20151007:
Intent: Go to Susan's, talk, play with cats, lunch, etc.
Actually, we got up a little late after having slept for hours and hours. We had a plain and simple breakfast in the hotel dining room while looking downhill to the Pacific and across the street to the paths toward Land's End. When done, we walked down one of those paths and found a place where we could get a picture of Cliff House and the ruins of the Sutro Baths simultaneously. We could also see a tug & barge heading out to sea, and the view toward the North Coast across the entry to San Francisco Bay. Beautiful scenery and so quiet for being in a large city. Pictures later.
We then got into our tiny Toyota Yaris roller-skate and used Google Maps to take us to Golden Gate Military Cemetery. A cousin of mine died in 1967 and was buried there. Poor Bud has the last grave in a long row, right next to a busy street. We took pictures for genealogy and relatives, and went on, taking I-280 further south.
By arrangement, we met Charlie Steed, an old submarine sonar friend of mine outside Original Joe's restaurant in downtown San Jose. We went in and were seated. We chatted for a bit while waiting for Elva, Charlie's wife, who works as a legal secretary downtown. Then the four of us had a great time talking about travels and things past and things to do in the future. We also ate. Really nice Italian food. Waiters in black suits & bow ties. Nice place. Full of noon-time business people. We had a great time and Charlie said they did as well. We hadn't seen each other since the 2007 USSVI Submariner Convention cruise to Alaska so it was a real pleasure to see them again.
We went back up to SF and Susan's house by way of I-280 then out to the ocean at Half-Moon Bay, then up the coast. We found a parking spot close to the house. We sat around the table chatting and comparing notes on who's where. Susan taught Dolores a computer game she and Bryant have come to like. After a bit we wandered over to Judah Street to a little Mexican food place. The enchiladas were good, the margarita big and cold, and we had another good chat session.
We walked back to Susan's house by way of an overlook with a view of the Pacific. Even though it was well past sunset there were a few streaks of light, just enough to get a picture of the sand dunes, the sky, and the water. We left Susan at her door and drove back to the hotel. Now, we're doing computer chores and relaxing. It was a fine first day.
20151008:
No plans.
Very nice day today, clear and in the upper 60's. Shirtsleeves, sandals, and light slacks.
We went down to breakfast and to meet Susan, who said she'd hike to our place. She tried a shortcut up a hill that turned out to be very steep with few handholds, so she arrived red-faced and puffing. We had a good breakfast in the hotel, then walked across to Sutro Heights, where Alfred Sutro had his mansion overlooking his Cliff House and Sutro Baths complex. It's a beautiful little park now since the mansion and conservatory are gone. A few of the statues remain, as does the parapet overlooking the Pacific.
We took the car to the Golden Gate Park's Botanical Gardens so Dolores could get all her flower-picture taking done. We were fortunate to get a parking space at the gate. We hiked all over the 55-acre expanse and took lots of pictures (to post here later). The weather was great for walking, since we couldn't get over-heated. At one point a squirrel hopped to us, begging for food. After spending a couple of hours walking through the park, we left and went across the street and up the block a hundred meters to Park Chow for a light lunch. The place is very nice, with good food and service - Susan says they come here semi-frequently.
Redwood Trail in the Botanical Garden:
We walked back to the car and drove through Golden Gate Park (GGP) to the Presidio, formed in 1776 by the Spanish. It later housed soldiers of the California Republic, then the US. Now the main part of the old Army base is part of the National Park Service and the Presidio Trust. As we parked, a firm was setting up little cabanas to rent this evening during the food truck and music event that takes place many Thursdays. From here, there is a great view of the Golden Gate bridge and Alcatraz and much of the bay.
Golden Gate Bridge:
The roar of jet engines started us looking around and we saw some Blue Angel planes zipping back and forth. It turned out they had practice hours today for their performance this weekend during "Fleet Week". Several ships will come to town and be available for tours, and many other navy-oriented things will take place. Susan said this might change their plans because the waterfront will be crowded. Hmmm…
We'd walked enough, so we took Susan home then picked up some stuff at Walgreens. When leaving the Walgreen store, I felt my iPhone getting warm in my pocket, and with only 2% power remaining. Later, I found I'd taken a long video of the inside of my pocket. We took a few hours relaxation in our room.
Bryant & Susan came along about 6:45 and took us to Paradise Pizza and Pasta in the West Portal section of SF. It's a great neighborhood Italian restaurant with good food and friendly people. I had a unique Chicken Picatta that was very nice. Chianti, of course. Then they dropped us at the hotel. Susan has practical stuff tomorrow morning & Bryant is working, so we'll take care of ourselves for a bit until we can get together again. Also, the staff at the hotel will be moving us to another room (reservations conflict).
20151009: (Leif Ericsson Day):
SF tour by trolley car and return for the evening?
Actually, we did do some of this. We loafed a bit, then packed our stuff for the move to Room 109, while Susan did laundry. We drove there around 10:30 and chatted until the laundry dried.
Then we walked a block and a half to the Judah Street Muni (Light Rail in the street) car stop. We boarded and rode 45 minutes to the Embarcadero - the old Ferry Building that served early commuters coming into the city before the bridges were built. It is located at the Bay end of Market Street. The financial district is immediately west of it.
We went first for a light lunch in a madhouse called the Market Bar. It took a long time for our food to come to the table, but it was good when it did. We chatted and watched people.
Then we hiked the length of the building, which is a market. It has shops of many types. Susan bought a steak for cooking tonight and I bought a good bottle of wine to go with it. We wandered through bookstores and other shops. We went out onto the bay side of the building and took pictures of the nice view up the bay. We tired of walking after a bit and got back onto the muni to go home. Since it was now after 1500, the early rush hour had begun and the muni was very crowded outbound. But we did get back to 48th Avenue and walked from the stop to the house.
We drove back to the hotel to rest for a while and to move into our new room. It is not as big or nice as 105 but it will do for the three remaining nights.
Later we drove to Bryant & Susan's for dinner. She cooked a steak, new potatoes, and broccoli. We drank the wine purchased earlier today, and chatted. We left early, since we have to be up early for tomorrow's Wine Train Ride.
…. and that's it for this page. Please press the second San Francisco button on the left to continue.
