Saturday, April 16, 2011

A PS for Saturday

First Saturday photo and Saturday video (farewell to San Francisco)

I know I said adios yesterday, but there were a couple of things we wanted to add to the blog about today. 

Matt was up really early so decided to go back down to China town and get us some fortune cookies from the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie factory without the fortune in them.  Basically - the fortune cookie - just not folded - just flat cookies.  The lady who took time from her fortune cookie folding to take his money said "here is some extra happy" and put a handful of the fresh ones in the bag.

We took our first cab ride together.  We no longer think the bus drivers are the craziest drivers around.  LOL

We then boarded the BART train that would take us to SFO.  We were there plenty early as going through check in was a breeze - except for re-arranging packed items so no bag was over 50 pounds. 

At our gate Matt found a restuarant that we just had to try.  It was called Cat Cora's - (she is the one woman on Iron Chef).  The food was delish - Matt had the slider trio (1 spiced pork, 1 wagyu beef and 1 lamb).  I ordered the lobster mac n cheese.  Wow.  Cat Cora was not there - but the food was awesome anyway. 

Back to wait at the gate for the plane that became very late!  We departed 1 1/2 hours behind schedule so we knew the connection in DFW would be tight if not impossible.  My seat mate was a Dad and his little girl who was so sweet - she insisted that she share a cookie with me.  Turns out he bought those almond cookies at the same place in Chinatown that matt bought the flat fortune cookies.  And - although I have never personally traveled first class, my carry-on bag now has.  We were in the first row behind first class and that's where an open overhead bin was.  :-)

We did arrive at DFW and proceeded to run/walk as fast as possible to make it to the gate.  (thank goodness for the Skytrain).  We got to the gate assuming it is gone as we are very late.  Nope - the plane had difficulties and first it was delayed and then they put us on another plane all together. 

But now we are safely back home (about 11 PM - over 12 hours since we started our travels back home) and we have to play and sing in church tomorrow.  They sent us the hymn numbers while we were in San Fran.  We'll run through them in the morning before heading to church.  Morning will feel very early!  Thanks for reading folks.  This time I really do me adios until the next trip.

Friday, April 15, 2011

And we'll have Fun Fun Fun on this Friday in San Francisco, CA

Friday Fotos and Fideos
All about Chinatown Walking tours.  That is the name of the tour we took for 2 hours this morning.  It did not feel like 2 hours. . . .our guide was so informative, creative and just plain fun that the time just flew by. 

We met up with the group (a relativly small group of 10 people compared with her 90 6th graders yesterday) at Old St. Mary's Cathedral.  Once she introduced herself individually to everyone - we were off on our tour.  The tour included things like a park, a health store,  food market, chinese fortune cookie factory,  a monestary and so much more.  For a bit extra in price you could eat Dim Sum with Linda Lee (our tour guide).  We chose not to do that as we had just eaten wonderful chinese food on Wednesday.  If you are ever in San Francisco - we highly recommend this tour.

Next up after a brief stop at the condo to put on cooler clothes (the temps were warming up) we walked down to 6th street and found the Passion Cafe.  It is a little french bistro where we had a yummy lunch.  It is a good thing there are so many hills here - the food is all delicious and very filling.

After lunch we headed to the SFMOMA otherwise known as the San francisco Museum of Modern Art.  Umm yeah.  I am sure there is one painting on  a wall, that, had I known it was art - I would never have made Joe and Isaac help me scrub it off of their bedroom walls.  But - we walked through a couple of floors and then decided we had been modern enough for the trip and headed to a sheet music store.

Rows upon rows of music for almost every instrument imaginable (including voice).  I found a piece that I had been looking for and we were off again.

Back down to Fisherman's Wharf - only this time on an F train.  This car was originally from Milan, Italy so many signs were in Italian.  Each F train we've ridden on has been different.

We walked around the wharf again, first shopping for souvenirs.  It was hard - but we stayed in our budget!  yeah!!!

Next we explored Musee' Mechanique (Matt started there I was distracted by the big WWII submarine that was docked outside).  Word of advice - bring your quarters!  We heard player pianos and orchestreons.  We saw games from the far far past all the way to present day.   It was fun to see all of these things in one place. 

