
Lauretta, Claudia and Lauren
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Roberta, Claudia and Lauren
Roberta picked us up at the Dallas airport during our layover and took us out to dinner. She's such a sweetheart! Was so fun to see her. We miss you Buggy!

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Grandpa Dave and Jake
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Jake, Lauren, Aunt Alberta and Grandpa
Alberta and Grandpa are both in their 90's and look fantastic. Alberta is the pillar of health. We had a nice visit with them. Jake cracked us up.

Jake, Lauren, Aunt A, Grandpa and Nita

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Benicia, California
Benicia, California - Ghost Fleet of Retired Ships Called the "ghost fleet" or "mothball fleet," a large flotilla of retired WWII and Vietnam-era ships reside in the Suisun Bay just east of the Benicia Bridge. Although the original intent was to have them capable of becoming battle-ready within a month, thus the official name of "reserve fleet," most of the ships have been quietly rusting away for years and are beyond repair. Scrapping of the fleet has been discussed for years. At one time the famous Glomar Explorer resided with the fleet, it's claim to fame having grabbed a Cold War sub off the ocean floor with a giant claw. In 1997 it was converted to a deep-water drilling ship, still in service today. The fleet has been used in a couple of movies, including "Down Periscope."

Benicia, California
Benicia, California - Ghost Fleet of Retired Ships Called the "ghost fleet" or "mothball fleet," a large flotilla of retired WWII and Vietnam-era ships reside in the Suisun Bay just east of the Benicia Bridge. Although the original intent was to have them capable of becoming battle-ready within a month, thus the official name of "reserve fleet," most of the ships have been quietly rusting away for years and are beyond repair. Scrapping of the fleet has been discussed for years. At one time the famous Glomar Explorer resided with the fleet, it's claim to fame having grabbed a Cold War sub off the ocean floor with a giant claw. In 1997 it was converted to a deep-water drilling ship, still in service today. The fleet has been used in a couple of movies, including "Down Periscope."

Monterey, California
Old Fisherman's Wharf

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Sea Otter hanging out by the dock.

Monterey, California
Waiting for the whale watching boat to arrive.

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Monterey, California
We passed hundreds of seals on the ride out of Fisherman's Wharf.

Monterey, California
This cruise ship started in Alaska and was making it's final cruise before being retired.

Sea Lions Sleeping
Sea Lions anchor themselves while napping by sticking one flipper through seaweed. Here's a group of sea lions with their flippers anchored.

Risso's Dolphins
The Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus) is the only species of dolphin in the genus Grampus. Another common name for Risso's Dolphin is the 'Grampus' (also the species genus) - although historically, it was the common name used to describe the Orca (Killer Whale). The specific name griseus refers to the mottled (almost scarred) grey colour of the dolphins body.
Risso's Dolphins are found worldwide in temperate and tropical waters, usually in deep waters rather than close to land. As well as the tropical parts of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Rissos are also found in the Mediterranean and Red Seas, though are absent from the Black Sea. Their preferred environment is just off the continental shelf on steep banks, with water depths varying from 400 - 1000 metres and water temperature at least 10° Centigrade and preferably in excess of 15° Centigrade.
The population of Risso's Dolphins around the continental shelf of the United States has been recorded to be in excess of 60,000. In the Pacific a census recorded 175,000 individuals in eastern tropical waters and 85,000 in the west. No global estimate of population exists.

Risso's Dolphins in Monterey
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Heading Out
On our way out of the bay to look for whales.

Humpback Whale
We saw 3 Humpback Whales about 60 ft. away. The captain turned the engine off after they dove down and we waited for them to come back up. After about 15 mins., they came up right next to the boat. They blew several times, swam in front of the boat and around to the other side before fluting their tails and going under again. Was amazing to watch.

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Hungry Pelicans
Pelicans were standing all over the wharf hoping someone would give them some fish.

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Bouganvilla

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Monterey Bay Aquarium
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Yellow Fin Tuna
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Anchovies
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Monterey Bay Aquarium
The aquarium is built right on the coast. Some of the animals are in tanks where the water comes in from the ocean's tide. Jake is standing under one of the tides that came in.

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Monterey
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Artichoke farm in Seaside
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China Town in San Francisco
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Fortune Cookie Factory in SF
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Drying fish in the window
Most were drying clothes on such a sunny day and some were drying fish.

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Lunch in China Town
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TransAmerican Building in SF
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China Town in SF
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Victorian Homes in SF
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Park in front of St. Pete's in North Beach
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St. Peter and Paul's Cathedral in North Beach
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Coit Tower in SF
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Italian Bakery in North Beach
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Gelato/Coffee/Cookie in North Beach
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Park in North Beach
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Jake's calamari at Pier 39
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Fisherman's Wharf in SF
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Fisherman's Wharf
The kids love checking out all the crabs.

Boudin's at Fisherman's Wharf
We didn't eat here this trip, but we have a few times in the past. Great food, particularly the bread.

Alioto's Restaurant
The first time Buck and I went to SF, we stopped here so Buck could eat a dozen oysters. That was in 1993.

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Swarmed by seagulls
The seagulls really wanted Jake's calamari. One seagull was trying to land on his head.

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Red and White
We normally take the Blue and Gold boat that goes under the Golden Gate and around Alcatraz. This one goes to Alcatraz and stops there for the tour. The tour is pretty neat, but only worth seeing once.

Alcatraz
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Breakdancers at Fisherman's Wharf
These guys were awesome!

Breakdancer and Personal Trainer
Saw this guy do this move twice. Was amazing how long he was able to hold this pose. He was really nice too.

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Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf
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Sea Lions at Pier 39
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Coit Tower in SF
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Blue and Gold
This is the tour we normally take, but time did not permit this trip.

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The Condor
Famous topless place if you're into that type of thing. We weren't, so I only took a pic from the outside.

Cuttlefish
This cuttlefish at the Steinhart Aquarium, did not like having his picture taken. He was pale green before and then turned dark as he approached the window and started slinging his tentacles around.

Attack of the Cuttlefish
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Giant Sea Bass
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Kids with Giant Sea Bass
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Upside Down Jelly Fish
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Top of the rainforest in the Steinhart Aquarium
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View from the DeYoungs Museum
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Outside of Steinhart Aquarium
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Golden Gate Park
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Golden Gate Park
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Golden Gate Park
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Eye in the Sky
The Bay Bridge and a camera up high.

Bay Bridge
Connects SF to Oakland

New Bay Bridge?
We stopped off at Treasure Island, halfway across the bridge to check out what appears to be a new bridge going up.

Golden Gate Bridge
Took this pic from Treasure Island on a really hazy, foggy day. Had to tweak it a bit with some software but this was the best I could manage. Still, it is always grand.

San Francisco
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Bay Bridge towards SF from Treasure Island
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Apple Cinnamon Swirl
While I was tempted, Aaron and I have had this bread before and I could not do it again. Just way too good. Spared myself the calories and took a pic instead. I love Ikedas.

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Ikeda's in Auburn, CA
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Coming back over the pass
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Truckee River in Donner Pass
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Wedding Reception
We had our wedding reception at this casino before it was bought out and named the Atlantis.

Jake over Reno
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Reno, NV
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Mt. Rose
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