Oh So Jealous

I have been working a lot the last week or so, trying to catch up from my parents' visit and get ahead for future plans. However, going to work in the Presidio has held some surprises to keep my on my toes. Saturday, I arrived to find a whole line of beautiful classic Chevy's lined up in our parking lot. Ashamed to park my car anywhere near them, I had to park on the other end of the lot. Apparently this group of Chevy owners drives around on the weekend to make everyone green with envy over their babies.
I told my boyfriend that I want this one for my birthday (ha), and while I imagine that one day I will have a green means of transportation, I doubt it will ever be this cool.

Take Me Out

Last night was a rare and special occasion indeed! Due to a $2 ticket deal, Alyssa and I went to an Oakland Athletic's game. This was my first pro-baseball game in 8 years and Alyssa's first ever! Neither of us really knew what was going on, but I think we covered all the essentials: we sang Take Me Out, ate $1 hot dogs, drank $7.75 beers, and made a mess of peanut shells around our feet. (For all those envisioning my warm California home, please note how much we are both wearing, and that being in the low 40's at night is not a rarity in the Bay Area.)
The best part of the whole experience may have been the fan who was louder than all the stadium vendors yelling at one of them, "STANLEY! STANLEY! UP HERE STANLEY!!! CRACKERJACKS!!" He finally got some crackerjacks, and then got out his trumpet... needless to say, he had enough team spirit for our whole section.

96 Non-Stop Hours

Last week, my parents came into town for what became a whirlwind visit. We took the ferry into San Francisco almost as soon as they got here. The ferry was surprisingly fast and a great way to get out on the bay for not too much money. We ate at the ferry terminal building which is full of specialty (insanely expensive) shops includes those that sell only caviar, mushrooms, and champagne. We watched sunset on the ocean and then tucked them in bed after the first half day.
The next morning we raced off to beat the crowds to Muir Woods. Next stop was Muir Beach. Then we had lunch in San Rafael at Sol Food, a small but delicious Puerto Rican restaurant. Next we drove up to Napa for a tasting at Sterling Vineyards. We chose there because they offer 3 whites in their tastings (Mom doesn't do red wine) and, of course, they have the gondola. Their Malvasia Bianca (a sweeter white) is one of my new favorite varietals. THEN we rushed back to go to a book signing for the release of my boss's new book at the art gallery. Between the wine and the long day we were more than ready to retire.
Thursday morning we headed North on Hwy. 1 for some stomach-turning driving adventures. The views were impressive, the road was winding, and my dad was definitely loving it. We stopped for a while at Salt Point State Park where we watched a group of harbor seals resting while the fog rolled in. Much of the rest of the day was spent hoping we didn't roll of the cliffs.

For Friday, we headed South to Monterey and it's famous Aquarium! Truly one of a kind, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is well suited to visitors of all degrees of geekiness. Wild sea otters swim just outside it's windows where you can watch them from binoculars in the "Wild about Otters" exhibit that contains several species of river otter. The jellyfish are spectacular against the blue walls of their tanks and appear as "Living Art" in the aptly named exhibit. The aquarium would be a great place to take youngsters as it goes to great lengths to get kids interested in learning, but on Friday afternoon, it was a bit overwhelming for Mom, Dad and I to be surrounded by tired, overstimulated kids so we called it a day.

They left Saturday morning after breakfast at the Lighthouse Cafe in Sausalito, all in all, a great visit.

Drop Dead Gorgeous

On a warm day last weekend, I made my first venture to Muir Beach. It was the most wonderful day I have ever spent at the beach. Sheenie and I originally intended to just comb the beach for tide pools. They would have been enough for a great day at the beach by themselves. We poked and prodded every anemone in our reaches, sought out starfish and squealed over the very fast crabs. Dogs were having the times of their lives chasing tennis balls, digging as deep as possible and running through the surf. It was warm and the winds were calm (the opposite of standard Bay Area weather) and everyone was brimming with sheer joy.
After exploring every tide pool possible, avoiding the elderly naked men (it is California...) and almost getting away with a jack russel we spread out on the sand. We basked there for what seemed like hours of just watching the kids and the waves. It was almost impossible to tear ourselves away from our little spot in paradise.

Day in the Park

This weekend was unusually warm for the Bay Area so Sheenie and I headed to Golden Gate Park. We nearly killed several bikers (sorry) but landed first at the Conservatory of Flowers. We forgot that greenhouses are typically warm and humid, so that was an unpleasant surprise. The conservatory is rather small, but it is inexpensive, and has a small butterfly exhibit.
Next we wandered our way to the Japanese Tea Gardens where fortune cookies were rumored to have been invented. The gardens are beautiful, if slightly over priced.
By the end of the day, we were a little rosey and ready for some ice water! Glorious Day Two of the best weekend ever!

Call of the Sea

Friday evening my friend hooked me up with a trip on the boat she used to work on! The Seaward is part of the Call of the Sea program that primarily does educational trips for school groups. I got to set the jib! It was an amazing start to an amazing weekend.

Point Reyes Pt. II

Wednesday was my first day off in a week and a half, and I decided to spend it somewhere beautiful. I drove out to the light house at Point Reyes which is a surprising two hour trek. Point Reyes National Seashore is much larger than I realized, and it's actually an hour from entering the park until you reach the parking lot at the Point. It was a slate grey day, but the winds were calm and the whales were migrating! I didn't get a picture of any of the Pacific Gray whales I saw, but it was pretty amazing to watch a calf skirt the point. Definitely a good day to have the binoculars on hand.

Of course, I went on one of the days that the light house is closed, and I didn't make it out to see the elephant seals either... next time I guess! Dad, you would love it out here - the roads are very crappy, twisty, and follow the cliffs!

Battery Townsley

Rather frequently I find my self walking up around Battery Townsley. This was the first time I had bothered to go into the northern part of the hill. So, there is this recessed area, it probably used to house anti-aircraft guns or something, but now there's a pool.
A surprising amount of debris has made it's way in here, lots of tree branches and sunglasses from visitors leaning too far over the fence. I think this is a pregnant newt. There will several of these slimers swimming around this cess pit and this was the biggest, fattest one of them all. I would not be surprised if a rare, super toxic slime mold develops here.

Anyhow, this is the view south to San Francisco from the same spot outside the battery. Not too shabby.