Fall adventures

On a recent stormy day, I went to Apple Hill with Jess and her son Ian. It was rainy off and on, which made for some extra fun. It was Jessie's first real time experiencing Apple Hill, with the exception of a run we did up there a few years ago. We ate apple donuts, apple cider, buffalo burgers, steak fries, and beer. Yep, we toured the Jack Russell Brewery, which I have wanted to do since my early 20's, having grown up in the foothills.

With the rain and being there on a Monday, it was the perfect time to see Apple Hill, especially with two kids in tow. No one was out so there wasn't any traffic to deal with and even though you could tell the salespeople were recovering from a crazy weekend, they were nice and friendly to our kids. We toured the little craft fair and came home with trinkets, pumpkins, donuts, beer, apple butter, caramel corn, and probably more but I can't remember it all. And this "chick in a box" made for a ton of looks and laughs among the crowd. ------------------------------------------------

Last weekend we visited the central coast. Our friends have a family beachhouse that we have been lucky to visit over the past few years and this time was my favorite. I don't know if it was because Maggie was a part of it or because of the wonderful company this time around or because we didn't try to do so much stuff in a weekend where it makes my mind reel.

Highlights included tidepooling out back behind the beachhouse and Adam catching multiple sting rays, the night tour at Hearst Castle, the Elfin Forest nature walk, the 7-mile walk from the beachhouse to Morro Rock, the homecooked king crab leg dinner, and getting to know a very interesting couple.