San Francisco (Part 3)

Monday we started of a Ghirardelli Square. It was fun and they had different shops that we browsed. We ended up at the sweets shop for some treats. I got a Chocolate Sundae that was simple and delicious!

After Ghirardelli Square we drove over to Golden Gate Bridge to be all touristy. It was great! So very windy but a lot of fun. After walking around at the visitors area we started to walk across the bridge and the wind got crazier so of course we had to let our hair down for a 'wind picture'!

We left the bridge and headed for the woods! We had been told that we needed to go to Muir woods to see the Redwoods so we did and it was awesome! We went on a hike once paying the admission for the woods and it was lovely. I am a fan of the trees and beauty that surrounds us. Also, the trees were HUGE! It was fun to walk around on the trail that had been created and there were perfect little clovers growing all around. In all it was an awesome, unexpected addition to our trip.

After going to Muir Woods we stopped by Muir beach for a picnic dinner and the possibility of the ocean... We were in California! The beach was a good place and not too busy when we got there. After eating and changing we went and jumped in the water (for a picture of course). It was after taking some jumping pictures that we realized there were jellies on the beach. They we stranded from the tide and we decided we would observe them so using a rock we dug a hole and waited for it to fill with water before putting a jelly in the water. We weren't sure what was up with the jellies but we later found out that they were not poisonous and they were called Gooseberry Jellies. As we were driving away the fog was coming in and it was lovely!

San Francisco (Part 2)

Sunday

On Saturday night we passed by a chapel on our drive back to the hotel. Conveniently that building just happened to house the nearest singles ward so Sunday morning we got ready for church and headed back to the chapel we discovered the night before for the 9:00 meeting. After sitting down Tommy, from our ward in Provo, showed up. His father was in the bishopric and Tommy was visiting home for the weekend so we had to get a picture. 

I realized after the picture how short I really am... ;)

After church we went back to the hotel to make a lunch and plan the rest of the day. We decided that we would go to the Jelly Belly Factory (because tours stopped at 4:00) and then to the Oakland Temple. While doing some research of the area near the Temple Jessica found a park area that looked like fun so we decided to go there after the temple. 

At the Jelly Belly Factory we were able to go on a tour of the factory (there were videos because the factory wasn't running at the time). We were able to learn a lot about the creation of Jelly Beans and even 'test' Jelly Beans from different parts of the process. I saved mine to get a picture. The Yellow one is the inside Jelly part. The orange one has the shell but has not been polished and the red one has been polished and has the stamp on it.

I love the flying Jelly Bean in the background

There were cute welcome signs
near the entrance 

After the Jelly Belly Factory we headed to the Oakland Temple. It was beautiful. We were told in Church that morning that you are able to walk around the Temple terrace and that it was a beautiful view of the city. Unfortunately the temple was under construction so we weren't able to go on the terrace but we still saw quite the view from the hill of the temple. We also walked into the visitors center and talked to one of the Senior Missionaries about our trip. She helped us come up with some ideas for what to do with the rest of our trip.

The temple grounds were gorgeous.

One view of the city from the Temple.

I love the area of light!

Inside the visitors center they had a lovely
Family Proclamation area

 As soon as we finished exploring the Temple grounds we headed for the park area. We were really excited about was a fairytale park. Apparently they take different stories and create images from them. Sadly it was closed but we found some fun things outside and around to take a pictures of. The other area we went to explore was a Japanese Garden. It was taken care of by volunteers but would have been much lovelier with constant care but it was a fun find and a nice little stop for our Sunday afternoon.

By the happily ever after sign :)

The fairytale park.

The little old woman's shoe!

The fun little notes were outside too...

Cool fake leaf...

I thought this leaf was kind of awesome

And these cool doors :)