Surprise!  We’re going to San Francisco!

What can we do if we unexpectedly have a long weekend ahead? A trip promised, so I must deliver, in the nick of time, before the lips quiver.  What do we do but jump into the sliver of freedom before school begins and Era’s work begins and life begins with myriad responsibilities but jump, jump, jump, two oldest and me to the other sea, to the Bay of San Francisco.  The place of Kerouac and Milk and Robin Williams, Whoopi in Sister Act, and Michael Franti getting down, and of course Carlos Santana, strumming those wild thoughts into fruition.  Is it heaven or people’s perdition? Is it reality or simply what we envision?  This is a post about traveling with progeny, people who ask why.

Why is there a banner ad saying a certain substance “has arrived?”  Why is it right next to the church?

Why did Milk die?

Why are there so many homeless people here?

This part is so beautiful.  Why can’t we stay just for another day?

Oh, mom, and what is “gay?”

These are the questions I did not anticipate. Thought we’d be talking about the painted ladies, I did, but suddenly, in the moment, I had to answer right there on the streets of San Francisco and will continue to answer my whole life (of note, when we got back, I found out Mitya has learned a new word. “Why?” That’s what I get for always bringing the questions myself).

So, what did we actually do?

1) Zoo

As my sister, the kids, and I found out, the SF zoo is heavy on lemurs, meerkats, prairie dogs, and on this particular day, frogs and hedgehogs, which is fine by me.  I asked Sashi her favorite thing about San Francisco and she said “hedgehogs.” And the Golden Gate Bridge.  But mostly petting the hedgehogs.

Me, too, Sasha. Me, too.

2) Bay Area Discovery Museum

One of my closest friends, Eve, took her two beautiful babies and us to this magical land of wonder that I know my two-year-old would have loved as well.  An educational play land where we hugged Daniel Tiger, made furniture for our miniature houses, and played on our Discovery Boat.  Did I mention it has the Golden Gate Bridge as the backdrop?

3) California Academy of Sciences

Butterflies, aquarium, and an albino croc. Nuff said.

4) Tour of San Francisco

With Andreas, our tour guide, who is half-Greek, half-Ukrainian, not to be confused with my Greek-Ukrainian-American son, Andreas.  God, you are awesome.

Favorite parts of tour: ice-cream on a sunlit bench across the street from a fountain in Sausalito.  And Muir Woods.  The kids loved it.  Once they started running around, I chastised them, and we got all that out of our system, it was pure awe from all three of us as we gazed up at the Magnificent Redwoods. I think of a recent powerful guest post about The Giving Tree. After time spent with Era and Eve (and Eve’s wonderful family.  Shout out to the ever-hospitable Felice and her kind husband !!!) I would say Muir Woods was my favorite part of the entire trip.  Trees heal me.  And these trees in particular were spectacular.

Oh and did I mention I saw Hamilton?  Thank you Era and Era’s friend!

So Grateful 

San Francisco, you have your issues, but for us, you rolled out the red carpet and I am so grateful.  We needed those strolls around Dolores Park, the grazing Buffalo in Golden Gate Park, the gorgeous murals in the Mission,  and the warmth in the hearts of the people, which burned our fog away.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, a million times over.  We loved seeing our family and friends (new and old), and Sasha sends a shout out to all the dogs. Especially Finny.

Love,

Elena