San Diego, July 2007

Amy and Mark were both down in Southern California for work, so BVZ and I hopped on a quick flight down to see them. The weekend went by way too fast. When we first got there we went on a bit of a nature hike down to the sea. The way down to the water required some skillful navigating of slippery rocks. Amy, Mark, and their friend Dylan took on the adventure, while BVZ and I were satisfied watching them from above...





We had lunch and wandered down the docks at Pacific Beach. We found the boys a local pub, and Amy and I got the chance to do a little shopping.





Amy and Mark treated us to a wonderful dinner at the Ocean Room. Here is a bad picture of a lovely smoked salmon appetizer:

We did a little gaslamp district bar hopping until Amy and Mark's friend Dylan convinced us to go to karaoke at the Ramada Inn. Oh yes, it is as bad as it sounds.....




Sunday morning we went to a great brunch at a local place down by the ocean.

We then spent the better part of a beautiful Sunday afternoon basking in the sun. Amy and I were the only brave ones and we went swimming in the freezing cold Pacific.




After some great Indian food we had to go home. Bummer.

Santa Cruz May 2007

We spent Memorial Day down in Santa Cruz, hanging out at the boardwalk, people watching, and eating corn dogs. Mmmmmm. Corn dogs.





We checked out the haunted mansion, where BVZ screamed like a girl...



I bought a chocolate covered banana that wasn't very good...

So BVZ ate it.

I wasn't so great at basketball, but man, did I kick some ass in skee-ball....





The water was freezing, but that didn't stop a ton of people from taking full advantage of the ocean:




So, basically, the perfect day...

Bay to Breakers 2007

The Bay to Breakers race is an annual San Francisco tradition that celebrates life, love, and the freedom to walk naked in the streets. It's a blast.

BVZ when he was still human and not yet a drunk buffalo:

B. Mench, who we lost 9 minutes after the race started:

Michele and Gannadi, who we lost in 7.2 minutes:

The costumes were outstanding this year, and although nudity and alcohol were supposed to be banned, both were in abundance:










There were characters from all over...





Dicks in a box (from the SNL skit):

At the top of Hayes Street Hill:



I think these are pretty self-explanatory......











The bitter end. I have spared BVZ the shame and humiliation of posting the pictures I took of him with his face in the sand.