Easter and San Francisco

We arrived to see the San Jose grandchildren on the eve of Good Friday in time to rest up before the Easter egg hunt on Sunday. It is interesting that the grandchildren still embrace the idea of the Easter Bunny, it must just be the idea of lots of chocolate. We had a great time with a lovely meal of rotisserie chicken and all the fixing followed by large helpings of pavlova, (more sugar YUM).

Looks like a good haul, it was difficult for them to stop long enough for a photo when the potential of more chocolate was in the offing.

We all took a trip to San Francisco to visit the Mission and to visit a few other places. The weather was fantastic, clear and sunny and warm. The Mission was pretty interesting for the adults, a bit less so for 9 year old twins.

The inside of the Mission is quite impressive, made, we were told of 36,000 adobe bricks made and placed by the local Indian tribe that resided in the area art the time. The alter piece was made in Mexico and transported to the Mission and assembled there.

 There was some really nice light coming through the windows that was enticing for the camera. All of the photos are taken with a Sony a6000 and the 16-50mm lens.

A slightly closer view of the alter piece.

It was interesting to see many graves associated with the Mission, to be of Irish people and since our daughter-in-law is Irish of additional interest. The dates on the gravestones, which included many children, were mostly from the middle 1800's. We surmised that this was also about the time of the potato famine in Ireland and the emigration that took place at that time.

We went to a very nice local store, BiRite, that also had a deli to get sandwiches for lunch, they were scrumptious. Just close by on the same street is Tartine, the famous bakery, so I just had to take a peek. Since it was lunchtime there were long lines and very busy. This shot was one of those, over your head and hope shots, it was only later that I realized that the camera has a tilting screen!!

Near the Mission is Dolores Park where they have just finished a wonderful playground which is just what the twins wanted to see. We all ate our sandwiches and the twins went full blast for the next hour, they make me tired just watching.

 Lots of FUN

This is the view from the top of the slide area, and as you can see a beautiful day.

Next was a visit to Coit Tower, a pretty famous San Francisco landmark. We all decided to climb the steps from the area near the Levi Plaza instead of trying to park at the base of the monument.

I don't know how many steps there are, all I can say it felt like there was 1,000. They did not seem to phase the 9yr old's who practically ran to the top!

The views were well worth the climb, tho' at the time I had my doubts!!

Back to Levi's Plaza for a revival latte and begin to think about heading back to San Jose.
We went to pick up David from his work and think about where to eat. By David' work there is another small playground, where the twins just had to check it out.

Just where does all that energy come from?

We are now headed towards S California and Arizona. Stay tuned.