What a beautiful trip we had for Thanksgiving this year! We met J in San Francisco on Wednesday afternoon. He flew from SLC and we had so many projects we were trying to wrap up before we left, we didn't get to San Fran when he was landing. He found a shuttle and we met him at the hotel late that night.
Thursday, Thanksgiving day, we embarked on a journey! We headed from Oakland into San Francisco over the bay bridge, and then we found the Golden Gate Park where we know there was a Turkey Trot race wrapping up. We found a parking place (something many had said would be impossible with a trailer in San Fran) that was free in the park and we unloaded our bikes! It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, and it was warm enough to ride with a light jacket on. Upon pulling into the park, there was a biker who passed who stopped and I heard from the kids he signalled a circle around his head like we were crazy and pointed to us. Well, welcome to San Fran. We talked about it and everyone knew that we were being closely watched always and to smile and stand tall. Family is not something they see in San Fran and we certainly stood out! :) Oh well! 
Up and over, around and then on single track trails. We found one trail that we weren't sure was taking us to a way out, but asked a couple running and they confirmed it would be a great trail for us and indeed would have a way out (with just a few minor stairs at the end :).) It was! It dropped us at the Holocaust Museum in the back where we got to see the beautiful sculptures on the backside visible only from the golf course we were on! Around to the front, we found "The Thinker" posed, considering the wonders of this beautiful world as he sat surrounded by beautiful columns on a pinnacle just before the Golden Gate bridge. There were several little electric GPS cars of tourists out front, but they didn't even leave their cars to see what was to be seen. We were certainly in a better vehicle to see than they were! We read the plaques and discussed the amazing, unique, sometimes difficult but tender things we were experiencing!
This plaque is one of several but had some parts I wanted to remember....
"The systematic slaughter of millions of Jews and other victims who perished was abetted by a world that stood by.In the aftermath those rare, brave individuals who defied the Nazis and risked their lives to rescue the Jews were designated as "righteous among the nations."
The Nazi campaign ultimately failed. Yet, two out of every three Jews in Europe perished and thousands of Jewish communities were destroyed."
From that peak, it was not far at all before we found ourselves on THE Golden Gate Bridge! What a beautiful day it was!S and B saw a sea lion or seal in the water blow. The weather was perfect. The crowds were not bad, we rode and sang "This Land is Your Land" as we pedaled!
When we got to the far side of the bridge, we stopped and had a snack - sweet clementines and granola bars. It was perfect! We were in the lens of Many cameras! S believes that one lady has more than 30 photos of our family! Ugh! Talk about being under a microscope, but it really didn't bother any of us but S who kept turning around to have her standing near him, and he felt right awkward!
There is the skyline of San Fran in the distance and my beautiful family! I love them sooo much! Little S was asleep in the carrier, and was admired by Many tourists! Little S on her ally cat had such a fun outgoing smile and friendly "Hello" for everyone! We enjoyed a little while here, and then returned over the bridge again. Those support columns are REALLY tall! 
On the return trip, we opted to head East instead of returning West from the direction we had come. We decided we would hook into the top side of the park and ride down through it. I don't know how many miles we rode that day but I am so grateful we just kept finding another beautiful place to ride! This part of the trail was through a beautiful golf course that we had nearly completely to ourselves as you can see in this photo. At one point Sophia had to find a potty, but we're in the middle of this amazing golf course with beautiful views over the bay and the bridge. We came upon a little General store! I hurried her in to find a potty and they were sooo kind and happy to have a cute little girl there! They were very accommodating (unfortunately unlike many golf courses in our home town!)
Little S was sooo good on the ally cat all day! Mr. little S was fabulous in the trailer! He didn't make a peep all day!
This was a fun little popout that we found to make our way into the streets of San Fran that were silent!!!! Remember this was Thanksgiving afternoon! We rode down the middle of this street all the way across town back to the Golden Gate Park. There were several stop signs and a couple lights, but seriously we only had to move over for less than a dozen cars! It was sooo quiet in San Fran a perfect day to ride through those tiny houses stacked on top of each other and pedal away while enjoying the sunshine (which followed us from St. George!)
We managed to find our way back to our car, and then googled for a place to find dinner. We had asked earlier for suggestions from a man with his son in the park. He suggested a couple resturants we had seen down on the beach. When we called, they were all $50+ /plate. Seriously for dinner! Not for us! We were seriously guided by angels to find a perfect memory complete with mashed potatoes, turkey, sweet potatoes, and the works for less than $12/plate. The topping on the evening was when we ordered Chocolate shakes with our Turkey Dinners! They were a memory we will never forget! Here's a fancy landscape photo of dinner at Mel's Drive In! It was really fun!
It was really fun! After that dinner, we ordered Chocolate shakes for every dinner. The kids loved it and will talk about the shakes for a long time! :) xoxoxo Memories are so precious! Thanks team! I am sooo Thankful for YOU!
