Rocky Mountain High: San Francisco ~ September 29 - October 1, 2018

I Left My Heart in San Francisco ~ September 29-October 1, 2018

Monday, September 30, 2018

It was still dark when our cab pulled up in front of The Golden Gate Hotel at 775 Bush St. in San Francisco, and we were so grateful when the night porter answered the doorbell and quickly showed us to our rooms.  "A real bed," I breathed, awestruck at the expansive bed covered with a fluffy duvet.  Although sleeping on the train is an adventure, and it is not exactly UNcomfortable, there is something about having enough space, some "real" sheets, and a thick mattress that cannot be beat!

The Golden Gate Hotel early morning

Reception desk with Head Clerk Pip

Sitting Area in our Room

Pip Being Pip

Peter at the Door to the Hotel

The View Down the Hallway

After our breakfast we walked down Powell Street to purchase a one day transit pass.  We stood in line for a bit to get on the Hyde-Powell Cable Car, but eventually gave up and walked a couple of blocks to pick up the F line trolley which took us to Fisherman's Wharf.

As we waited for the F line, a completely naked man (wearing shoes) came up from the underground station and began walking down the street.  A woman near us spotted a policeman on a bicycle, saying, "There he is!  There he is!  The naked many is over there!"  The policeman rode his bike over to us and she reiterated her statement.  The cop smiled and replied, "Get used to it.  You'll see a lot of that over the next few days!"  Later as we rode the trolley, we passed the guy a second time.  And, no ... I did not take a picture of the naked guy!

Our helpful police officer

Fisherman's Wharf is a bustling place with lots of tourists - especially on this very sparkling day.  As we wandered around we came upon the San Francisco Maritime National Park.  We whipped out our Senior Passes and gained free entrance both to a very well designed interactive museum and a living museum of vessels on the bay.

Soon it was time for lunch, so we set off for the Buena Vista Cafe.

Jeff and Peter heading for the Buena Vista

 Brian and Marcia introduced us to the Buena Vista many years ago, and we go back every time we are in San Francisco.  I remember Marcia's laugh as we walked toward the Buena Vista and a character disguised as a shrub leapt out and scared me half to death!  Those were great days, to be sure.

We were all hungry and had a great lunch as we watched the waiters making their famous Irish Coffees.
            

One of the things both Jeff and I love about San Francisco is the cable cars!  This visit was no different.

                           

Never a fan of having my photo taken, but never-the-less Jeff persisted.  And he got a raspberry face in response!

It really was a glorious day -- bright sunshine and beautiful blue skies.  We got back to the hotel late in the day and ready for a rest.  Unfortunately, something that Betty Lou ate did not agree with her, so she and Peter decided to take it easy for dinner.  Jeff and I found a place that allegedly had "jazz" and headed off down the street for some music and dinner.

It was a short (but steep) walk from our hotel, and although the meal was delicious, the music wasn't exactly to Jeff's taste (or mine).  But ... it was a night out and in San Francisco!  So, two out of three isn't bad!

Tuesday, October 1, 2018

Breakfast in the Parlor

On our second morning we sat at this table with two ladies, Donna and Michelle, from Arizona.  Michelle was/is a nurse, and Donna is a social worker who seems to work at hospitals as well.  We had quite a lively conversation about health care!  We shared tales of our train adventures, and they both have added the Coast Starlight to their personal travel bucket lists.

Betty Lou had read a blurb in a tourist magazine about some sculptures made from fallen trees in the Presidio, so we decided to head out to the Presidio area to try to find them.  We didn't really know where they were located, but we grabbed a taxi and set off.  We spent some time admiring the Golden Gate Bridge from many different viewpoints.  Peter purchased a jacket because he was chilly in the misty morning breeze.  Of course as soon as he bought it, the sun started poking through the mist and warmed us all up!  But it's a nice jacket all the same.  We climbed up the trail and meandered around the Presidio until we all were tired and hungry.  We ended up at the transit center where we had some lunch.  I ordered a hot dog -- and it was one of the best hot dogs I have ever eaten.  It was served with caramelized onions and a really interesting and delicious honey mustard drizzle.  Really delicious!

A View of Alcatraz in the Mist

The San Francisco Skyline

Golden Gate Bridge on a Grey Day

Jeff's photo captures us all near the Golden Gate Bridge

A Feathered Friend Poses for a Photo

Trying to get artsy with my iPhone

Climbing to the top for a better view!

I love the drama of the clouds!  We have been blessed with really good and often interesting weather.  Even though the day began kind of grey and a bit dreary, as the morning wore on, the clouds began to break up and we saw peeks of sun on and off.

The San Francisco National Cemetery, with its origins in the mid-1800s, is the final resting place for 30,000 soldiers, family members, and notable figures.

Although our time in the city by the bay was short, we enjoyed lots of walking and riding the historic cable and street cars.  We took a bus and then hiked up the longest, steepest of the hills to catch the cable car once again back to the Golden Gate Hotel where our cab driver, Rey, was waiting to whisk us off to the airport for our short flight down to Los Angeles.

Our flight took off at 5:30 p.m. giving those of us with window seats a great view of the bay, and then later of a spectacular sunset just before we landed a little after 7:00 p.m.

I loved the way the sun lit up the hills, with whispers of clouds overhead.  I almost never get to sit near the window, so this was a special treat for me.

The sun was setting as we made our final descent into LAX.  A beautiful end to our time in San Francisco.  Tomorrow we're off on the Coast Starlight for our adventures in Seattle!