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Finally!
I finally am sharing all the pictures I took while Nick was here for six weeks visiting the States. I wanted Nick to see as much as possible of the s, so we took several trips. The first was San Francisco. Six days of fun and experiences neither of us had had before. It was a roller coaster at times, but I'll talk about that down yonder. We both definitely left San Fransisco with lots of thoughts. I can't believe I didn't take a picture of our hotel, but we stayed at the Pickwick, a historical hotel that had lotsa charm. Maltese Falcon was filmed there, and it is in the heart of a really cool area. Our friend Chelsea (CHELSEAAA!!!!) met us there and we adored her so much we made her take her Spring Break with us. We also got to spend an evening with the always amazing and fascinating and inspiring![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
pir8fancier. That was sooo much fun! We didn't want her to leave. So glad we got to spend some time together!
Next up--San Antonio. Nick needed to take a test to prove he is the master that he is at English (smile) and we chose San Antonio. We had a very interesting Motel (lol) to stay in. It amused us, could've been a bit scary, was waayyy south of downtown, and we started to laugh at the outside doors. But, the good news was inside the room was big and spacious, lots of blankets (Nick has to have his own you see). San Antonio was interesting, but not honestly on our list of cities to ever go back to. The river walk was very nice. Lots of Air Force kids around with parents and family. Didn't bother going inside the Alamo because of course that cost money.
After SA was Shannon--she spent her Spring Break with us too, and we went to a Mavs game. They won--slaughtered the opponent--too easily, but it was still lots of fun.
After Shannon left, Chelsea came and visited here. She and Nick took my car every day and got to see different parts of Fort Worth, from zoos to Museums to...just everywhere. I was so jealous--stuck at work! LOL. Easter took place also while Chelsea was here so we painted eggs.
Last trip was to Florida. That was so much fun! Both of us liked Orlando alot--so green and pretty, and lots of great places we could walk our dogs. We quickly found some favorite areas. We like to walk around and so found several places that the greatness who iskatilara suggested. Turns out, damn good thing we had a friend in Orlando who could tell us nice places to go.
Back from Florida--time passed too quickly. Leaving each other was so damn hard--it always is--but things are looking very very good for us to be together again soon.
Okay here you go--pictures with commentary! See beneath the cut!
The very first picture that Nick asked me to take on our way downtown for the first time happened to be an accident of all things. Most of the pictures were actually taken with his mum and dad in mind--lol--always looking for interesting things that I could take with my cell phone (all pictures here taken with my cell except one of me and Nick at Universal).
Nick in Starbucks downtown. It started out cold, but by the time he left, it was warm. :)
Downtown Fort Worth--Bass Performance Hall
We went to IHOP for pancakes! Nick loved IHOP. In Florida, the one we went to made him oatmeal all special, just for him, even though it isn't on the menu. Little charmer. LOL.
Thai restaurant--the first one we went to upon arriving in San Francisco.
After we ate, we walked through the one area we should not have--the Tenderloin District. Oh my. It was both sad and scary, honestly--lots of homeless, drugged out people. Finally we made it to the next district. We wanted to see the Civic Center, and finally got there.
Scary gnarled trees outside center
View inside the dome
The architecture is lovely isn't it?
Nick posing for me
Later that night, after we gathered our wits and got back to the hotel, we went the other direction to see what was, well, in that direction. Lo and behold we saw a movie theater, and Sweeney Todd was playing. We both had wanted to see it, and neither had been able to, so we bought tickets for a later show. Sadly, we did not get to see the whole thing because some drugged out cackling chick decided to sit in there too. She ruined it for us both. Between her cackling and bouncing around and moving around, eventually smack dab in front of us--all our pleasure was ruined. We left. Our first day in SF was not as we had hoped.
Thankfully, it got better.
San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens. Not far from our hotel either--and finding it calmed us both. We also talked to Chelsea on the phone for the first time. Now...Chelsea's much younger than us, and her mum was I think somewhat worried about her child coming to SF for the first time--it was US her mum should've worried about! Chelsea thankfully got us laughing again. LOL. Too bad about the movie, huh, but removing that woman would've done nothing to save what had already been screwed up.
Yerba Buena Gardens--Saucer Magnolia and Nick's back
Yerba Buena Gardens--scary many-handed statue
Outside of the SF MOMA - strange things in there... LOL. Amazing building though isn't it?
