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California: Part 1

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We arrived in San Francisco on Friday afternoon after a relatively smooth (but long) flight.

Viewfromplanew

We’ve been busy and seen a lot. Saturday we went to Walnut Creek and did a lot of shopping for Sarah who needs "business casual" for her new job at Kaplan. I never thought to get out my camera! On Sunday Sarah, Tracy and I went to the Oakland Farmers Market. Lots of great organic produce as well as live entertainment.

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Then we drove to Sausalito which is beautiful but was very crowded and much more touristy than I expected.
The harbor is gorgeous.

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Then we went on to Tiburon where Sarah and Adam are leading a new Episcopal congregation this summer. It is just as beautiful, in my opinion, as Sausalito, and much less crowded. We had dinner after church at a fabulous Mexican restaurant on the bay. If you look closely you can see San Francisco (in the haze).

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Yesterday Tracy and I drove to Bodega Bay. Sarah was studying for her Kaplan training and Adam has been training at the Apple Store. On our way we drove along Tomales Bay.

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Tomales Bay.

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Bodega Bay.

Just north of the bay, we found great views of the Pacific. When we drove up the coast last time (12 years ago) it was so fogged in we never really saw the ocean or the coast clearly enough to take a photograph.

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More later.

Happy Fourth of July

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Bestorplazaw

This is Bestor Plaza at noon today. There is no better place to celebrate the Fourth of July than at Chautauqua Institute. This is the third Independence Day we’ve spent here, and I never tire of the music and festivities. Although I certainly don’t agree with much that the present administration of our country does, I am eternally grateful to be an American.

More photos of the day:

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Icecream

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Happy 4th of July!

Project 365

I threw up my hands in March when I realized I just couldn’t keep up with a photo-a-day. I recently acquired a copy of everyday:  a yearlong photo diary. After reading it, I decided to try again. So I’ll be posting photos again under the Photo-a-Day log on the sidebar. Yesterday’s is posted. It feels good to get behind the camera again.

Done!!!!

Today marks the official start of my retirement, although my last day of work was four days ago. I had one day at home (sick; still am) before we left for Chautauqua Institute where we are spending a week with my in-laws. I haven’t had much time to reflect on what retirement may be like. I do know that the last month was a whirl-wind of activity. Lots of lovely events planned to honor me (and my principal who is also retiring.) Many, many cards and letters from current and former students, families, and staff. It really was wonderful.

My classroom is cleared out. I packed nine boxes of children’s books and professional texts for my niece who is soon to be an elementary school teacher, brought home two boxes of picture books I wanted to save, and the rest of my 37 years yielded three boxes of miscellaneous “stuff” I couldn’t yet part with. Now my study contains only scrapbook and card making supplies, and books on photography, simplifying your life, and computer manuals. I must admit I’m looking forward to never grading another paper, never filling out another literacy or numeracy profile, never having another parent conference, hosting another curriculum night or another open house. . . I’m ready for some serious time at the gym, behind the camera, and at my desk creating.

But first, there’s vacation. After our week here, we have just five days at home before we leave for two weeks in California to visit Sarah and Adam who just moved to Oakland. It’s been twelve years since we’ve been to the west coast, and I’m looking forward to some great sightseeing and hiking in the San Francisco area and time with family.