Travels With Papouey

Continuing our trans-Pacific life, we recently were back home in California for about six busy weeks. For the first time ever, Fayne and I were left in charge of our two grandchildren, Kimarra (age 9) and Isaiah (age 6) for 8 days while their parents attended to various tasks. I was cautiously optimistic about the prospect, worried that I would not have the energy to keep them entertained and engaged for over one week. In my final assessment, it could not have gone better.
On our first day we took a ferry ride to San Francisco, exciting in itself.

From the Ferry Building we strolled along the Embarcadero where we ran into friendly bike-riding SFPD officers who promptly deputized two Junior Cadets.

Our goal was the Exploratorium, a San Francisco treasure for 50 years. It is dedicated to science and curiosity and is a marvelous place to visit for "kids of all ages".

Outside the Exploratorium in giant "barnacles"

Almost touching the moon

Both of the kids (and their two adult companions) were rapt by station after station of hands-on physics and biology experiments. If you haven't been or its been a long time, I highly recommend the experience, even without the cover of bringing children.

Isaiah creating a cyclone

Through the years, the children have spent quite a bit of time in the Bay Area, but have had only brief visits to Fort Bragg, CA, where we still officially reside and where their mother grew up. We were all wanting to spend some time quality time there, especially over the 4th of July week.

On Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA

Legendary for the giant coastal redwoods, now seriously diminished, we explored the remnants of that past life. The old mill site is being converted to open space including a new coastal trail along the headlands.

Formerly owned and operated by the mill, the Skunk Train is being revitalized by new owners as a new and improved tourist experience.

An old mill shed behind the depot now houses a model train museum. Isaiah is holding Oscar the Skunk

There was plenty of time to go for ice cream at Cowlick's and take in Toy Story 4 at the local Coast Cinema, but is was a special treat to be able to enjoy our grand old house and yard. There was plenty of room for everyone. Several of Sofia's friends have children the same age as hers, so a play-date with Keilah's daughter Chenoa was a high priority.

I also introduced our guests to the newest addition to the neighborhood, Haley and Nathan's daughter Bijou. She was a BIG hit (how could she not be?).

I has always enjoyed the unique and idiosyncratic event that is the Mendocino Independence Day parade. This may have been the grandkids first parade, but certainly was the first one riding on a float in the procession. Thanks to friend Faith, they were invited to ride on the Mothers For Peace flatbed truck. Kimarra in particular was enthusiastic and insisted we go to Target to find the appropriate red, white, and blue attire.

With Faith

Captured in action as they pass my traditional seat with the Matthews Family on Main St.

[For a video montage capturing the essence of the 2019 Parade, I will link to old friend Buz Graham's video (Warning: Some X-rated lyrics included!).]

What better way to honor America than dinner at "America's Diner", Denny's. I believe it was the children's first visit to this institution, and a memorable one. We were intrigued by the Kid's menu, which detailed the story of an apparently terrified pancake and his friends (bacon, a starfish, and either a sausage or a pickle) for some reason trapped under the sea!

Denny's: As its former slogan boasted "A good place to sit and eat"

 Never a dull moment, we had fun at the neighborhood Wiggly Giggly Playground.

We attended a performance of the local Flynn Creek Circus in Mendocino, featuring daring aerialists and the high-jinks of the incongruously named Porkchop the Rabbit-Clown.

Climbing the trees...

..outside the Friendship Park venue.

Saturday is the Jewish sabbath shabbat and as Sofia and her family are practicing Jews we promised to do our best to observe it appropriately, from avoidance of "work" and electronic devices to kosher chicken to challah to grape juice, candle-lighting and prayers. I won't claim it was perfectly accomplished, but the good-faith effort was there.

Stock internet photo

It is traditional that on the Saturday closest to July 4th Fort Bragg hosts the World's Largest Salmon BBQ sponsored by the Salmon Restoration Association. We didn't attend this year but Saturday evening is when the local fireworks happen. After years of wandering around in the cold to find the best observation spot, last year we stumbled upon the ideal solution. At the Round Table Pizza on Main Street you can enjoy hot pizza inside with an ideal view of the show. I am not sure the kids had ever seen a proper fireworks display, and on the ride home Isaiah quietly declared "It was perfect". I concur.

Sunday morning it was time to pack up and head back to the Bay Area, but I know we will always have found memories of our time on the Coast. Who knows, maybe it will become a tradition?

We had one night and morning in Richmond before Mommy came up to reunite with her offspring, enough time for a walk along the shore  to collect shells and sticks and feathers and other assorted taonga (the Maori word for treasures).