Yerba Buena Gardens--Nick next to the Butterfly Garden
We took the trolley down to the Hyde St. Pier where there are some lovely restored ships.
Crazily enough, we ended up taking not just one bay tour but two. Plus another one to Alcatraz--later on that though. In any case--this was cruise number one. It was a gorgeous day, and Nick and I were on board with a whole bunch of disobedient Japanese tourists. A couple of them decided to climb up on top, past the barrier--you know, the one that is across the ladder to keep people DOWN? LOL. We had a nice cruise though.
Nick obediently learning all about the Bay.
Goofy picture of me and Nick on the ship
Pretty Golden Gate and sailboat
Nicholas and the US Flag :) I like this picture.
Bye Bye Alcatraz--for now....
Nick decided that we needed to see Coit Tower. And...did not want to ride the bus or trolley or whatever. So, our only option was the 500,000,000 stairs going straight up up up up...oh wow, it was tiring, but amazing too. Sense of victory! We reached the top and Nick's parents called (or Nick called them--I forget which). Nick's parents, especially his dad, were very much into learning all the facts about San Francisco. So his dad knew all about Coit Tower. We grinned on the way up--a darling elderly Japanese man ran the elevator, sharing facts about the tower. Too funny--I could barely understand his accent, and Nick couldn't at all.
Coit Tower, our destination:
The evil stairs:
View of the Bay partway up.
View of Alcatraz from the top of Coit Tower
And, view of the city
Nick in Coit Tower--I guess you can see who takes all the pictures? :)
This picture really doesn't need much explanation. While walking down to the docks, we ran across this picture on the sidewalk. Of course, I had to take a picture and send it straightaway to my friend Tammie:
Nick has an element of creative silly in him. We were expecting our friend Chelsea to join us on Friday, so Nick got the idea to make a sign to welcome her with. Iago--ah yes, our dear redhead from Othello whom Chelsea plays on Seaside. She is a huge Iago fan, and while she was here we watched Othello, and I also later bought it to read. We brought this from Fort Worth but when it came time to hold it up, guess who got embarrassed? So I held it--we got funny amused looks for some reason. LOL. Chelsea loved it though.
And this is Nick and Chelsea!
One of the things we had been planning to do Saturday with Chelsea was to go to Alcatraz. I bought tickets for all three of us ahead of time. Imagine how thoroughly pissed off I was to discover that the fleet I bought from only went AROUND the damn island--did not stop there. Talk about deceptive website wording! The woman obviously had to put up with LOTS of unhappy ticket holders. I was so mad. That was the BIG reason we wanted to go to SA. We stormed over to the other fleet that DID stop there--sold out, so we bought tickets for 9 a.m. Sunday morning, the day we all three left.
So...we stomped back, and took cruise of the Bay No. 2. Now...what was so amazing and wonderful was the cold crisp day brought tons of sailboats out. This picture is my favorite out of all the ones I took, and is my wallpaper at work:
This one is pretty too. Heck the whole day was pretty, and much to Chelsea's amazement, some relatives were on the cruise ship too.
Later Saturday, after we enjoyed lunch at Bodin's Bakery (grilled cheese and tomato soup--our fav combos) we made our way to another area of town. Chelsea wanted to visit a leather shop, so we found one close by, Stormy Leather. On the way, we saw this way cool building. Interesting outer decor, isn't it? (and...Nick and Chelsea had lots of fun at the leather shop--I was more amused watching them than anything!)
Oh and I quote from chat that I am having right now with Chelsea: And then while we were walking we discussed sadistic fantasies about Chelsea's and Nick's RP characters to the probable great amusement of Carolyn's."
And this cool storefront had these little dolls--ahem--Chelsea says they were CREEPY little dolls, and she is right.
Next, we went to China Town. Nick wanted a sword, so I got him one. I have some hilarious videos too--though Nick might kill me if I put them up here. So maybe I will, if I can remember where I put them...
Both Friday and Saturday nights, we ended up in the Castro district. We had lots of fun there..Nick and I also went there Friday before going to get Chelsea. We had breakfast and Starbucks there. Nick loves Starbucks--none in Kiel, and the ones in Hamburg are way expensive. There is also a very nice bookstore, and a great cookie place that was fun. Friday night, we ate in a purple Thai restaurant--delicious! And...Saturday, we ate pizzas there. It was very interesting. We saw a master and his slave there--and ordered the biggest 'small' pizzas we'd ever seen. So much leftover we gave it to a homeless man who had a cute puppy. The homeless man was young--I hope he finds a way to get out of that cycle. It is vicious, and sad, and...homeless are just everywhere in SA. Funny how I swore I never saw any in FW--and since I've been back? Been more aware, and have seen more.
