This past October 2013, I had the most fabulous time with a weekend of adventure in California hosted by my Triple Negative Breast Cancer sisters from our online support group. We had planned a girl's weekend get-together full of fun and relaxation. Feeling the excitement as I was in the sky for 6 hours flying over mountains as this is my first trip to Cali. I arrived in San Jose on a Thursday where I was picked up at the airport by TNBC sister, Kathleen (Katie) whom was my roommate 8 months prior at Seattle's Young Survival Coalition Conference for breast cancer survivors. Katie showed me around her hometown in Saratoga and have introduced me to her family before we headed to San Francisco to meet up with 2 more TNBC sister's Maria and Lisa Lee whom were meeting us for lunch for some Dim Sum at Yank Sing restaurant. I had also previously met Maria at the Seattle conference too. I've tried a lot of different kinds of Asian foods and enjoyed fine wine over good conversations and a lot of laughter. Katie gave me a tour of San Francisco as we headed towards the Golden Gate Bridge. I just took it all in and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Katie and I headed to the mountains for our weekend at the cabin. 
On Friday, another TNBC sister that I had also previously met in Seattle, Lisa B. drove in and spent the day with Katie and I in the mountains for wine tasting at Saluti Winery where we tasted several kinds of wine. We drove through the mountains enjoying the spectacular view of endless vineyards and forestry and made a stop at Apple Hill for some shopping. On Saturday, Maria and Lisa Lee met up with us again at the cabin for eats and beer tasting night. After a fantastic weekend with my ladies, there was one quick stop in Sunnyvale that I absolutely had to make before I get on that plane to head back to Ohio. I had to see TNBC sister, Stephanie whom was one of the first TNBC survivors that I had met online 3 years ago as I just finished treatment and she was starting hers. Though it was a very short visit with Steph, it completed my trip and was really nice to meet her face to face. Thank you ladies for a much needed "group therapy" weekend, I really enjoyed myself and appreciate your hospitality. Much love xoxo Melissa
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| My view from the sky... |
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| I'm getting closer... |
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| Saratoga |
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| San Francisco, here I come! |
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| TNBC sister, Maria and Melissa... Mmm, what's this? shanghai dumpling... very juicy! |
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| Let's try this... |
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| Stuffed crab claw - Om-nom, nom... Like this too! |
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| Lunch date with the ladies for dim sum at Yank Sing, San Francisco TNBC sisters, Lisa L. and Katie standing, Maria and Melissa sitting. ...and I said I don't drink wine! |
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| I wanna ride on one of these... |
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| Bay Bridge, San Francisco |
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| Bay Bridge, San Francisco |
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| Streets of San Francisco |
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| Wires!... what's this? |
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| Cali Palm trees... Oh Look, Lisa's my tour guide! |
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| Houses in San Francisco |
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| Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco |
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| Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco |
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| Riding across the Golden... |
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| San Francisco Bay |
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| San Francisco Bay across from the city |
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| Golden Gate Bridge and Bay |
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| Golden Gate rush hour... |
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| Sailboating across from Alcatraz |
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| Melissa and Kathleen - Taking in the view... |
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| Awww! The mountains... the view... SPECTACULAR! |
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| My stay for the weekend... |
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| Wine tasting at Saluti Winery with TNBC sisters Kathleen, Lisa B. and Melissa. "Fight like a girl, Drink like a lady" |
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| Lisa B. and Melissa at Saluti Winery |
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| Melissa at Saluti Winery in the mountains |
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| Lisa B. at Apple Hill |
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| TNBC Sisters Lisa B. and Katie |
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| Apples... everywhere! ...and all kinds! |
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| Love this view in the mountains - Apple Hill |
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| Melissa and Katie |
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| Melissa and Lisa B. |
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| The forbidden apple... Melissa |
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| Melissa - Lovin it! |
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| My first time eating artichoke... Delicious! |
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| Another great tasting... Salmon topped with capers on cream cheese and bread |
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| Pomegranate... I'm glad Katie showed me how to eat this |
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| TNBC sister, Lisa B. and Melissa at the cabin in the mountains of California |
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| They arrived... at the cabin! Melissa, Katie, Lisa B., Maria and Lisa L. |
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| TNBC sisters, Lisa B., Katie, Maria, Lisa L. and Melissa |
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| Cranium!... fun with board games with Lisa |
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| My observers... as I taste different foods and drinks. Melissa, Maria and Lisa |
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| Beer tasting... |
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| Start from light to dark... |
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| TNBC Sisters, Maria and Melissa |
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| TNBC Sisters, Lisa Lee and Melissa |
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| TNBC sisters, Maria and Lisa |
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| Beautiful mountain roads... |
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| Curve ahead... |
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| Wine country... |
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| California wineries... |
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| Quarry |
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| Spectacular view! |
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| Solar Mills... lots of them! |
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| FINALLY!... Meeting TNBC sister, Stephanie Flores face to face |