More photos with friends

Hank, Judy, Nathan, and Genevieve

While we were in California, we also got to meet up with our friends Hank and Judy. I first met Judy when I did sumer school in Berkeley. I was taking organic chemistry and she was taking an engineering lab. Hank and Judy took us out for Afghan cuisine at Kabul in Sunnyvale. This is the first time we got to meet their young son, Nathan. Here are some more group photos!


Roger has a turn, Nathan very excited


Nathan gives hugs to all


Roger and Nathan have a little bonding moment

San Francisco and Seattle, part 4

Orchids at the Conservatory in Volunteer Park

Can you tell that we liked Seattle a lot? On our last full day in Seattle, Grace drove us to Volunteer Park. We explored the Asian Art Museum there, learning all about Buddha, and then we visited the Conservatory next door to see the orchid exhibit.


Grace and Genevieve enjoying the orchids and bleeding hearts

It started to rain, the first time while we were in Seattle, so we drove over to the neighboring cemetery to check out Bruce Lee's grave. Afterward, we hung out in Fremont, checking out the funky cafes and used bookstores, including Ophelia Books. Fremont would definitely be a neighborhood we could get used to.


The Fremont Troll under the Aurora Bridge

One of the last things we did was check out the infamous Fremont Troll, which, as Grace pointed out, was featured in "10 Things I Hate About You."


Roger and Genevieve posing, not afraid of the nearby Volkswagen-eating troll

San Francisco and Seattle, part 3

Cupcake Royale and Verite Coffeeshop in Ballard

For some reason, we kept going back to Ballard several times during our stay in Seattle. Once for the less-than-successful Archie McPhee rendezvous, and then again for breakfast at Verite Coffeeshop. Although we didn't get to enjoy their signature cupcakes, we did have yummy coffee and morning pastries. I also picked up a pink button and sticker, both with the logo, "Ask Me about My Cupcakes." Cool!

We ended up in Ballard for a third time to see the Hiram Chittenden Locks. We were fortunate because a number of boats were waiting to pass through, so we got to see the locks in action.


Step 1, a boat waits to lock through


Step 2, the water is drained, lowering the boat


Step 3, the gate in front of the boat opens, and the boat sails away

Later, we met up with Grace, whom we had invited to a baseball game that night. Roger, our little baseball enthusiast, had bought tickets to the Mariners-A's game before our trip. He was very excited to check out the ballpark.


Safeco Field, complete with retractable roof, but with real grass


Roger, Genevieve, and Grace, after the game

Although the Mariners lost to the A's, we did enjoy some tasty ballpark food Seattle-style: Ivar's fish and chips, as well as some fried clams.

Next up, the Fremont Troll in part 4!

San Francisco and Seattle, part 2

Pike Place in the early afternoon

Roger and I flew into Seattle and the first thing we did was drive to Pike Place for a quick snack. We passed all the fish and vegetable stands and got a piroshky from Piroshky, Piroshky as well as cups of coffee from the original Starbucks.


Genevieve and Grace enjoying happy times, and uni, at Nishino in Madison Park

Later that night, we met up with Grace who gave us the quick evening tour of the city, driving us briefly through Belltown, University Village and Capitol Hill. We had dinner as planned at Nishino in Madison Park, where we were waited on by a very congenial, though slightly flustered young man. For dessert, we enjoyed fried banana and an herb sorbet (mint?) served with red beans.


Roger and Mike strike a pose

We started our second day with some pastries from Macrina Bakery in Belltown. Using Grace's handy guidebook, we explored more neighborhoods including Pioneer Square, address of the very cool Elliott Bay Bookstore and the equally cool Ebbets Field Flannels. Roger bought a neat-o Marianao Tigres baseball cap and I got an Almendares Alacranes shirt, with their logo, "He who defeats Almendares, dies!"

After we spent an hour at the flagship REI Store, looking at bags and bike stuff, we drove to Archie McPhee in funky Ballard. Although the store itself was a little disappointing - bad gum! - we did enjoy a very tasty lunch of Cuban sandwiches at Paseo in nearby Fremont.


Jen, Mike, and Genevieve

We called up our friend Mike Shannon and rendez-voused earlier than planned. As we waited for Mike's wife, Jen, to come home, Mike took us on a tour of his neighborhood, Beacon Hill, and the very nice Mount Baker. We drove by "for sale" houses and Mike pointed out Mercer Island and the tony east-side suburbs of Redmond and Bellevue.

For dinner, Jen and Mike treated us to good Chinese food at Seven Stars Pepper where we had delicious dan dan noodle soup, and then Ambrosia Cafe for yummy bubble tea, both in the International District. We capped the night watching a very funny TiVo'd episode of Scrubs.


Roger and Genevieve, with the Seattle skyline behind us

More Seattle in part 3!

San Francisco and Seattle, part 1

Roger and I took a week off to visit family and friends in the Bay Area and Seattle. In our usual fashion, we spent a lot of time enjoying the local culinary fare.


Roger, Peter, Rosalyn, and Genevieve enjoy some hot coffee in front of Blue Bottle Coffee in Hayes Valley

Our first full day, we spent the afternoon shopping and browsing in downtown Burlingame and then met up with Peter, who was in town on his way to San Diego, and did a quick tour around trendy Hayes Valley. Then we met up with our friends Lucy and Fernando for dinner at Foreign Cinema in the Mission. The movie that night: "Motorcycle Diaries". The food: awesome.


Roger and Genevieve in front of the Claw

A few days later, we decided to take a trip down to Palo Alto to visit Stanford, retracing our old steps, including History Corner, Green Library, and White Plaza.


Roger and mom posing with souvenirs

We also stopped by the Stanford Bookstore to pick up some souvenir shirts and a new baseball cap for Roger's large head.


Diners in front of Plouf Restaurant in Belden Alley

Although it rained a little bit, we traveled back north and visited the cool-looking De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. And then we met up with Lucy at Plouf for one last dinner in the city.


Roger and Genevieve with the family

We wrapped up our visit by spending more time with grandma and the family. On to Seattle!