Onward to the next morning... and at last...ALCATRAZ!!!!!
Shores of freedom--oh so far, and yet kinda close.
Steps leading to somewhere.
The cell block. Nick took a shot of this and used it as his phone wallpaper.
Guard tower
Nick liked this--it is the crematorium I think
Nick and Chelsea imagining what it would be like to live in this cell. I think their imaginations are a bit questionable--they thought it would be cool to put their characters in there. At least they didn't think it would be cool for THEM to be in there--I don't think... LOL.
Shudder. This section was away from the general population. This is Nick and Chelsea in a solitary cell.
Me inside a solitary cell looking out.
Nick in front of a cell.
Dinner Menu!!! The rule was take all you want to eat but eat all that you take. The prisoners at Alcatraz ate damn well, apparently. One of the few good things about living in such a fiercely strict environment.
Nick trying to reach a key--
The burned out, destroyed buildings of Alcatraz were beautiful in their own way--flowers and plants were all over the place, softening the starkness.
And Nick--not sure what he was playing at here...lol.
There were lovely gardens, where the families of Alcatraz--there were children there too--grew vegetables. Well behaved prisoners got to work the gardens.
I hope no one walks out of this door...
Nick wanted a copy of the rule book. The rules that these men had to follow were strict and complex. They had to be neat at all times, and the schedule very strict also. Makes one wonder--if Alcatraz rules were imposed today, would prisoners find them unconstitutional? Quite probably.
Okay Chelsea agrees with me--Part II will be posted tomorrow. This is just covering barely the first week and a half of Nick's visit! More pics and text tomorrow. In the meantime--please comment, I love comments. I like knowing who checks these out. LOL.
Carolyn
I finally am sharing all the pictures I took while Nick was here for six weeks visiting the States. I wanted Nick to see as much as possible of the s, so we took several trips. The first was San Francisco. Six days of fun and experiences neither of us had had before. It was a roller coaster at times, but I'll talk about that down yonder. We both definitely left San Fransisco with lots of thoughts. I can't believe I didn't take a picture of our hotel, but we stayed at the Pickwick, a historical hotel that had lotsa charm. Maltese Falcon was filmed there, and it is in the heart of a really cool area. Our friend Chelsea (CHELSEAAA!!!!) met us there and we adored her so much we made her take her Spring Break with us. We also got to spend an evening with the always amazing and fascinating and inspiring
pir8fancier. That was sooo much fun! We didn't want her to leave. So glad we got to spend some time together! Next up--San Antonio. Nick needed to take a test to prove he is the master that he is at English (smile) and we chose San Antonio. We had a very interesting Motel (lol) to stay in. It amused us, could've been a bit scary, was waayyy south of downtown, and we started to laugh at the outside doors. But, the good news was inside the room was big and spacious, lots of blankets (Nick has to have his own you see). San Antonio was interesting, but not honestly on our list of cities to ever go back to. The river walk was very nice. Lots of Air Force kids around with parents and family. Didn't bother going inside the Alamo because of course that cost money.
After SA was Shannon--she spent her Spring Break with us too, and we went to a Mavs game. They won--slaughtered the opponent--too easily, but it was still lots of fun.
After Shannon left, Chelsea came and visited here. She and Nick took my car every day and got to see different parts of Fort Worth, from zoos to Museums to...just everywhere. I was so jealous--stuck at work! LOL. Easter took place also while Chelsea was here so we painted eggs.
Last trip was to Florida. That was so much fun! Both of us liked Orlando alot--so green and pretty, and lots of great places we could walk our dogs. We quickly found some favorite areas. We like to walk around and so found several places that the greatness who is
katilara suggested. Turns out, damn good thing we had a friend in Orlando who could tell us nice places to go.Back from Florida--time passed too quickly. Leaving each other was so damn hard--it always is--but things are looking very very good for us to be together again soon.
Okay here you go--pictures with commentary! See beneath the cut!
