We walked over to the Larkspur ferry this morning and took the quick trip into San Francisco.
In town for the day we decided to hit Golden Gate Park and Haight-Ashbury. First stop at the park was Stow Lake for a paddleboat ride. Somehow we got off our bus at the right stop and then proceeded to cross the street on the wrong side. Twenty or thirty blocks later we’d finally circumvented 101 and arrived at the lake. Golden Gate Park is huge, which I suppose is why it is so set up for those in vehicles, but those of us on foot are screwed.
The lake was nice, especially if you have a fondness for toxic green sludge. I’m joking—it really was nice, but also, it was really freaking green.
After a paddle we made our way by bus to another part of the park—a place we first brought Ouest when she was just a wee one.
Exhausted by now, even though we hadn’t done much of anything, other than walk a lot, we bussed to the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. Within two blocks we stumbled upon Mexico City style tacos. The food was good, though portioned for gringos, sized unlike anything you’d ever find in Mexico.
One last bus ride back to the ferry terminal and we realized we’d spent eight hours in the city and all we’d done is go to the park and have lunner. Public transportation is a lot of work.
Public buses—always an experience. In the old days before kids it was easier to laugh off the hijinks of the local nutcases, but now we have explaining to do afterwards. On our first bus of the day a guy started cussing out the bus driver for not stopping immediately after he pulled the request line. He went on for a block or two before she informed him, “Sir, you’re on the 5L, not the 5. I don’t stop at every street. You got on the wrong bus.”
Like a switch his rant stopped, followed by a two-second pause while he processed this information, and then, “Oh, you’re right. My bad. My bad. You’re right. My bad.” Not even the bus driver could help but laugh.
On another bus later on a nutter got on and started ranting loudly about how San Franciscans have no common sense. Then another guy who I’d thought was normal started yelling at him. “I’ve been in three hospitals! How many have you been in?”
“Four!”
“Well I’ve been in five, six, sev…ten! Ten hospitals I’ve been in.”
Then they started cussing so I had to tell them both to shut-up because my kids were right there.
“Oh, well, yeah, you’re right. You’re right.”
The truce lasted a few seconds. More yelling ensued, and then one of them got off the bus. Then I got to explain mental illness to Ouest who was now wrapped around my neck.
“Some people’s brains don’t work quite right and they say things that they shouldn’t, or they act in ways that aren’t nice. It’s not really their fault. Okay?”
“Okay, Papa.” But I’m not letting go of your neck.
This, my friends, is called homeschooling.
Welcome to San Francisco.
When we sailed under the Golden Gate Ouest was a year old and Lowe was about two months away from entering the world.
A day off between trips to the city.
On our visit to the city today we had two toy objectives—Lowe was going to get a trolley, and Ouest a Chinese folding fan. It took Lowe about six blocks to spot his trolley. He spent the entire day rolling that thing up and down the streets of San Francisco.
We had a much easier day, confining ourselves to a couple of trolley rides and hanging out mainly in Chinatown. The weather here has been incredible, far and away the nicest weather we’ve ever experienced in San Francisco. Wandering the streets here on a day like today it’s hard to not want to just move here. I’ll bet a lot of people are fooled into it that way, then spend eleven months of the year freezing their butt off.
One of my favorite things about San Francisco is that on the streets you hardly hear a word of English. Everyone is from somewhere else.
Lombard Street—world’s curviest. Such a bizarre place to live.
“Ouest, what’s down there?
“Guys playing checkers and stuff.”
Greatest eyebrows ever.
31 Comments on “San Francisco”
You didn’t do these brilliant photos on one day on the town in SF! If you did, I’m nominating you for the Nobel photography prize, if there is one. Sweet and touching narration of a city bus ride. Bless Ouest and Lowe and you and Allie on your journey.
Nah, it was two days. 🙂 Such a photogenic city.
Pat,
You are right: the entire world wants to come and live in SF but no one can afford it. I was on the T-third the same day. A guy handed me a piece of paper saying he was deaf-mute and needed money. I told him “nice try” so he started yelling and pointing his cane at my right ear. I decided to ignore him because it looked like his cane might serve double-duty as a sleeve for something much sharper…
Other than that, I had a great day in SF as always 🙂
Years and years and years ago I worked for a lawyer who had eyebrows even furrier than the pair you photographed, which are pretty darn furry. To this day I smile when I think about the couple of times when addressing him I called him Mr. Eyebrows. Fortunately, unlike most lawyers, he had a sense of humor!! Great city shots!
