When I think of the most wonderful moments, I am surprised by their simplicity. It was wonderful that everyone was able to wear headphones and enjoy the audio tour of Alcatraz. It was wonderful walking up a street in San Francisco. We laughed just because it was so funny to be walking on a street straight up. We paused to take pictures. It was wonderful to hold my youngest son's hand while we strolled along Fisherman's Wharf and enjoyed the street performers.

Chinatown was full of simple, enjoyable moments. My children, who don't eat anything that isn't plain pasta, were actually enjoyable company in a Chinese restaurant. They dined like pros, eating white rice with their chopsticks. After lunch, we searched alleyways for the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, which I had read about online and in my travel book. We were shocked that the place was the size of a closet. No matter - we bought a big $3 bag of fortune cookies and crunched on them as we walked back to the cable car stop.

A friend had recommended renting bikes and riding from Fisherman's Wharf over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, only eight short miles away. Despite my husband's concerns that it might be too difficult, I was determined to do it. The children agreed enthusiastically.

Getting to the bridge was no easy feat. Riding bikes up hills, against strong winds, challenged us. No one was having fun, so I suggested that we head back to the Wharf. When my oldest son, Jeff, said, "I'll keep going," my heart burst with pride. It was a turning point, and everyone agreed to continue.

Well, we made it. It was awesome, and we'll always remember how we conquered that bridge - and the big ice cream cones we enjoyed once we finally got to Sausalito.

To top off the exhilarating adventure, we were the last people to board the ferry back to San Francisco. Since we were last on, our bikes were first off.

Besides all the memories it produced, this trip made me realize that my children are becoming fun and adventurous people, and that is an amazing feeling.