California! This place needs it's own word but we're still searching for it! It's big, it's sprawling, it's sleek, it's picture-perfect pristine. When you look out over the bay you see the sunshine and the sailboats and you feel like you're part of a postcard. We kept saying "Only in California". And the real by one was the cows! Gosh but I hate to admit it! California cows are so clean and graze in these lovely hills, I just know they really ARE happy cows! Sorry Vermont cows! Our campsite has cabin condos across the street, we have a street light, and I joked about them having garbage pickup until the trash truck came around this morning! We spent Saturday night with Dereck and Megan at their house in Oakland. Megan is a native to the area and was a wonderful hostess and tour guide. Her grandfather was a Chinese immigrant and she told us an interesting story about her family. In 1906 the great earthquake started a fire that burnt the courthouse and immigration records. They granted citizenship to everyone since the records were gone. They've been in California for over 100 years now. They drove us around the city, showing us the highlights. We went up to the Mormon Tabernacle where we were treated to a great view of the city. From one point on Sunday Morning we were able to see both Oakland and San Fransisco from a hilltop vantage point. We went down Lombard St, being the crookedest street. It was amazing, all twisty turns and short red brick walls all alongside it with beautiful flower gardens. We ate at Tadich Grill which dates back to 1849 and has this very long counter and even longer wait time for a table. We walked to Fisherman's Wharf and saw Chinatown, Northpoint and City Lights Bookstore. We went for a hike through a regional park that featured a trail complete with thick ferns and Redwoods. Saw the cable cars and the got to experience what it would be like living in a big city. It was pretty exciting and made me think I probably would have a hard time keeping up! We were able to go over the Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge and Richmond Bridge. The later was my favorite by far. It just went on forever and had the most wonderful views of sailboats and tankers. Today we went for a drive along the pacific coast highway and ate lunch at a restaurant in Bodega Bay that sat right out on the water. We were watching for whales but did see a few seals. Tuesday it's head up the coast day. We may shoot on up to Oregon depending on what we get into on the way!