Travels!

Yes, it was a big summer for the Martin’s when it came to traveling. First on our list: California!

Let me disclaim that I am too lazy to post more pictures.  Just being honest.  If you'd like to see pictures from our adventures, they're on facebook :)

John had never been to California (I know!), and it seems to take months to get this particular trip
planned. It was totally worth the wait. After flying in to Sacramento, we had lunch with my cousin
Laurie (whom I hadn’t seen in years!) and her little one (who is quite the entertainer!). Lunch was at In-
N-Out Burger, and John fell in love with first bite.

After lunch we set off for San Francisco. We actually stayed south of San Francisco, in Pacifica. I found
a hotel right on the beach (how awesome!). All day Sunday we hung out in San Fran. FYI, if you want to
visit when no one is out and about, try 8:00am on a Sunday . We visited Alcatraz, had real San Fran
sourdough bread, visited Ghirardelli Square, walked up Hyde Street to get to Lombard (I recommend
seeing Lombard, however, I do not recommend walking up Hyde, it’s steep!), did a bus tour around the
city, then had dinner at Fisherman’s Wharf. Yes, we were worn out. Exhausting yet exciting day!

Monday we set off for Redding, my hometown. First though, we had to (yes, had to) stop in Napa Valley
along the way to pick up a couple bottles of wine. Then the rest of the week we got to hang out with
family and friends. We stayed with my grandmother, who was so excited we were there! We also got
some of the family together to play dominos one night. That is one rowdy yet fun bunch! I love my
family, and I miss them very, very much.  I'm glad I got to see my friends as well, Desirae, Nate and their family, Doris (and her little one!) and Sylvia, and Kory and her family.  Miss you guys too!

In case you’re wondering, yes, John got one last meal in at In-N-Out Burger before we left. Desirae,
Nate, and their family met us there, and Nate even bought John an In-N-Out shirt! John wore it on the
plane ride back, and during each connecting flight he got complimented on it

So, that was in April. In June, we took a chance to take a quick trip up to NYC! John had been before
a few years ago (back when we were dating), and he had wanted to take me. So we got there late
on Friday night (which, if you have the chance to fly in at night, it is a beautiful sight I will always
remember) to get up early Saturday for a bus tour. This bus tour was pretty great. It included a harbor
tour as well. It wasn’t one of those hop-on-hop-off like we did in San Francisco. This one had a tour
guide, and we’d get off at different spots to walk around and for the guide to, well, guide us. That night
and Sunday day we hung out with one of John’s friends from high school, and his friends. It all led up to
our Monday journey of trying to see Jimmy Fallon.

For those that are real familiar with me know about my love for Jimmy Fallon. Yes, John knows about
this. He knew before we got married (and he still married me ). We had tickets for David Letterman,
but instead decided to try for standby seats to Jimmy. So, at 7:00am on Monday morning, we were
sitting outside the NBC studios in hopes we’d be early in line for tickets. We were! We had tickets 2
and 3. All we had to do was go back at 3:30 to check in, then be in line at 4:15 to be called for standby!
So after we got our standby tix we went back to the hotel to nap, then went out for lunch and a walk
around the city. We went in to the Apple Store (for John) and FAO Schwartz (for me!). I got to see
the piano from ‘Big’, and I so wanted to play on it, but they only allowed children. Sad.

Anyway, we checked in for Jimmy and waited in line for 4:15. The time came…and no standby’s. Talk about a bummer! So John, thinking we can still make it to Letterman even though we didn’t pick up our tickets or check in for the show, thinks we can still make that taping. Isn’t he precious
So we ran I don’t know how many blocks over to Letterman’s studio which, of course, was locked because they were taping. Not all was lost, however. We stood at the side of the studio and got to see Mark Wahlberg walk out to his vehicle.

So even though we didn’t get to see Jimmy this trip, there will be another opportunity. And we'll plan more in advance :)

Until our next adventure!