San Francisco and Such

Over fall break we had the opportunity to go on a little adventure to San Francisco.  I'm calling this an adventure because the way we got there and back was quiet the adventure.  We decided we'd take the California Zephyr to San Francisco.  If you're not sure what that is, it's an Amtrak train.  Our journey started very late on Tuesday, Oct. 12th.  We boarded our train at 11:30pm.  This actually wasn't to bad because this way we knew Bentley would sleep through the night.  We boarded the train and found seats that didn't already have people sleeping in them and luckily all found seats to ourselves so we could "spread out" if that's possible on a train.  The train ride there was great.  Bentley and Brian slept, and I think I just laid there most of the night with my eyes closed.  I was worried that someone would kidnap Bentley on one of the stops and I'd be asleep and not even know he was gone.  I know I'm kind of crazy.  We made it to San Francisco on Wednesday, Oct 13th around 5:00 pm.  Yes, we were on the train for about 17 hours. I was worth it though to go to San Francisco.  I LOVE San Francisco.
The fun thing about our trip was we had absolutely nothing planned, we knew we wanted to go but it was to relax and hangout as a fam.  Our hotel was in Union Square which is my 2nd favorite place in the city next to the wharf.  That weekend was the Nike Women's Marathon, which was taking place in Union Square.  There was so much excitement, I was extremely envious of all the women there with their girlfriends to run the race.  I told Brian we're going back next year and my name will be on the Nike wall because I will be one of the participants in the race (med school budget allowing, if Brian gets in this round). 
Anyway our trip was so fun!  We went to the Exploritorium which is a kids museum.  Bentley loved it and so did Brian and I because of all the cool experiments there.  We rode the trolley all over town,  went to Golden Gate park, and of course we window shopped at all of the stores in Union Square.  My dream is to someday return with a huge shopping budget and by me a whole new wardrobe.  Seriously you should see the stores there, even their Old Navy blows ours out of the water, theirs is 5 stories! 
We spent a whole day at the Wharf where we had to go the the Hard Rock for Bentley.  Bentley was so excited because Eddie Van Halen's guitar was there!  Of course we had to get pictures. 
We were only there for 2 and 1/2 days but it was so nice to get away and relax. 
Our train ride home was where the adventure began.  We were stopped because we hit something on the track and broke our air hose.  The engineers had to get out and fix it.  Then a few hours later we were stopped because there was police activity on the track which ended up being someone trying to commit suicide.  A few hours later we were stopped for almost 2 hours because a freight train was broke down in front of us.  At some point in the middle of the night I woke up and the train was stopped again!!  It was a long ride home. We did make up some of the time through the Nevada desert and Salt Flats.

 Yes, that is Kaulin's friend Flat Stanly with Bentley outside the Amtrak station

 What a heavenly sight. I was afraid this might not happen, but it did.

 On a trolley.  It was stopped waiting for the trolleys in front of it to be turned around on the turn table.  Did you know the trolley drivers have to turn it around by hand?

 Look at the size of that tree!! 

 The Exploritorium aka children's museum

 An experiment in the Exploritorium

 Golden Gate State Park

 My little rock star with Eddie Van Halen's guitar in the background

 On the wharf

 This was the place Brian and I stayed on our honeymoon

 cathedral

 Next years goal: Nike Women's Marathon tent in Union Square

 The handsome hubs looking down over Union Square from the top of Macy's.

Overall, it was a great trip and so nice to take a break from school and work just to be together!