Yesterday was a brilliant day here in San Francisco. It was sunny and warm. . . . while local folks still were wearing heavy coats, hats, and scarves, I was out and about in a t-shirt and fleece.
We were up early - still coping with jet lag. Don't you just love waking up at 3 a.m. with your body convinced that it really is 6 a.m.? After tossing and turning for a while I gave up and blogged.
Breakfast was at our favourite local breakfast spot - Dottie's True Blue Cafe. We lined up waiting the opening with other folks eager for a great breakfast experience. The couple ahead of us were from Sacramento - we had a great comparing our favourite San Fran spots with one another while we waited. Of course it was well worth the wait - Paul loved his french toast made with fresh bread studded with dried pears and cranberries, I enjoyed a scramble with baby spinach, mushrooms, and house made fennel-oregano sausage. YUM
After breakfast we headed to the Golden Gate Park where we wanted to see the newly opened Academy of Sciences. The new facility was brilliant. We toured the aquarium, the huge rainforest biosphere, the exhibit of African penguins, and the living roof. If you are in the area it is definitely worth a visit - you can get a $3 discount on your entrance fee if you take public transit to the museum.
Having spent a few hours wandering the academy we spent some more time walking around the park. It was hard to believe that days before we were struggling under snow and today we were wandering under this bright blue sky. Everything was green and beautiful. It is easy to understand why San Franscians love this park!
I was crashing, two nights of not getting my regular sleep were having their effect, we hopped back on the bus and headed back to Union Square. We had lunch at our favourite Mexican spot - Colibri and then crashed for a few hours of much needed sleep.
We woke fresh, well not completely fresh, I guess refreshed was more the word for the day.
Next up?
Shopping around Union Square. Williams Sonoma had a great deal on their dish soap so we brought huge bottles of it to bring home. Imagine . . . 'what did you bring home from your trip Jerry?' . . . 'dish soap'.
Oh well, these bottles cost $ 50 at home and here were $ 12.99. How could I not buy them?
Dinner was at a restaurant that had opened since we were last in the city: Straits. It is a fusion restaurant featuring a blend of Indian, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese, and Chinese foods. It was a great dinner.
Of course, afterward while we were leaving I noticed an article that said the restaurant was partially a project of some gangsta rapper 'Ludricris (sp?)'. The snobbery in me came to the surface - it is a good thing I didn't know this in advance of I wouldn't have gone! LOL
After dinner it was back to the hotel for some TV and then sleep . . . . It was a perfect day - good food, some culture, shopping, and chatting with folks. Not too busy but not too idle either (because both make me nuts!)
Today - some more touring in San Francisco and then down to Paso Robles for the fun of the slow bowl.
Sounds like a wonderful day, Jerry. Just FYI, it's snowing to beat hell here. Nothing to do but watch movies and gain weight all weekend!
Posted by: sandrac | January 30, 2009 at 01:57 PM
Ohhh...I just love these little vicarious vacations from reading your blog...you do such a great job, I always feel as if I am almost there. Almost. Sounds perfect so far.
Posted by: Kathryn Gerth | January 30, 2009 at 05:50 PM
Sandra - that is about all that can be done weather like that!
Did I tell it was 80 and sunny on the drive down to Paso Robles? Did I? LOL
Kathryn - it has been a perfect mini break - just what I needed to knock the winter blahs away.
Posted by: JDeQ | January 31, 2009 at 09:05 AM