Alcatraz – tinlizzieridesagain

Two weeks after returning from the honeymoon, I flew to San Francisco for a work-related conference, the annual Association for Commuter Transportation conference. Lucky us that is was in San Fran this year!

Being so close to home, I squeezed in a few hours with family and friends in Sacramento.

: My dad picked me up at SFO and we headed straight to Berkeley, to Spenger’s, a long-time family tradition

: Painting in my parents’ house of me, back when I had long hair. My grandmother painted it. My mom and I get our artistic talent from her.

: Music Circus, aka “The Tent,” where I spent several summers stitching in the costume shop and dressing.

: My parents’ lush backyard – you can’t tell but there is no lawn, so it helps reduce water usage. I bet the pond turtles love the still water though!

: Not so lush lawns in my parents’ Sacramento neighborhood. There were almost dead lawns next to fairly green lawns – easy to tell who cares more about water conservation.

: Me and my childhood babies! My mom made the three soft sculpture dolls.

: The Nut Tree. Ah memories…

Because of the conference, I didn’t get to see much of San Francisco, but I hit some highlights.

: The view from the 36th floor of the Grand Hyatt San Francisco – gorgeous!

After hours of discussing transportation demand management, marketing and outreach, behavior change and community-based social marketing, I snuck out at lunch to run to Britex Fabrics, a few blocks from the hotel. Despite a long list of projects, I only found fabric for one. I did buy some silver reflective fabric, and some fun trims, too. But the best part was meeting up with Melissa of Bike Pretty! It was so fun to meet her in person, and chat fashion and bikes, and see her current project. I am disappointed I didn’t get to spend more time with her, so I look forward to the next trip to the Bay Area!

: Selfie in front of Britex!

: Ah heaven… Britex is like the stores in NYC, but friendlier and more helpful.

: Squirrel-themed trim – no idea what I’ll do with it but it was too cute to pass up!

When the conference was over, some friends and I did the tourist thing, and took a vintage streetcar to Fisherman’s Wharf. One friend wanted to go to Alcatraz, but the tours were all sold out, so we settled for a bay cruise. Although I’ve spent years in SF, I’ve never done that, and really enjoyed it. The weather was just as I like – somewhat foggy.

My brother and sister-in-law flew in from Texas, not just to see me, but because my brother was headed to a conference in Sacramento. It was nice to see them, and hear about their trip to Indonesia, which had prevented them from attending our wedding. (Yes, I was disappointed they weren’t there, but what a great opportunity for them!) And with that, the trip was over!

Eno Wine Bar

I counted 15 hotels and 7 flights in the last 6 weeks – no wonder I’m tired of travel! (And that doesn’t include trains). It will be nice to just be at home for a while, get some sewing done, and catch up on the wedding and honeymoon stuff I still haven’t organized. Still, a whirlwind tour through Europe, then northern California, are not bad ways to spend a summer!