trundle all around the city, mostly full to the gills with tourists. Lousy rhyme but true. I'm not complaining. For a measly 4 bucks a day each we were able to ride them to many of the cool places here. Not all by any means, there is just too much to see for a mere week. Let's see if I can put it together.
We hauled the fifth-wheel from Coarsegold to our new (expensive) park on the north side of the bay in Larkspur, just over 300 miles. Apparently it was mostly downhill because I logged my best towing mileage at 14.5 mpg. Bay area real estate doesn't come cheap so 50 bucks a night isn't such a bad deal, especially when you consider that we're just a 10 minute walk from the ferry. That's kind of a deal, too. By the way, the walkway has dill growing along it. Even the roadside weeds here are different. We both skated along on a senior ticket at 4.75 a trip, less than 20 bucks a day. The ferry is kind of fun, moving right along past San Quentin prison on one side and a view of Angel Island and the Golden Gate on the other, roughly following the Bay Bridge. Of course, the first day we stepped off the ferry and found ourselves in a completely strange place. Like we've never done that before.
In order to quell our (my) anxiety we were armed with several maps and guides. First job, get those all-important Muni tickets, guaranteeing transportation. A helpful, friendly person (not an oddity in this laid-back town) showed us to the right counter and a short wait in line later, on our way. Let's hit Fisherman's wharf on the cable car, there's a stop right in front of the ferry building and it's only a mile up the Embarcadero. Three full cable cars later we decided to take one the other way and see what happens. Rode it down Market street to the Castro district (male couples in constant evidence, NTTAWT) then got back on and got off at Van Ness. Heck, it's a tourist, shopping area, there are all those pastel bay window apartments above the stores. In less than a block, we see the ultimate San Francisco store, an adult toy store with a vibrator museum. Hand cranks?
Up and down the hills, checking out the counterculture, past Nob Hill and Russian Hill, before we knew it we were back on the bay and looking right at the Maritime National Park. The ranger for the museum was preparing her 3:30 talk on the America's Cup. America's Cup? Why yes, there's a qualifier race tomorrow, right there in the bay. Where would you go to see it? Why, anywhere along the bay, the best place might be from that wooden ferryboat, the Eureka, on the other end of the Aquatic Park. Guess what, it's a national park. Climb all over the old crocks for free (for us old farts with the magic pass), so long as they're open. The Eureka is the jewel of the exhibit, with over a hundred years of history and a deckload of classic cars to boot. Not to mention a walking beam single cylinder steam engine, the last of its kind in operation. By the time we walked south to Fisherman's Wharf, we realized it was getting late. The ferry can't be too far, right? Wrong, but we realized that too late and walked another mile or so. Not that it was a loss. The waterfront is a trip and a constant source of entertainment.
Wednesday was a race day for the America's Cup. We got there early enough to visit Fisherman's Wharf. Turns out, it's a tourist trap. And well worth seeing. Off to one side are a lot of floats with sea lions lounging about. Lots of sea lions. Then there's the leftie's store. Everything in it made for us lefties. Liz and I both qualify. Amazing how easy it is to follow a line with scissors that work right. There's also the shop that sells bamboo clothing and sheets. Wonderfully soft, breathable and durable. At only 2 or 3 times the cost of cotton! A magic shop, lots of decorative eateries, the whole schmear. Then off to the races. Sit on the second deck of the Eureka, eat a sack lunch and watch New Zealand kick the crap out of the Italians again. I have no idea of the rules or what I was seeing except it was obvious New Zealand was much faster all over the course. After that the America's Cup grounds (right on the bay and on the way to the ferry) was having an open house and free concert. Nice place to watch large wads of money wherever you looked. Otherwise, meh.
Next day we just kicked back, letting our legs recover. Amazing how many miles you can walk being a tourist. I think that's the day we heard about the Hetch Hetchy fire. We'd just left there! The dam there supplies most of San Francisco's water and a lot of its electrical power. Today (Saturday) the fire was more than 200 square miles and growing.They had to shut down two of the three generators.
Back on the ferry Friday and the streetcar to (where else?) Haight Ashbury. Well, why not? Up along Haight it's wall to wall tourists and shops.Liz had forgotten a sweater (it gets cool in unpredictable fashion here), so in classic 60's form, we stopped at a Goodwill shop and found a sweater. Haight ends right at Golden Gate park. Nowhere near the bridge of the same name. Huge place. Still, we walked past the California Academy of Sciences before we gave up and rode the streetcars again to the ferry, halfway and more across town.
Saturday we decided to give the truck a little exercise and go all the way out to Muir Woods. We nearly took the Richmond bridge into the city then back north to the woods. A better read of a different map showed us we were in fact on the same peninsula. Just 11 miles (by road, 6 as the crow flies) and we were there. So was a measurable fraction of the bay area. Gee, more redwoods, not anything like the size of the ones further up the coast. Still, a very nice park, nicely laid out by the CCC in the 1930's. I see this as a recurring theme in our national parks. Imagine that Roosevelt, pulling young men out of their unemployment and putting them to work improving our infrastructure and learning real trades. By Golly, we wouldn't stand for such foolishness these days. Sigh. Aimed for lunch in Sausalito, if only for the cool name, ended up in Mill Valley, a wealthier relative.
