Around the City and Under the Gate

San Francisco - Monday July 29

Breakfast at Regency Club was a very light one because we were still full from our dinner at Boulevard.   We caught the Cable Car right outside the Hyatt Regency and sat on the side for our first ride of the day.

We got off at Powell and California and walked "DOWN HILL"  to Lefty O'Douls we took a few pictures and made our way "DOWN HILL" again to Powell and Market where we got in line for another line.

We waited in line 45 minutes and had the nicest conversation with a family from New York that were in the city for 4 days.  Sun made friends with their daughter and fell in love with her Pink Tennis Shoes!

The car we caught was for the Powell Hyde Line which is the one that goes nearly straight up to the stars!   They packed the car and we were lucky enough to stand on the rail outside and HANG ON!!!  Every once in a while the Grip Man would yell, "SUCK IT IN !! " as another cable car or a vehicle with mirrors sticking out would whiz by.  It was exciting and very fun as we were crammed in tight and those on the rail were almost sitting on the laps of those on the bench.

Sun met several nice travelers from Germany and took a picture with their traveling Gnome.

We got off at the Marina Green and stood in line again but Vince suggested we walk back "UP HILL" a couple blocks to catch the same car for a return trip to Powell and California.   Up and over the hills we had great views of the bay and it reminded us of all the movies that have been made over the years with car chases literally flying over the hills.

Coming up to the beginning of one of the hills the Grip Man had to come to a stop because there was a car parked halfway in the street blocking the track.

There are always two Grip Men and one of them got out to have a "Little Chat" with the driver.

Hey S&L...the license plate frame was from Brad's Chevrolet in Cottage Grove.  A true "grover"

A few minutes later we were off again "UP HILL"   We got on the California Line for our 4th trip of the morning back to Embarcadero right outside the hotel.

Three of the four rides we were on the rails!!   LOVED IT!!!!

After we picked up our luggage we went to find some Boudin's Sourdough French Bread and walked to the cruise ship dock.

The terminal is very old and we have heard tales of long waits but when we arrived at 1:15 there were many people standing in long lines inside, but within 20 minutes of walking into the terminal we were on the ship!   They really know how to move people through.  

Positioned on deck 15 forward we were ready for sail away at 4 pm but the Captain waited for nearly an hour for 4 remaining passengers to be aboard.  As soon as the gangways were stowed the horn sounded in one long blast....we were off!

Sailing past Alcatraz toward the Golden Gate Bridge was typical San Francisco, with fog and blasting cold wind.  As we got closer to the bridge we could see dozens of people on the bridge waiting for us to sail under.

 As they were waving and passengers were waving back the Captain blew the horn as we went under.   It was really great fun and it looked like we would barely make it but all was ok as we sailed off into the early evening.

After braving the cold we decided to change and use the Aft Hot Tubs.  What a good choice and our timing was excellent because while everyone was somewhere else we had the entire back of the ship to ourselves.  With 2,600 people we only saw about 12 walk past all bundled up while we were warm, wet and cozy.

A wrinkled hour later we changed and went to Alfredo's Pizza where we had the vegetarian with yummy crispy crust, a light amount of cheese and the sauce was rich and delicious.   We will be going back for another!

After dinner we stopped by the International Cafe to pick up a desert and decided on Mikan Tapioca.  It was really called Orange, but we miss Steve and Lisa so we called it Mikan!!   Vince chose the Pistachio Pudding.   They were both lovely, light and full of flavor.

We took our pudding to Crooner's Lounge and ordered a Key Lime Martini in honor of Joyce and Malcolm.

While there we were told that the pianist "Funch" would be playing Barry White, George Benson and others from before and after those era's.   He has been a professional musician for 50 years and has played bass with George Benson.  Mr. Funch was  phenomenal and we stayed for his two sets and enjoyed every minute.

This will be our hangout for our evenings as the possibilities for people watching are endless and every time a crew would walk by they would wink, wave and high five him.  It is obvious they all love him!

The first couple of days people are wandering around the ship like lost little sheep.  Saying........"Is this the elevator we want"?  "I thought it was that way"!  "Do you know where it is"?  Kind of like the first week at the University.

Here are some more photos of our day in San Francisco and Sail Away.

