Saturday 30 July 2011

San Francisco - Rest Day

29th July - Lee went off on a tour to Napa Valley wine country so I took advantage and had a day of rest, Still walked about 7 miles but managed to catch upon "stuff". Bugs# 158

San Francisco

27th July- Caught train into city and met three guys - Joe, Joe and Jake - from Ohio. They were visiting too so managed with their help to get to Pier 39. Took a 2 hour open top double decker bus tour around the city to get our bearings. Very interesting city. The biggest disappointment was not being able to go to Alcatraz as they are booked months ahead:( Saw the hippy section (which is called Haight - weird - should be Love lol) This is Jan Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Grateful Dead stomping grounds. The bay area was 20 degrees cooler than the surrounding districts and got really quite cold. The bus itself left a lot to be desired on those bumpy hilly roads and it took my breath away when the driver chucked a U turn in a busy street ...gulp!! The Golden Gate bridge looked dark and spooky and was shrouded in mist. Imuch prefer Fisherman's Wharf on Monterey to SF and in fact I think Monterey is my favourite place so far. Bugs #99

28th July - Caught the train in to SF again and walked over the bridge and bussed it back. The bridge was shrouded in mist again and it was freezing but I didn't feel any urge to jump :).  Later went to THAT street in SF and walked to the top. So steep I swear my toes were touching my shins!!! Never been on such a steep street. Caught the cable car back down and then a trolley car back to the wharf - loved it - reminded me of so many movies. Have walked for miles and miles so far - makes sleeping easy. I like SF in the outer areas but SF itself is not so nice. Having said that I loved the architecture and the Bay itself. With the streets as hilly as they are it would be not be a user friendly place to live. Bugs #132

Tuesday 26 July 2011

3 Days catch up - no internet till now

24th July - DISNEYLAND!!!!!!!!!  If I had to choose between Disneyland and Universal Studios, Universal would win hands down.. Maybe we just got there on a bad day. The Matterhorn was closed (in the middle of the summer holidays) - Toon Town was closed - the Pirates of the Caribbean broke down and we got stuck in a tunnel- we couldn't go on It's a Small World because that broke down - they got it up and going later and we did eventually get the ride.   The whole place seemed to be one big shopping mall of Disney clothes, toys etc etc  Universal was brilliant - the queues were well managed and there were fine mist sprays to keep people cool and the rides were just the BEST - especially the Simpson ride  Bugs# 33

25th July - Drove from Anaheim to Pismo Beach.. (202miles - 325 Kms)  Bugs Bunny fans will remember that's where he was trying to go when he took a wrong turn a Albuquerque which was a good enough reason for us to stop there for the night. For those who wonder I don't think Bugs ever made it there.  It was a reasonably good driving experience - I am feeling more comfortable about the size of the vehicle and with the help of some rhyming  tips (left is long - Thanks Pat :) and right is tight) I am getting used to the wrong side of the road bit. That's not to say there hasn't been some OMG and WTF moments but I am getting there :)  Bugs #47

26th July - Drove from Pismo Beach to Monterey- ( great place). Had clam chowder at Fisherman's Wharf. Very picturesque - seals in the harbour honking away - would like to have spent more time there. Then on to San Francisco - or rather the outskirts. Booked into a Super 6 for a few days. It's quite a bit cooler now we are further north - don't know if that's just a coincidence or normal. Driving wise - I have seen absolutely no tailgating - brilliant but indicating seems to be optional:) -   254 miles today - 409 kms. - Bugs #69