California
I was a nervous wreck, I was afraid to fly. On the morning I was to leave, My daughter gave me a necklace with three stones on it, she said, “Mom this is for good luck I always wear it when I fly”. I smiled and hugged her tight to me and said thank you baby. She is a teenager and has flown twice to Kentucky, once to Florida and the Cayman Islands. So here is my daughter telling me not to worry. I felt a bit childish after that, as if she was the mother telling her daughter not to be afraid.
As I boarded the plane I could not believe it was so narrow. My stomach started feeling sick. So I held the necklace tight within my fist as I saw my life flash before my eyes. And we have take off.
I arrived in Pittsburgh an hour and thirty minutes later. It wasn’t all that bad and I felt really foolish for being so afraid. I can laugh about it now but at the time it was not so funny. I was stuck in Pittsburgh for 6 hours. The airlines announced that the plane I was to travel to California on was struck by lightening. I thought great; I might not get there until tomorrow. The airlines kept giving us updates of the planes condition, at one point they said there was a hole in the tail wing. Then all off a sudden it was safe to travel on, one minute it has a hole in the tail and the next we can fly on it. Bad thoughts went through my head again.
San Francisco
Finally I arrive in San Francisco. It seemed like it took forever to walk off that plane and down the ramp. But it was worth every grueling minute I had to wait, for there standing before me was what I had come to California for.
He looked so good in His Yankee shirt and faded jeans. I dropped my suitcase at His feet and laid my head on His chest, telling Him about the terrible plane ride and how much I didn’t like it.
The NIGHT
We stayed at the Sheraton on the bay. It was a beautiful hotel with chandeliers and marble floors. I will never forget Room 723. It was a night of love and passion. When I awoke that morning I could feel the warmth of His body next to mine and still feel his lingering touch. I didn’t want to get up, I wanted to stay within his arms and feel His caress forever. Check out time came way to quickly.
San Francisco Zoo
Wow, this zoo was huge. We spent almost 4 hours there and didn’t get to see everything. We both love to watch animals. Nightmare wanted to see the white alligator and I wanted to see the polar bears. Somehow most of the pictures taken were of penguins. Hmmmm.. wonder how that happened ~smiling~
Zoo Pictures
Heading North
We began the six-hour drive north to our destination. Over the Golden Gate Bridge we went and guess what it doesn’t sway. We talked all the way never running out of things to say. The vineyards were just like what you see in the movies with the grand houses sitting in the middle of them. By the time we reached the giants it was to dark to see. I was able to see how close they were to the edge of that long windy road. Finally we made it to His apartment and I met Norm for the first time. He didn’t like me a first, he kept flying away, but in time I was able to hold him.
The sands of Trinidad Beach
This was my first walk on a California Beach.
As you can see from the pictures there are large rocks and on most of these rocks are seals. Our cameras were not powerful enough to focus on them but I can assure you that there are about six seals that we could see.
The Trees of Mystery
This place was unbelievable. Paul Bunyon and Babe stand guard outside the entrance. There are miles of trails through out this enchanted forest. Right away you are able to feel the difference in temperature, cool and damp. I was totally amazed at the size of these giants; most of them were about 300 feet high and 20 feet around. Even though these trees are like ever greens with pine needles, they do not produce sap or pitch, but are made up mostly of water.
Cathedral Tree
Believe it or not this is where wedding ceremonies are held. Nightmare and I read several of the markers that were inscribed with the couples name and date they were married. We both thought it was a bit eerie because while looking at the markers it reminded us of a cemetery.
Brotherhood Tree
Because the root system is so shallow this tree had a wooden deck built around it. We stopped here and kissed and took a picture of ourselves….yikes that picture was way to close!
Lightening Tree
In 1995 this tree was struck by lightening. It was known as the second brotherhood tree. The local people claim that the fire was seen from miles away.
Serpent
At the end of the trail there were several wood carvings.
After we left the Trees of Mystery we headed north to Oregon. We stopped at this little town. It is known for growing “Easter Lilies” it is the only town in the USA where the weather never changes and this is why the lilies grow so well there.
Avenue of Giants
My week was over and on the way back to San Francisco we traveled the “Avenue of Giants”. There were more amazing trees to see.
The Grandfather Tree The Eternal Tree The Tree House The Drive-Through Tree The Immortal Tree Our Last Night Together
I was sad. I had had so much fun and didn’t want to leave Nightmare. It was an adventure and one I would do again and again.
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