Clippings

This morning we experienced the only frustration we’ve known this trip: acquiring a rental car. With that tedious and time-consuming negotiation finally under my Philmont belt, we took off for the Golden Gate Bridge, destination: Muir Woods. Words cannot fully describe the wonder and jaw-dropping glory of being among such mammoth beauty. Anemones, woodland fern, wild cucumber vines frame the monument…coastal redwoods which are the oldest living organisms on our planet, dating over 3000 years old and 300 towering feet tall.

The afternoon found us entering the Napa Valley which is when Kenny quietly said, “My wildest dream was still not big enough to hold this day.” Indeed, this had already been the vacation of a lifetime and yet, tomorrow had not even begun. We drove up to visit my shirttail relations, Priscilla and Francis who live in another sort of paradise, an open, inviting cabin on the side of a mountain with a room with a view, and a porch that calls your name. We also scored a used guitar, just in case, and our first taste of famous California vino.