More walking up and down the wharf and then we decided our last meal (at least evening one) would be at Johnny Rockets.  Matt had had enough sea food and what could be more unseafood like than a burger at the home of the orignal burger (so says their sign).  Coupons from the Entertainment Book also helped in that decision.

It was time to catch one more cable car.  We were fortunate enough to ride on the outside seats and were right up front so Matt was able to get some pretty cool video and pictures.  All I can say was WOW!~  That was probably the most fun cable car ride yet!!

Now it's time to get a little laundry done and pack it into the suitcases.  We fly home tomorrow.  It has been a wonderful trip.  And, if we ever decide to come back, there is a whole list of things to do and places to see that we were not able to do this time.

don't forget to check out our new videos and pictures at https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/myphotos
Adios until the next trip!!

Explore! Explore! Explore! Thursday 4/14/11

Howdy folks. Today's theme was definitely explore!  (Thursday photos and videos)

The faithful 30 bus took us in the direction it was supposed to to get to the Palace of the Fine Arts/Exploratorium.  I'd give you the exact direction - but after this trip I'm glad I at least still know up from down.  (you go up hills and then down hills to get to your chosen destination). 

The PFA is columns and statues and a park - and holds the Exploritorium in a building next to it.  As we approached the Center column area - (the pictures and video will help you here) we could hear beautiful soprano singing.  Couldn't understand a word because it was an Italian opera aria, but we could appreciate the beauty.  It was just a perfect accustic setting. 

Then we explored some more in the Exploritoium.  Electricity, sound, light, gravity - it was similar to the Museum of Science and industry only smaller and everything was HANDS ON!  We were definitely the minority today - PWC - parents without children.  But Matt especially had fun going from exhibit to exhibit.  I think he spent an 1 1/2 in the light area alone! 

We spent a good chunk of the day there (10:00 to 2:30),  but it was well worth it.  Our next exploration once again found us on the trusty 30 bus to take us closer to Fisherman's Wharf (not Worf).  Our plans were to catch the cable car that goes past the top of Lombard street before it begins it's crazy curvy descent (the street not the cable car).  BUT - the line was really, really, really, really LONG.  So we checked in to what other buses we could take and decided to catch the 19 to Lombard street.  (Hee hee hee).  We were at Lombard street facing a pretty steep climb.  But - go for it we did.  I happened to chat with someone who lives half way up the hill as we were climbing.  His thoughts were - "at least I live on the bottom floor and not the unit that is at the top of those stairs."  There were a lot of stairs for that person after climbing up the hill.

Still climbing for another block and one half - we finally reached the top of Lombard Street.  You can't see how the road curves from there, but it is really pretty.  We got a couple of shots from the top and then Matt, ever the gentleman, said he would walk down the street and then come back to meet me at the top of the next block over.  I will be honest - I was dreading the going down and back up.  Did I mention it was a really steep hill for pedestrians?  Only the driving part has been broken into curves (or switchbacks for you mountainy people). 

When Matt made it back to me we continued down hill on Hyde to find what we have been told is the best kept secret in the City - ZA's Pizza.  It was pretty good pizza.  Very friendly atmosphere.  And cheap!  Both of us ate our fill for 15 bucks. 

After being refreshed with a slice and a soda we headed off to catch a cable car.  It is so much fun riding them.  I've had to ride and this time stand for all the ups and downs, but it is truly an experience.  The only thing we haven't done is be on the outside seats.  Maybe tomorrow.

We hopped off of the cable car and checked out the free Cable Car Museum.  Lots of interesting history about the cars and lines.  And - you can watch the cables turn.  We spent a good amount of time there too. 

When we finished in the museum, we had planned to just walk downhill to catch a bus back to the condo.  But, I happened to notice that you can see the bay bridge and said" do you feel like walking down to the bay?"  Matt was just crazy enough to say yes.  So we walked. . . . .and walked. . . . .and (you get the idea).  But it was fascinating.  We ended up going through a part of China town that we had been in yesterday.  We walked by the restaurant where we ate lunch and the "coupon lady" was out front to give us a coupon.  When we said we ate there yesterday and it was yummy - she looked at us and said - "Oh yes, our first customers of the morning. "  I can't believe that she remembered us. 

