The Pacific Coast Highway

We first decided we needed to take this trip several years ago before we knew we were moving to San Francisco. I even bought a PCH guidebook before we moved to SF. Coincidentally, that was long enough ago that I forgot I bought the guidebook and still haven't used it. 

Once we moved to SF, this trip seemed easier than ever to finally take, but kept getting put on the back burner. Believe it or not (most of you will believe it), the trip was finally set in stone when we found out the new Batman movie The Dark Night Rises was coming out. 

Brent + Jared + Batman = happiness. 

The trip was mostly planned Couchman style (go with the flow), with a few things King style (planned out). We knew we were going to see Batman. Twice. Hearst Castle. Disneyland. And had a few nights in hotels planned out.

Day 1

We drove to Carmel by Sea and stopped for lunch at a place with a beautiful view but less memorable food. The views along the drive are stunning.

We arrived at Hearst Castle early afternoon and took the general tour of the castle. The castle (which is more like a mansion than a castle...I expected a draw bridge and moat) was amazing and the history really interested me. I might have spent too much time that night googling the Hearst family. The details, art, architecture was all so beautiful.  

 

That night we stayed in Avila beach, a few miles outside of San Louis Obispo, in the cutest little hotel. I know this doesn't interest most of you but I must say Avila La Fonda Hotel was the cutest unexpected place. It had some great amenities like serving warm chocolate chip cookies all day, chocolate crouisants for breakfast, pie in the evening, wine and cheese at 5 pm, snacks at cost, dvd and book library, a very nice welcome basket....all included in the room fee which was very affordable considering the location. 

And moving on...

Day 2

We reluctantly left Avila Beach and made it to L.A. just in time to get lunch and catch our first showing of Batman. 

The movie was really good, we had assigned seats, and the theater displayed some costumes and the tumbler (Batman's ride). L.A. was already winning cool points with us. (The glass is so reflective here but that's Batman in between Jared & Brent.)

 

The rest of the day consisted mostly of Batman related nerd talk and eating. And, I finally got to experience ice cream sandwiches at Diddy Riese. 

Day 3 

Disneyland. I don't actually love theme parks but the art and detail at Disneyland is impressive. Also, the short rib at the Blue Bayou restaurant made it worth the trip alone.

It was fun to watch Brent experience the art as an adult. He is especially inspired by Mary Blair who is responsible for most of the It's A Small World art. 

And who doesn't love a good fireworks show to end the day.

We were there from 9ish to 12am. We got to do everything we really wanted to do. As you can see, we had fun! 

Day 4

After Disneyland, we were exhausted. We slept in, took it easy, saw Batman again, and saw a few L.A. sights. A nice and relaxing day. 

Day 5 

Took it easy, checked out the Farmer's Market, Jared met us for dinner, and headed to Venice Beach. 

I didn't really know much about it, but we planned to stay a night at Hotel Erwin on a friends recommendation. Hotel Erwin was a really great hotel and we had the nicest view from our balcony. We first went out for walk on the boardwalk which was interesting...my guidebook (the one I haven't used till now) says " its a a freak show, a human zoo, a wacky carnival and an essential L.A. experience." I don't know about the essential L.A. experience part but I do agree with everything else. It was a relief when we discovered  the mid century inspired shops on Abbot Kinney Blvd. Just our cup of tea:) 

 

We had some great BBQ for dinner to top off our Venice Beach experience. We haven't found any good BBQ in SF so it was a treat. 

Day 6
We had planned to stay in Venice Beach two nights but then decided we would get more out of our trip if we stayed at a different beach town. We decided on Santa Barbara. We fell in love with Santa Barbara. Our hotel The Biltmore, mexican food at Los Arroyos, the beach...it's a beautiful place. Lot's of rest and relaxation going on and a great way to end our trip. 

 Wished we could have made it down to San Diego, but hopefully we'll get back down that way soonish. For anyone looking for a great stateside vacation I highly recommend the PCH. 

Meeting Henry

My sweet nephew Henry was born on June 20, 2012. It was so hard to not be there in the hospital the day he was born. That is one part of living so far away that I still haven't gotten used to. He was a few weeks early but happy and heathy and as you can see, incredibly adorable.

Mom and Dad were (and are) the proudest grandparents! I was super jealous of my family for getting to see Henry before me but I got to visit in August when he was around six weeks old. Henry is playing it cool here but we had the best time. 

Chris and Henry enjoyed some bonding time too. 

Besides playing with his favorite Aunt Linds and Uncle Chris, Henry loves to talk and smile. This picture always makes me sad I live so far away because he is just too cute.

At the end of my stay, my parents and Colorado cousins came to see Henry and the family. We had the best time and it was over too fast!

And last but not least, I got to enjoy a snow cone (I haven't found those in sf) and Hickory Street Cafe!

Spring Is In The Air

We have had the most amazing spring in SF. I have never seen so many consecutive beautiful days since we've lived here! Luckily the fog has not shown its sorry face around here much. This weather is particularly helpful since I bike to work everyday and lost one of my gloves a few months ago. I'm not beating myself up about that though because I am actually impressed that I kept both gloves as long as I did.

Back to spring....we got our bikes at a perfect time. There are days I'm not ready to end my ride. Maybe I'm so impressed with beautiful weather because it is practically non-existent in my hometown of Houston, Tx. I actually bought shorts the other day because it reached the mid 80's. That is about as warm as it gets around here which is just crazy compared to Texas.

So here's my spring cleaning in pictures. My preferred way to clean.

We discovered this ice cream truck which consumes much
more of my thoughts than it should. 

Their dark chocolate dipped ice cream cone sprinkled with sea
salt is to die for. 

