The Wandering Continues

San Francisco is generous with her beauty. I have been traipsing through neighborhoods all while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Yes, the hills make for great workouts but they also pitch me to great viewpoints. Pete and I have established our walk routine and he insists on at least one daily visit to the Francisco dog park to meet with his new pals and one visit to the valets at the Fairmont for his nightly treat. It’s a routine I can live with.

On Sunday I walked 3.4 miles to and from a 24 Hour Fitness in the financial district. I was the only woman working out, which was a bit unsettling. I asked the front desk why no women were at the gym. The only answer they could give me, “It’s Sunday”. Hmmm I think women can work out on Sunday.

My short term rental is on the path of the cable cars so I hear the bells all day and see the delight as the numerous tourists hold onto the railing and swing halfway off the wooden steps. It’s a quintessential San Francisco vision. The noisy underground cables in the street scare Pete so we walk quickly when crossing.

I see swimmers in the water morning, midday and in the evening. Tai Chi happening at Washington Square in North Beach. Fruit and vegetables piled high in China Town. Fort Mason littered with bikers, runners and walkers. I think I have figured out the parking situation although the street cleaning schedule does throw an additional wrinkle in finding and, more importantly, keeping a spot.

I even managed to pick up Carli from the airport today…yes, the San Francisco Airport! It was easier than expected Each day gets easier. I am using my phone map less and less. I am not as bothered by the sometimes pungent smells on the street. And most importantly, Pete has a bop of happiness each time we go for a walk. He is happy here and so am I.

First Morning in San Francisco

Last night during the evening dog walk we passed the Fairmont. The valet (Steven) immediately called us in and wanted to meet Pete and give him a dog treat. So, during our 6 a.m. dog walk this morning Pete wanted to go right to the Fairmont. His sense of direction is uncanny, especially when it results in a treat.

We walked the neighborhood and the SF Maritime National Historic Park. There were people in the aquatic cove swimming. They had on wetsuits and I could hear the laughing and chatting in the early morning, dark hours. I have already noticed that even though San Francisco is a BIG city, it lives small. People smile, say hello and introduce themselves. Eddie and his dog Rocky introduced themselves as we walked to the dog park this morning. And Eddie gave Pete a chicken treat. At this rate, Pete will NEVER leave this city…the treats are just too plentiful.

After visiting the dog park where Pete energetically played with another Doodle, we walked up to the area above the park, which was an even better park! The views were stunning overlooking the water and Alcatraz. Goats were on the hill doing the organic farming and a community garden and a playground rounded out the park.

I purchased my parking permit for the city and FasTrak for the bridge tolls. This afternoon I will find my gym. There are two options, both 1.4 miles away so I will walk both of them and see which one I like better. I already have settled in and it feels pretty good. I look forward to exploring the next two months. And I am sure Pete will be gaining some weight!

Day Four of Wandering

Today should be called the day of driving. I drove from Mendocino to Bodega Bay. It took about three and a half hours to drive there and the first 30 miles were hairpin curves. Bodega Bay was a bit underwhelming. It’s tiny and really no central downtown area. I don’t think it was really worth the drive but now I know. At least I found some good fish and chips (day three in a row)!

I considered driving to Point Reyes National Seashore (which is what I should have done instead of Bodega Bay) but frankly Pete and I had enough of driving so we drove straight to San Francisco which took about an hour and a half. I have to admit that while I was driving over the Golden Gate Bridge and saw the city in the distance I got a little emotional. I got emotional for two reasons. The first reason is that I realized this was the longest drive I have done by myself (except for two weeks in Portugal). Secondly, arriving in this city marked the beginning of my second half journey. The house is sold, my six weeks of being a nomad across Portland is over. I’ve left my cocoon of familiarity. This is truly the first step of formulating my second half rewrite.

My short term rental was easy to find but parking was not! Fortunately my host was very helpful. I unloaded the car and then headed a block away to a fantastic dog park. Pete was shy at first but then he jumped right in with the 30+ other dogs. It was fun to watch all the dogs run, sniff and get along. I look forward to investigating San Francisco.

Day Three of Wandering

I am really enjoying this wandering thing. It’s nice to explore, learn new things and not be too pressed for time. Pete seems to be enjoying it, too, especially all the stops at the beaches. It was another big day for driving and seeing things and the weather is much better today.

We started in Eureka which has a super cute downtown area with shops, cafes and a harbor. We then drove about an hour to the northern entrance of the Avenue of the Giants. Parts of the drive through the ancient redwoods is so dark you would think it was nighttime! The sheer number of giant redwoods clustered in this 31 mile drive is truly amazing.

Shortly after exiting the redwood drive, I hopped on Highway 1. It was 30 miles of soft serve ice cream curves…in other words, very, very curvy. And no guardrails which is always a nail biter. But after 30 miles you are popped right out to the ocean cliffs. The views are stunning and the waves were powerful. We stopped at Seaside Beach. Just more loud waves, more rocks jutting out of the water and more beauty for free. I was also able to find a few mussel shells for my friend Jenny. She does amazing art with mussel shells.

We passed through Fort Bragg and returned later to have lunch at Sea Pals (more fish and chips) and walk at MacKerricher State Park and Glass Beach. But before that we wandered the Mendocino downtown area. It’s a quaint downtown right on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean with water towers sprinkled throughout the town. I stopped at the visitor center to learn a little history. The town (unincorporated) still uses them today since the source of water is wells. The towers are now powered by electricity. Mendocino can be sunny one minute and then the fog rolls in and visibility is nil. Pete and I are ready for a nap!