The third day we headed out to the Japanese Tea Garden.  Part of Golden Gate Park, it was originally built during the World’s Fair in 1894.  It is the oldest Japanese garden in the United States with a complex of paths, ponds, and a teahouse featuring plants and trees pruned and arranged in the Japanese style.  Its three acres contain statuary and structures influenced by Buddhist and Shinto beliefs as well as many elements of water and rocks to create a calming landscape.  All this was ours to enjoy on this morning and with no entry fees.  Dallas could learn something from them.  This wooden moon bridge was placed with a high arch so its reflection in the still water forms a circle, symbolizing the moon.  And from the moon to the tides, we wound up with a stunning view of the ocean for lunch.  Seated behind floor-to-ceiling glass, we saw blue sky, rolling white waves, and several giant Seal Rocks rising up out of the sea.  The historic restaurant was literally as far as one can go on the West Coast — Land’s End — and the views of the Pacific were magnificent.  It was made all the more lovely because this day was our anniversary.  I always search for some place special or unusual in some way to celebrate and for dinner we ate at Forbes Island.  Built in 1975 by a millionaire houseboat designer, it was a private home opened to public dining in 1980.  As we are both children of the ’70’s, it had all the swank of our early childhood (oh yeah) and we LOVED it!  A sharp dressed captain in a little boat took us out and we were warmly greeted as soon as we set foot on board.  We actually dined below deck and could see fish swimming outside of the portholes.  The bar was fabulous, as was the service and the food.  Walking around was an absolute blast.  Above board it had sand, a waterfall, and actual palm trees growing!  Plus we got to go all the way up the winding spiral staircase to the top of the 40 foot working lighthouse!  It is the only privately built lighthouse in the United States and is equipped with a lens made in France dating back to 1820.  This place was probably the best we have ever chosen to spend our anniversary dinner in the now nine years we have been married.

“In small proportions we just beauties see; And in short measures, life may perfect be.” ~ 17th century English playwright Ben Jonson

It was the perfect end to a perfect day and we were both over the moon bridge.