San Francisco is not known for it’s sunny days or bikini-riddled beaches. In fact, most days, it’s socked in with fog and you’re lucky if you get a tiny glimpse of the famous Golden Gate Bridge. But, the locals are blessed with a few really warm days every year around the autumnal equinox.
Such was our experience on day one of our 11-day voyage to Alaska. We arrived at the bustling pier with suitcases bursting at the seams and anticipation oozing from our pores.
Once onboard the Star Princess we made our way to the upper decks and breathed in the sea air. We had an amazing view of Alcatraz.
The Golden Gate Bridge to the west – our destination
and the new Bay Bridge and Treasure Island from whence we had just come to the east.
Before long, the band struck up a lively sail away tune, eager cruisers boggied on the Lido deck as bartenders hustled to concoct icy perfection in silver shakers. And then, the captain blew that awesome horn. BON VOYAGE!
I sipped on a Desperado, an amazing mixture of Dos Equis and Don Julio, whilst we inched away from the pier, waving at the tourists arriving back from a day of exploration on Alcatraz Island. We glided past sailors basking in the warm sunshine on the bows of their sleek white boats and and shiny playful seals barking from the wooden planks of the marina.
As the city slid past us on the port side, we inched ever closer to the orange monolithic columns of the most famous bridge in California, dwarfing the whale watching vessels coming back to port.
We chugged under the massive steel structure and into the looming fog bank on the other side.
The last dregs of sunlight gleamed off the magnificent towers and swooping spans of the bridge as we steadily made our way toward the open sea.
We were off. Day one!
Stay tuned for port one in Alaska. Totem poles and all you can eat crab at Ketchikan!!
Have you ever been to San Francisco? Have you ever sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge? What impressive venture have your embarked upon lately. I love it when you share your experiences.
Word of the Day: Gas maser
Fun fact about me: I have never seen a walrus (except in pictures).
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, October 2014. Original photos by P. Rickrode.
Lovely pictures. I remember being stuck in traffic on the Golden Gate and wondering what would happen if an earthquake struck…not much of an adventure. Your life is not complete until you’ve seen a walrus. Is that on your bucket list? Have a great week!
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Coleen, I would not want to be stuck in traffic anywhere in San Francisco during an earthquake. That entire city is a sitting duck. It’s right on the fault line. Any day now . . .
Seeing a walrus is not on my bucket list, but it would be nice to see one in person. Like a lot of creatures, I think their habitat is changing and they’re running out of natural places to live. So sad.
Thanks for visiting. You have a nice week as well my friend.
Patricia
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How about asking about riding a ferry across the bay between the bridges. Actually I have done that but can do one better. I am SO old I remember my daddy driving a car onto a ferry and us sailing across the bay to drive off the other side. Funny the things you can remember from your childhood. I love the bay and the magic that surrounds it and the City.
Have fun on your voyage. All the crab you can eat? Pea green with jealousy here in the Northwoods.
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Oh Miss Paisley, how I miss carpooling with you and hearing your stories and book ideas.
You are not that old, but it seems to me I do recall a trip to San Francisco that involved driving a very long way out of the way to get into the city because of some activity that had closed the old bridge down. That wasn’t fun as I recall. I don’t remember a ferry though, except the one that goes out of Tiburon to Angel Island. Good times.
I did gorge myself on crab and it was de-lish-ee-ous. Best crag ever! Next Monday you’ll hear about our adventures in Ketchikan. Stay tuned.
Patricia
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Fabulous!!! We are overdue for a trip to SF!
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Hi Susie. If you get to San Fran, you’re only about 2 hours from me, so let me know so we can meet up.
Patricia
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Definitely!!!
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My most recent adventure was staying with my Uncle Lew and Aunt Donna on their ranch near San Antonio. One hot, muggy afternoon 83 year-old Uncle Lew decided to take me for a tour of the nearly 300 acre ranch. He drove his pickup, windows down, through the mesquite to check on his entire 100 head of cattle. I got to look at them all and hear about why he named each of them.
Texas has some weird plant known as jumping cactus. This little devil has 1 inch long pieces that are covered in hundreds of tiny, hair-like spines. Once they are in your skin it takes tweezers, a bright light, and a lot of patience to get them out. I didn’t get out of the truck, but I still had several of them on me, and in the oddest places. Definitely an adventure. Sadly, Uncle Lew died a couple of weeks ago, so I’m really glad I was able to experience the ranch tour with him.
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Ah, Kathleen, I’m sorry, but what a great memory. I think it’s the jumping cholla. They are interesting plants indeed, but I thought you had to touch them or get pretty close to them before then “jumped.”
Sounds like a ride around the old ranch was fun.
Patricia
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Your photos are fantastic! Never been to SF, nor have I seen a walrus. Did see a lot of sea lions on our Alaskan cruise, though. My latest venture is buying another apartment building with my husband (his job is managing them). For me that’s more bookkeeping. Not that exciting. LOL @ “gas maser” – at first I saw it as “gas master” and I thought, oh, my husband!
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Hahahahahaha – your husband the gas master. At our house the gas master is the dog.
I’ve been experimenting with different settings on my camera and I think I captured some pretty good shots if I might say so myself. I usually just keep the camera on the auto setting and let it do it’s thing, but I haven’t always been happy with the outcome. I did some reading up on the camera and learned about ISO settings and such so I did some experimenting on this trip.
Sorry about the added work for you, but acquiring a new property can be exciting at the same time. I hope it turns out to be a good investment for you guys.
Patricia
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I am so jealous! Doing the cruise to Alaska is on our wish list. It’s supposed to be amazing. Have a great time!
Love SF. Been a few years since I have been there. I do remember it being cold in the summer!
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Alaska was super amazing and I’m telling everyone I know that they have to get there and experience it for themselves. I can’t even describe the enormousness that surrounds you when you go anywhere. Bet there my friend!
Patricia
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