We kept walking down to the Embarcadaro (it was an above ground road that fell in the 1991 earthquake. Now it is at sea level with the surrounding streets ) and then decided we would explore some more and get a bus over the bridge to Treasure Island.  So, we turned right so that we would not accidentally walk into the bay (I threw that in to see if anyone's paying attention) and a few blocks later found the terminal we needed to get across the bay.  We went across the bridge to Treasure Island - a former navy post - and took some really neat pictures of San Francisco from the other side of the bay.  Most things were closed because it was nearing 7 pm, but that's ok.  We hung out there for quite a while enjoying the breeze and the awesome view.

We caught a return bus back and wandered up Market St. to find a bus or train back to our home away from home.  Our walk was rewarded with the music of a very talented drummer.  We finally found the bus and worked our way back to the condo.

Now it is time for bed.  Tomorrow we are going to take the All about Chinatown Walking tour - and we do not want to be late for that. (again. . .;-( )

Y'all have a good night now ya hear?

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Murphy's law of vacation

There is Murphy's law.  And then there is Murphy's law of vacation.  (Wednesday photos and videos)

1) the only day when you really want to be somewhere at a certain time, the sun doesn't wake you up.  (someone remembered to close the drapes the night before and it was raining). 

2) In Chinatown - when they say the tour leaves at 10 am - it leaves at exactly 10 am.  (We arrived at 10:03 and they had already departed!)

3) They day you pick to walk through the museum of Modern art is the one day of the week they are closed!  (Wednesday - really?)

4) You go to take a picture of something really clever only to discover you left the memory card in the computer when you were downloading yesterday's pictures.

5) you try to take a short cut through Ghiradelli Square and end up walking up a very steep hill twice!  (ok - we needed the exercise). 

6) you find this really neat thing called a wave organ - designed to hear the ocean through pipes.  Really neat looking but, you get there at 3:00 and you can't hear anything.  You then see a sign that says - the organ is at its best at full tide (hours away) and during a full moon. 

You'd think what a lousy day - right? Nope!  With every Murphy lemon we managed to find or make some lemonade!

The numbers below refer to the numbers above:

1) We were still in the condo to talk to both Nana and Joe

2)Since we were in Chinatown anyway we decided to explore a little on our own and discovered a delicious restaurant called "Chinatown Restaurant" (who would think it)  and a music store where Matt had a ton of fun and bought himself something special.  We also found out later that Wednesday's tour was for 65 grade school kids - so we wouldn't have wanted to tag along.

3)We found a pretty cool park called Yerba Buena Gardens.  Peaceful and pretty.  And walking through there we found Beard Papa's Sweets.  (cream puffs - yum - better find some more hills to burn off those calories). 

4) As we were starting the climb back to the condo (we could have taken a bus but decided not) we came upon a Walgreens that had memory cards on sale ($9.99 for 2Gb)!!  And now we could catch the F train!

5) Because of this "short cut" maybe I burned off some of those cream puff calories.  :-)

6) The views around the bay were pretty spectacular.  And it was very peaceful out there.  We climbed down some rocks onto a little beach and just watched the sail boats and ocean liners work their way in and out of the bay.  So even though we could only hear the wind through the pipes. . . we had a wonderful walk out and back.  It was all very romantic.  (Just so you know. . . I can hear you gaggin all the way out here, Isaac!)

We ended our day with a bus ride back to Sutter street.  As we climbed the street to our condo - Matt happened to notice a store that had Loads - and I do mean loads of Tin Tin everything.  Books, mugs, original prints.  He was in Tin Tin overload heaven.  And we found out that they are releasing a Tin Tin movie hopefully in December here in the States.  I love watching the guy when he gets excited like that!!! 

Happy hour pizza and really good beer at Piraats and then we called it a day. 

Tomorrow we are going to try to do that Chinatown walking tour and the Exploratorium.  But we will just have to see what the day has to offer. 

So when life seems like a Murphy's law movie - look for the lemonade!

Over hill over dale as we hit the Golden Gate trail. . .

