San Francisco, California

July, 2009

Finally! This is the city in America I have most wanted to visit, and now I have. Amazing!

We got settled in Marin County at the Marin RV Park, chosen for its location. There is a pedestrian bridge along side the 101 for a 10 minute walk to the Larkspur Ferry. Another pedestrian bridge crossed the 101 to get to a bus stop for a drive across Golden Gate Bridge. Take a path under 101 to bike/walk to Larkspur and Corte Madera. I loved being able to walk to Trader Joe’s for groceries and step out the back of the park to be looking at a marsh and bay. We could even walk to an up-scale shopping center. We could not have had a sweeter location!

We spent a month. We traveled to S.F. at least once each week, never taking the dually. We enjoyed several walks along the Embarcadero and Fisherman’s Wharf, through Chinatown, Russian Hill, up to Coit Tower and even a trek to the groovy corner of Haight-Ashbury (not as much love as there must have been in the ‘60’s). A tour bus ride took us through the highlights of the city including Alamo Park and the Presidio. One day we bought a bus pass and hopped on and off at will, covering a lot of the city that way. Another mode of transport, we rode the historic Cable Car. We walked Lombardi St., both up and down the curviest street in the world. We took in the sights, sounds and smells of the city, walking for miles.

Several people recommended that we book the Alcatraz tour in advance, thank you all so much. We went on a Friday morning, important because this is one of only two garden tours offered all week. What a treat. It seems that the gardens were an important part of life for the island inhabitants. We also got to walk through the military officer quarters ruins and several other “off limits” areas. Dedicated volunteers are restoring the flower gardens to their original beauty using old photos for accuracy. The island has a rich history that extends far beyond its 29 years as a prison. Then we took the best audio tour I’ve ever experienced through the prison. Former guards and prisoners talk to you as you are directed through the rooms, halls and cells. Sound effects enhance the visual experience to help a visitor feel the despair of entering this prison.

One place I had to see in Marin Co. is Muir Wood. We were incredibly close, but it was still quite a long trip on a narrow, winding road. The trees defy description. How do you define Tall? Majestic? This is an island of trees in this otherwise densely populated county. These trees were big when Columbus landed. We had never before seen anything like these trees, and we were properly awed.

We spent an entire day on the USS Hornet, our first experience of an air craft carrier. In addition to the self-guided trip, we took a docent-led tour to the engine room and other below-decks areas unavailable otherwise. Another docent tour takes you up to the island; the tower of rooms for piloting the ship and its aircraft. Russell expected to be amazed, I had not.

We took a very cool trip to Berkeley to research an old address. Russell’s mom had lived here when his dad was serving in the Navy during World War II. We headed to the public library and surprisingly found phone books from 1943 and 1946. She was listed in both. There was enough information given to help us feel confident that we had found 2 different locations. We got a map and drove to each. This was so cool! We took pictures of beautiful homes that easily fit the bill in hopes that she could remember, but that didn’t happen. I know that she appreciated us doing it and we enjoyed the personalized experience. While in Berkeley, we went to the University of California. Russell wore his University of Texas shirt and hat for the walk on campus. Except for all those towering eucalyptus trees, we could have been at the UT campus. The similarity of architecture is amazing, and I think other similarities exist that we didn’t take time to learn.

One day we rode in together, parting at Golden Gate. Russell enjoyed the Maritime Ship pier while I took in art. I loved the deYoung Art Museum. An amazing Aztec tunic of bird feathers took my breath. I thought they would have decayed ages ago. The glass exhibits also caught my eye because I had never seen such exquisite glass castings. After a trip up to the observation tower at de Young, I also enjoyed a trek through some of the gardens of Golden Gate Park. I rode home wishing there was more time for more art museums. I arrived home to find that Russell had been to the grocery store and was cooking steaks. What a great day!

As usual, we had our usual work days and often didn’t leave the park except for a nearby walk. I made great strides in the quilt I was making for Kyle’s birthday, which was coming fast. Russell always works on the stock market and has other business to take care of. We drove to several nearby cities and towns, walked, shopped and ate. Our trip to San Francisco was a rousing success.

NEXT TIME: California Palace of Legion of Honor, the Olympic Club area, the Winchester House in San Jose and other points south of town