Ferry Building, San Francisco

A few weeks ago Tom and I had a fabulous, kidless weekend in San Francisco. I enjoy the fresh feeling there, and especially like the Ferry Building. I've found not many know where it is or what there is to love.

It's on the Embarcardero, but past the more famous Pier 39, at the Market Street intersection. The Ferry Building is filled with small local businesses, especially food establishments. You can find all your specialties: gourmet mushrooms (Far West Fungi), artisan cheese (Cowgirl Creamery), and delicious, warm-from-the-oven bread (Acme Bread Co.).  This trip I had a hamburger from Prather Ranch Meat Co., a delicous combination of meat, blue cheese and apple chutney. The fries were yum too, and Tom was fond of the cane sugar root beer.

The attraction for me doesn't stop at the shops. It's a fun place to people watch where, at least outside the building, you see locals jogging and protesting, taking a break from their working lives, bundled up for another day by the bay.

Jimmy Lived Here

Last month we decided to rent a cabin at Sundance ski resort, which marketed itself as "Home of a Hollywood Celebrity." After finalizing the rental I decided to google the address and see if a celebrity name turned up.

Turns out Jimmy Stewart used to own it. We love him! It certainly flavored our time there.

This was our first experience with the concept of renting a place and inviting everyone to come visit, and it turned out to be the best way to see family and friends and feel you had a vacation too.

 We also went tubing at Soldier Hollow in Midway. We had so much fun listening to country music while being pulled up the hill via rope tow. That day made for some great family memories!