2008, TIME FOR US TO CELEBRATE!
A lot of finagling with the airlines made my 1st trip of the year an extended one due to the fare wars and weather. California had the worst storm of the century and even SFO was closed for a while.
As soon as Sally got time off, we went into Manhattan to see the holiday decorations.
And of course, TIMES SQUARE before the hoardes got there.
Even though we were there the day prior to the New Year's eve mob scene, the streets were VERY crowded. The police presence was felt everywhere though. You could see that preparations were being made for crowd control.
The one thing missing was Port-o-san! That's why we would never go to Times Square to watch the ball drop.
We went to Lambrou's for A New Year's party and danced the night Away until 2AM.
DUKE FALCON'S WAS GREAT!!!
The hike out to the Fire Island Lighthouse was cold and windy. The lighthouse where they had hot chocolate closed just as we arrived. We managed to keep warm though. We took FULL advantage of the extra time too!
Everyone can see how DEER Sally is!
A trip to Sallyland wouldn't seem complete without a visit to Billy's Beach Cafe
March was St. Patrick's day
and a Ferry ride to the City for the parade.
This was the Mayor's car, but he was on foot shaking hands with the constituency.
We had a front row seat...uhhh... STAND at the start point!
Of course, being San Francisco, there were plenty of "colorful marchers".
Naturally there were protestors, and the Garbage can drill team.
As well as Hounds and Ducks......
After the Parade we walked down to the Embarcadero, to have lunch at Neptune's palace. It was supposed to rain, with a possible Thunderstorm. This shot of Coit Tower and the Transamerica Pyramid, doesn't reflect the actual weather. It was mostly sunny and almost shirtsleeve time.
Would have been nice to have been sailing again though.
We went hiking up at Rockville park a couple days later.
If Poly hadn't been bad, she too could have seen the wildlife there.
Instead, we enjoyed the warmth of the sun and each other without her.
MEMORIAL DAY WEEK
Another relaxing time at the cabin in Inverness!
Although we DID spend a lot of time acting like this guy.-------->
But we earned it with all the exercise from kayaking, bicycling, hiking and......
other strenuous "activities".
A visit to one of our favorite stores, and of course to Cowgirl Creamery for some cheese tasting and shoe shopping. Sally got new shoes, and I got Point Reyes Blue, and Sally Jackson COW cheese!
The weather was nice so we took a drive over to Muir woods. We happened to get there on the 100th year anniversary of the park's dedication so the admission was FREE!
They had a slide show upon entering and we hiked several miles through the redwoods. The gigantic trees are magnificent here.
The forest is teeming with wildlife. The little birds just wouldn't leave this Barred Owl alone.
Later that night we could be seen at the Melting Pot near Larkspur landing.
The Restaurant is built into a massive Kiln that was used to make bricks.
We may have just been "Forking Around", but what a great experience! Excellent fondues, and a heck of a lot of fun. Even the waiter was having a good time!
In fact we had such a good time, we slept in so late that the only activitiy we could muster was taking Poly for a walk near the Cabin. Inverness is a very scenic area.
The following day we were rested enough to plan an 8.5 mile round trip hike near the mysterious town of Bolinas. The route goes along the coast trail to a spur leading to Alamere falls.
It was a very hilly walk with wonderful vistas, and we nearly made it to the falls. However, the last ¼ mile was covered in Poison Oak 
so we had to settle for Bass lake. We had just sat down at nice secluded spot for lunch, when they sent in the Canadian clowns. Turns out we were at a rope swing they had come all the way from Montreal to use.
There was plenty of things to see here. (such as this deer's butt) Although it was pretty windy in spots, we would have cooked without it.
The next day found us just chill-laxing at a nearly deserted beach at Tomales Bay Park
Across the bay was our kayak launch point.
All we needed was a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine, and thou....
Of course, packing a selection of Artisan cheeses wasn't such a bad idea. 
Back in Vallejo, we caught OUR Ferry to SF and peddled our asses over the Golden Gate to Sausalito. Then we rode THEIR ferry back.
Believe me, it looks a lot faster than it is!
