Run/walk on the beach to two gun coffee

Call glass door S&H Glass Systems (Orlando)

Call Beach Cities Tree Care (Houston)

Watch sunset

Yosemite 2023

 Yosemite 8/16 to 8/18/23

Yosemite Get away. (Aug  16-18, 2023)

1. Highlight….Stay at Autocamp Yosemite at Midpines near Mariposa! Cool glamping experience with the sound of toad keeping you awake at night 

1. El Capitan (grand view as you enter the park)
2. Bridalveil Fall (saw it as you enter the park)
3. Park at Curry Village
4. Hike to Vernal Falls via JMT to Clark Point and saw Nevada Fall (this took 5 hours which took most of the day… I didn’t wear the right shoe since I wasn’t prepared for this…..)
5. Bike around Yosemite Village (stopped at the store for refreshments and shop for a t shirt)
6. Bike to Yosemite Fall view (upper and lower)
7. Valley Chapel (bike there)- still have meetings on weekdays and services on Sundays
8. Saw many bridges, 5 waterfalls
9. Saw Merced river
10. Saw Half Dome (during Vernal Fall hike, during bike ride)
11. Need to revisit since there were so many more sights we missed!

Anacapa Island

Family time (celebrate Paul and Timothy's birthday and M&M's anniversary)

Stay at 

Residence Inn Oxnard River Ridge 6/30-7/2/23

Channel Islands (Galapagos of N. America)

We rode with Island Packers to Anacapa Island

 Lighthouse

Hike to inspiration point

Seagulls, babies, and egg

The famous arch

What we ate: 

Sumo Japanese 

Trader Joes wraps

Sabor Mexican 

Helsinki

 We went on a 12 day Scandinavia cruise with Celebrity in 2023...Here's the highlight on day 6.

 Day 6 Helsinki, Finland (5/30/23)- happiest country in the world

Founded in the 16th century by the King of Sweden, Helsinki was originally established to rival the bustling trading port of Tallinn. Unfortunately, growth was slow and most of the city died during the plague of 1710. It wasn’t until the Russians annexed the region that it started to develop and grow into the city it is today! 

We did a self walking tour since Paul has been here before.

As soon as we get off the ship, we walked into market where many birds are gathered for food.- spotted reindeer hot dog and some goodies

• Helsinki Cathedral- Neoclassical style located at Senate square

• Central Market Hall- have seafood soup!
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• Uspenski Cathedral-is considered to be the largest Orthodox temple in Western Europe.
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• Lovers bridge- next to the cathedral
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• Espanade Park- walk and have lunch there.
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• Rock church- don’t miss it when visiting Helsinki
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• Watch sauna culture in Finland
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Walk along the Embarcadero

 A 5 mile walk to Epic Steak and back with Mariko

Walk by Crane Cove

View of Bay Bridge

Lunch at Epic Steak: Crab cake Benedict and Duck confit hash.

Bonus: Pastry chef came by with dog treats!

Walk by Chase Center back (seeing Mirrors and Warriors fans!!!)

Naoshima and Teshima: Cycling Japan's Art Island

 

Naoshima is an island in the Seto Inland Sea, famous for its contemporary art and the superb Benesse House Museum. But this island offers an intense surreal experience for more than just the art-lovers......

It was a sunny day, we took the ferry over from Uno port.

Wait, there's a story... In Japan, when you buy ferry ticket, it's cash only... there were a couple at the ticket booth seemed to be helpless since they don't have cash.... Paul immediately step over to help them...

This was a happy story since we later became Facebook friends and they ended up getting engaged.

Back to our journey to the island.... We booked My Lodge Naoshima, almost everyone at the port going there booked the same hotel. We have 2 nights there.

Arrived on Sunday, we discovered the whole island has very little restaurants and shops, so we apt to eat breakfast and dinner at our hotel. It turned out to be a wonderful decision since all the meals were delicious.

Lunch we go to 7 eleven.

Last night there we had curry at this cute restaurant that only have limited menu and opens at time that they want. They were couple from US that moved to Japan. Very sweet couple, we enjoyed our last night there.

Here are some of the art we saw on the island: Naoshima Pavillon

Since most of the museums were closed on Mondays, we choose to go to Teshima Island instead on Monday.