In a Western Place

Pictured: the Cable Car barn at Mason and Jackson Street, also known as the Cable Car Museum. Four, really long cables feed throughout the underbelly of downtown, thus forming the Powell-Hyde, California, and Powell-Mason lines. Moving at a constant speed of 9.5 mph, the entire system and operation... fascinate me.

This past Thursday, Friday and Saturday were hot, hot, hot in the Bay area. Now that Matty is officially on summer break, we were able enjoy the weather, together, on my day off (which is Thursday, for you lurkers not in the know). After a lovely morning of sleeping in, we took the bus (which is free free free on hot days) over to Baker Beach, located near the Golden Gate bridge in Presidio, where we picnicked on Whole Foods grub and witnessed several "nudie" folk sunbathing and, ahem, playing volleyball. Please note that I refrained from photographing that, but it was tough. It's been years since I've relaxed on a beach, and having a boyfriend with the same blinding personality body as me, made it all the more enjoyable. Too bad my SPF 45 failed on me, (ouchie) and uh, sand, how did you there?!?! (See pictures)

Air quality is not so great here thanks to a slew wildfires in the surrounding area. I really hope it's under control soon because we're traveling through Big Sur while Matty's folks are in town during the 4th of July weekend. That, and nothing makes me sadder than a forest fire...

A lot of folks were in town this past weekend for the 38th annual San Francisco Pride Parade (and other Pride related events). Late Saturday night, in a surprisingly crowded BART station, Matty grabbed my hand and proudly proclaimed, "let's show them all that you don't have to be gay, to be in love!"

Ah, to be atypical in San Francisco.

Regrettably, we passed on the festivities and stayed out of the city for most Sunday to avoid the crowd. I'm sad to have missed out a great photographic opportunity... maybe next year.

Matty's folks are in town visiting from good ol' WNY, so over the holiday weekend we gave them a large dose of the Kirsten and Matty Central California/San Francisco Experience. From early Thursday morning until Sunday evening, we entertained them, non-stop, with some of our favorite day trips and scenic attractions... such as:

-- hiking and sea creature hunting (but not touching!) at the tidepools in Pacifica
-- lots of coastal driving through small coastal towns
-- dining along Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey
-- visiting a home made entirely out of garbage
-- visiting another home, er castle, made entirely out of priceless items
-- laughing at the Elephant Seals and their "rude" mannerisms
-- eating at a Taco Bell in Steinbeck country
-- stopping at a winery for a tasting (I needed to use their bathroom)
-- strolling through Golden Gate park
-- touring an exotic flower display, with butterflies!
-- consuming delicious Mission Mexican fare
-- commuting via street car (the F line)
-- saying "hello" to the sea lions
-- hiking up Telegraph hill where the parrots could only be heard, not seen
-- viewing San Francisco from atop of Coit Tower
-- eating at our favorite, off the beaten path Italian restaurant in North Beach
-- Target (OK, that was more for me)

Because of the relentless wildfires, I had to bypass a large portion of scenic highway 1 via highway 101, so no Big Sur (large frowny face). Despite the detour, the sky was completely filled with smoke and I spotted a mountain top engulfed in flames. Scary! Oh, and the weather was sunny, foggy, cold, cool, hot, sunny, foggy, cold, cool, hot -- you know, depending on where you walk.

Pictures to follow... throughout the week.

A view of North Beach from Coit Tower. I walk through this neighborhood everyday on my foot commute to and from work. It's about one and a half miles each way -- downhill to the office and uphill to the home. I never walk the same route twice in one week.

Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park

"The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco." -- Mark Twain

It's the middle of July and I'm wearing a long sleeve shirt, jeans, thick socks with sneakers, and a jacket... inside. The weather's been foggy, damp, windy with brrrrrrr chilly mornings and nights. We were lucky last week when it warmed up to a whopping 70 degrees! Dear hot and humid NY summers, I think I miss you.

Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park

The last one cracks me up. Like Ceasar Chavez, Che Guevara and Pancho Villa were best buds.

Outside of Matty's apartment, we noticed the KRON 4 news van...

reporting on road blocked by a fallen tree.





?!?!

I had to laugh -- this sort of thing happens all the time in (the state of) New York. I guess it's news worthy out here!

Just a band that I'll be seeing next Friday at the San Francisco Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival. You know, just a band.


(OK, I'm freakin' squealing over here!)

Last Sunday we crossed the Bay by ferry to check out an Antiques Fair on an old Naval base up in Alameda, California. Antiques by the Bay runs on the first Sunday of every month, and it's huge! We walked around for 3 hours and barely made a dent. We didn't buy anything, but I did snag some good photos. My advice: go early!

Like a bad Burning Man flashback, the Lovefest squad paraded slowly (and very audibly) throughout the streets of downtown San Francisco this past Saturday afternoon. Oh the glitter, oh the flashing lights, oh the unrelenting techno music! We caught a quick glimpse while walking along Market street on our way to the Ferry Terminal...