Thanksgiving Travels: Day 5 - Parker, The Academy of Sciences, and Mill Valley

Before I introduce Parker, I must retrace a few steps.  We had the most delightful breakfast with Bob at Park Chow Cafe on this particular morning.  Of course all our meals with Bob were delightful, but the food here was amazing and worthy of notice. 

How do I describe my pancakes?  Deliciously organic, sour dough with ricotta, sweet creamy butter, raspberry, lemon syrup.  My mouth is watering. 

And then I tried a bite of Keith's chicken sausage, mushroom-spinach-jack scramble.  I fainted.  No, not really.  But you get the idea.  It was an extremely tasty breakfast!

After breakfast, we parted ways; Bob took the bus to get Parker while we toured the Japanese Tea Garden (see post below.)  By the time we exited the garden, Bob had returned with our little friend. 

The two of them were on a "special rescue mission" to find us, the captives, and escort us to the "tower of safety" overlooking the city!  It was in this fashion that the boys became instant comrades and friends.  Thanks to Bob, the rest of the afternoon was spent in adventure and mystery as we searched for a disappearing gardener, narrowly escaped "The Buddha", and bravely performed the various and sundry duties of  "heroic savers!"

So, here we are with Parker, escaped to the de Yung observation tower, soaking up a free 360 degree view of San Francisco, 144 ft above Golden Gate Park!

 As part of our mission to find the poor gardener who had vanished into thin air leaving only his rubber boots behind, it was our duty and privilege to search (tour) the California Academy of Sciences.

 While there, we enjoyed a presentation on Philippine coral reefs.  It was here that we met Diver Bob.  The boys are still talking about Diver Bob.  Boyd had to go up and meet him as he surfaced at the top of the aquarium after the presentation.  He was worried about Diver Bob being under the water for so long.

 We saw so many interesting animals.  These zebras are actually motionless mounts, but so cool to see them up close.  Boyd is on his banana phone with "headquarters", reporting their recent discoveries.

And finally, we enjoyed a stroll through the rain forest.  This man made, controlled climate forest gave us a sampling of what a true rain forest might look, feel, smell, and sound like.

 After circling to the top of the rain forest, we road the elevator to the "dark depths"  where we rescued the poor people being held captive under water!  Fighting through a vicious school of sharks and paranas, we finally made our way up to the main level and out to the garden cafe for a quick snack of spring rolls and tuna sandwiches.

 At this point, we received a message from headquarters that Parker was needed at the home base, so we made our way out of Golden Gate Park, up 9th Ave, and then, not because we were hungry, but because we had a few minutes before the next bus, and because this bakery is super good, we stopped for another tasty treat!

The boys had a good rest while we visited with Bob and Suzanne over tea and scones.  Then we all loaded into our car and headed out to Mill Valley.  What a neat little community, tucked in the rolling hills north of San Francisco.  A real small-town feel.  We poked around a little whole foods grocer, had a burger at the local diner and then walked up the street where we gathered in with 8 or 10 others at Gary and Natalie's house for an evening of wonderful fellowship.  We had met Gary two summers ago when he was in WY visiting a friend.  It was a perfect ending to a perfect day!

Some night shots of San Francisco taken on our way to Mill Valley.  The swooping lights outline the Bay Bridge.  Fun to see the Golden Gate in the dark too!