At the end of June we flew to Oakland to visit Auntie Ashleigh and Mark. We spent our first night in San Francisco, where we discovered it was also Pride Weekend. We toured the town on foot, and went out in the Castro district that night. The following day we met up with Ash and Mark, walked by the Golden Gate Bridge, and ate lots of delicious food. The next day was the Pride Parade, so our morning revolved around the festivities. Then we walked all around San Fran and ate more delicious food. It was a lot of fun to see Ashleigh and Mark and their new apartment, and also to be kid-free for a few days in the city (thanks Nana)!

I’ve also got to say, it was so fun to go to the Pride Parade. What luck! Like being in Germany for Octoberfest! It was really moving to be a part of the day and show our support. Gay rights are a cause the four of us have pretty strong feelings about, and we are proud of the advances toward equality that have been made in the past few years. It felt great, humbling, inspiring even, to be amongst a crowd of people accepting, supporting, and celebrating one another.

We walked forever uphill both ways to my grandmothers old apartment on Laguna St. I fondly remember spending the night with her here when I was a teenager.

The view down the street

The view from our hotel room. We took this picture for the boys.

On our first night, we took a cable car to the Castro district. Along the way we got to watch the Transgender parade. There were some interesting costumes and posters!

We had a drink at historic gay bar, Twin Peaks Tavern. It was a festive night to be there.

Golden Gate Bridge

Do you know you have to book a tour of Alcatraz months in advance?! This was the main touristy thing we wanted to do while we were here. I promised Avery I would take pictures because he thought it sounded so cool. The best I could do was this picture of us with Alcatraz in the background! Oh well, next time…

A barge under the bridge (one of many pictures taken of things we thought the boys would love to see).

Watching the sunset

The Palace of Fine Arts

Heading out for the Pride Parade on Sunday. I had to take a picture of Jonathan, who seriously went out with a banana in his pocket!

BART (another one for the boys)

BART was so crowded on Pride morning that we were unable to board the first train. By the time the second one arrived, we were committed to getting on, but just barely fit. It was cozy, but kind of cool too.

We’re here!

You don’t see this everyday. A proud man walking the city streets in only white socks and tennies, carrying a handbag.

A coffee break.

Waiting for the ride home.