The moon as we crossed the Bay Bridge from San Francisco to Oakland on our first night.
First morning. Early morning jet lag did not persist. The 3 o'clock dip did for awhile.
Gem and I took a neighborhood stroll our first morning. He was antsy to get out of the house. I took this shot because I loved the way the garbage cans dotted the street (garbage day). But then Gem, who was walking uncharacteristically quite far ahead of me, crossed the street alone to get back to the house. I hold him, his style, his pace, his path, fiercely close to my heart.
Seen on our walk.
A house near the Rose Garden. For want of a better way to put it, they do a lot of cool stuff with rocks.
The rock people also like their newspapers.
Sag sat at this fountain in the Rose Garden for quite a bit. He really wanted to go in it. I think he was trying to figure out a way he could go in (without consequence) as much as he was enjoying the serenity of it all.
These numbers indicated years that donors made large contributions to the Rose Garden. I liked the way they looked and the fabulous Bay Area light is always good for brilliant shadow-making. Gem is an "aughts" baby.
Everyone loved this reclining chair. I was a bit worried the kids were going to break it. So inviting, though, could you blame them for enjoying it as kinesthetically as they could?
This was a sheer curtain in front of the stage curtain at Berkeley Rep, made for the play we saw. It was hauntingly beautiful.
Leo in alert mode in the backyard.
Blue wagon in Mary and Nate's front yard in Berkeley.
Two pensive kids.
Three turquoise trucks seen from the walking path on the Oakland Estuary.
Three versions of Barbra.
Gem shooting footage for his vacation vlog. Outside the Exploratorium in San Francisco. The light, the light. So fantastic and breathtaking.
This kid. He spends so much of his time super comfortable...or super uncomfortable. This is a good example of the former. A sunny reverie by the bay while we waited for our friends.
Gem was reminded of reclining (ancient) Egyptian royalty when he spotted this chaise lounge outside the restrooms in the Exploratorium. He lay right down for a reenactment.
Malachi may have been pondering fish here. He loves them.
American River.
Dusk in Sacramento, evening breeze cooling the land down.
Night play.
A sweet little owl that reminded me of my grandmother who loved them.
Laundry day. Sacramento has ideal line drying weather. Jealous.
Reading the funnies.
This was a display at the train museum in Sacramento. The telephone operator's lunch remains! I adored the pewter salt shaker and eggshell pieces.
From an exhibit of produce crate labels at the train museum.
Stained glass train window at the train museum.
Light fixtures in the Tower movie theater, Sacramento.
Erika and Charlie. A huge and palpable sigh of relief as Charlie turned a corner and started healing the day before we left.
My favorite of Malachi's displayed paintings.
Cap and Sag under the eucalyptus trees, Berkeley.
Leo snuggling.
Sag in contemplation. The super comfy being in the super comfy chair.
Mary's birthday pot de crème with whole wheat hazelnut shortbread at Zut! in Berkeley.
This is a cool underpass mural in Oakland that says "eRACISM".
Noticed his body filling the space differently. I may have a shot of him on their steps when he was wee.
Alameda view before stepping into the restaurant for dinner.
Peace and love.