Inside the Hyatt Regency

Gears and levers on the cable cars

Heading up to (S)Nob Hill on the California Street Line

The Original - Best Hash Browns EVER

We loves our Betty Boop

Norma Jean would have loved Sun & Malcolm...Malcolm Sr. probably loved Norma Jean

Of course....It's San Francisco

Chocolate anyone?

New section of the Bay Bridge

It was sunny for a couple of minutes and we got this shot of the Transamerica Pyramid

A view from the forward Deck 15 of Grand Princess with Coit Tower and the Transamerica Pyramid in the background

A gift from our Travel Agent waiting for us in our cabin.  Thanks Diana!

San Francisco - Sunday July 28

Sunday July 28, 2013

Our day started with an aborted  landing at San Francisco airport.  We were nearly on the ground when in the next minute we were climbing up again to do a "go around".  The pilot said we would be 10 minutes early when we left Eugene and after the "go around" we were 15 minutes late.

We waited till everyone was off the plane and took a picture of the sign on the back of a seat that was upside down.

The flight attendant asked if we would like to take a picture with Sun and Malcolm in the cockpit......Of course!    I guess we are off to a Monkey Mischief Day!

We hopped on BART to the Embarcadero and checked in at the Hyatt Regency at 9:00 am, normally check in is not till 3pm but they had a room ready on the 12th floor facing the bay so we put our things away and went up to the 18th floor to the Regency Room where the floor to ceiling window views have a 360 degree view of the bay and the city.   Vince took a few pictures as one of the yachts was being towed to the starting area for qualifying of the Americas Cup 2013.

They served a light breakfast and once refreshed we decided to walk to Fisherman's Wharf.  We walked to the end of several piers and then came to the Louis Vuitton Cup pavilions.

We listened to live music and walked to the end of the large dock area where people were gathering.

Spying an opening at the railing we positioned ourselves there for the next hour where we watched New Zealand and Italy racing.  It was not even close and at the end of the race New Zealand coming in 3 1/2 minutes ahead sailed right up to the end of the pier as the crowed cheered.  It was an amazing experience!

Off to Fisherman's Wharf at Pier 39 we waded through the crowds and found the vintage candy store I had scoped out on line.   The Candy Baron
A huge bag of candy and a chunk of money later we made our way back to the hotel to rest before dinner.

San Francisco is eclectic in every way.  Being in the center of such diversity is enlightening, exciting, happy and sad.....I had ALL the emotions!   We saw throw backs to the 60's including a VW Bus painted with flowers and peace signs.  We saw families, many gay lovers, tourists from France, Germany, China, and Japan.
We figured the Wharf is about 1 1/2 miles from the Ferry Building so including walking out to the end of several piers we logged about 5 miles.  A quick nap and on to dinner at Boulevard.

On the way to dinner we saw a group of men dressed in FULL Fetish gear from head to toe.  I asked if I could take their picture, they were very happy to let us.

Only in San Francisco  in a matter of a few hours, can one have a conversation with one of the uber wealthy watching Americas Cup, see a Hippie Bus, smile at a cute gay couple holding hands and take pictures men in Fetish gear.   I Love San Francisco!!!
Dinner at Boulevard was over the top amazing!  It is located in the only original building still standing in the area from the 1906 earthquake.  It oozes history and beauty with Art Deco decor and ambiance it feels like any minute a celebrity from the 20's to the 50's could be sitting at the table next to you.

Our waiter Brett presented us with an Amuse Bouche before our starter which was

yummy but I can't remember what it was.

Vince had the Abalone Starter, the Lamb Main and Cheesecake with corn and Lime Sorbet.   Yes the corn was an unexpected surprise on the cheesecake! It was delicious!!!

I had the Lobster stuffed Calamari Starter, Pork Chop, and Strawberry and Mousse.   The chop was melt in your mouth porky goodness with every bite!

Oh.....I forgot about the Lime Martini!

Back at the Regency Room we watched the lights twinkle on up and down the Bay Bridge as twilight came and went leaving  the bridge and city lights in the distance a magical end to a very adventurous day!

Overheard:  While in the Regency Room which is a round room with ceiling to floor windows we heard an elderly man tell his wife he was SURE we were turning!  How drunk is he?  The building does not turn.

Here are some other photos we took during the day in San Francisco.

