more comfortable than the 6

When I left NYC on Friday morning Meghan rode the 6 train with me to 51st instead of the usual express to 86th.  Somewhere between Union Square and Grand Central she said, "I wish you could ride the subway with me every morning".

My gut reaction was to reply with, "me too" but I stopped myself.  It only took a quick glance around our train car to remember all the reasons I was glad I didn't have to take the 6 train every day for my commute anymore.

I was going to title this post "better than the 6" but I realized I would get arguments from the subway fanatics (I'm looking at you Dan and Will) who will forever stand behind public transportation.  And it is a marvel, really, especially when everything goes according to plan.

But visiting new york during a heat wave was such a good compromise between "oh I miss this magical fairytale city" and literally walking through piles of steaming hot garbage spread across the sidewalks.  Yes, I wish I could commute with Meghan every day, but do I wish I could go back to riding the 6 every day?

Nah, I'm happy with the benz.  And I don't think anyone will argue that the scenery is definitely better.

San Fran: the final day

UNfortunately Will had an unexpected doctors appointment during the day on Friday so I was left to fend for myself on the mean streets of San Francisco.  He was nice enough to drop me off in front of these houses which he was under the impression was the best he could do for the full house house.  While they looked familiar I just couldn't believe that one of them was really the house.  I ended up looking it up on my phone and discovered that these are the houses in the background when they are having their picnic but the actual full house house is on a different street that was way too far out of my way.

So I'm sorry Sergio, I never got to take the picture I had promised you, but at least I still have something to do on my next visit to san fran.

I walked from the painted ladies downtown on my way to meet Meredith for lunch.  It was really fun to just wander through the city.  I saw several houses that looked like they just had to be haunted, like this one:

But then I'd turn another corner and come upon something like this dazzling spectacle:

I commented to will that their town hall was certainly gold encrusted and he responded with, "well we are a city founded on gold".

Touche.

Besides the beautiful architecture and landscaping, I also noticed a trend going on with the sidewalks in San Francisco.  In nyc I got in to the habit of reading all the writing in the sidewalk because every once in a while you'd find a gem.  In San Francisco it was like every time I noticed writing in the sidewalk it would be something bizarre and amazing like this:

When I showed that picture to Will he said, "well it clearly looks like it was written by a child" as if that explained everything.  If anything it just raises more questions for me.

And when I have questions there's only one sure answer that I know to turn to:

I got to Paragon before Meredith and noticed all the makings for a find bloody mary behind the bar.  I was please with my order when this arrived.  I sent that picture to Meghan and she replied, "you can tell it's going to be so good from all those bits floating around in it"

I couldn't agree more, the bits are the hallmark of a well crafted bloody mary.  And that was one fantastic bloody.  Made even better by the swift arrival of Meredith in all her beautiful glory.  It did make me a little sad that I can't swing by Mere's work every day for a casual boozy lunch, but I'm still thankful for the time that I did get.

After lunch Meredith pointed me in the direction of the sea lions.  She said it was a bit of a walk but it was along the water so it would be nice, and it was!  Having no way to look up where the sea lions were on google maps I had to rely on faith that I would eventually get to them.  As I got further and further along I would think the bark of every passing dog was surely the sea lions heralding my arrival, but no, it would just be a St. Bernard.  Just as I was beginning to think that maybe I was destined to never see the sea lions, just like the full house house, I stumbled upon this fantastic sign:

Just when you're starting to lose faith, good old Salty shows up to help you out.  And sure enough, a few turns of the boardwalk and I found myself face to face with some VERY nice guys:

Meredith kept commenting, "I don't understand why you would want to see those smelly obnoxious loud things".  Ummm how about because they are handsome and nice and make funny barking noises and just snooze in the sun?  What's not to love about that?  The tourists on the other hand were less than enjoyable, so I only stayed for a little bit with them before I continued on my wandering through the city.

Having to come all the way downtown for the sea lions did yield an unexpected benefit, a closer view of Alctatraz:

I do want to go there, another reason for me to come back and visit.

I spent the rest of the day just wandering through the city, stumbling upon things like this:

I really like that crazy triangle building on the corner too.  It looks like another haunted one, just like this:

I want to live there!

I also found more weird poetic cement writing:

I think San Francisco must be where hipsters are grown.

