Fisherman's Wharf

Tourist mecca.. I eat this stuff up
Only in San Francisco...
Pier 39 is at the far end of the wharf. It is home to the sea lions (see below) that you can hear from a mile away. It also houses hundreds of specialty shops, restaurants, etc. Looks like a great place for kids.

These guys are nuts

Anything goes..

In San Francisco that is. Every hour I spend out in the city, the more that I love it! I recall a few blogs ago that I was looking forward to beach time. Well, here I am- the travel nurse who didn't do her research. It's COLD here! =). It's hot across the bay in Berkeley and Oakland, etc but very foggy and windy here. The type of wind that's so strong your eyes water. Let me tell you that fleeces were made for cities like San Francisco. They are wonderful! About the city- people watching has taken a step above and beyond even an airport setting. I wouldn't say I am the minority here, but certainly not the majority either. The definition of melting pot was created in SF. It's such a spiritual piece in a city that stereotypically would be 'anti-that'. I know, I think everything is spiritual (I pretty much do..) but it really is, and it's a great experience. I work with people literally from all over the world. England, Ireland, Scotland, all Asian countries, Australia, even a nurse from Webster Groves. Quite the diversity. I also need to comment that this is by far the friendliest city I have EVER lived in. Everywhere I go people make conversation. I love it! I love the water, the hills, the people, the food.. I found a restaurant named Pacific Catch with all fresh fish dishes topped with avocado! (I know, I am a foodie too). Re: UCSF- After a few more shifts there, I find it more medically competent that I originally thought; however, it is the least nursing friendly place I could ever imagine. (probably why they need travelers). An interesting learning experience. I am off to another shift tomorrow so I should sign out now. If you are reading this, I can guarantee I miss you!

Sophia

This is my little God-daughter Sophia Reese Wilson. She just turned 2 on Sept 9th, and she is just the most precious little one.. she has changed so much since I saw her last! It appears she enjoyed the apples she picked the other day. How can this not make you smile?

Napa

This is the first of what I hope to be several blog entries entitled Napa. I am obsessed with the wine country. There I said it. I am! It's incredible... though it was on fire today (yikes!) I am driving down the highway watching helicopters fly over this forrest that is on fire dropping chemicals and what not. Despite all of that, these vineyards are absolutely amazing! I was stupid and forgot my camera, but I have included one that Britt took last week. I wish that I could describe the beauty of this area of the country.. just know that to get to Napa Valley you have to cross the Golden Gate. It is just unreal my friends, unreal. To top it all off, I was able to listen to this GREAT new CD mix courtesy of my Boston gal Lauren Kelly. She has great taste in music. Know that San Fran is going well, though I find the hospital pretty much completely backwards. Knowing that I next 3 in a row, I came back from my trip to the valley today with 5 bottles of wine and a bag of chocolate. After my previous 2 shifts this week, I wanted to be good to myself. Have a great weekend!

How the West Was Won by Coop and Britt

Well , the last 3 weeks have been absolutely non-stop! The new car (that still remains nameless) delivered Britt and I all the way across the country and just as safe as can be. The drive was absolutely breathtaking, and I truly think we covered every landscape imaginable! Our God is so majestic and magnificent! Whew! So the first week down here in San Fran is already over! Amazing how time flies. I finally got my internet connected today (with only the 'self-installation' kit) Not too shabby. UCSF seems fine so far. The 'attitude' of the city is so different from Boston, ad certainly of STL or Nashville..more developments to follow in this great city. But now, without further ado, PLEASE enjoy these great pics from our roadtrip. They are chronological from the bottom up...San Francisco Bay at Sunset
We only had time for one winery in the Napa Valley, but I am sure I will get back there asap!
More Tahoe... perhaps the highlight of the trip!
Road travelers in Lake Tahoe
Sunset in Nevada (ok, so this one is a little out of order)
Yes, this is a real picture. Sunday Morning we woke up in Reno, Nevada to THIS! There had to be at least 100 hot air balloons against the mountains... stunning!
Around hour 20 or so of the 30 hour drive, God gave us a little present in the form of a FULL rainbow (which I have never seen before). Signs like that just deliver so much peace.
Salt Lake City, UT. The lake surrounds this mountain apparently.. we then drove throughout the Great Salt Desert which has huge salt basins across the highways. It looked like snow.
Windmills in Wyoming
Buford, Wyoming is just west of Cheyenne on 80. The gas station attendant (who apparently commutes in to the city) was the nicest lady ever.

Britt, Chels, and me in Boulder, Co. Chelsea and her hubby Branden (of 1 year already) were so great to let us stay with them on Friday night! We went out to Pearl Street for some good comfort foods!

Farewell to Gretchen

This is a shout out to the best little Saturn a girl could ever own! She has delivered me safely to so many places. Just this past weekend she traveled through Ernesto all of the way from Bean Town to STL. She has been so good to me, but alas.. I can no longer fit my entire life in a Saturn. Her miles are also getting up there, so in an effort to make it safely to California.. I did a little shopping... Good little Gretchen
This is the new car... a 2006 Hyundai Tucson. Any suggestions of new names? I will definitely need help!

Will be able to fit much more 'stuff' in here! In general it's been a great weekend. I wrapped things up in Boston. It was wicked hard (if you will) to leave. Good to have somewhere that you love so much to go back to someday! Sunday I had lunch with my dear friend Nina and her FIANCEE Tyrone Roberson! It is wonderful how God brought them together. Labor Day was spent with my folks at our family friends' house. I've only been in St. Louis 36 hours and I've already had pork steaks, gooey butter cake, and Fritz's. Life is good.....