Back to the Old Stomping Grounds

If there is anything that can be called 'the 'burbs' in San Francisco, then we live there. Few places in San Francisco are as quiet and residential as the Outer Richmond. Until today, then, Rai has experienced suburbia only. His time at the hospital and a couple visits to our school are as close as he has come to the big city. To let Rai know that he lives in one of the world's great cities, we took him to one of our favorite hills in the city.
Tank Hill is a steep, rocky hill rising above one of San Francisco's most quaint neighborhoods. It is one of several such hills scattered around the geographic center of San Francisco. When living in our old neighborhood, Haight and Ashbury, we would climb the steps up to to top of Tank Hill at least once a week. Today, we took Rai up for his first panoramic view across downtown San Francisco.
As you are more and more often these days, you were wide awake, alert and very observant. You took in the view despite the cold wind that was carrying the evening fog our way. Beautiful wild flowers covered the hillside and the setting sun occassionally pierced through the advancing fog. Your skin was soft and glowed in the warm light, a glow that matched the glow of wonder we could see in your eyes. We get so much more than we can put in words out of these experiences with you. We've loved watching you and now we love watching you observe the world around you.