After a long day of walking all over the city I was exhausted and ready for my red-eye back home.  Will took me out for a farewell dinner at Social before taking me to the airport.  With my belly full of delicious kale salad and brussel sprout chips I was one contended happy camper when I got on the plane.  I slept like a baby all the way which was good as I had to go to work all day today.  The only reason I have the energy to do this post right now is that I'm still on California time, but this sleepy time tea I'm having is making my bed look better and better.  After last night's sleep on the tray table of my aisle seat I am looking forward to stretching out with the detective at my side.

Thank you San Francisco for showing me an amazing time, I look forward to visiting again soon!

Golden Gate and beach

Yesterday Will took me to the Golden Gate bridge per my few requests during my time here in San Francisco.

It was pretty fantastic actually.  And Will is a great tour guide, when he tells me the truth about things instead of making up lies.

I guess I didn't really understand just how big the bridge is.

It's pretty big.

And I'm glad I got to see Alcatraz, if just from a distance.

I didn't realize but all around the base of the bridge are these old forts and bunkers from various wars past.  It reminded me of Charleston.

I got scolded for taking so many pictures of the flowers.  But they are just so pretty!!  Especially as we headed to the beach.  I have posted enough beach pictures from Ft. Lauderdale that you know when Will said beach I was not imagining this:

It was quite a trek to get down there, and though the sand was nice and warm it was not the inviting hospitable beach that I had in my mind's eye.

Still really cool.  The walk back up was a long one.

So I stopped frequently to take pictures of all the pretty flowers.

There are so many and they are so tiny and colorful.  I love them.

Will was not as impressed.  The only flower he deemed worth a picture was this one:

It is pretty fantastic.  I think the combination of hiking and sun was more than either of us prepared for.  By the time we got back to the top we were both running on empty.  I got to go home and take a nap while Will had to unfortunately go do life chores all afternoon.  Other than a greek feast in the evening we didn't end up doing much of anything with the rest of the day.

It's ok though, I'm glad I got to see as much as I saw, and I still have all day today to explore.  I will find the full house house.

doing stuff and seeing things

Ok ok, I'll say it, San Francisco is pretty great.  Congratulations Meredith, you were right all along.  

Yesterday will took me to breakfast at this crazy tiny restaurant perched along the edge of the Pacific: 

where we sat in the perfect corner booth.  That picture up top was the view to my right as we ate and this was my view across the table: 

Awww so nice.  

Apparently the craziness we were looking at below us is the remains of an old bathing house from back in the day.  They even had a picture of what it was like before it burned down:

My favorite part being the guys in the water: 

doing their daily calisthenics, good for the body and mind!  

Sadly all that remains are the remains.

Still pretty cool.  I was also astounded by the big rocks in the ocean.  I mean look at those things!  You don't get rocks like that in the Atlantic, at least not in my Atlantic.  We also don't have awesome sea caves. 

"Oh sure, you can wear flip flops" -Will.  

That black cave sand is cold let me tell you what.  But totally worth it.  

After breakfast Will took me to the legion of honor to see sculptures by Rodin among other things.  This also happened: 

By the time we finished the clouds had cleared and I was beginning to see what all the fuss was about with San Francisco.  We found out that our admission to the legion of honor would also grant us access to the de young, where we climbed to the top of the tower for this view:

If you look close you can see the golden gate bridge! 

We didn't end up spending much time at the de young looking at the art, mostly just looking at the views of the city.  Will did instruct me to take a picture of these crazy tumbleweeds:

Otherwise I was too anxious to get back outside and enjoy the nice weather.  Nobody told me that it's only summer for like a couple hour during midday, otherwise it's just bitterly bitterly cold.  But during those precious midday hours it is really beautiful.  

And apparently there are youths around every corner, ready with a choreographed song and dance routine for all to enjoy: 

And enjoy we did.  

In the evening Will and I parted ways and I had all my dreams come true by having dinner with Meredith, Peter, Amelise, and Ben.  I also got to see Meredith's apartment which was like some kind of dream. This is her view from the living room: 

And her precious angel dog Jolene: 

: (((( She's so nice!  It took almost the whole night, and about two sticks of string cheese, but we finally became best friends right before it was time for me to leave.  

But leave I had to, as Meredith had gotten me wasted on delicious margaritas at nopalito.  And yes, again, you're right Meredith, the mexican food is better in California.  

I've done so much but I still have so much more to do.  Headed out now for another day of San Francisco fun.