Bandera and San Francisco

Well there couldn't be two more opposite places to visit - Bandera, TX and San Francisco, CA, but this is where I have been for the last two weeks.

The whole family traveled to Bandera to celebrate the magnificent event of Carita's 75th day of gracing this earth. After all the festivities, we had our own private celebration - a summit of Enchanted Rock. A one mile roundtrip up and back on slick rock with fabulous views of the hill country at the top. The boys, Carita, Heath and I partook in this activity. Carita and Chance were troopers and took the hike as if they did this every day. When we got to the top, there were pools of water from where Tropical Strom Hermine had depositied some rain. We took off the boys clothes except for their jerseys and they swam and frolicked. Oh to be 2 and so carefree!

Chance had the most positive attitude going up and back, saying "Mommy, I can do it!" for which I replied "Chance, everytime you summit a mountain you are looking diabetes in the face and defeating it." He was just over 400 when we stared and 71 when we got back down if that tells you the amount of effort to go up and back.

Some other highlights of our Bandera trip include a visit to Luckenbach to hear some awesome Texas music, live music by the Hales on Carita

and Marshall's front porch and at Mac and Ernies AND a visit to their very cool and ecletic home with the giant century plant and wonderful swimming hole, and the Labor Day Bandera festivities with the family.

Of course, Carita and Marshall couldn't have been more gracious hosts particularly all the food and Marshall cardboarding the do not touch items so we didn't have to send the week saying "no" every two seconds while the boys touched all Marshall's prized possessions.

Fast forward to this week. We returned on Saturday, September 11th and I jumped on a plane on Monday, September 13th. Honestly, I ran to the plane. It has been a long summer with two vivacious toddlers.

I went to San Fran for a west coast team meeting. I now have three folks out there or half my team. I stayed at a wonderful "green" boutique hotel called the Orchard Garden Hotel. There was a rooftop deck where we had drinks one evening. I spent time at Nordstrom, walking the Union Sqare area, working a bunch and went for some very nice dinners and lunches. A highlight was a group dinner at the "Slanted Door" down on the bay. The trip was a very nice break from home and was fantastic to have me and my west coast team together for two days. Definitely, a power summit of ideas.

Back home on the red-eye last night, and in the office today so I didn't miss a beat. Tonight, was tantrum city at home, then happy campers after a walk and a bath.