The very first picture that Nick asked me to take on our way downtown for the first time happened to be an accident of all things. Most of the pictures were actually taken with his mum and dad in mind--lol--always looking for interesting things that I could take with my cell phone (all pictures here taken with my cell except one of me and Nick at Universal).
Nick in Starbucks downtown. It started out cold, but by the time he left, it was warm. :)
Downtown Fort Worth--Bass Performance Hall
We went to IHOP for pancakes! Nick loved IHOP. In Florida, the one we went to made him oatmeal all special, just for him, even though it isn't on the menu. Little charmer. LOL.
Thai restaurant--the first one we went to upon arriving in San Francisco.
After we ate, we walked through the one area we should not have--the Tenderloin District. Oh my. It was both sad and scary, honestly--lots of homeless, drugged out people. Finally we made it to the next district. We wanted to see the Civic Center, and finally got there.
Scary gnarled trees outside center
View inside the dome
The architecture is lovely isn't it?
Nick posing for me
Later that night, after we gathered our wits and got back to the hotel, we went the other direction to see what was, well, in that direction. Lo and behold we saw a movie theater, and Sweeney Todd was playing. We both had wanted to see it, and neither had been able to, so we bought tickets for a later show. Sadly, we did not get to see the whole thing because some drugged out cackling chick decided to sit in there too. She ruined it for us both. Between her cackling and bouncing around and moving around, eventually smack dab in front of us--all our pleasure was ruined. We left. Our first day in SF was not as we had hoped.
Thankfully, it got better.
San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens. Not far from our hotel either--and finding it calmed us both. We also talked to Chelsea on the phone for the first time. Now...Chelsea's much younger than us, and her mum was I think somewhat worried about her child coming to SF for the first time--it was US her mum should've worried about! Chelsea thankfully got us laughing again. LOL. Too bad about the movie, huh, but removing that woman would've done nothing to save what had already been screwed up.
Yerba Buena Gardens--Saucer Magnolia and Nick's back
Yerba Buena Gardens--scary many-handed statue
Outside of the SF MOMA - strange things in there... LOL. Amazing building though isn't it?
Yerba Buena Gardens--Nick next to the Butterfly Garden
We took the trolley down to the Hyde St. Pier where there are some lovely restored ships.
Crazily enough, we ended up taking not just one bay tour but two. Plus another one to Alcatraz--later on that though. In any case--this was cruise number one. It was a gorgeous day, and Nick and I were on board with a whole bunch of disobedient Japanese tourists. A couple of them decided to climb up on top, past the barrier--you know, the one that is across the ladder to keep people DOWN? LOL. We had a nice cruise though.
Nick obediently learning all about the Bay.
Goofy picture of me and Nick on the ship
Pretty Golden Gate and sailboat
Nicholas and the US Flag :) I like this picture.
Bye Bye Alcatraz--for now....
Nick decided that we needed to see Coit Tower. And...did not want to ride the bus or trolley or whatever. So, our only option was the 500,000,000 stairs going straight up up up up...oh wow, it was tiring, but amazing too. Sense of victory! We reached the top and Nick's parents called (or Nick called them--I forget which). Nick's parents, especially his dad, were very much into learning all the facts about San Francisco. So his dad knew all about Coit Tower. We grinned on the way up--a darling elderly Japanese man ran the elevator, sharing facts about the tower. Too funny--I could barely understand his accent, and Nick couldn't at all.
Coit Tower, our destination:
The evil stairs:
View of the Bay partway up.
View of Alcatraz from the top of Coit Tower
And, view of the city
Nick in Coit Tower--I guess you can see who takes all the pictures? :)
This picture really doesn't need much explanation. While walking down to the docks, we ran across this picture on the sidewalk. Of course, I had to take a picture and send it straightaway to my friend Tammie:
Nick has an element of creative silly in him. We were expecting our friend Chelsea to join us on Friday, so Nick got the idea to make a sign to welcome her with. Iago--ah yes, our dear redhead from Othello whom Chelsea plays on Seaside. She is a huge Iago fan, and while she was here we watched Othello, and I also later bought it to read. We brought this from Fort Worth but when it came time to hold it up, guess who got embarrassed? So I held it--we got funny amused looks for some reason. LOL. Chelsea loved it though.
And this is Nick and Chelsea!
