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?