Liz here. We heard this talk twice both times for Asian volunteers.
5 things the Redwoods teach.
1) Stand tall (to get the light)
2) Stay close to family and friends. Redwoods "communicate" with pheromones.
3) Have a wide support foundation. Their roots grow wide not deep.
4) Drink plenty of water.
5) Grow a thick skin. (Mike thinks this one is most important.)
Today (Sunday) is our last day in San Francisco. The ferry only makes about 5 runs a day on weekends so we had to start a little early and come back a bit early but still had time to ride on those fun (and crowded, especially on the weekend) cable cars and take a look at Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world. Pure tourist stuff, as evidenced by the crowd. Still fun. Then a little shopping (For Asian food, of course, where else can you find leechee?) an authentic Chinese lunch, and one more ferry ride past good old San Quentin. Tomorrow, back on the road towards Lake Tahoe, with a restful 3 day stop in a secluded little park first.
We hauled the fifth-wheel from Coarsegold to our new (expensive) park on the north side of the bay in Larkspur, just over 300 miles. Apparently it was mostly downhill because I logged my best towing mileage at 14.5 mpg. Bay area real estate doesn't come cheap so 50 bucks a night isn't such a bad deal, especially when you consider that we're just a 10 minute walk from the ferry. That's kind of a deal, too. By the way, the walkway has dill growing along it. Even the roadside weeds here are different. We both skated along on a senior ticket at 4.75 a trip, less than 20 bucks a day. The ferry is kind of fun, moving right along past San Quentin prison on one side and a view of Angel Island and the Golden Gate on the other, roughly following the Bay Bridge. Of course, the first day we stepped off the ferry and found ourselves in a completely strange place. Like we've never done that before.
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| Not an unusual view around the bay. Windmills everywhere. |
In order to quell our (my) anxiety we were armed with several maps and guides. First job, get those all-important Muni tickets, guaranteeing transportation. A helpful, friendly person (not an oddity in this laid-back town) showed us to the right counter and a short wait in line later, on our way. Let's hit Fisherman's wharf on the cable car, there's a stop right in front of the ferry building and it's only a mile up the Embarcadero. Three full cable cars later we decided to take one the other way and see what happens. Rode it down Market street to the Castro district (male couples in constant evidence, NTTAWT) then got back on and got off at Van Ness. Heck, it's a tourist, shopping area, there are all those pastel bay window apartments above the stores. In less than a block, we see the ultimate San Francisco store, an adult toy store with a vibrator museum. Hand cranks?
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| Right out the ferry terminal door. |
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| A real magazine ad circa 1890. |
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| From the Vibrator Museum |
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| If it's not working for you, it's still useful as a rolling pin. There was even one by Black & Decker |
Up and down the hills, checking out the counterculture, past Nob Hill and Russian Hill, before we knew it we were back on the bay and looking right at the Maritime National Park. The ranger for the museum was preparing her 3:30 talk on the America's Cup. America's Cup? Why yes, there's a qualifier race tomorrow, right there in the bay. Where would you go to see it? Why, anywhere along the bay, the best place might be from that wooden ferryboat, the Eureka, on the other end of the Aquatic Park. Guess what, it's a national park. Climb all over the old crocks for free (for us old farts with the magic pass), so long as they're open. The Eureka is the jewel of the exhibit, with over a hundred years of history and a deckload of classic cars to boot. Not to mention a walking beam single cylinder steam engine, the last of its kind in operation. By the time we walked south to Fisherman's Wharf, we realized it was getting late. The ferry can't be too far, right? Wrong, but we realized that too late and walked another mile or so. Not that it was a loss. The waterfront is a trip and a constant source of entertainment.
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| Apparently, every apartment in town has a bay window. |
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| Cross a street, look around and there's a great view. |
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| Cute way to see the town. |
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| I never saw a Tesla in the flesh before. |
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| In the foreground a sailing schooner and the Eureka. Background, Alcatraz. |
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| Ghiardelli fountain |
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| A class teambuilding project used a cardboard boat race in the Aquatic Park. |
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| That schooner again |
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| On board Eureka |
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| single cylinder walking beam engine |
Wednesday was a race day for the America's Cup. We got there early enough to visit Fisherman's Wharf. Turns out, it's a tourist trap. And well worth seeing. Off to one side are a lot of floats with sea lions lounging about. Lots of sea lions. Then there's the leftie's store. Everything in it made for us lefties. Liz and I both qualify. Amazing how easy it is to follow a line with scissors that work right. There's also the shop that sells bamboo clothing and sheets. Wonderfully soft, breathable and durable. At only 2 or 3 times the cost of cotton! A magic shop, lots of decorative eateries, the whole schmear. Then off to the races. Sit on the second deck of the Eureka, eat a sack lunch and watch New Zealand kick the crap out of the Italians again. I have no idea of the rules or what I was seeing except it was obvious New Zealand was much faster all over the course. After that the America's Cup grounds (right on the bay and on the way to the ferry) was having an open house and free concert. Nice place to watch large wads of money wherever you looked. Otherwise, meh.