That guys eyebrows are bearded!
I wonder if you will swing by Hidden Harbor and the big town of Rio Vista on your way south? See if Ouest remembers it.
We were through there not too long ago, not much has changed.
Maybe. We used to go to the beach right outside of town that had a county park style RV park at it. Always did like that little town.
Absolutely stunning photos – glad you were here to enjoy our October heat wave!! (by the way, it’s the Larkspur ferry, not Larksburg).
Years ago I worked for a company that was home offices in SF…..always enjoyed arriving but equally enjoyed departing….great place to visit but….pictures are great.
Love seeing Ouest with her camera. She going to be an amazing photographer!
What I love is that she loves doing it. She is always asking for her camera, and she even points out things to me and tells me to take a picture of it too.
Great pictures. Educate a poor gringo: Are the portion sizes in Mexico larger or smaller?
we left the US for Mexico in 2004 and haven’t been there since 2007 but my guess is the SF portion size would be much larger than what we have here.
Correct. A US taco is about three times larger than what you’d get at a taco stand in Mexico—but about five times more expensive
Thanks.
3x as large and 5x the price. It is the American way!!!
It would be impossible to pick a favorite photo from your work because there are just too many great ones – but the photo of Ouest shooting down into that basement has to be right up there. (I’m also having a flash memory of a photo of Ali, wearing a pink sweater, standing out in a wide open space somewhere in South America.)
Thanks, Jenny. I think I know the picture you’re talking about.
Especially awesome photos today, Pat! Heading to San Francisco myself next week… ask the weather to hold, okay?
I hope it does. It’s been amazing.
Pat, maybe you can figure out a easy way to identify the pictures that Ouest takes that you post on your blog.
I stumbled upon your blog, my husband and I are former live-aboard boaters. Your vintage rv is just wonderful! We now have a land home and migrate between my work with the county schools here in Merced County, Ca and off season we live on the plains of West Texas. Close where you tried to have brake work done ;0) Where did you stay while in SF? We have a R-Pod we camp on week-ends, when we get off work and or holidays. I think gypsy is my middle name. Your pictures are beautiful! What an adventure all of you are able to live. Thanks for sharing!
Hey, it’s me again, The Commenter! I will probably be commenting less though, as you move out of my neck of the proverbial (and kind of literal) woods.
Those are some EXCELLENT shots. I felt like you really captured a good part of the spirit of SF. Yes, missing the Mission, Castro, the Marina and some other areas, but WELL DONE. Superb.
Comment away, please. Shower us with praise! 🙂 You’re right, you could stay busy exploring SF for a year, doing something new each day.
I love your blog. I want to marry it.
She is already spoken for.
I was just thinking, I lived there 14 years and don’t have a single decent photo to show for it! Nice job. October is always the warmest and nicest month, you can actually go out and leave your fleece lined jacket at home.
I always loved that old carousel in the park, it’s perhaps the most innocent space in the whole city. I seldom saw children at all in the city, you would definitely have a lot of explaining to do.
That’s what happens when you live in a place, isn’t it? It’s just sort of there. The carousel is cool, and super cheap. Nice playground right there, and a hot dog stand. It’s a parenting trifecta.
Yeah, greatest eyebrows ever – you should be so lucky. LOL
My parents were born and raised in San Francisco, I was raised in San Mateo, one of the bedroom communities there back in the day. I’ve always loved the city, especially the way it was when I was young. I’m glad you enjoyed it so much, but then you guys always seem to enjoy yourselves, no matter where you are. 🙂
Always love your pictures. Especially love Ouest composing her perfect pic and the lovely old couple holding hands. Those are precious for the random happenings that not every visitor to SF would notice, let alone capture. I love reading about your travels, but your pictures are what set you above other cruising/travel blogs for me.
Pat, I liked your explanation of mental illness. Someday, when older, you can explain to her the mental illness that the guy at the RV park exhibited by not allowing you to continue your repairs. What a case!
I suppose the bus was too long to drive down Lombard St…it takes maneuvering full-size car.