INDEPENDANCE DAY 
A visit to my friend's Dan and Lucy. Danica Patrick got nuthin' on Sally.
Except she can drive a stick! 
Thanks to the Vallejo Convention and Vistor's bureau, we took a trip to the city, and a free bay cruise!
Too bad it was so foggy going out under the Golden Gate bridge.
It was quite cold out in the wind, and the boat was very full, so we had to be strategic on where to stand. It was a great day for sailing! Fortunatelly we had each other to keep warm.
We saw Alcatraz closer, and I think this Foo-Foo was mooning us!
After the Bay Cruise, we went over to Pier 39. Surprisingly enough there were very few sea lions there.
We spent our time playing at the video arcade and browsing through the many other shops and attractions. I however was only attracted to one thing there 
Later, we went to Joe's Crab Shack for Barbecued King Crab Legs. I was reminded why I need to stick to beer! I got swayed to the darkside of foo-foo drinks and ordered a Pomegranate Margarita.
As it's served the waiter drops in a bag of POP-ROCKS.
YEP, "POPPED" me right in the eye!
LONG BEACH FOR LABOR DAY
Yep, the Parrotheads were out again, and We had pretty good seats at Jones Beach
Baby, Let me take you on a "Sea cruise"
We were treated to temporary art in New York Harbor.
Waterfalls designed by artist Olafur Eliason were erected.
Although there were several ways to see them, we chose the more traditional of the Circle Line Tours.
Having 2 bars aboard while being less crowded didn't sway our judgement....RIGHT! NOT MUCH..
First we saw one near Pier 35
Next we turned and came back under the Brooklyn Bridge.
Then was Brooklyn Pier.
As you can see, it was a windy day. Must have been a beautiful day for sailing, but also a bit tricky because the direction made serious reversals.
Finally was Governor's Island and a view of the Statue of Liberty. 
Just another Day of FUN,FUN,FUN together!
Sally found a new friend to...
Shake it!
Shake it!
Shake it!
with too.
The following day we drove out past Jones beach, and hiked out to Fire Island for a little
and chillin' on the beach. before going to eat at "THE OUT"
.
HALLOWEEN WEEKEND IN LONG BEACH WAS CRAZY!!!!
Captain Jack-ASS went out with Puss & Boots, and ran into Barnacle Bill before we even got to the bar.
We ended up turning into "The Saloon" and joined the rest of the partiers. Even Joe the Plumber was there campaigning!
Naturally for a girl as pretty as Sally, making new friends was quite easy.
The non-obnoxious Elvis even lost his hair for her, but ....
Some of her new buddies were definitely in better condition than others.
As the night progressed, it began to get more than a little creepy though...
So we left in a cloud of dust!
BUT, LET THE SUNSHINE...
LET THE SUNSHINE IN!!!
Sally treated us to a ride on the Long Island Railroad to Manhattan where I had my 1st Nathan's Famous Hot Dog. 
She also surprised me with terrific Center seat tickets to Cirque de Soliel.
The show was FABULOUS! Incredible feats of gymnastics and balance were woven into a story of trying to get the snows to come back to the city. 
Which they naturally did. In fact the snowstorm extended out into the audience to the point that it was hard to even see the stage!
These pictures do NOT do the production justice, but they were very strict about photos until the curtain call. I wish I could have shown the Bicycle Cops, or the Guys balancing on the pipes. It was just unbelievable!
NOV. WAS TIME FOR GOBBLEFEST ON ST. MARTIN
Sally finally arrived on Sint. Maarten. We moved over to Saint. Martin's Old Mt. Vernon resort. It's been converted to excellent condominiums right on Orient Beach.
Yes! There were beautiful sights on Orient Beach
One day we walked past Club Orient's nude beach and cautiously went through the bushes full of robbers, to El Galleon where we had been in 2006.
Spent a day shopping and "sampling" in Marigot. It ended with bread, cheese and Caribs. (NO! We did not have Subway sandwiches),
That was followed by a lovely sunset with an even lovelier girl.
DEC. 10, 2004 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
To 2004
To 2005
To 2006
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To 2009
To 2010
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To 2012
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