August 17-Bonus Dinner with Daughter
As a mom of three, there is nothing I treasure more than time with my children. This summer’s last minute trip looping through Oregon and California was sparked by my older son’s invitation to visit him in the Bay Area where he works and my daughter goes to school. I had the great honor and privilege of hiking, exploring, and sharing meals with Ethan and Eleanor for much of last week before heading south.
As I am now traveling north after staying near Fresno for several wonderful days with my dear friends Kathy and DW Nesper, I was able to get in a bonus dinner with my daughter, stopping off in Oakland for one more night before continuing towards home. To my double delight, her boyfriend Jonathan was also able to join us. This evening’s meal was the perfect way to celebrate the end of a great visit.
Last week Eleanor and I hiked around Lake Anza in the Tilden Regional Park, nestled into the Berkeley hills just east of the city. This man-made reservoir filled with blue green water is in rural woodlands brimming with Coast live oaks with sturdy spreading branches, tall California bay trees with glossy leaves, and groves of tall Eucalyptus with peeling bark and beautiful brown trunks.
With my leg still in recovery mode, Eleanor kindly helped me navigate around the myriad of tree roots reaching across the dirt trail covered with leaves, scouting ahead to find the best route, and reaching for my hand on the particularly steep sections where my hiking poles were not sufficient for the task.
She and I also shared a fantastic afternoon exploring Presidio together, braving the cold and wind while taking in Baker Beach, Fort Point, and the hilltop residences in the former military barracks, an outing that was especially fun because it was mostly unplanned and a spontaneous adventure after a barbeque lunch with my son earlier in the day.
Another day Eleanor and I had fun helping Ethan do some shopping and sharing an exceptional authentic Korean meal with him and his girlfriend. My daughter and I managed to fit in a variety of other meals and snacks together including tea with steamed milk, an all you can eat hot pot dinner, and boba tea.
This evening I picked up Eleanor and Jonathan on the Berkely campus, and we headed to Mumu Hot Pot in Emeryville where we feasted on a huge spread of delicious beef, lamb, fish, shrimp, vegetables and noodles, all dipped in flavorful concoctions we created from the sauce bar ingredients provided.
Afterwards we enjoyed a brisk walk along the shoreline in the crisp evening air, taking in views of seagulls on the sand, Treasure Island in the bay, and the lights on the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge twinkling in the setting sun. What a great day on the road!
