We have been here less than 48 hours, and I have taken 400 photos! LOL

Yesterday we spent the entire day in the wine country. Wine tasting, bought some great wine, stopped somewhere and got some great cheese, had dinner while we were *up there*.

Today, we have done so many things, I can't begin to list. We did go to Stinson Beach, drove up to the top of Mt. Tam, went to Muir Woods, and there were a couple other things in there, that I can't remember right now. We are exhausted! A lot of walking/exercise.

We are eating in tonight - grilling on my sister's deck. Tomorrow we are driving the coast highway and going to the beach.

I am in love with the weather. It's cold at night - which is a total treat for us, coming from the swamps of Louisiana with near 100 degree temps and high humidity. Actually, DH and I only brought one light jacket and we may need to get a couple sweatshirts for the rest of our trip.

My sister goes back to work on Wednesday and we are going to take the ferry to San Francisco and do some stuff. Then on Thursday, we will just drive over because we are staying in the city Thurs and Fri nights. I think one night we are getting together with some of her friends, and one night they are meeting us in the city for dinner.

I am really envious of the CA moms who enjoy this beauty and weather year round, but honestly, I don't envy the cost of living here! LOL

I'll check in when I can. Have a great week!

By Melanie on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 09:47 pm:

Ah-hem, what beach are you heading to?? If you happen to be heading in my direction, I do hope you will let me know.

Glad you are having a good trip!!

By Boxzgrl on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 09:54 pm:

I didn't know you were in CA right now! The weather is perfect, huh? Enjoy your time here. I absolutely love living in CA... of course without the outrageous cost of living!

By Tink on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 10:03 pm:

I always swear that there are only a few places that could possibly tempt me away from CA. Yes, it costs a fortune to live here but there are SO many perks! I'm so glad you're enjoying your stay here.

By Enchens on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 01:26 am:

Glad you could visit CA. I'm like the other Californian ladies who've posted. I love it, don't want to leave it.

You'll have a great time in San Francisco. Are you planning on visiting Sacramento at all?

By Marcia on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 09:36 am:

Karen, glad you are having such a great time! Way to go with the picture taking! Can't wait to see them when you get back!

By Andi on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 09:48 am:

I told you! Now sell your house and move out here. LOL ;)

So glad you guys are having fun. I love the wine country. I have family that live in Downtown Sanoma and it is just beautiful there.

Have fun and I can't wait to see pictures and hear all about it.

By Cat on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 09:55 am:

I've only been to LAX, and that was for only about an hour. Someday... I'd love to go to Monterey Bay and visit the aquarium. Oh, and I'd love to go to Sea World! Marine biology fascinates me. Glad you're having a great time, Karen. We'll expect LOTS of pics when you get back (and you'd better be in some of them!).

By Lorebunde on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:02 am:

CA Is one place I would LOVE to see! It just seems like a whole different world, people, beautiful weather, oceans. Maybe one day I'll get there. Enjoy!

By Jodes on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:14 am:

I grew up in the Bay Area, very beautiful. I live in Idaho now, and really, the only thing I miss about CA is the ocean, visiting CA is great, but I wouldn't want to live there again.

By Cocoabutter on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:40 am:

Glad you are having a great time!

By Tink on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 12:25 pm:

Oh, Cat! The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of my favorite places on earth! I hope you can come out and see it some time. Really, if you're interested in marine life, the Monterey peninsula is a great place to visit...and it would give me an excuse to visit again!

Sorry, Karen! Back to our regularly scheduled programming.

By Breann on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 03:14 pm:

I LOVE California too I'm glad you are enjoying it. We just drove the coast highway (isn't it called highway 1 or something?) last month and it was so much fun.
We also spent the day at mission beach, which was just beautiful. There were a couple of seals swimming right up to the beach.

ENJOY your trip!!! Can't wait to see all the pics

By Sandysmom on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 06:49 pm:

I'm so glad you are having a great time!!!

What is the cost of living like there? Is it really that bad?

By Tink on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 07:24 pm:

Sandy, I can't speak for the rest of CA but gas is at least $3/gallon, a modest 3bedroom 2bath house is around $500K, and my weekly grocery bill is $150-200 for a family of 5 and I'm a fairly frugal shopper. Our household income is about $45,000 annually and that's on the low side of middle class. BUT we live two hours from the beach, from San Francisco, from the state capital and from ski areas. The winters rarely get below freezing, even overnight, and summer temps are in the mid-90's and cool to the high 60's at night. Our humidity is usually in the low 20's and our growing season for produce and flowers is from late March to October.

Can you tell I'm a CA girl, born and bred??? I love living here!

By Melanie on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 09:20 pm:

Yes, Sandy, it's really bad.

The cheapest house in my area right now is on the market for $674,900. This will buy you a 690 sf, 1 bed/1 bath 58 year old cabin on 1-2.5 acres. Here is the pic:

By Karen~admin on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 11:33 am:

Melanie, I just checked my email this morning. We were in Santa Cruz and Capitola all day yesterday. We were at the Boardwalk too.

Yes, I could move here, if not for the cost of living! My sister lives in a condo complex in Mill Valley, and a 2 BR apartment is going for $699,000!!! That is outrageous, IMO.

We are taking the ferry into the city today - DH is tired of driving.........LOL Then having dinner with some friends of my sister tonight. And tomorrow we will head to the city, we are staying on O'Farrell Thurs & Fri nights, then Sat we fly home.

By Melanie on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 11:58 am:

LOL, we were there too. I am so sorry we didn't connect!! I was people watching very closely just in case I spotted you somewhere. I figured this was probably where you were headed.

Enjoy the city. It's a very fun place to visit!

By Sandysmom on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 12:11 pm:

OMGosh!! That's outrageous! Something like that here would only be about $200,000 if that. Also, I can't believe the grocery bill. :0 You all must love it there very much to stay there. I have heard it is beautiful.

By Tripletmom on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 12:30 pm:

I'm glad you're haveing a great time Karen.Wow, I'm so surprised with the cost of living.I couldn't afford to live there.

By Wandilu on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 10:55 pm:

Melanie,oh my gosh!!!!! Here in Tn that house would probably go for about $70,000 to $80,ooo !!!!And for $699,000 and up you can get a mansion with acreage in some areas.