Contrary to Grandma Ruth's adage, early morning flights are good because airports aren't busy and you'll make your connections,"g" Clan sat on the tarmac for 30 minutes before departing to Chicago at 6:40 AM. "If that's as bad as it gets," thought "g's" wife (Kate), "we'll be AOK."

And they were off... like (modified) clockwork. The family trip was officially in gear... er... in the air. The girls were napping since they were awakened at 3:00 AM; "k" was blissfully cruising at 30K in the only row of empty seats for leg #1 of their flight (1.5 hrs); and, "g" video taped the girls in various stages of nodding-off and drooling in their sleep!"

Leg #2 was somewhat different. "k" sat next to a huge redwood of a man who occupied half of her seat during their 4 hour flight to San Francisco - at least they served one, 2-oz bag of pretzels! (We're things getting worse?)

"g" Clan was organized. Loading up at the baggage claim area looked like ESPN's Synchronized Baggage Haulin'. Day pack equipped, each wheeled with excessive speed and precision their own 50-lb suit case... with "g" steering an additional, 75-lb luggage bag filled with camping gear. Sensing the potential for real harm, airport visitors quickly stepped aside when they heard the high pitched whining of wheels from 5 huge suitcases careening down the airport corridors.

Day 1: "g" Clan arrived at the Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf in a spacious Grand Caravan. They toured the Wharf and made google-eyes at hundreds of sea lions resting on harbor floats.

Day 2: The drive to Monterey was interrupted by an exciting and unexpected detour to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, thrilling roller coaster rides, and a late lunch on the pier. Upon resuming their road trip to Monterey, "g" Clan realized an AC failure with the van. Numerous on-the-road phone calls to Dollar Rental to secure another vehicle included such curious requests by Dollar, like: (1) take the van to a Dodge Dealer to check-out the AC; (2) make a 4-hr round trip to San Jose to get another vehicle; and (3) please read the owner's manual to ensure that the AC is being used correctly. (MUCH later they learned there was no Dodge Dealer in the area, there was no replacement car at San Jose, and there was no owner's manual in the van.)

Day 3: Down-sized to a Suzuki XL7, "g" Clan toured coastal highway 1 and it's magnificent cliffed views to Big Sur. The best crab cakes in the world were had in Carmel. Lunch was followed by a dunk in the Pacific at Carmel Beach. Fourth of July fireworks were viewed from the wharf at Monterey on what became a very cold night on the water... plenty of drinks and munchies made it all very palatable.

Day 4: Enroute to the Holiday Inn at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, "k" secured an upgraded vehicle from the overloaded death trap they drove north in. When they pulled into the airport to make the auto exchange, "g" Clan was surprised that their turn-around time was only 17 minutes - that's in and out of the airport!

After much haggling among themselves, "g" Clan ate on the wharf at Joe's Crab Shack - the best darn crab's in the world... they had a blast! Their server was from Lapfia and she was pretty funny!

Day 5: After the girls and "k" moseyed out of bed around 10:00 AM, "g" Clan toured the Japanese Tea Garden, the arboretum, a walk across Golden Gate Bridge (In 35 minutes!) and a walking tour through Muir Woods and its redwoods.

Day 6: Departure for 5 days at Yosemite National Park... and the Revenge of Half-Dome! Stay Tuned...