THE WEDDING IN THE REDWOODS

Wednesday we arrived at our campsite for Julia’s wedding.  It was in the middle of the Redwood Forest and we were ready to be in one place for a while.  After settling in, we went to supper in San Jose.  Santa Cruz would have been a better choice.  As we were driving Bert, the truck, his air conditioner failed.  We were hot unhappy campers.

Thursday we drove into San Francisco and walked along Fisherman’s Wharf.  Since we were meeting Julia and company for supper, we realized that Fisherman’s Wharf didn’t have much to offer except views and restaurants.  We drove by the Painted Ladies and sent pictures back to Mollie, teasing her about the lack of gray ones! 

We met Julia and Chris, Rosanna, Michael and Jen and Chris’s family at a Food Truck event in the Presidio.  It was Food Truck “Friday” (or Thursday!) done right.  The trucks lined a 3 or 4 block linear park overlooking San Francisco Bay.  Clamshell tents were scattered about to protect you from the wind.  They were first come first serve along with plastic Adirondack chairs (or you could reserve them for $100).  We got the last free one on the last row.  A band was set up near the bay.  They also had propane heaters scattered about, and they became the favored spots when the sunset and the temperature dropped.  The food was great and everyone got something different.  It was a lot of fun to be with our family and to meet Chris’ family.

Friday was the rehearsal dinner at the wedding venue.  They had a portable wood fired pizza oven and the venue under the redwoods was stunning.  George and Rosa, and Karen, Lisa, and Lil arrived and completed the Park contingent.  The wedding party had moved from San Francisco to the “tree houses” at the venue. 

Lil Ready to fill her plate and handing out napkins

Saturday we all gathered about 2:30 for the 3 o’clock wedding.  The groomsmen arrived via a path through the redwoods and Julia made a stunning bride.  The service was absolutely wonderful including a special poem that was Charlie’s favorite, and a tribute from their friends that was very heartwarming.  After a cocktail hour, dinner was served under the trees followed by dancing in the barn.  It was a great event.  It was definitely a “millennial” event, as it was streamed live over the internet, and captured on more phones than you could count!!  It can be viewed for a month at:  www.upstream.tv/channel/dacb9mPX3Ec .  As young as the crowd was, the older generation was able to dance to the predominating “oldies” such as Sweet Caroline and Shout!

Talking to Emily and Mamie on the phone after the ceremony

Two brothers

                                        The Parks and the Crowders

Michael, making a manic entrance to the dinner reception

Karen and Rosanna dancing the night away!

Sunday, we said good by to the Redwoods and drove into Santa Cruz, leaving Bessie at a Costco and taking Bert to a sports bar where we watched the Panthers beat the Jaguars over breakfast.  It really feels odd to have eggs and bacon as tailgate food.  The bar was crowded and friendly with a few other Panther and 2 Jaguar fans.  Most were there to watch either the Seahawks or Green Bay.

As I write this we are moving south on #1 and seeing “strawberry fields forever!”  Once in a while they are replaced with artichokes, cabbages or lettuce.  And once in a while, we aren’t sure what we are seeing growing.  They need to put up signs for us city folks!! Occasionally the Pacific will peek through on my right (west) and we are looking forward to our campground in Morro Bay by the ocean.