Wednesday, August 4th

Nicole got to the airport only to be told her flight was delayed 2 hours. Uggh. Fortunately, I was there so early, they booked me onto a flight that was going to Chicago in 15 minutes! I was able to get my connecting flight on time. I met Rach in Chicago. We were texting each other while standing 10 ft away and didn't see each other.


The flight to CA was booked solid and we couldn't sit together! Rach was stranded in the back of the plane and Nicole was seated with a baby, a cat, and a man with Tourette's. Good times for a 4 hour ride. Rach made us sandwiches and saved the day. Chelle's first flight was early but her second was delayed 20 minutes. We all ended up in Oakland at almost the exact same time. The rental cars were uneventful and we drove to Berkeley and found Bud amongst the hippies. He gave us a nice Belgian ale and a tour of his apartment and UC Berkeley.









Then we went to Berkeley Bowl (a grocery store) to find some wine for dinner and some mead for Mark, but they didn't have the mead. We will have to try the other location tomorrow. For dinner we had reservations at Trattoria la Sicilliana, delicious very authentic Italian style restaurant. We had a yummy family style dinner with bruscetta, a mozzerella topped salad, mushroom ravioli, and risotto. We split some bottles of wine and a tirumisu for dessert.





Then, Chelle and Cole took Bud to his place while Rach went to get Derrick and Michael at the airport. Then, Cole realized her bag was in Rach's trunk, so she drove BACK to the hotel to give it to her. Thanks, Rach!

It is 3AM EST so I am not responsible for any errors or omissions.

Tomorrow, Fentons for brunch, tour of old childhood haunts, and Fisher for dinner at Garibaldis where we are to meet the illusive Jocelyn!