San Francisco Adventure

The famous Golden Gate Bridge was bathed in fog. I came all the way from Virginia and could not see the top of the bridge tower because of the fog. But I did ride across it.
Aren't these flowers gorgeous. There were hanging baskets along one of the piers. I couldn't believe how many and how full they were.
We took a walk to Fishermen's Wharf and saw these vessels along the way.
I tried to get this fellow to look at me---no go, he was watching the big guys folic on the platforms.
These big guys are very territorial and noisy. But such fun to watch.
They named these Victorian houses the painted ladies. They were really beautiful. We got to tour the large green one on the end. The owner bought in for $65,000---had to get 30people to move out of it and then put over $300,000 into the renovation. I can't remember the value now--$3.5 million or $4.2 million, sorry, it was more than my brain could comprehend. It had a kitchen to die for, a beautiful little patio area, a dining room capable of feeding 12 or more and lots more we didn't get to see.
This stained glass window was in in the parlor. There was another stained glass window over the front door.
One of our stops was at a Japanese tea garden. The landscape was green and serene. We learned that the "fortune cookies" we all get following dinner at a Chinese/Japanese restaurant were actually invented in San Francisco in that garden but no patent was put on them and during WWII, while the Japanese family who owned and operated the garden were interred, the Chinese took over the garden and the making of the fortune cookies. The garden did not do well and after the war, the Japanese again took over the garden. They have a lovely tea house in the park.


Made a stop at an old Episcopal Church, I believe it was Grace Episcopal. It truly was spectacular. My camera could not capture the beauty of thestained glass windows and art work on the walls.


One of our last stops on the tour was a brief walk through ChinaTown. All the businesses had both English and Chinese names and there was a wide variety of "stuff" from clothing and food to herbs, teas, and roots for Chinese medicine. We met an incredible Chinese gentleman who looked about 50 to 55 years old and was actually 77 and still going strong.

It was a pretty long day but quite exciting and educational. Met more folks, saw some wonderful scenery and got back to our home away for home in one piece after a trip on San Francisco's rail transit. More later from the tired but very Happy Travelers.