This is the hard part...

...the airport, the waiting, the lugging around of stuff, and the keeping track of all your papers, tickets, and money. As I was standing in line to have my backpack scanned, there came a wave of panic. I forgot my coats! I realized that in the rush to get my board into the shuttle van, I had left them lying on the outside chair at my apartment.

No big deal. I called Melissa, and she went outside and brought them into her place. Colby will have one I can borrow. Or, it could be an excuse to visit a thrift store in San Francisco!

All of this faded as I stood outside the San Francisco airport terminal, and saw Colby and Katie pull up in that Smart car to get me. They were smiling, and hugged me tight. We drove through the city, all lit up at midnight, and it was gorgeous as a city can be. We drove along the one-way, four lane bridge, with the four lanes above us, and looked over to see the heart of the city, where Colby works. It looked like a studio set, a Disney world made for adults.

I listened to the stories of their trip to Kentucky. Katie's family sounds incredible! The greeting at the airport can never be topped. Her family held a big hand drawn poster that read: "Bring Home the Cheddar!" Their smiles grew into grins revealing fake hillbilly teeth! Then they ambushed Colby and Katie, by the car, with Silly String.

Here we are now, in their neighborhood that looks like a European village. Quaint tiny houses and stately Spanish style apartment buildings climb the hills that dip and roll. Katie said I timed it perfectly. The weather is supposed to be great tomorrow. I love this! Colby dropped me off at his apartment, an amazing studio apartment with antique-looking fixtures. The bed was the most comfortable one I have ever slept in. He had things he knows I like... dark chocolate covered raisins, the evil Oreo Cakesters! He bought everything bagels for in the morning, to tide me over, when he will arrive to make me a smoothie! He has everything planned, a bike ride, a trip to Berkley, kayaking on the lake! Let's see what happens. I spoke to Tony Rojas during my 3 hour layover in Dallas yesterday. He said the waves are supposed to clean up, but Colby has so much planned that surfing may have to wait until... New Zealand! We are going to get together with him, hopefully today. Right now, sitting in this cozy apartment, eating a bagel, and watching this week's episode of The Office, I feel so happy just to be alive.