Our friend Sanjay had his art featured in an exhibit at the Asian Art Museum. He has mad skills. You can read more about his exhibit here http://www.asianart.org/maharaja/sanjay.htm

Bryan & Jill's wedding

Mom and I at Bryan & Jill's wedding.

My first time to kiss Henry. (Brent says this is
weird. I can't help it though) 

My first time to hug Henry.

I love you Hickory Street Cafe.

Mushy Gushy Stuff

Friday was Brent's last day at Hatch and yesterday was our 6th anniversary. I could have never imagined what an adventure our first six years of marriage would be. Thank you God for every minute of it. 

Brent, 

I'm so proud of you and still amazed by your talent. I remember when we first became friends I didn't know what graphic design was. I would sit on your futon and watch you design on your computer. It amazed me to watch a blank screen become a work of art. I still watch you sometimes and it still amazes me. 

You are the most ambitious person I know.  Each year you'd share with me your goal for yourself. It took me a few years to realize that you were ACTUALLY accomplishing your goals each year. You wanted to get freelance projects when your full-time job wasn't enough of a creative outlet. You wanted to design maps and you got so many map projects you were tired of them. In college you made a list of your top choice of design studios to work at and Hatch was at the top of the list. You wanted to design packaging, more illustration, work for Coco-Cola and on and on. You have achieved so much in so little time. 

A year and half ago I was terrified to leave Texas and move to SF. Dallas had been our home for the first 4.5 years of marriage. I will never forget our last weekend in Dallas. On Friday I picked you up from Fossil. It was your last day at Fossil and the art department gave you a standing ovation as you walked out of the building. You just sat there in the car speechless. We met our realtor to close on our house. Saturday we finished packing (Amy and Bryan helped) and our movers never showed up. Sunday afternoon we arrived at the airport with 125 lbs of luggage. The movers didn't show up till late Sunday night. We're so lucky Amy was kind enough to wait on the movers until 1a.m. Sunday afternoon we arrived in SF. We barely knew Aunt Glenda who had graciously agreed for us to live with her until we found an apartment. You started at Hatch on Monday, and Glenda drove me around for 4 days until we found a suitable apartment. Our sf apartment was a downgrade by 1000 sq feet, a yard, a dining room, a garage, and a dishwasher but we found the smaller space was kinda nice. We moved in with our 3 suitcases and slept on our air mattress until the movers delivered our things the following week. Each week got easier. We made friends and found a good church home. We explored the city, discovered our favorite restaurants and sights. We even got to work three blocks away from each other for 5 priceless months. Biking to work together was one of my favorite things to do, except for the two bike wrecks I got in. Every day is an adventure and I can't wait to see where this next phase takes us. Brent, I love you with all my heart and I will never forget how blessed I am to have married you. 

In the hallway at Aunt Glenda's on
his first day at Hatch.

Standing in his new office on his
last day at Hatch. (He'll be freelancing from home full time). 

Mom's Sf Trip & Itinerary

Mom visited this past week and she was a trooper! Mom was brave enough to rent a bike and experience a little of how we commute. We biked to Alamo Square (the full house park) and soaked in the views.

A few days later at the California Academy of Science Museum I came across this pic at their new earthquake exhibit (which is awesome by the way). Alamo Square after the 1906 earthquake. Fires in the background and the fashion...crazy!

Speaking of the California Academy of Science Museum. We've had a few chances to go recently and even though I'm not a museum person, I must say they have some beautiful exhibits. 

This kinda makes me wish I was a fish:)

Mom petting a starfish

Our friends did the artwork for this exhibit. So good!

In honor of our upcoming 6th anniversary (more on this to come), we went to The Spinnaker in Sausalito. A restaurant my parents ate at on their 15th anniversary.  

So glad the weather was on it's best behavior for mom and what a fun and eventful week! Thanks Mom! And, if you're planning a trip to SF and want to know the play by play, here was our schedule. 

Day 1 

Parked in a lot around Broadway & Kearny and left the car all day $12/day

Breakfast at Mama's on Washington Square

Shopping in Union Square

Ferry Building for Blue Bottle Coffee and ice cream sandwiches at Miette

Sat outside behind the ferry building and enjoyed coffee and ice cream and the view

More Shopping

Day 2 

Japanese Tea Garden (free mon, wed, fri 9-10)

Walk around Stow Lake

Coffee in Golden Gate Park

Rent bikes

Sandwiches at Yellow Submarine

Chocolate dipped ice cream cone with sea salt at Swirl and Twirl ice cream truck in gg park

Safeway for some groceries

Bike ride to Alamo Square with a pit stop at Super 7 on Haight Street

Returned bike

Day 3 

Stopped by a few shops in the Mission on Valencia 

Rhea's Deli sandwiches to go

Delores Park to enjoy the sandwiches

Ice cream at the Bi-Rite

More Valencia Shops 

Drive through the Marin Headlands/Lighthouse

Day 4 

Walk in the GG Park to the beach and back

Dinner at The Spinakker in Sausalito 

Lots of Chilaxing

Day 5

Coffee in the gg park

California Academy of Science Museum

Pie shake at Chile Pies

Day 6

Walk in GG Park to the beach and back

Sushi at Ebisu

Pie at Mission Pie

Giveaway Update

Yay to Uncle John who was the 6th commenter on the "Giveaway" post!

Giveaway!!!

Here's a sneak peek of Brent's new website. Check out the full site and shop at www.brentcouchman.com

I'm gonna do a giveaway. Mostly because I couldn't figure out how to make a coupon code. And while I'm in no way under the illusion that anyone besides my mom and a few others read this blog, I think it'd be fun and a very blog-ish thing to do. So, if you'd like to get some free stuff leave a comment. 

The winner can choose $40 worth of stuff. And, if mom is the only one who comments then I will save on a Mother's Day gift:)

The winner will be randomly selected next Thursday, May 17. My birthday!