By 3:30 pm, we were all more than ready to exit the building, but since our flight didn't leave until 7:45 pm, a car ride was our only option. It didn't take long for two little heads to nod off, and Misha enjoyed the beauty beyond the city as we drove out toward Half Moon Bay. You'd never really know that you were so close to a major metropolitan city when you ventured a short distance away. There were mountains and trees and beautiful scenery everywhere. Sadly, the rain continued to pour, and it just wasn't practical to get out and get soaked. Half Moon Bay had quaint little downtown shops--the kind I love to explore. We drove to the coast and watched angry, white-capped waves crash against the shore. On a nice day, it would be a fabulous place. If I ever have a chance to return to the San Francisco area, this is where I would want to come. We did much of the touristy stuff this trip; Half Moon Bay was out of the way and wonderful. As we drove back toward San Fran, we passed through other cool towns that make you want to buy a vacation home there, such as Pacifica. There were even crazy people surfing!
Needing to find a place to eat before heading to the airport, we stopped at a Sizzler. After a filling meal, we set our sites back toward SFO. It takes a bit of time once you drop off your rental car, ride the train to the terminal and get checked in. But as luck would have it, we had a short delay. At least it wasn't an hour and a half like an earlier flight was. We knew we would already be pushing midnight once we got home, so we felt lucky with only a 20 minute delay. Misha slept the whole flight home. Amy and Kristen got their second wind from their nap in the car and found ways to occupy themselves. Kristen was trying to find a comfy spot on my lap by the end though while still keeping her seat belt on.
Lucky for us, or not, the fire alarms were going off in the main terminal at the Denver airport when we arrived. At least it didn't slow us down at all. Chris went to retrieve our van from long-term parking and the girls and I pulled our luggage off the carousel. Our timing was pretty slick, and we were on our way home with three sleepy heads in no time.
Both Amy and Misha begged me to let them sleep in Monday morning, promising to practice their piano and violin after school. Kristen slept until 9:17 am. So unusual but nice.