Found my long lost cousins!!

Since our last blog we spent a week with my first cousin Lou and his wife Lorie.  They live in San Carlos, CA about 25 miles from San Francisco.  We haven't seen each other for years and really never knew them while growing up.   But it sure was great to re-connect.  They were very gracious host/hostess, opening their home for us non-stop for a week.   Both are excellent cooks (Italians....would you expect anything less?) and I'm sure we both gained at least 10 pounds.  

 They are in their early 80's and I should have as much energy now,  let alone when I reach their age.   They are always on the move with various interest and activities.   Lou makes silver jewelry and vases from antique silverware and succulent shadow boxes.   Lorie, while very active in the church, makes rosary bracelets, crotchets prayer shawls, chemo beanies and has an impressive aviary in the backyard.  

Me with cousins Lou and Lorie at their home.

Succulent shadow box

Lou hard at work making bracelets

Finished product

Lorie's new baby canaries

Lorie's brother Pete took us on a driving tour of San Francisco one day.   I am still amazed they build on the hills and the unusual architecture.  He showed us some of the most expensive homes, on streets now banned to tour buses.  Took a very scenic drive overlooking Alcatraz and Angel Island.   

A single residence, in the heart of the city, estimated at a value of over $50 million.
No big deal....we'll take 2!

And how can you talk about San Francisco without a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge?

We visited Fort Baker, a scenic army post that played a key role in the defense of the San Francisco Bay from 1866 till after World War II and is now in the National Register of Historic Places.   It sits on a hill with spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island and the city.

Another afternoon Mark, Lou's oldest son, took us on a tour of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  Our last visit to San Franciso area was in 2003 and we did not have time to visit the Aquarium, so it was a real treat. Not only did Mark take time away from his business,  he fit this adventure in between a trip to Phoenix for his neices graduation and a 2 week trip to Italy.  He visits the aquarium frequently and is a great tour guide.   

We took over 100 pictures, but these are some  of my favorites.
Moon Jelly Fish.

Flat Fish

A rare view of an octopus, who apparently hardly ever comes out.

Funny....the shrimp I eat never look like this!

And the fog rolls in over the bridge.   

Good-bye San Francisco.

My connection is vvvvvveeeerrryyyy sssssssssllllllllllllllooooooooooooowwww, so I'll blog our trip north to Santa Rosa to visit my other cousin,  Ines, Lou's sister, in the next couple of days.

Hope all is well.