Fun in Fresno
9 Apr 2013
Hello! I’m sorry this post is going up late, but the reason is at least slightly laughter-inducing. I always write my posts in the evening and schedule them to publish in the middle of the night (you know, so my mom can read them super early on Central time). But yesterday I wandered all over Monterey and got gloriously wind-blown (and loved every, every second of it), which seems to have made me rather tired. We had a really fun dinner with Eric’s *wonderful* colleagues, and then I took a totally luxurious bubble bath, got in bed to read a bit, and…fell asleep with my glasses on. For hours. And thus I decided it would be better to write this post in the morning, when I might have a few more synapses firing. So, here goes!
We left Friday evening from Pasadena, and we pulled up to the hotel around 10:30, only to find dear friends in the lobby! We invited them up to our “suite” to catch up, and I instructed them to gesticulate wildly for this picture. They obliged!
The next morning we went to a train-themed diner hand-picked by our friend Chris. I had a gigantic almond waffle and biscuits with sawmill gravy. Carb heaven! It was a really wonderful place, and everyone was so friendly. Also, trains!
These are the smiles of people who know they have biscuits coming their way.
After breakfast we made an obligatory coffee run and found ourselves next door to this gorgeous old Caltrans building. 60s California!
The wedding could not have been sweeter. I cried so very many times. To see two such beautiful people, who are the epitome of kindness and goodness and love, join their lives together–well, it was overwhelmingly moving. Just look at them!
But maybe the best part was actually the morning after the wedding. The bride’s family had invited everyone to come to her grandfather’s art studio for brunch. It was great to see everyone one last time, and the studio was just amazing–a gigantic warehouse featuring the work of tons of local artists. The bride’s grandfather, Chris Sorensen, works almost entirely with salvaged materials, and the range of his work is seriously impressive.
I would love to spend an afternoon or twelve in here.
This giant rabbit is made entirely of coat hangers. Awesome.
Paint can lids. Just beautiful.
Some of my favorite pieces were these bright geometric paintings. Right up my alley!
Glass-blowing studio!
And all of these fantastic, fantastic people. I miss them already!
Apr 09, 2013 @ 14:11:58
Ahhh, so this is how you’re ending up in Berkeley this weekend? You just decided to keep driving north?!? In any case, I am SUPER excited. I don’t know what your plans are looking like, but lunch, dinner, breakfast, you *name* it! And maybe you can meet our little beastlette. 🙂 x
Apr 09, 2013 @ 15:36:50
Yes! I was sort of jokingly suggesting it to Eric, who was saying that it was a bummer to come 5/6 of the way to SF and not actually make it there. I was telling him it wouldn’t add that much driving time at all, and he finally believed me when he looked it up for himself! 🙂 Yes, please, breakfast, lunch, dinner, beastlette, all four! Can’t wait to see you!
Apr 09, 2013 @ 19:07:08
Suuuper cool! You have made me want to actually go to Fresno! 😉 I have only been through once & it wasn’t too fun, lol! Safe travels!
Apr 11, 2013 @ 15:54:05
Thank you! I had never been before, but we had a great time!:)
Apr 09, 2013 @ 20:05:25
This is so so coool!
Apr 11, 2013 @ 15:35:50
Yeah, it was! 🙂
Apr 10, 2013 @ 04:34:16
Good times! I laughed and laughed over you falling asleep with your glasses on! I TOLD you it was too windy out there! And I want the rabbit! I can’t wait to see all your adventures in the Bay area this weekend!
Apr 11, 2013 @ 15:37:18
It was too windy! What can I say, mommy is always right!! But it was exhilarating to be in the chilly air, exhilarating! Also, I want the rabbit too 🙂
Apr 10, 2013 @ 06:39:09
I love the rabbit in the back of the group photo. I hope you saved the shot where he’s holding two fingers up behind your head!
Apr 11, 2013 @ 15:37:43
Hahaha! 🙂
Apr 11, 2013 @ 12:16:26
That art studio looks like “Cameron Heaven” and those friends look like heaven on earth. Isn’t it rich, the love and beauty in life? Say hello to the Berkeley Bowl for me!
Apr 11, 2013 @ 15:45:33
I certainly agree! We are way too excited for Berkeley Bowl! I think it’s like Eric heaven! 🙂