The Golden Gates

  After my long journey from Alaska, I was greeted by two smiling faces in the city of San Francisco.  I had the wonderful opportunity to spend my nights at the home of the star for the next weekend.  I got to take the adventure from a few good friends to even more good friends.  I got to spend Friday working with friends on wedding preparations and fun little crafts.  Saturday, thanks to Molly's great organization, I had the opportunity to see a bit of San Francisco.  My friends Molly and Tyler and I went to Golden Gate park, drove down Lombard street, and had lunch at Fisherman's Wharf.

Molly and I at Golden Gate Park

  Swiftly walking along the bay, sourdough soup bowl in hand, we headed to pier 33 to catch the ferry to Alcatraz.  The fog cleared away providing us with a great view of the city from the ferry and Alcatraz grew closer and closer.  We did the audio tour which was fantastic.  It truly is fascinating hearing the inside scoop.  There was a nice mixture of history, tales of the inmates, information on the structure and island, and basic life of the people on the island.  It was neat to hear about the few inmates who may or may not have successfully escaped.  The idea is that they lived happily ever after south of the border because they were studying Spanish in the prison.  I think the most interesting fact that I learned about the island is that the guards lived on the island.  Not only were the guards living there, but also their families.  Wives and children also made Alcatraz their home - I had no idea!

A typical Alcatraz cell

Molly and Tyler on the ferry

Molly and I behind bars

Molly and I with our sweet audio gear enjoying the view

  The rest of the weekend was spent with friends.  Whether it was creating decorations for the wedding, picnics, rehearsals, meals, getting lost in a car, the time spent was priceless.  Each moment was spent with someone, getting to know them even better.  The bride and groom were so happy on their wedding day and their joy was rather contagious.  The Sandquist family opened their home to me and made me feel as if I was a part of their amazing clan.  Not only have I been blessed with wonderful friends, but also all their families!  After the wedding, it was time for me to visit my family.

Rehearsal

Sparkling Jenni

The bride and groom

Good friends, sad the party was over and we
must yet again part ways

  Oh yes, funny story from this adventure that makes it memorable.....After the wedding I was driving back to the Sandquist residence in the family van (rightfully named Clifford) when we got pulled over.  Apparently one of the tail lights was out.  No tickets were given, but it was pretty funny to be sitting on the side of the road watching people we knew driving by.  It is a moment I will never forget.