What a gorgeous Tuesday.  Our destination today was Golden Gate Park and the Academy of Science. 
The walk there (well, mostly train but then we walked) was a little different.  We had left the businessy districts and entered into more neighborhoods.  The people were very friendly and on the way we noticed that Kiki seems to own this town!  LOL - See Tuesday photos and videos.
As we walked passed the ball diamonds in the park we chanced on a blue heron.  Proud as anything he had his head in the grass for a little bit and then came up with a mouse and proceeded to eat it.  Matt tried to video - but he wasn't watching from the start and I didn't want to startle the heron.  You don't see those every day in Texas. 

We continued on our walk to reach the California Academy of Science.  It was a nice place - kids probably love it.  In fact - there were a lot there enjoying it.  Seemed like it was homeschool and preschool age kids day.  We went pretty quickly through their aquarium part as we saw a lot of the same kinds of sea creatures yesterday.  But the swamp and rain forest area was totally different and totally hot and humid. 

We did attend the planetarium showing of "Life a Cosmic Story".  Well - it was a good time in the dark to take a little relax.  I think we heard the word evolution and big bang about 100 times in 30 minutes.  if anything the show made me agree more with a Creationist view point and young earth view point then their view point. 

The last thing that we did there was climb into the above water rain forest to see plants, snakes, birds and butterflies.  Matt was able to get some pretty neat pictures. And I can't forget the silly penquins (African mind you).  There was one that was definitely showing off for the crowd. 

We decided then to take a train and a walk down to Ocean Beach (more up and down).  Can you guess what we saw at the end of the road?  You want to say ocean don't you - but we saw sand.  Dunes.  Big ones.  Not as big as Lake MI at those sand dunes - but big enough.  We trudged  (I don't think there is a better word for it)  up the sand and down the other side and Oh mylanta!!  The ocean was rough, powerful and just amazing.  No way this developed from "evolution of cosmic dust and cells". 

There were a couple of wind surfers out in the waves and it was mesmerizing to watch them. It takes a lot of skill to juggle a big kite (or sail) with your hands and manuever your board with your feet.  If Isaac had been with us - he'd probably want to try it out.  We were happy watching them and staying dry.

We boarded the N train back towards our neck of the city.  We were the 3rd people on and by the time we reached our stop it was standing room only and a juggle to get off.  But - I really like being able to use city transportation to get from here to there. 

We decided to try a different spot for supper (dinner for these city folks).  It was called La Scene and arranged its menu by acts.  We arrived for happy hour at 5 and decided to eat there as well.  I've never had crab risotto before - oh was it good!!!! Matt had a lucious piece of lasagna.  We were there for over an hour and we were the only people there.  The rest room attendent told me that they get really busy after the theater closes at 9 or 10.  ahhhh. . . . .they also have great specials then, but we were happy, sated and needing to walk off some risotto. 

So instead of bussing home we walked a couple more hills and decided to call it a night. 

Until tomorrow - I say goodnight and God bless.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Cloudy with a chance of Seagulls

ahhh.  Yet another fun-filled day here in the Bay areaMonday videos.
We started our day with a breakfast sponsored by Wyndham.  After giving them a quick survey we were off yet again.

Today we rode our first cable car down to the pier.  It was quite an adventure.  We were seated inside (those outside seats go quickly) and enjoyed riding down the steep hills as opposed to climbing them.  (my legs have discovered muscles they never knew about or forgot about, alternately climbing up and then down the mighty streets of San Francisco.  LOL

Down at the bay we headed for Pier 39 - destination - a Blue and Gold bay Cruise.  It was a part of our City Pass packet and it was fun.  The boat goes out under the Golden Gate bridge, turns around in the deeper water of the ocean and then returns to the pier by way of Alcatraz Island.  We didn't take the tour of Alcatraz but were able to see most of the way around the Rock and got lots of pictures and video. 
On the way into and out of the bay we passed the resident Sea Lions at pier 39.  They are pretty fun to watch. 

While on the boat - we had a couple of sea gulls  riding the air currents towards the bridge.  They'd be even with the boat and then gone on a strong current.  But they would be back and forth many times out to the GG bridge.  Just one of those simple things in life that is great to watch.

