the shuffle that complicated lives bring, I try and somehow stay connected, stay updated. I know that people’s lives change, their relationships change; we grow up and move away, we get “real” jobs and meet new people, get married and have children, lose parents and siblings and lovers and life goes on. However, regardless of distance or time, I will always keep a piece of you in my heart. No matter what happens, I want you to be happy. And regardless of how much we change, you will always be a part of my life.
So, that being said, dear blog friends. You are stuck with me for good. 
You can’t run and you can’t hide. I will stalk your site until you (or I) go into a blog-induced coma and even then, you will probably receive random comments from me.
As the hectic weekend wound down, I took a much needed nap in Golden Gate Park. This swath of green between the Sunset and Richmond districts is one of my favorite places in the City. Monday was beautifully sunny, and the chance to just relax for a few hours before I got on my plane was absolutley delicious. There are about a million things to do and see in the park; there are museums and tea gardens and botannical gardens and even a windmill. I even tried out a new setting on my camera, the “take pictures of something really tiny but make it look somewhat normal sized and appropriately focused” setting. See those daisies? Those are really the same size at the grass… yeah, I’m freakin’ awesome.
On Sunday afternoon, Sara and I visited the Legion of Honor museum. This smallish museum is built to look like an ancient Greek temple, and because I’m a sucker for architecture like that, I was immediately drawn to the tall white columns and symmetrical design. When we walked into the courtyard I was a little surprised to be greeted with The Thinker by Rodin. The original lives in the Musee des Arts in Paris, and there are about 20 “official” recasts scattered at Art Museums around teh world. To come abruptly face-to-face with such a famous statue was a little unsettling. The rest of the courtyard was fairly empty – obviously so this one piece could enjoy the spotlight. (Alright, there wasn’t really a spotlight at 1:00 in the afternoon, but work with me here for this metaphor, ok?)
One of the major exhibits at the museum is a display on antique French jewelry. We’re talking enormous diamond necklaces and brooches that make Elizabeth Taylor’s baubles look like costume jewelry. The cuffs and rings and bracelets, sigh, they were so incredibly beautiful. I’m not much of a jewelry person – but these works of art are so exquisite they would make any tom-boy gasp. Most of the larger pieces were designed to be taken apart and used as smaller ornaments. For example, a pendant necklace could be turned into two bracelets and a brooch, simply by unlocking a few teeny clasps. I realize that I will probably never own (or even wear) something so incredible – which is fine with me. But goodness, they were beautiful!
Last weekend I had my very first experience driving in San Francisco, and I drove a LOT. I’d say about 200 miles in two days. It was insane. And, (drum roll please) I didn’t get lost. Once. I may (or may not) have gotten turned around once, but managed to find my way without any trouble. Adam took his final board exams for dental school this last weekend – and I was the official chauffer and babysitter for his patients. I picked them up from the airport in Oakland, took them to their hotels, shuttled them across the city to get their teeth worked on, picked them up again, dropped them off at tourist attractions, showed them around the City a little, and even watched an adorable 8 month old while her mother had a cavity fixed. (Love you Sara & Miss Juli!) Then I went back to Oakland to drop them off at the airport and finally had a chance to relax. Does this all sound kind of insane? Well good, because it was a CRAZY kind of weekend! I am now well acquainted with the nuances of one-way roads (practically non-existant in Salt Lake), the Presidio and Sunset neighborhoods, and can scoot all around the Wharf and Ghiradelli Square. I don’t know if I’d ever really want to do it again, be an official chauffer, but it’s one of those things I can say I always did. I learned how to navigate around San Francisco, by myself, in one weekend. Three cheers for me!! Woot woot woot! On second thought, perhaps if I could get those fancy driving gloves and a cute little driving jacket with big sunglasses I’d consider playing chauffer again.
NEXT POST FROM SAN FRANCISCO: Palace of the Legion of Honor
Monterey is a fairly sleepy little historic town with a few staples for a waterfront community. They have Fisherman’s Wharf, they have beaches, they have cute little shops and restaurants. Most of the day, it was rainy and cloudy and quite cold – but it warmed up a little bit so we could enjoy the beach.
