Every year the hubs and I are blessed to be able to go to the Calvary Chapel Youth Worker's Conference in Murrieta Hot Springs, CA.
It's such a great time to spend some time together (and poor hubby needed a break from work) and we try and do some fun things while we are on the mainland.
This year (and last year) we went to Mosaic - it's a church on Hollywood Blvd. and we listen to their podcast so it's so fun to go for a Sunday and hear Hank or Erwin live. We got a great airbnb up in Hollywood Hills and it had a gorgeous view.
Then we headed out to Murrieta and were there for four days - I of course was on yelp scouting eating locations - lol - and I had been following an amazing place on Instagram that is in Temecula and we ended up going there twice. Eat Marketplace - so, so good. I highly recommend it if you are in the area - they even have kombucha on tap - mmmm!
We had a wonderful time at the conference and have made some great friends there. On Thursday we headed back to LAX and flew to San Francisco for the night. I had been before but it was hubby's first time. We stayed right near Union Square - I don't know if us country folk were prepared for the big city. Ha ha!
We had so much fun though - walked for hours on Thursday night. Had dinner at Naked Lunch which was really good and then walked down to the Ferry Building and all around.
The next morning we got coffee at Blue Bottle, rode the cable car, walked some more, and then met Amanda for lunch at the Ferry Building.
I was so excited to finally meet her after knowing her online for forever!! We had lunch at one of the cute cafes there and then walked all around checking out all the goodies. Wish I had had more time to cruise around - got the BEST cookies of my life from Miette. Oh my goodness - their gingersnaps are amazing.
Then we rented a car to drive up to Redding and stay with my brother-in-law for a few days. But before we left San Francisco we drove around Golden Gate park and went to the Sutro Baths. So pretty - I love how different the beaches are on the Pacific Coast compared to Hawaii.
I actually got to catch up with TWO long-time online/Flickr friends and they both happened to be named Amanda. Ha ha!
We met up with mrsmcporkchop and her wonderful hubby on the way up to Redding and had such a fun time at dinner with them. I'm so thankful for both these ladies and their long-time friendship (and for driving out of their way to meet up with me) - love you ladies!!
Our visit to Redding was wonderful too. It had been a few years since we saw my brother-in-law and his family and I know Hubby really loved spending time with his brother.
We got to go snow-tubing up on Mount Shasta - it was SO fun!! It was only the second time I'd ever been in snow!
Redding is such a pretty town - loved the sundial bridge. Next time we will have to bring the kids.
We really packed a lot into our trip but it never felt rushed or jam-packed. It was so fun hanging out with friends and family and just seeing new places.
And getting to spend time with this guy. That was my favorite part.
