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Friday, September 29
San Francisco today.
I woke up as we were docking and took a couple of photos from our balcony. We missed sailing under Golden Gate Bridge this morning, but would catch it later, on the way out.
The first two photos above show portions of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge from our balcony. The photo on the right shows the same bridge with a portion of the city skyline, also from our balcony.
The photo on the left shows part of the city skyline, with a sailboat in the foreground.
The photo on the right shows the same sailboat silhouetted against the bay with the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and the sunrise. Both photos are from our balcony.
Breakfast was at the Oceanview Cafe, then we prepared for our day.
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Over the gangway onto Pier 27. Then we walked to the tourist area - Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, cable cars, and streetcars. I took several photos on the way.
The photo on the left shows a bottle brush flower. The bush was planted in one of the many islands of flowers along the way. The center photo shows Kelly and me looking over one of the island planters. The photo on the right shows some of the painted seal statues posing outside of the Aquarium of the Bay. If we were staying longer, we might have explored this aquarium.
We finally arrived at Pier 39. I bought a spinner and some Christmas ornaments.
The photo on the left shows Kelly striding onto Pier 39. The center photo shows a silly metal sculpture of a pelican in front of one of the restaurants. The photo on the right shows some of the fruit for sail at the fresh fruit market.
The photo on the left shows a marina through an archway. The center photo shows a photo of the Golden Gate Bridge under construction. The photo was displayed in a store window. The photo on the right shows a nutcracker guarding the door to the Christmas shop.
The photo on the left shows Kelly approaching the carousel on Pier 39. The center photo shows one of the seahorses on the double decker carousel. The photo on the right shows a display of fanciful breads (teddy bears, turtles, and even an alligator) on display at Boudin's.
We met up with one of Kelly's friends from Billings (who now lives in the Bay area) (Carla), her husband Tony, and their two rescue dogs. The dogs were nervous and scared of everything. We had lunch at Boudin's there.
Then we continued down the Embarkadero to Fisherman's Wharf, then Garandelli Square where we stood in line for the cable cars.
The photo on the far left above shows a mural featuring whales on the side of a parking garage. The second photo shows the famous Fisherman's Wharf sign. The third photo shows some tall ships on display at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park - another place we could have spent some time at. The photo on the right is looking straight up one of the streets near the Historical Park with a cable car permanently installed next to the working tracks. People are allowed to climb in and on this cable car and take all the close-ups they want without it moving on them.
The day started sunny, then the fog rolled in about the time we got to the cable cars. Foggy mist most of the rest of the day.
The photo on the left shows Ghirardelli Square from below.
The photo on the right shows a cable car being loaded.
We had about a 45 minute wait in line for our turn to board. We watched three cable cars take off over the hills before we were finally able to board.
These three photos make up a sequence attempting to show how they turn a cable car around so that it can head back uphill. This is all completely manual. The men at the sides are turning the car on a large turntable. When it's gone through almost 180 degrees, it stops and can move back off the turntable.
We took the cable car over the hilly roads to the end of the line at Market. I managed to grab the seat at the left front of the cable car so that I could take photos out the side and front window.
The photo on the left shows the view as we start our journey, straight up the hill in front of us. The second photo shows that when the cable car is stopped (even if it blocks the intersection), all traffic stops also. (Side bonus: our ship is just visible behind the cars.) The photo on the right shows some of the cars creeping down Lombard Street, the most crooked street in the US. The cable car did make a stop at the top of this section of Lombard Street, but we stayed on. Taking a closer look at this street is something else that will wait for next time.
The photo on the left shows some interesting looking trees next to the street. This is looking out the front window of the cable car and has a big blotch right in the middle where the fog had gotten thicker and messed up the window. The second photo shows just some of the interesting architecture San Francisco features. They seem to like this bay window effect here. The photo on the right shows us coming straight down a long hill towards Market Street. If the bench seat had been any slicker, I'd have been squished against the front window!
We soon arrived at the end of the line. I hopped off and noticed another cable car coming towards us, back up the hill. The photo on the left shows this cable car approaching us. Suddenly, I heard Carl yell at me to get back on the cable car. Turns out the conductor had been trying to quietly get my attention to warn me that I was in potential danger. So, I hopped back up and got this shot. The center photo shows a string of cable cars waiting their turn at the turntable at the very bottom of the hill. The photo on the right shows a decorated lampost on Market Street.
We then climbed back up the street to Union Square.
Union Square had a display of painted hearts at three of its four corners. The photo on the left shows a painted heart with a Yoda motif.
The photo on the right shows a painted heart with a labyrinth on it.
We popped Into Macy's for a quick bio break...
Then back to Market Street to catch the F line (a streetcar) back to our pier. This route - cable car to Market, then streetcar back to the pier - was suggested by a tourist info guy at the pier as we got off ship.
We never did figure out how to show our day pass to the street car operator, but we had a nice ride. There was a special stop just for Pier 27.
The photo on the left shows the view looking back along the street (The Embarcadero) after we got off the streetcar. To our left is the dock where our ship is docked.
The photo on the right shows a passing sailboat - taken from our balcony after getting back on board.
We were soon back on board. There were several admiring glances at my camera as we went through security (from two of the gentlemen there). The metal buttons on my vest and belt buckle set off the scanners however...
We were soon back on board and, after dropping cameras and purchases in the room, Carl and Kelly got fancy coffees to warm up. I had wine.
Then it was up to the observation deck in the bow to watch the ship disembark. We sailed past Alcatraz then under the Golden Gate Bridge just about sunset. It was cold up there on deck, but the view was worth it!
The photo on the left shows the city skyline as we backed out of the dock. The center photo shows the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. The right hand tower of the bridge is hidden in the darkness to the right. The photo on the right shows Alcatraz Island as we sailed past.
The photo on the left shows us approaching the Golden Gate Bridge. The center photo shows a flock of pelicans escorting us on our way. The photo on the right shows the right hand tower of the bridge as we approach.
These three photos show us almost under the Golden Gate Bridge. Everyone was taking pictures and video. It felt as if everyone had a cell phone or camera up and clicking away.
The photo on the left shows the view looking back at the Golden Gate Bridge just after we pass under it. The white framework and netting surrounds the ship's basketball court. The center photo shows San Francisco from the other side of the bridge. The photo on the right shows Kelly and I looking back at San Francisco under the Golden Gate Bridge and saying goodbye to a nice day, despite the misty fog.
Then we cleaned up for dinner. We went back to the Oceanview Cafe for dinner.
It was after 8 when we finished, so Carl and I crashed. Kelly stayed up a little longer, but not much.