# 4. CA Trip: Ireland

Day 8

Well, we didn't actually go to Ireland, but the hills we went to were so green, they reminded me of Ireland. We went to a place called Garen Dry Creek Trail right near where we stayed (actually I think I posted pictures of those hills from our house). Be ready for a LOT of green!

Green grass in our backyard.

The hills at Garen Dry Creek (the creek was not dry while we were there!).

Bethany climbing one of the hills.

Reaching the summit.

We could see for miles around. San Francisco is over there to the right somewhere, but it might not be visible in the picture.

The flowers were beautiful.

A close-up.

I really like this of the flowers, the windmill, and the clouds.

The famous photographer (I plan to do a post exclusively with his pictures, someday...).

God's beauty and glory were surely on dislpay here.

We saw several snails.

A farm yard.

Bethany jumping into the pond (at least, that's what it look like!). 

A cute Lydia in the pretty flowers.

Some mallards in the "dry" creek.

Mom on the John Deere tractor. 

This was a neat wall near the trail.

My delicious sandwich for our trip home the next day.

The last evening at the Liangs'. Not a great picture, but it shows us just enjoying time together. Left to right: Lydia, Dad with Johanna, Josiah, Cindy, Mom, John at the computer behind Mom, and Bethany.

Josiah and Cindy

Josiah, Johanna, and Cindy

A final picture of Cindy and Lydia. The flash came from a different camera.

Well, that is the basics of our trip to California. On the way home we stopped at our Great-uncle Harold's house and had lunch. 

I've had enough "CA Trip" posts to last a year!

Elisabeth

# 3. CA Trip: Adventures With Jesse

Day 7

On this beautiful day, the sun showed its bright face for at least half the day. We went to Lake Merritt again, but this time we were joined by our oldest brother, Jesse. There is prone to be adventure of some sort with him.

Lydia peaking out the window.

Writing a letter to a friend.

Lake Merritt. Notice the brightness compared to last time?

An egret at the lake.

Jesse loves to jump.

Lydia and Jesse jumping.

The lake and the building covered hills remind me of Greece.

Later we went to Treasure Island. This is Alcatraz Island, an old penitentiary.

San Francisco.

Jesse jumping, again.

The Bay Bridge.

Some pretty flowers on the island.

Leaving the island looking down the Bay Bridge.

Later we had Jesse, Josiah, and Cindy over for dinner. Of course, Johanna came too.

Cindy feeding Johanna.

More later!

Elisabeth

# 2. CA Trip: Rain, Rain, Rain

Day 4

On day 4, as I suppose it was, we went for a walk at Lake Merritt. Before we were even half way around the 3.1 mile lake, rain began to fall. We kept going and so did the rain. Eventually we girls stopped at a little wildlife station while Dad ran to get the van and get drenched. While were at the place, we watched a woman doing taxidermy on a bird. It was pretty interesting to watch.

Lake Merritt

There were a lot of birds, including this goose.

Sea gulls

Lydia with some interesting, squiggly trees.

Taxidermy: Removing the skin from the guts.

Day 5

All I could find for this day was a few pictures of Johanna. 

So far, I think I have taken all the pictures that I posted (except the one of me), but I don't know who took this one.

Day 6

I also do not know who took this one of Johanna.

Looking out our back yard, it look pretty boring...

Until you get a glimpse over that cinder block wall...

And see the train track that ran behind our house. Some of those trains were house-shaken!

Hangin' out at the Liangs'. Notice, Bethany and Lydia adoring Johanna. 

More later. 

Elisabeth