The Traveling Idiots-Where The Tuck Are They Now?: Roaming Point Reyes with the Martins

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Roaming Point Reyes with the Martins

It was a long travel day flying from Tampa to San Francisco. It was made really long by the fact that we didn't leave Tampa until late in the afternoon. By the time we got to San Francisco it would have been well after midnight Tampa time. We then had to deal with a sweet but rather incompetent agent at the car rental counter and drive a little over an hour to get to the Martin household. We were so excited to see Sarah and Joey and the townhouse. They shared with us that the California Kid had tried hard to stay up to see us but that he just couldn't make it. We loved what we could see of the neighborhood and the townhouse, talked a little bit and headed to bed.
When we saw James Saturday morning we couldn't believe our eyes. He's still the cutest kiddo ever (Mimi and Poppy's opinion). What shocked us the most is how much he has grown since we saw him in early July. That smile of his is so precious that he instantly has you wrapped around his finger. One thing that is really cool now is that he is no longer just a "mama and daddies boy". He gives that smile and comes rambling into your waiting arms...........so cool.
Sarah, Joey and James are living in San Rafael which is just 15 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. While their townhouse isn't "waterfront" there is actually a view of the bay in the distance from their patio and kitchen. There is so much to explore in this area that heading off in any direction is going to take you to an interesting destination. We opted to head out to the Point Reyes National Seashore which was just a short (30-45 min) drive away. The Point Reyes National Seashore Park is over 70,000 acres in size. The Pacific Ocean is on the west side (hence the word "Seashore" in the parks name) and on the east side is Tomales Bay and the San Andres Fault line. Oh well, I guess earthquakes are a minor inconvenience for living out here.
https://www.nps.gov/pore/index.htm
James loved the picnic, hiking, seeing the Elephant Seals, watching the surfers and pretty much everything except getting beach sand on his hands. By the end of the day we had a tired but happy little fella that looked a lot like "pig pen" from the old Peanuts cartoon. Little did he know that there was more to come in the evening. After getting cleaned up and eating dinner his awesome Uncle Ben arrived. He brought with him James's birthday present which is something I think he will enjoy for years to come. Ben had promised to get him an autographed baseball from whatever player has the best game on his birthday (July 9th). He has two balls so far. Eddie Rosario (Minnesota Twins) who went 4 for 5 with a homerun and two doubles on the day he was born. On his first birthday Kyle Freeman (Colorado Rockies) was the top performer pitching 8.1 innings of no hit ball. What a cool Uncle!
Today it's been church at Hillside Church of Marin where Joey is now the Director of Student Ministries. A cookout and lots of football and family time. Hard to beat!
http://www.hillsidemarin.org/