The view from our hotel room

We'll be riding these tomorrow

The Exploratorium's new location

Coit Tower

Prada Americas Cup Yacht near Alcatraz

The winning yacht today at finish line

Quintessential San Francisco

Wyland mural at Pier 39

If this guy had a couple of buck teeth.  We still thought of Lisa

Another one for Lisa

We actually did see the sun for about 15 minutes today

Dinner Reservations For San Francisco

We made reservations at The Boulevard Restaurant in San Francisco for dinner on the night before our cruise.  It is located in The Audiffred Building located at 1 Mission Street along the waterfront and is the only local structure that survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire.

Boulevard owner/chef Nancy Oakes won the James Beard Award in 2012 for Outstanding Restaurant.  She is also one of the few chefs that have received the coveted Michelin Star every year since 2007.

We are looking forward to this dining event and a wonderful meal while overlooking the San Francisco Bay.  I'm sure photos will be posted after the meal.

Mmmmm!  What to have?  Menu

The Lady in Red

My heart is beating a little faster each day.  I go to sleep with visions of sea birds, water for as far as the eye can see and loads of luscious food cooked by someone else......and no dishes to wash!   I watch videos of the ship sailing out of San Francisco and under the Golden Gate Bridge. I am in love.

Every cruise is special for one reason or another.....an anniversary, new cities to see, a new ship to explore, or just celebrating being alive!   This one is no exception as we both have memories from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Vince was born and raised in the area and his father worked on the bridge when it was first being built.  In our early marriage years we would visit "The City" as those in the area fondly call it.....and yes, locals get annoyed when we hear people refer to it as "Frisco"....kind of like nails on a chalk board.

Driving across the bridge for work or a weekend to Golden Gate Park, the Japanese Tea Garden, Embarcadero Center and the Ferry Building, Palace of Fine Arts and the Exploratorium and the Marina Green was amazing.  From the north when you come around the corner and see the bridge in the distance it's like opening a present....you just don't know what you will find till you get there.   If it is fog hovering half way down the towers, or a gorgeous clear day it is always exciting to drive across this lovely lady in red.

There were times when an accident would stop traffic in both directions and you knew you would not be going anywhere soon.  So out comes the football and Frisbee and people would get out of their cars to pass the time with a game of catch.  If the ball or disc when over the side....oh well it was fun while it lasted.

Having lunch at Fisherman's Wharf with fresh crab, a glass of wine and some famous San Francisco Sourdough French Bread is always a treat.  When we fly through SFO we still bring back several boxes to put in the freezer.  Of course one loaf is eaten almost immediately!

Another favorite lunch spot is Lefty O'Doul's at 333 Geary Street.  Established in 1952 and still going strong with good solid meaty comfort food, craft beers on tap and baseball memorabilia throughout, the history and bio of Lefty is interesting indeed.   We will be having lunch there and will be sure to take some pictures.  Information about where we will be having dinner will be coming soon...Hint...it is going to be Very Special!!

My favorite story though, is about Vince's intimate and in hindsight terrifying experience taking a very small outboard boat under the Golden Gate Bridge and out to sea.   Picture this......two smart ass 16 year olds decided to check in at school and then sneak out for the rest of the day to go fishing.  OK, not so horrible, just a fun day with your buddy.   Two boys, one family ski boat and several hours later they are at their favorite fishing spot 27 miles out to sea at the Farallon Islands.

They talk of girls and baseball and hope to catch some salmon.  Yep, they were hauling them in and lost track of time.  Looking around they couldn't see any of the usual charter fishing party boats......and the fog had rolled in.  Fog in San Francisco is silently cat like, it is quiet and sly as it sneaks up on you, one minute you can see fine and the next you literally can't see 10 feet in front of you.  You become disoriented, and the only way you know which way is up is thanks to gravity and feeling your butt firmly planted to the cold damp seat in the boat.

There is no left, there is no right, there is only you and the noise of the water.   Holy Crap!  What do we do now?   Wait....what's that noise?   The swishing is getting louder and louder and you can barely make out a freighter in the distance.  OK!  we are saved!  Let's follow it in and get this fish cleaned.  The two buddies are home safe and sound and feasting on salmon.  Yet, like an Alfred Hitchcock Mystery .........What if the boat was going out?

Our plans for our day in San Francisco are fluid because they all hinge on the fog.  We will fly in to SFO at the butt crack of dawn leaving Eugene at 5 am.  It is an hour and a half flight so we will have all day in the city to have adventures.   Stay tuned!