San Francisco

Petaluma is about 30 minutes north of San Francisco, so after the morning rush hour (we're retired, right?) we set out for the city where so many people left their heart. Mark Twain once said that the worst winter he ever spent was summer in San Francisco. We've been here in the summer and we have found that he was often right about summer. So we were hoping that mid-October might provide some better weather since the delta and the area beyond don't heat up as much and draw in the moist Pacific air creating the bay's famous fogs.

Well there was no fog, but it was cold - about 10 celsius - and windy. The headlands outside the Golden Gate were very pretty although Point Bonita Lighthouse was a disappointment. But we did take the required shots of the Golden Gate. Marie-Claire is happily sporting the snowboarding jacket she said we would never need.












Driving over the old structure it became really clear how much time and money they spend on maintenance. Five different crews were at work in the 25 knot winds, scraping, painting, using measurement instruments, and keeping warm.

To paraphrase, poverty is the mother of invention, and this guy has created a great way to make money. He calls hinself "The Bushman", has a little sign with his title, a few cornstalks to hide behind, and then as people walk by he shouts "ARGHH". It is amazing how many people then give him a donation - for being scared. Although the guy in this picture commented that it was good way to get punched out. A word of caution to my grandson: "Aydin - don't try this on your street!"




After a warm lunch on Fishermen's Wharf, the sun came out and warmed us up enough that, while it still wasn't the bay area's winter version of summer, Marie-Claire was able to get into her fall designer clothes.

One final obligatory shot - a cable car and then we are off, turning left in a big curve as we head south to Bakersfield and east to Barstow to join Highway 40 which we hope will keep us in the 20 degree Celsius line that runs across the USA through October.