Day One

We woke up at 4AM and jumped in the cab from the Grand Bohemian, it felt like such a waste to have only had enough time to stay there for a few hours on Sunday night. Airport as usual was a fucking nightmare full of grouch and venom. If the pulse of the nation was going to be judged by morale at the airport then we are laying in our death bed. The highlight of the pouting and huffing and puffing was riding the shuttle across to our gate and listening to a disgruntled US Air employee speak with a co-worker about how he got fucked on his shifts and therefor was going to make sure a heap of planes sat on the tarmac that day, for as long as possible, and create major delays. I suppose his only joy left in life is to torture vacationers. Had we been flying US Air I would have maybe passed him a 20 and gave him my flight number and asked for a favor.

Back to the vacation, the honeymoon. We plopped into our seats at the back of the bus and were both sound asleep before the plane left the ground. I was awake an hour in, after the 400 lb. gorilla behind me (as usual) was using my seat as his personal pull up bar. Nicole slept for 3 and a half hours of the 5 and a half flight, and is so tiny that she was able to sprawl across all three seats without a problem. We got lucky and had a row to ourselves. Snow capped Mountains were a treat, no bumps to speak of on the flight. We land.

San Francisco, what a treat. We have the day to bounce around. The weather is frosty for April but still all sun and glamour. We checked into the Sir Francis Drake, an overly cute, reasonably priced hotel, right by Union Square. Today was all shopping and eating and getting some touristy treats out of the way. In all of the previous trips here had never rode a cable car. Did it. And now I can say I have. Beyond the annoyance of being packed in tight to these cars, the sounds and the little details were priceless, the massive amount of weight these things manage clanging up and down the steepest of hills is staggering. I kept running scenarios in my head of a cable break right at the top of each big peak. How would I get out? Would I jump? Would I just squeeze in between the two giant fat couples in my row and use there obesity as a shield to harm. I think that would have been the best plan.

Made sure we ate In and Out burger, had Strawberry and Nuttela crepes, took Nicole shopping for four hours, I kept finding really awesome things to buy for myself, but hate spending money on the first day of a trip, what if I use it all up? We walked about 20 miles around the city. It took longer then usual to relax into the vacation. In the past I had always had so much time to get ready and all we have been doing for the past 6 weeks was plan the wedding and then all of the sudden I was on a plane.

San Fran was great.... but today begins all the exciting new shit to explore, we are starting off on the 49 mile drive and getting on Highway 1 to head to Big Sur, Going to spend some time in the Palm Dessert as well, making sure we see friends in LA on the way. I have driven the One from San Fran to Seattle, but have never had the chance to go from San Fran to LA. pretty excited about it.

Last night was a bust on the whole legendary honeymoon sex. We were both so tired that when we got back to the room from dinner we both passed out and slept right thru our reservations at the Starlight room for drinks and dancing. The starlight room is on top of our hotel and is an old dance hall and lounge with a 360 glass view of the city, all high backed velvet booths and crystal chandeliers barely glowing, bow tied bartenders, and butler service, and the memories and legend so thick it hangs in the air. A real shame we missed it, and something we will do when we come back at the end of the week. So yeah. We passed the F out in our clothes and slept from 8PM till 8AM. So funny.

I need to get going, but wanted to write a quick thank you again to all the bones that made our wedding so amazing. It was such a good time, and everything was absolutely perfect from top to bottom. You guys are my family. I can't wait to return the favor for you guys. In the meantime on Tyson's suggestion we are having a feast at Nicole's Sito and Gito's place when I get back so he can "pick that guys brain some more" shit is awesome!

I only had a few minutes. Sorry for the rush. But wanted to let you guys know that everything is going the greatest.

Love you guys - RM