Playing "Uncle"

My colleague from my Italy years has a daughter who is going to boarding school on the East Coast. So instead of flying back to Europe, she's visiting the West Coast for the week.  So, we headed down to Fisherman's Wharf to see the sea lions.

J is all grown up!  I met her when she was 9, now 15 and a 10th grader.

We were down by the pier's because we spent the afternoon on Alcatraz

Looking up from the dock.....the lighthouse is still functioning.

Inside the prison itself.

J chose French for her audio tour, so I chose Italian.  Turns out, I was able to understand about 80% of the tour.  That was exciting.

The outdoor recreation area....probably the best view of any cement courtyard in the Bay Area.

Solitary.....

The prison was shuttered in the early 1960's....this is one of the remnants of the Indian (Native American) occupation of 1969.

Next stop....Land's End.

The ruins of the Sutro Baths....the closest thing to Roman ruins I've seen in the States.

The Marin Headlands at sunset.

Oysters, Point Reyes and Birthday Number 34

Here's the birthday boy!!!  #34  Well, a few days before his big day, we took a drive up to Point Reyes.

First stop, the Hog Island Oyster Company for Oysters (BBQ and Raw), some salad and bread.  It's a crowded place with everyone sharing picnic tables, but somehow we snapped this photo right when the table was empty.

After oysters, it was a drive to Point Reyes National Seashore.  The ice plant and vegetation was turning the autumn colors.

After this walk on the beach, we laid out a big blanket and, of course, I took a nice nap in the sun.

South Beach from the lighthouse bluff

Sea Lions

As we were driving back off Point Reyes, the sunset gave us a silhouette of some moose.

Back home...Onions living the dream.  Warm bed and wifi!