Lunch was at Bubba Gumps - yummy shrimp 5 ways.  We just shared and were ready to see the Aquarium by the Bay.  In this aquarium you walk under tubes of water filled with fish from the small sardine and anchovie to a mighty shark.  (one tube for fresh water and one for salt).  The octupus was playing hide and seek but the whole experience was a lot of fun.  At the last part of the tour you can (and we did) touch Sea stars, baby leopard sharks, sea cucumbers and Rays. 

Then we took a bus up up again.  Destination - Coit Tower.  Matt decided not to take the elevator to the top but I went up with the camera to see what I could see.  I could spend hours up there gazing at the city. . . but knew the Man of Lower Heights was waiting for me at the bottom. 

We walked back down to the bay and caught the F train back to pier 39.  Someone left her blood sugar monitor at Bubba Gumps - now who could that be?  Retrieved it and took another train to catch the Hyde and Powell cable car back up the streets. 

That cable car station is very popular and we had a wait in line.  We were entertained by a street musician.  (they all seem pretty good around here) and then boarded our car.  Once again seated inside.  Going up is so much different than going down in the car.  This route had many steep ups and steep downs with the brakeman advising us to HOLD ON!!!

We were headed for Za's pizza (have heard it is wonderful) but decided to save that for another day and ate at Sears (Fine Foods - not the department store) instead.  LOL Matt had the blue plate special - meatloaf.  He commented that he had never had meatloaf that good.  I just gave him the pushed up eyebrow and a hmmmm.  Backpeddling commenced. But I let him off the hook and enjoyed my gourmet mac and cheese. 

After supper we wandered around union square.  Heard another street musician - a trumpeter - playing "A Mighty Fortress is our God".  Echoing in the square it was music to our ears.  It was so delightfully surprising to hear that hymn here!

Looking forward to tomorrow's adventures either the academy of science or the Wave organ and exploritorium. 

Monday, April 11, 2011

Oh what a beautiful. . .

Oh what a beautiful ocean - oh what a beautiful bay. We've got the wonderful feeling. . . . . .the bus will be going our way!!!

It was a be-u-ti-ful day here in the San Fran area (Sunday Photos start here - Sunday Videos are here).  We hopped on the 76 bus and rode it out across the Golden Gate bridge to the Marin headlands.  Matt shot video of the ride across the bridge. . . . I was just gazing.  I pointed out to Matt that people are walking across!  He just shook his head.


When we reached the headlands we hopped off the bus at the visitor center and looked around.  It is the chapel of the former military post of Fort Cronkhite.  Then we decided to hike over to the Fort via the lagoon trail.  some up and some down steps brought us to the sandbar that divides the lagoon from the Pacific Ocean.
The wind was in our hair - the smell of the ocean was refreshing. . . . and Matt forgot to put on sunscreen or his hat.  His face is a tad red right now.

We were not in a hurry and ambled on this hike.  Took lots of ocean pictures on the camera- the flip - and cell phones.  We hiked up another trail to go see Battery Townsley.  Matt made it all the way - I stopped and enjoyed the ocean view thinking it was just too far to go on.  Ugh - it was just another bend in the steep road.  But he said it was great - and I enjoyed my great view.

The trail down was easier.  We meandered around the Fort buildings.  Most are now used for offices of the National Park service and other non-profit organizations.  The old enlisted men's club is now a high tech lab.  Some of the buildings are used as meeting rooms for non-profit organizations.  But from the outside, they look as they would have looked back in the early 40's.

We enjoyed more ocean views and I talked to someone who was taking pictures of his "flat" son (if you haven't read Flat Stanley - it is a cute story. )

We caught the bus back to the Golden gate bridge stop.  There you can walk a path for many views of the orange bridge.  On one side - the San Francisco Bay area.  On the other - the Pacific Ocean.  Again, we saw the people walking and biking across the bridge.  Matt told me to go ahead and do it.  But he would not be joining me.  I decided to stick with him. 

Then we waited for our bus.  and waited. . . .and waited.  It was either an hour late or we missed the one before it.  We did some people watching as we waited.

Matt had a groupon for a place called the Pour House.  We were more than ready for a meal and a drink.  They didn't serve food - but he said call the Thai place next door and they will deliver here.  So we enjoyed some beverages - Matt had ale.  I had hard cider.  Strongbow cider - it may be my new favorite.  And the thai food was pretty good too.

