Since yesterday was so packed, we decided we would go as a family to visit Julia's bench today. So that we could be relaxed and not rushed, we decided to skip church and leave around 10:30. Also, rain was predicted and it wasn't raining (here) yet, so we figured we had better take advantage of that. Of course, it was drizzling in the Santa Cruz mountains. But that actually added to the adventure and mood instead of detracting from it. We practically drove through the clouds to get to Mount Hermon and it was beautiful. It actually felt a lot like being in Seattle, surrounded by trees and in a drizzle. I had picked up some roses at Trader Joes before we left. I wanted to leave two on Julia's bench to honor her 2nd anniversary of her homecoming. So we all got into our rain gear and walked down to the bench. Bob was amazed how "new" it looked after the cleaning I gave it just a couple of weeks ago. We didn't stay long. The drizzle was pretty steady. We took some photos and then walked back to the car. I left the two roses sitting on the bench hoping that others will admire them and read the plaque with Julia's name on it. It makes me happy that she is remembered even by strangers who don't know her or her story.
After leaving Mount Hermon, we drove to Ben Lomond to a favorite german restaurant, the Tyrollean Inn, to have some lunch. Mattie loves this place because it has a kids' play area. We got a seat right next to the play area and redwood tree in the outside covered patio. Yes, there is a redwood tree in the middle of the covered patio.... so Santa Cruz mountains! They had heat lamps in there and they even turned on the gas fireplace next to us. It was so cool to hear the rain on the canvas roof yet be nice and warm and dry. Bob had schnitzel, I had a Rueben, and Mattie had sausages. After that, we drove to Santa Cruz for some Marianne's for dessert!
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