Perhaps the most wonderful thing about spending a Summer in San Francisco is that it tends to be a port of call for travelers heading north and south along the California Coast. Yesterday, two beautiful families were making such a journey, one on the way down to San Diego, the other on the way up to Sacramento.
And we were ready and waiting at our beloved Golden Gate Park to greet them both!
First, we spent a happy half hour with Erica Sanchez and family. When you consider the brevity of the visit, it is amazing to see how chummy the children look. But, of course, they share a unique bond as the east coast and west coast best friends of a certain loveable and recently relocated family.
Francis Scott Key Memorial:
Apple Cidering Monument:
Out of the sling and ready for action (Eileen races around the Key Memorial, much to the delight of several sweet young Sanchezes):
New friends chat:
How kind of the Golden Gate Park to arrange for sprinklers at just the right moment--the little ones were in heaven:
Friends-for-life, Marie and Annie, take a stroll:
All too soon, our darling Sanchezes were off to their next stop, a Cable Car Ride downtown! Fortunately, we had another treat in store for the afternoon, meeting my beloved cousin Margaret, her husband, and their too-beautiful-to-be-true children at my new favorite spot for entertaining, The Japanese Tea Garden!
Margaret's tiny daughters are almost the exact same age as Maureen and Eileen, so the afternoon of romping and hand-holding continued unabated. Here, three young O'Briens play in the water fountain. (Wouldn't my grandmother have loved to see them together?!)
Maureen and her new best friend exchange a loving glance:
Being from the same stock, Margaret and I both enjoyed stopping for tea--this time I even let my children order hot chocolate! Here we are waiting outside while my older girls browse in the gift shop:
Now, let's say a prayer that I can get my dear cousin and her family to visit me in New York one of these days!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures of love, innocence and joy!
Posted by: Margaret Mary | July 31, 2007 at 06:56 PM
What a beautiful and memorable time you are having with family and friends! I am very much enjoying the posts and pictures from the "Golden Gate Gunthers"! Blessings to ALL of you!!!
Posted by: betty | July 31, 2007 at 08:18 PM
So much fun! Such wonderful smiles! I especially love the way all those children of different ages became "friends for life".
Posted by: patience | August 01, 2007 at 12:31 AM
What a wonderful adventure you all are on Alice. I am enjoying following your trip!
Posted by: Lisa | August 01, 2007 at 05:34 AM
Alice,
I am from S.F. and there is a place you absolutely must check out. It is the Carmelite Monastery of Cristo Rey. It is on Parker and Fulton streets. It is such a haven of grace.
Blessings,
Glenn
Posted by: Glenn Bliss | August 01, 2007 at 10:55 PM
WAAHHH!! I wish I could have met you in the middle...next year??? Beautiful pics!
Posted by: Meredith | August 02, 2007 at 02:03 PM
Thank you, Alice, for a wonderful, but too short visit on a beautiful afternoon in a beautiful city with an even more beautiful family. I wish we had planned to spend more time in S.F. :( And, thank you for offering your parking spot. We were able to get a glimpse of that gorgeous, home away home mansion you're living in and it was indeed just a few lovely blocks away from two fun hours of cable-car riding. It is a wondeful blessing to put a face and voice to someone I hear about daily! :) Many blessings on the rest of your journey.
Erica
Posted by: Erica | August 02, 2007 at 03:54 PM
I love those Sanchezes, too! :) Lucky all of you to get to spend time together!!
Posted by: Chari | August 07, 2007 at 02:09 AM