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San Francisco - Saturday, March 27, 2004
click on any image for a LARGE version [most are 1200 x 800]
| Drove to
Sacramento on Friday night so the kids and I could get an early start on
Saturday morning -- both were cheerfully looking forward to the trip, as it had
been quite a while since they had a chance to do any sightseeing in San
Francisco. A quick breakfast, and we were on our way.
Jill called from a boat on the bay while we were still
on the freeway, and we made plans [to be confirmed when I was able to get to
writing equipment] to meet for lunch after we picked Mark up.
Naturally, the closer I got to SF, the more panicky I
became because of the dense traffic - and it wasn't even a weekday. Called
Mark for more directions, and that part off to Doug. I know Doug gave it
his best shot, but I managed to get turned around and lost anyway. As I'm
verging on another panic attack, Johnny spots a post office employee [naturally
one with an accent so thick I can't understand him and Johnny barely can] who,
with much hand waving and pointing, manages to understand our question and
redirects us back toward Market Street - once I've located Market Street, the
rest of the instructions make sense, and we are once again pointed in the proper
direction.
Arrive at Mark's place only one-half hour early, which
turns out to be a good thing! Mark and Doug kindly let me park in their garage,
and we follow Mark upstairs to their home. All I can say is, I LOVE IT! |
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| Yes, I know the people in these are
"backlit", but it will give you a VERY good idea of the LIGHT in these
rooms. It's wonderful. |
And an absolutely stunning Periwinkle kitchen to die
for! |
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| Mark's deck has the most fantastic view
- and flowers everywhere! I'm always amazed at the way San Franciscans
manage to use every bit of available space! |
Johnny, Cate, Mark, and Doug. We already knew Mark
was a sweetie - how nice to find out Doug was, also!!!! |
| Then off to let Mark teach us the
intricacies of the SF rail/bus/metro system. Not bad at all, if you
remember to either buy a "day-pass" or stock up on coins! If I
lived there, they'd lose money on me with those weekly passes. We met with Rae,
Dawn, and Jill for lunch at a little place on Columbus Street - big juicy
hamburgers and lots of other goodies. Then, on to the Palace of Fine Arts. |
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| At the lake in front of the Palace of
Fine Arts - turtles! All sunning themselves and enjoying the warmth, I'm
sure. One little guy had separated himself from the rest, but found his
own place in the sun. |
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After quite some time inside the
Exploratorium, we posed for the required group pictures - if for no other reason
than to prove that yes, we did meet!
Left to right: Dawn, Mark, Rae, Vicki, and Jill. |
| Rae had to leave us at that point, but
we certainly enjoyed our time with her!
Then, on to the beach! The "Bay Beach", but beach and salt water
nonetheless. |
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Johnny, Cate, and the Golden Gate
Bridge in the background. Thanks to Mark, I managed to get in my "Pacific
Ocean fix" to last me for a while! |
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When we walked on down the beach, there were several
dogs chasing tennis balls being thrown into the bay. The ones most consistent
and willing to keep doing it were the Golden Retrievers. |
| Then, back to "downtown" so
everyone could ride the "circular escalators" while Johnny explained
the reasoning behind the layout. It seems that if you take the escalators
all the way up and all the way back down, by the time you are done, you will
have walked past every storefront! Interesting.
Downstairs to the metro and on to Mark and Doug's place to pick up Doug and find
dinner. WONDERFUL Italian food and marvelous company! We kept at it
until about 10:00 pm, but hated to quit.
Then, Johnny, Cate, and I dropped Jill and Dawn off at their hotel.
And managed to get lost once again trying to get to the freeway. BLEAH!
Managed to make it back onto the bridge and headed home. Doug was right -
the signs did say I-80 East - Sacramento. But you should have heard Johnny
when we were finally ON I-80 EAST and the sign right below it said "580
WEST". HUH??????? And they wonder why I get lost and start
having anxiety attacks!
Finally back in Sacramento about midnight. Home this morning about 11.
TO ALL CONCERNED: THANK YOU for a wonderful day!!!!
gratefully submitted:
Vicki |
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