Bryan's and Peter's visit

On July 4th, Peter and Bryan arrived in San Francisco after a 10 week tour of Europe!  They spent time in England, the Baltic capitals and other parts of Europe, via train, cruise ship and bus tour!  They had an AMAZING trip and had the photos to prove it!  What a wonderful Odyssey for them!

And then they came to visit us!  We picked them up at SFO on the afternoon of the 4th, and they actually got off the plane, collected luggage and got through customs and immigration before we got there!  As we were staring intently at the monitor showing pictures of weary travelers coming through customs into the meeting area, we were tapped on the shoulder, and there they were!

They were indeed weary, and after lots of chatting and catching up, we had an early evening.

Friday we spent time in Moss Beach, and went for a walk up to the Distillery in the afternoon.  Somehow, with all of their visits, Peter had never been to the Distillery!  It's a "must" stop for our New Zealand visitors who all enjoy sitting on the deck with a "rug" and a drink, enjoying the ocean view.  Unfortunately it was a cool and windy day so we needed rugs!  Now Peter can say he's been there too!

On Saturday we went  into San Francisco and spent some time on the waterfront, including visiting the America's Cup Pavilion.  It was a beautiful, sunny day and we enjoyed walking along Fisherman's Wharf, clam chowder in a bread bowl at Boudins and exploring the pavilion.

On Saturday evening we met Celeste at Sushi Main Street to celebrate Lee's birthday.  We had a fabulous dinner, as usual, and it was great for Celeste and Bryan and Peter to get a chance to catch up.

We spent a few days in Calistoga to enjoy some sunshine and warm days.  While we were there we toured the downtown area, had dinner on the wine train enjoyed the local ice cream shop and visited some of the local wineries.  It was nice to spend some relaxing time on the deck at our favorite accommodation, Washington Street Lodging.

And all too soon, it was the day they were returning to New Zealand after a very long absence.  And on that day, Craig and Stephen arrived from New Zealand for Lee's birthday and a trip around the Southwest national parks and monuments.  We were able to spend that day together and one last afternoon at the distillery before we took Bryan and Peter to the airport.  It was a great but all too short trip!

Thanks for making us part of your amazing holiday!

 Bryan and Peter looking quite chipper considering the many hours of travel!

At the Distillery!  You can tell that Peter is wondering what all the fuss is about!  Needless to say, we had our one drink then went back home where it was warm!

 

Much better weather!  Aquatic park in San Francisco

 

 Peter and Bryan and cable car

 Yummy clam chowder in a bread bowl!  A must-do lunch on Fisherman's Wharf

This pictures says it all!

 

 As we were touring the pavilion we saw these gentlemen carrying the actual America's Cup trophy onto a yacht moored there.  Very exciting!!

 A very large replica of the America's Cup trophy

 The Louis Vuitton races will determine who races against Oracle in the America's Cup

 We found New Zealand's hospitality center at the pavilion and they were serving Moa beer!

 Part of the America's Cup Pavilion is an entertainment venue.  We were surprised to see a lovely lawn area with lots of large bean bag chairs to sit on while enjoying the music

 And here's the stage.  No one was performing that day, but they have had big name talent there

One of the older America's Cup racing yachts was moored at Fisherman's Wharf

 

 A great way to end the day!  A huge platter of sushi, hot sake and great friends!  Happy birthday, Lee!

 After dinner, a brief and needed stroll around Half Moon Bay.  The lights in the trees were just coming on

Dinner on the Napa Valley Wine Train

 

 A table for four with a view!

 And some down time at Washington Street Lodging - Bryan taking advantage of the hammock!

And Peter reading in the sun on the deck - so much better than the fog at home!

 

Lee and I went into the Calistoga Coffee Roastery and this is what we found when we came out

 

 At Chateau Montelena Winery

The gardens at Chateau Montelena

 

 The castle walls at Castelo De Amaroso - it's an actual castle!

Up the steps and over the drawbridge....

 

 The fountain at Rubicon.  Formerly Inglenook Winery, it's now owned by Francis Ford Coppola

 Upstairs in the winery is a memorabilia collection belonging to the Copolas, including this Tucker automobile.  Peter was impressed!

The Kiwi's are coming!!  Peter, Bryan, Craig and Stephen on a very gray and dreary Moss Beach Day

 

On a walk through the "magical forest" on the way to the Distillery

 

Fun with trees!

 

Life is good - the Distillery with a variety of chips (fries) a beer and a roaring fire!

 

 The rugs still felt good, though!

Back at the airport....

 

And a fond farewell to Peter and Bryan!  Thanks for coming and we will see you in February!