Then the short walk back to the Wyndham and we called it a night.

Monday's agenda is either our bay cruise or a museum.  We haven't decided yet.  But I'm sure it will be beautiful day!!!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

San Francisco Here We Are!

Well - here we are on a new adventure.  This time the MA in MARJI are in San Francisco - the city by the bay - the city on the hills - the city with soul, snap, savvy, savoir faire...

We'll put all our pictures in one place.  With links to the first one of the day on each blog entry.
And we'll put each days videos (taken with a Flip Mino) each in their own folders.
Here's the videos for the Saturday April 9th.

M joined A at the airport and we took the BART from SFO into Powell Street station.  We had prepaid for round-trip vouchers online - so just had to pick up two round trip BART tickets at the SFO information desk.  We went to the wrong place and had to withstand a rude BART employee tell us (twice) that we were in the wrong place to pick up the tickets.  Sheesh...excuuuuuse me!

We were amazed that the BART was grungier, louder and in most sections under ground.  It is also electric - so we didn't clomp around in our big carbon footprint boots...ha!

We disembarked the BART and immediately went to the San Francisco Visitor Center (just off the Powell Street station).  We got advice on how to get to 750 Sutter Street with our luggage.  We have a City Pass which gives us...(http://www.citypass.com/san-francisco)
- 7 day Municipal unlimited transportation (busses, san fran trains and cablecars)
- Admittance to 4 museums, 1 aquarium and 1 boat ride on the bay

So - they recommended catching the bus - or just walking it.  It's about 5 1/2 blocks...uphill (it turns out a relatively mild uphill compared to others around here...).  We arrive too early to check in (our room was still being cleaned) so they checked our luggage into the bellhop and recommended places within three blocks for lunch. 

We lunched at Lori's Diner - which had relics from an earlier time than either of us really remember.  They had a nice tribute to Liz Taylor with a bunch of memorabilia too (sorry - didn't photo that stuff).  We had a terrific lunch and used our 20% off coupon.  Had a Chocolate Coke.  Check the photos for the scoop on that.

Wyndham called and let us know our room was ready.

We headed back and unpacked.  Check out the pics and video of the room - it's a 1 bedroom (the smallest on the floor because of the stairwell cut into it - but it's verrrry nice.  There are only 12 rooms on this floor (there are 10 floors) - so everything is compact and nice and close.  Laundry at the end of the hall.  We got room 702 so we're on the 7th floor.  No great view from the rooms but no matter.  Super spiffy digs.

We decided just to explore and ended up on a grand adventure that took us...
...up some gradual hills into Nob Hill neighborhood
...to see the Powell-Hyde cable car stop in the middle of an intersection (turns out that that IS the stop for the cable car)
...to see 90-degree parking lots
...to the top of Russian Hill and the beautiful plants, gardens and smells it has.
...down, down, down to Fisherman's Wharf and the Powell-Mason cable car terminus (where they turn the cable cars around by pushing them on a roundabout).
...To a great little clothing store (one of hundreds) that had some nice comfy San Francisco windbreaker jackets (the wind really really needs breaking...) for 13.49 each.  His and Hers matching - how cuuuute.
...To the waterfrontpiers, Boudin's Bakery (home of sourdough bread to the world) and finally Pier 39.
...Bought a shamrock shake at mcdonalds so we could legimitately use their bathroom.  (The public bathrooms were closed and lots of people and kids were "dancing in the streets"...
...Headed out to the ends of piers to get great - but chilly - views.
...Ate at the Pier Market on Pier 39.  Mmm - fantastic seafood and yummy beer.
...Took our first "Muni" ride on the 8x bus from the wharf(-ish) to Sutter street (actually Union Square because the driver didn't let us get out at Sutter).

We stopped at Walgreens and picked up some highly overpriced groceries.  (ok - maybe just moderately overpriced - but when they know they've got you - they know they've got you). 

8:30 pm - finally got back to the condo and got the pictures and videos off the camera.

Tomorrow - plans are to go to the Marin Headlands on the 76 bus (which runs right in front of the condo - out over the Golden Gate bridge and into a nature and preserved area north of San Francisco).  This bus only runs on Sundays so we've got to take advantage when we can!