I would love to come back to Monterey (when it is sunny and warm) and check out the rest of the town, the wharf and the Monterey Aquarium. Saturday was 1/2 Price Kid’s Day, which combined with alot of rain meant that anyone in Monterey was either at the Aquarium, or standing in line to get inside. So, instead of spend the afternoon waiting in the rain – we checked out any indoor things we could and went to Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Company for dinner.
NEXT POST FROM MONTEREY: Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Co
Hidden Canyon in Zion National Park is a fairly steep hike up to a very narrow (i.e. “hidden”) canyon high above the valley floor. The trail marker at the bottom said the hike was about 2.3 miles each way (true enough) with a elevation climb of 850 feet… which after about 5 minutes we decided was complete bogus. However, the sore calf muscles are definitely worth the amazing view! 
Adam & I about halfway up the cliff, just before entering the canyon. In several places the trail was so steep and so narrow the park rangers have bolted chains to the side of the rock for hikers to hold on to. There’s something to be said for carefully picking your way along a 18″ wide trail, with a sheer cliff soaring up on your left, and a sheer drop off for 1,000 feet on your right. Needless to say, I was grateful for the chains! (All photos in this post by Cole)
NEXT POST ON ZION: More Pics in Zion
Zion National Park, located in southern Utah about 25 miles north of St. George has some of the most amazing views I have ever seen. The red rock cliffs and narrow canyons are absolutely stunning. The canyons provide excellent hiking, biking and horseback riding as well as some of the worlds best rock climbing…that being said, I am not much of a hiker, biker, or climber. Although the breathtaking scenery does make it a lot easier to be outdoorsy. Vanessa, Cole, Adam & I spent last Saturday hiking around Zion and taking some amazing pictures. This is definitely a weekend trip I will be repeating over and over.
The Emerald Pools hike is fairly short and not very steep, so it was a logical place to start. These pools are formed by waterfalls that come directly out of the sheer redrock cliffs. Cole is a geology buff and used to be a tour guide in Zion, and he told me all sorts of interesting things about this. For example, the water in this waterfall is likely thousands of years old. In ancient times (you know, those mythical ancient times) water fell on the top of the plateau and was absorbed by the soft red sandstone…and as it seeped through the rock it eventually came to a layer of harder, less pourus stone and the water had no where to go but out. As a result – there are these “weeping rocks” and small waterfalls all over the place. It’s possible for hanging gardens to form from this unsual water source and I bet during the summer months these area is even more gorgeous, if that is possible.
NEXT POST ON ZION: Hidden Canyon Hike
Adam & I in the middle of a hike. Yes, I am making funny faces, like usual.
The adorable Vanessa and I with the amazing red cliffs behind us.
Vanessa & Cole, newly engaged and absolutely adorable together! Love you both! xox
Taking a little break to enjoy the view from the Hidden Canyon Trail. (photo credit: Cole)
Can YOU think of a better reward for making it to the top of a hella hard hike? Nope, I can’t either. Scandalicious!
Adam & I, obviously exhausted after a big day of hiking. (Photo credit: Cole)
View from the top of a plateau with the cliffs of Zion in the background. What an amazing trip! (Photo credit: Cole)
On Friday night, Adam & I were wandering around St. George and decided to stop at the St. George LDS Temple. Built in the 1870′s out of red sandstone (and then painted brilliant white) this building is by far the most impressive in the city and is a stark contrast to the dark red cliffs. This building is absolutely stunning and the history behind it makes it even more incredible. Built by Mormon settlers who lived in dusty huts and sweltering cabins – this stands out as a jewel in early architecuture of the newly settled desert. St. George is the fastest growing city in the country, and the expansion there is incredible. We drove down the “Vard” (St. George Boulevard) and found a local, oldschool drive-in burger joint, Larsens Frostop, that I would definitely suggest. Other things to do in St. George: shopping at the MANY outlet stores, hanging out in the sun, golf (if you are so inclined) and observing the ever-increasing geriatric population. 
