Laowai

Are you ready for a big batch of photos? Each day I meant to post during our vacation. But then evening would come and we would turn the lights out and stay quiet, waiting for Bea to go to sleep and what do you know, I would fall asleep too. We had a terrific time. Here’s what we did:

We ate lots of yummy food. Bea likes eating out and is usually good. Only a little food was thrown.

After Bea put her blankie in the tub (with water) we had to take a detour to the laundromat. She likes to take her blankie everywhere so I guess she thought it was a good idea for blankie to join her in the tub. Not sure how she got the blanket in there so quickly because I do watch her carefully around the tub.

We stayed at a beautiful old YWCA camp that was built starting in the 1920s. It’s called Asilomar and it’s now a state park. It has beautiful arts and craft style architecture and it’s right on the ocean. Here I am with Bea at sunset.

Bea walked along the boardwalk to the beach and then discovered sand. I discovered that if she kept her pacifier in her mouth she was less likely to eat sand.

We visited the Monterey Aquarium. I remember being impressed with the aquarium when we visited last time and I was even more impressed this time. The exhibits were all interesting to Bea – she could walk right up to the aquariums and peer in at the fish and otters. There were a couple kids spots that were great fun for her too. If you are in the area make sure you go to the Monterey Aquarium!

I was sad to leave Asilomar – here’s one of the buildings. The original 15 buildings were designed by Julia Morgan. She was California’s first licensed female architect. The buildings all have exposed beams inside, natural shingles on the ouside and great big fireplaces that are often lit to ward off the cool sea breezes. Asilomar is such a cozy and relaxing place – I hope we can return someday.

We had a picnic on the beach before leaving and heading to San Francisco. (Note to Gramma C. – The picnic blanket you made was well used.)

Bea chased pigeons near the Ferry Building in San Francisco. Then for the rest of the trip she made sure to pointed out every pigeon she saw.

We saw the Golden Gate Bridge. This was the warmest day of the whole trip. This day was also spent with Aunt Annie, Brian’s former co-worker. She was a great tour guide, just like in Beijing. She showed us around Sausalito in the morning and then gave us the grand tour of San Francisco in the afternoon – it was lovely. Thanks Annie!

In San Francisco we spent most of our time walking around the city. Then when Bea needed to burn off some energy we found a great little playground behind a church in Chinatown.

We went to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Bea enjoyed wandering around and babbling. Brian and I took turns following our wandering Bea and enjoyed some great photography exhibits.

Suddenly it was the last day of our vacation.

And time to get back on a plane.

Vacation with Bea is a little less like vacation than the vacations I used to know. But she was so good everyday. She was up for anything we did and she was quick to smile and giggle and flirt with strangers. So of course we had a great time. And yet it feels good to be home.