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.
Alcatraz Island. Photo by P. Rickrode 2014.
The Golden Gate Bridge to the west – our destination
Golden Gate Bridge. Photo by P. Rickrode 2014.
and the new Bay Bridge and Treasure Island from whence we had just come to the east.
Bay Bridge. Photo by P. Rickrode 2014.
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.
Pier 35 at the wharf in San Francisco. Photo by P. Rickrode 2014.
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.
Golden Gate Bridge. Photo by P. Rickrode 2014.
We chugged under the massive steel structure and into the looming fog bank on the other side.
The under belly of the Golden Gate Bridge. Photo by P. Rickrode 2014.
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.
P. Rickrode and the Golden Gate Bridge. Photo by C. Rickrode 2014.
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.
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