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| Sea lions BARK! You can hear these guys all over Fisherman's Wharf. |
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| And dance |
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| Maybe to the tune of the piano staircase. Yes, step on and hear the piano chord. |
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| Store for the lefthanded in Fisherman's Wharf |
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| Semi-synchronized marching Segways? Just another way of sightseeing. |
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| American team practicing |
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| New Zealand boat during race. Godawful fast. Note the sponsor's logo on the sails. Take the money from whoever offers it. |
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| Italian team. I tried to get both boats in the same shot but the Italians never close enough to the Kiwis to allow that. |
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| You bet she can! |
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| WW2 sub on display |
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| Right next to sub, a pinball machine, etc. free museum. Actually, I think it was always a pinball emporium but got more customers by calling it a museum. |
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| One of the arcade exhibits, a 1912 steam motorcycle. Hand built. |
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| Street entertainment magician. |
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| America's Cup site on the Embarcadero. |
Next day we just kicked back, letting our legs recover. Amazing how many miles you can walk being a tourist. I think that's the day we heard about the Hetch Hetchy fire. We'd just left there! The dam there supplies most of San Francisco's water and a lot of its electrical power. Today (Saturday) the fire was more than 200 square miles and growing.They had to shut down two of the three generators.
Back on the ferry Friday and the streetcar to (where else?) Haight Ashbury. Well, why not? Up along Haight it's wall to wall tourists and shops.Liz had forgotten a sweater (it gets cool in unpredictable fashion here), so in classic 60's form, we stopped at a Goodwill shop and found a sweater. Haight ends right at Golden Gate park. Nowhere near the bridge of the same name. Huge place. Still, we walked past the California Academy of Sciences before we gave up and rode the streetcars again to the ferry, halfway and more across town.
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| Good old San Quentin |
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| Local scenery |
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| 45 years too late |
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| Golden Gate Park near AIDS Memorial |
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| Monuments surround the Art Museum and Academy of Arts in Golden Gate Park |
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| German authors Goethe and Schiller stand aside of DeYoung Museum |
Saturday we decided to give the truck a little exercise and go all the way out to Muir Woods. We nearly took the Richmond bridge into the city then back north to the woods. A better read of a different map showed us we were in fact on the same peninsula. Just 11 miles (by road, 6 as the crow flies) and we were there. So was a measurable fraction of the bay area. Gee, more redwoods, not anything like the size of the ones further up the coast. Still, a very nice park, nicely laid out by the CCC in the 1930's. I see this as a recurring theme in our national parks. Imagine that Roosevelt, pulling young men out of their unemployment and putting them to work improving our infrastructure and learning real trades. By Golly, we wouldn't stand for such foolishness these days. Sigh. Aimed for lunch in Sausalito, if only for the cool name, ended up in Mill Valley, a wealthier relative.
Liz here. We heard this talk twice both times for Asian volunteers.
5 things the Redwoods teach.
1) Stand tall (to get the light)
2) Stay close to family and friends. Redwoods "communicate" with pheromones.
3) Have a wide support foundation. Their roots grow wide not deep.
4) Drink plenty of water.
5) Grow a thick skin. (Mike thinks this one is most important.)
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| Muir Woods |
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| Asian Volunteer lead 1 hour tour |
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| Plaque commemorating FDR during the first meeting of the UN organizing council on this site. No, I have no idea just why. |
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| Freshly fallen tree across path. |
Today (Sunday) is our last day in San Francisco. The ferry only makes about 5 runs a day on weekends so we had to start a little early and come back a bit early but still had time to ride on those fun (and crowded, especially on the weekend) cable cars and take a look at Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world. Pure tourist stuff, as evidenced by the crowd. Still fun. Then a little shopping (For Asian food, of course, where else can you find leechee?) an authentic Chinese lunch, and one more ferry ride past good old San Quentin. Tomorrow, back on the road towards Lake Tahoe, with a restful 3 day stop in a secluded little park first.
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| The real classic trolleys come out on the weekend. |
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| Even steeper than it looks. Only Rice-a-roni is missing. |
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| From the top of Lombard Street |
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| A solid block of switchbacks |
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| View from the bottom |
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| Just an alley. Appropriate, I guess. |
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| Transamerica Pyramid is SF skyline's signature. Does the man working on the top floor have a pointy head? |
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| One last look at the ferry station as we take ferry to our RV. . |
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