Ray Lamontagne Concert

On Friday we went to see Ray Lamontagne play at the Greek Theater on the UC Berkeley campus. After fighting traffic to get to Berkeley and running a little late, I dropped off Mal to pick up the tickets from will-call, and I went on a mission to find food and a parking place. I knew where to go to find food, The Cheese Board of course! I started waiting in line for about five minutes (long line) then realized I didn't have any cash. This is a cash only joint. I left the line to find somewhere else to eat. I was pretty bummed, I love that place. I found a taqueria, you can never go wrong with those (unless you live in Eastern Idaho or the Midwest).

Ran back to the car with the food, ran back near the theater to find a parking place and found a free one that I didn't have to spend $20 like everyone else was doing, and booked it for the theater. One problem, I was running in the wrong direction of the theater. After A while, I finally asked someone if they knew where the Greek Theater was. "Up the hill on the other side of campus" I was told. Great! I was in flip flops, so I decided to join the rest of the hippies, took off my flip flops and booked it uphill. Shin splints were killing me! Finally found the theater after about a half a mile. The cherry on top was I forgot the sweaters.

It's all good though, watching Ray in concert was worth it. For those of you who aren't familiar with his music, he is a folk artist. Amazing voice and clever lyrics. He can really rock the harmonica too! Check him out on this link.

Encore!

Labor Day Weekend Part 2: Danish Serengeti

Sunday we found a ward in Morro Bay to attend Sacrament Meeting. Afterward, we made a last-second decision and decided to drive two hours down to the Danish town Solvang. I had been here once before with my family when I was 9 or 10. We came for New Years and stayed at a hotel in town. I remember my brother Ty playing his bongos in the park and people gathering around him to listen, and threw him a few coins. That's about it. We figured we are this close to Solvang, we mine as well go! Who knows if or when we will ever come down this way again?

Madie had so much fun playing with Nana and Papa in the car, that she forgot to take her nap. She almost immediately fell asleep in the stroller when we toured the town.

Had she been awake, we could have tried on this dress. If it was less than $42, we might have considered it.

Lots of the original Danish families still live in the area.

Mal & Mom loved checking out the little stores.

We had to get some ice cream & stroop waffels.

I've decided I want to build a Danish home.

Madie was getting antsy from all the driving, so we stopped at the beach to let her run around a little bit before we went back to our campsite for dinner. Anybody looking for a toddler model?

And she of course went to her rock-throwing creek.

Food always tastes better when you are camping.

"Oh, this is fun."

"Hey, why are you guys on the other side of the fence?"

"Ya know, I don't know if I like this anymore..."

"Stop it! Stop the ride!"

Wild Californian Zebra.

W.R. Hearst literally brought over Zebras, and Giraffes (just to name a few) to graze his property. They were used to attract celebrities to stay at the Hearst Castle to get some stories out of them for his newspaper publishing (like Rupert Murdoch, without the phone tapping). Most of the animals were sold off to local zoos after Hearst died. Some stayed. Hence, the California Zebra.

Before we headed back to the Bay Area, we drove up the coast to check out an elephant seal reserve that we saw when we drove in.

These guys were all over the place! Some males were sparring, most were just laying out in the sun.

Thanks for coming to California Nana & Papa.

Labor Day Weekend Part 1: San Simeon & Hearst Castle

For Labor Day weekend, we decided to head down the central coast of California and meet up with my parents...since it's somewhat in the middle for us (four hour drive for us, 9 hour for them?). I don't know how we were able to book this campsite, but I saw a few openings for Labor Day weekend back in June or so. Amazing there were any, really. So we drove down highway 1, which goes right along the coast. It was such a beautiful drive. Ocean on one side, mountains on the other, and a cool ocean breeze to cool us down. When we got to camp, Mal and I both got out of the car and were greeted by my Mom saying "So, where is she?" Not even a hug preceded that question! Of course, she was talking about the star of the show, Madie. I thought she was joking when she said that. Later on, she commented that she wasn't joking when she said that but just really was anxious to see Madie.

First things first. Within 5 minutes of our arrival Madie was opening birthday presents from Nana and Papa. Camping gear! Her very own sleeping bag, stainless steel water bottle, and a fold-up camping chair which she climbed in and out of 20+ times before bed.

Nana cuddling with Madie. She warmed right up to them. I think the weekly video chats really help her remember her distant family.

Saturday morning we headed up to Hearst Castle. For those who aren't familiar with the castle, it was built by William Randolph Hearst in the 1920's or so. It's purpose was to be his Mediterranean abode. It features many artifacts and art from Ancient Rome, Greece and Spain. Some items are duplicates of the original. A surprising amount are straight from Europe. It's actually really amazing when you see how ornate the whole area is. The best part of this trip for Madie? The bus ride. She recently discovered buses when we went to Yosemite. She points them out wherever we go. And when she saw that we got to ride one, she was thrilled.

There are four tours you can choose from, we decided to go with the Upstairs Suites Tour.

Anybody missing these guys in Rome? Second century, AD.

A peek inside one of the suites.

Amazing ceiling.

There were a few busts from Spain & Italy.

Madie was so good during the tour.

The study/library. This room was amazing.

They give you free reign outside once you finish the tour. The gardens were beautiful, lots of sculptures, and mosaic walkways.

Madie was loving the stairs.

Looking up.

Looks like we know where George Lucas got the idea for Princess Leah's hair.

The Neptune Pool.

Parthenon is from Ancient Greece. The columns apparently didn't come with it, since they were made 80 years ago. The feet and heads of the columns are legit though.

Swim, anyone?

One cool thing that they do at Hearst Castle is they do an auction for the chance to swim in the Roman Pool every few years. I couldn't imagine how much the winner would pay! The pool was absolutely amazing.

Mosaics of the Neptune Pool. The entire room was filled with these, and that room wasn't small.

We checked out the harbor at Morro Bay in search of fresh fish. Once we saw the prices ($35/lb for lobster), we headed to Albertsons. Much more reasonable.

We played at the beach in the evening. Madie was loving it!

I think she liked throwing rocks in the creek the most. She did this for about an hour.