Got to meet bamatone in the flesh yesterday! :) We figured that I've probably known him online for about 6-7 years now. (That's true for most of you who are on my LJ friend's list.) So, he was able to come out to San Francisco for a special event but had a couple of days where nothing was planned. I don't like thinking of anyone coming to California for the first time and only seeing San Francisco and thinking that's all there is!! LOL! Now, I know bamatone is not that narrow-minded but still I thought he might enjoy getting out of the city at least for one day.

The first thing we did (Leah was with me) was to cross the Golden Gate Bridge and park on the north side for some pictures. Then we took him to Sonoma County and drove him out to the coast. We showed him the location where Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds was filmed, had lunch at The Tides (where we were greatly entertained by watching him eat raw oysters *cringe*), searched in vain for shells on the shore, and then relaxed farther down the road at Armstrong Grove where some of our larger Redwood Trees are located. The drive home afforded a good view of many vineyards. We made a pit stop at my house and played with our kittens then I took him back to the city. All in all a very pleasant day well-spent IMHO. :)

And if anyone else ever finds themselves out in my neck of the woods, LET ME KNOW! I'll be happy to give you a mini-tour too :)