One of the things we had been planning to do Saturday with Chelsea was to go to Alcatraz. I bought tickets for all three of us ahead of time. Imagine how thoroughly pissed off I was to discover that the fleet I bought from only went AROUND the damn island--did not stop there. Talk about deceptive website wording! The woman obviously had to put up with LOTS of unhappy ticket holders. I was so mad. That was the BIG reason we wanted to go to SA. We stormed over to the other fleet that DID stop there--sold out, so we bought tickets for 9 a.m. Sunday morning, the day we all three left.
So...we stomped back, and took cruise of the Bay No. 2. Now...what was so amazing and wonderful was the cold crisp day brought tons of sailboats out. This picture is my favorite out of all the ones I took, and is my wallpaper at work:
This one is pretty too. Heck the whole day was pretty, and much to Chelsea's amazement, some relatives were on the cruise ship too.
Later Saturday, after we enjoyed lunch at Bodin's Bakery (grilled cheese and tomato soup--our fav combos) we made our way to another area of town. Chelsea wanted to visit a leather shop, so we found one close by, Stormy Leather. On the way, we saw this way cool building. Interesting outer decor, isn't it? (and...Nick and Chelsea had lots of fun at the leather shop--I was more amused watching them than anything!)
Oh and I quote from chat that I am having right now with Chelsea: And then while we were walking we discussed sadistic fantasies about Chelsea's and Nick's RP characters to the probable great amusement of Carolyn's."
And this cool storefront had these little dolls--ahem--Chelsea says they were CREEPY little dolls, and she is right.
Next, we went to China Town. Nick wanted a sword, so I got him one. I have some hilarious videos too--though Nick might kill me if I put them up here. So maybe I will, if I can remember where I put them...
Both Friday and Saturday nights, we ended up in the Castro district. We had lots of fun there..Nick and I also went there Friday before going to get Chelsea. We had breakfast and Starbucks there. Nick loves Starbucks--none in Kiel, and the ones in Hamburg are way expensive. There is also a very nice bookstore, and a great cookie place that was fun. Friday night, we ate in a purple Thai restaurant--delicious! And...Saturday, we ate pizzas there. It was very interesting. We saw a master and his slave there--and ordered the biggest 'small' pizzas we'd ever seen. So much leftover we gave it to a homeless man who had a cute puppy. The homeless man was young--I hope he finds a way to get out of that cycle. It is vicious, and sad, and...homeless are just everywhere in SA. Funny how I swore I never saw any in FW--and since I've been back? Been more aware, and have seen more.
Onward to the next morning... and at last...ALCATRAZ!!!!!
Shores of freedom--oh so far, and yet kinda close.
Steps leading to somewhere.
The cell block. Nick took a shot of this and used it as his phone wallpaper.
Guard tower
Nick liked this--it is the crematorium I think
Nick and Chelsea imagining what it would be like to live in this cell. I think their imaginations are a bit questionable--they thought it would be cool to put their characters in there. At least they didn't think it would be cool for THEM to be in there--I don't think... LOL.
Shudder. This section was away from the general population. This is Nick and Chelsea in a solitary cell.
Me inside a solitary cell looking out.
Nick in front of a cell.
Dinner Menu!!! The rule was take all you want to eat but eat all that you take. The prisoners at Alcatraz ate damn well, apparently. One of the few good things about living in such a fiercely strict environment.
Nick trying to reach a key--
The burned out, destroyed buildings of Alcatraz were beautiful in their own way--flowers and plants were all over the place, softening the starkness.
And Nick--not sure what he was playing at here...lol.
There were lovely gardens, where the families of Alcatraz--there were children there too--grew vegetables. Well behaved prisoners got to work the gardens.
I hope no one walks out of this door...
Nick wanted a copy of the rule book. The rules that these men had to follow were strict and complex. They had to be neat at all times, and the schedule very strict also. Makes one wonder--if Alcatraz rules were imposed today, would prisoners find them unconstitutional? Quite probably.
Okay Chelsea agrees with me--Part II will be posted tomorrow. This is just covering barely the first week and a half of Nick's visit! More pics and text tomorrow. In the meantime--please comment, I love comments. I like knowing who checks these out. LOL.
Carolyn
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-20 07:30 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-20 11:52 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-20 01:54 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-20 01:58 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-20 06:10 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-20 07:11 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-23 02:58 pm (UTC)I enjoyed all these pictures, especially the ones of San Francisco. :) Probably as close as I will ever get to it.
Glad you and Nick had such a good time.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-24 01:25 am (UTC)